Time for an Update!

We are expecting a new little bundle of joy to arrive soon! I guess the old saying really applies to us..."First comes love, then comes marriage; Here comes Rob/Heather with a baby carriage!" It all seemed so hard on the heels of the wedding, but we know we are very blessed by a new addition to our family. We are all excited (Katie just can't wait another day!) for the arrival of a new son/baby brother. Here's his latest photo:

Wedding 119

Wedding 119, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Wedding 115

Wedding 115, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Wedding 091

Wedding 091, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Wedding 071

Wedding 071, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Wedding 067

Wedding 067, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Wedding 081

Wedding 081, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Wedding 062

Wedding 062, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Wedding 064

Wedding 064, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Everyone

Wedding 043, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Arriba!

Wedding 039, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Celebrating

Wedding 038, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Coming Down the Aisle

Wedding 032, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

The rings

Wedding 018, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

The Kiss

Wedding 025, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

Kate coming Down the Aisle

Wedding 011, originally uploaded by HeatherR1.

We're Married!!!!

The wedding was fantastic, beautiful, divine! (And a lot sweaty, but we all survived!) There's some official photos below--I'll have more unofficial photos once everyone sends me there candids. I'll put all the official ones up on flickr--just click the link to my flickr page below to see them all! More soon...

Our Official Wedding Photos on Flickr

6 DaYs?!

OMG, How did that happen?

I'll admit it, I'm feeling a little pre-wedding stress--but it's okay. We have it all under control. I have about 20 lists, and they're getting checked off quickly now. Not too much left to gather up. The amount of stuff that's required for a wedding is a little daunting, but it looks like we'll be able to get it all down there without calling in outside help (future mother-in-law kindly offered a suitcase or two, if necessary.)

So, we head out tonight for the Big Cities where we will spend the night since we have to be at the airport at 4 AM tomorrow morning. (Sheesh.) I will try, if at all possible, to update the blog from the hotel in Mexico to let you all know how everything is and if there are any last minute items I can think of that you may want to throw in your suitcase.

I am so excited to see everyone! It seems surreal that I will be meeting up with my loved ones in MEXICO, of all places! Can't wait. I hope all of you who are able to come aren't too stressed out with all of the logistics required to go out of the country for a while, leaving home and work and packing an all. Rest assured that I'll be anxiously awaiting your arrival at the other end of your harrassing airplane trip!

More soon...

Ready, Set...

The final countdown has begun! We are leaving in just 6 days, and it is time to start the serious packing. Almost everything that's going to get done is done (just a few final things to finish up,) the lists are being checked over and over again, and the suitcases have been brought out!
In honor of the less-than-one-week-to-go milestone, here are a couple of sites with some useful, quick, and easy packing tips:

Quick Tips for Packing Your Suitcase

One Bag: The Art of Traveling Light Packing Tips
Other pages on this site (click on the tabs at the bar at the top of the page) include How to Travel Light, What to Pack, What to Pack It In., Etc.

And, since most of my family and friends don't know Spanish, I thought I'd offer up a few useful phrases for those of you who may be interested. I've found it does indeed help rapport to offer an honest effort!

A Few Spanish Phrases:
If you don't speak any Spanish at all, don't worry, almost everybody who works in the tourist industry in Mexico speaks some English. However, any effort on your part to speak Spanish will go a long way towards creating a rapport between you and the Mexicans you meet. You don't have to take an intensive course - these few phrases will communicate the most important things you need to say.

• 1) Hola
  Hello
  Mexicans tend to be quite formal when it comes to greetings. A simple "hola" is fine among friends, but in other situations, you should change the form you use depending on the time of day.
  
  Before noon: Buenos días (Good morning, Good day)
  From noon until dark: Buenas tardes (Good afternoon)
  At night: Buenas noches (Good evening, Good night)


• 2) Gracias
  Thank you.
  It's always polite to thank people who are providing you with a service - and even better to say it in their language. The correct response is de nada. You should also learn learn to say please: por favor.


• 3) ¿Cuanto cuesta?
  How much is it?
  Of course, if you hope to understand the answer, you'll need to have some knowledge of the numbers in Spanish. In a restaurant, ask for la cuenta.


• 4) ¿Donde está...?
  Where is...?
  Perhaps the most essential one is ¿Donde está el baño?


• 5) Me llamo...
  My name is...
  The best way to learn Spanish is to talk with people, and the way to begin is by introducing yourself.


• 6) Disculpe
  Excuse me.
  There are different forms to say this depending on the situation, but this is the one which works in most situations - if you're trying to get by someone and you want them to move out of your way, if you've made a faux-pas or if you're trying to get their attention.


• 7) ¿Puedo tomar una foto?
  May I take a photo?
  Some people don't like to have their picture taken, so to avoid conflicts, it's better to ask first.


• 8) No hablo español. ¿Habla usted inglés?
  I don't speak Spanish. Do you speak English?
  As a last resort!

Some Garden Tea Party Shower Pics

Here's a couple of pictures from my beautiful shower!

That's Sue (to the left of me) whose beautiful backyard we're in and Patty to my right who helped put it all together, too! (She makes the best SCONES!)

Thinking about Packing? Be Ready to Dress Up for Dinner!

Just a reminder that the dress code at the restaurants at both the Paraiso Maya and the Paraiso Lindo is "casual elegance," which translates as long pants, skirt, or dress for ladies and long pants for the gentlemen. Don't worry...it's fun to get cleaned up and dressed up a bit after a long, sweaty day in the hot Mexican sun. Rob complained a little the first couple of days he had to comply with "casual elegance," and then decided it was "fine" after all. (Those of you who know Rob well know that this translates to "fun," more or less.)

Just wanted to let you all know about the dress code for dinner so you can plan your packing accordingly. If you have any other questions about anything--just ask! If I don't know the answer, I'll find out for you!

I'm thinking about starting packing, too, as we have most of the last-minute details and planning under control. We are so excited to see all of you who will be coming, and can't wait to say, "I do!"

More soon...

Garden Tea Party Bridal Shower

My wonderful friends at work had a beautiful tea party shower for me this Saturday in my friend Sue's gorgeous backyard. They went all out and it was perfect and lots of fun! We were surrounded by Sue's pretty flowers, and the rainclouds disappeared right as we all arrived! It was so nice and I feel so lucky to have such great friends. Big thanks to Sue and Patty for all their care and time and hard work, and thanks, too, to all you girls who took the time to come and celebrate with me! It all means so much to me! I feel honored to have such great friends and co-workers. Thank you!