A Yorkshire Christmas

Steve and I had a absolute whirlwind of a trip home to England! We did not stop!! It was lovely to be home (not been home for over a year!) and introduce Steve to more Yorkshire people, as well as spending more time with my family.

We went to the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham.....

and we visited the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes where yummy Wensleydale cheese is produced (a favourite of Wallace and Gromit!)




On Christmas Eve, we went to York...

... and had Christmas at home...

On Boxing day (day after Christmas), we went to a Leeds Rhinos Rugby match. Steve also went to a Leeds United Football/Soccer match with my cousins.


While we were home, Steve was introduced to some British traditions, including going to the pub on Christmas Day! He had a Yorkshire Pudding lesson...
..and learned about the paper crowns in Christmas crackers...

Introducing the British Bridesmaids

L-R Emma, Me, Annabel, Louise

Emma and I started school on the same day when we were 10 yrs old. Coincidentally, our dads went to school together as well.
Annabel and I also went to school together but didn't really like each other until we somehow ended up sharing a room on the school trip to Russia!!
Louise is my (younger) sister and no she wasn't wearing heels in this photo!

While I was home in the UK, Mum and the girls surprised me with a 'Hen Lunch' at Bibi's. It was so nice to chat/gossip/catch up with everyone. I had really missed that!

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was yesterday (for the Brits' information).
On Wednesday night, we continued our tradition of going to our local bar, the Hancock Tavern, with Shaun and Laura for yummy buffalo chicken and a table keg! (I wish I had taken a photo of this but basically it's a table top keg and it's AWESOME!)

Fot Thanksgiving itself, we went to Shelly and Bill's house for dinner. It was delicious and I ate a LOT!

BOBO!!

OK - Where Was I?

As many of you know (or should know!) I am a political fundraiser so things have been CRAZY the past few months preparing for the election. Now that the post-election blues have just about subsided (for now) and I can breathe again, it's back to wedding planning!! Yay!
I had been super-organized and got a lot of things done over the summer so we are in good shape but now I'm wondering what I should be doing?

Meghan and Eric's wedding!

A few weeks ago we attended Meghan and Eric's wedding in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It was beautiful! Coincidentally, the reception was held at the Wentworth by the Sea where Dan and Audrey had their reception this past May.

We LOVE Portsmouth, NH! The Wentworth is a gorgeous (Marriott) hotel with the comfiest beds ever! Portmouth is very quaint and a great place to visit! It's about an hour north of Boston and I definitely recommend visiting!
We had a yummy breakfast at 'The Friendly Toast' and a fab dinner at the 'Dolphin Striker'.

Autumn in New England

Today, Steve and I went apple picking. The weather was unseasonably warm so it was a perfect Fall day!

Christmas

Steve and I will be in the UK for Christmas!!! I'm very excited as it's been over a YEAR since I've been home, Steve has never had an English Christmas and I've not been home for Christmas since 2004!

I can't WAIT!!!! Toasty loaves, Scotch eggs, SELECTION BOXES, M&S!!!

Reception Venue

Our reception will be held at the Hyatt Harborside in Boston. One of the main reasons we selected this venue was because it has gorgeous views of Boston Harbor and the city skyline. It's also super close to the airport, which is important because we will have a lot of out of state/out of country guests.
(I will post pictures once I figure out how to do it.....)

Already?!?!

Bridesmaid dresses were ordered in August and we were told not to expect them until December. I got a call a week or so ago to say they had all arrived!! Already!! I collected them last week, packaged them up and now they are somewhere over the Atlantic/on a Fed-ex truck to Michigan. Everyone keep their fingers crossed that they don't disappear!!!!!

The Church!

Steve and I will be married at First Baptist Church of Boston (It's on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston). It's a historic church - the third oldest in Boston and the fifth oldest in the United States (congregation not building). It has gorgeous rose windows on three sides. The freize on the tower was designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, famous for the Statue of Liberty.
We are very excited to be married here!

For more information about the First Baptist Church of Boston, please visit www.firstbaptistchurchofboston.org

Mark and Lauren Visit Boston!

This weekend, my cousin, Mark, and his girlfriend, Lauren, visited us in Boston. This was their first trip to Boston so we fit as much as possible into 24 hours. We went to Legal Seafood for some New England seafood, we went to see the Red Sox game at Fenway Park and we went on a Duck Tour (amphibious vehicle). We also made sure to show them the good shopping venues (Copley Mall and Newbury Street).
Was really, really good to see them!!

*** UPDATE: Mark and Lauren got engaged!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

P.S. I am letting Steve get all of his 'Fat Guy Lean Back' poses out of his system before the wedding. If it shows up in our wedding pictures there will be trouble!!

More Progress - What am I Forgetting?

So in the past week or so we have:

• Booked the church
• Met with florists
• Finally selected a florist (was tougher than you would think!!)
• Had a make up trial and booked the make up artist
• Had a hair trial and booked the hairdresser (she has curly hair too!)
• Booked the videographer
• Picked up the first bridesmaid dress (which arrived super quick!!)

So by my reckoning all we have left to do it pick the cake, groomsmen attire and invitations. Am I forgetting anything???

Quote of the day from Steve

This evening we were discussing Groomsman attire and Steve says "why can't they all wear different colours - like PowerRangers?" I should add that he was 100% serious. Boys!
(P.S. As I write, I'm helping tie cod jigs!)

Check! Check! Check!

Busy wedding-related week this week! We visited a potential church, booked a videographer, met with florists and make-up artists (yes, that was Steve) and tomorrow I am ordering bridesmaid dresses.

Where Does Time Go?

We are ten months out!! Where does time go? These past few months have flown by!
Plans are progressing well - we think we may have FINALLY found a church!!! Woohoo!!!! I'm now moving onto flowers - fun!
I've also been getting creative and have taken over the dining room table with my wedding related arts and crafts projects - which Steve just LOVES! (Yeah, right!)

It's been HOT here recently so we finally caved and got an air-conditioner - I have been a much more pleasant person since!

Family Visit

So Mum, Dad and Lou came to visit us in Boston. Although a week was WAY too short, we got a lot accomplished! Wedding dress is selected, as are bridesmaid dresses! We Joneses don't mess around!
It was great to show them around and introduce them to our friends. We also took Dad to Fenway Park for his first Red Sox game!

The Families Finally Meet!

The Families finally meet!

The British are coming!

The Family arrives TOMORROW!! SO EXCITED!!!
Wednesday and Thursday will feature some serious dress shopping!!

Family is visiting!

My family will be visiting in a few weeks!! Not seen them in 6 months so am very excited about seeing them! Their visit also means a crazy wedding-related week! We have to shop for my dress, the bridesmaid dresses, check out the reception site and hotel for our out of town guests AND the Jones and Monstur families will finally meet!!!!

It's JUNE!

It's June - which means we are almost one year away!

Memorial Day!!

We are very excited for this weekend! It's Memorial Day (long weekend and unofficial start of summer). It's my favourite American holiday!
Steve and I met on Memorial Day weekend so it's our unofficial anniversary. This weekend, it will be FOUR years since we met!! Wow! Where does time go?!

In addition, this weekend we will be heading up to Portsmouth, New Hampshire for the wedding of Dan and Audrey! I'm really excited! (Still not sure what I am going to wear though!)

Congratulations, Dan and Auds!! xxxx

Update....

Photographers are booked! We met with Tara and Ben from Hitched Studios and thought they were great!
www.HitchedStudios.com

Found a videographer who I am very excited about! No cheesy interviews!

Still no church though.....

Travel Information

For those of you who will be flying in, the most convenient airport is Boston Logan (BOS). The hotel is a VERY short distance away and there is a complimentary 24 hr shuttle to the Hyatt Harborside Hotel.

Other nearby airports include Providence (PVD) and Manchester, New Hampshire (MHT). Both of these airports are approximately 1 hour away from Boston.

Accommodation information

For your convenience, rooms are being held at the Hyatt Harborside Hotel, Boston (Tel: (001 +) 800-233-1234) at a rate of $189 per night. Please mention the Jones/Monstur wedding when making reservations.

*** Reservations may be made up to a year in advance (after Friday June 20th, 2008) and must be made before May 19th 2009 to guarantee the special rate ***

There is a complimentary 24 hr shuttle to the hotel from Boston Logan airport

www.harborside.hyatt.com

Progress!

So this week we booked the venue, booked the band and booked the wedding planner!! I also think I may have found a videographer. Things are moving along! Next step....photographer! Oh - yes - and a church to get married in!!

Wedding Fever!

So last night I went to a friend's bridal shower (the lovely Audrey! Soon to be Mrs. O'Connell), tonight Steve and I are going to a Rehearsal Dinner and then tomorrow it is Driscoll and Jen's wedding!
In addition, 2 more couples have recently become engaged! (Congratulations and much love to Tim & Alison and Anne & Troy)
These are exciting times!

Set the Date!!

Things are moving along!! We found the location for the reception and we have SET THE DATE!!!! YAAY!!
Steve and I will be married on Saturday June 20th, 2009 (which seems so far away.....)

Wedding planning woes

So this week we visited three potential reception sites and learned A LOT about wedding planning! We wanted to find somewhere that was easy for our out of town guests to get to, Steve wanted somewhere by the water and I wanted to stay well away from gazebos, wishing wells and other cheesy stuff. Believe it or not, such a place is hard to find!

It's official!! Mum and Dad put an announcement in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The Proposal

One Saturday afternoon, we were sitting on the couch. Steve had tickets to the Celtics game the next day and mentioned he planned to go fishing the next morning. As is customary, he asked me to help him tie cod jig fishing knot things so he was handing me fishing line and I was tying the knots, not really paying attention as 'What Not to Wear' was on (favourite show!). Steve then handed me some fishing line with the knots already tied - at first I was confused by this - until I saw one of the knots had a ring attached! I was completely stunned (I believe the term is 'deer in headlights').
We then went to Bristol, Rhode Island where we spent our 1 yr anniversary. Wonderful!!

I should note that Steve did ask my Dad over Christmas - I know that meant a lot to him (and me too!) Although how my Mum managed to keep her mouth shut, I will never know!

How We Met

We met at the wedding of Scott and Jeannie Simpson. Lyndsay went to grad school with Scott (Go Gators) and Steve had sold ice-cream with him during high school vacations.
We technically met at the 'Out of Towners' Reception during which time, Steve told Lyndsay her political views were completely wrong. He then tried to redeem himself by getting her a drink....but the bar had closed. An interesting start! At the wedding itself, Steve walked Lyndsay to her seat then later asked her to dance. The rest is history!

Thank you for visiting our weblog! We wanted to document this exciting time in our lives and - most importantly - keep our family and friends (especially those across the pond!) up to date with wedding plans!