More wedding

And here continues the photos:

Congratulatory high-fives

My princess-like wave moment

cutting our beautiful cake

Aunt Elysia turned out to be a fantastic twirler

First dance

The 'Long' kids

Papa and I

Cody and the gang

Rory boy and I

We got pretty good at the dip

Alaska: confirmed

What a whirlwind few weeks, but it was great to have all our family and a few friends with us here to celebrate. Here are a few pictures I was able to steal from my Dad's camera (Cody and I took a hiatus from photography).

We had a beautiful view of Denali the first two days they were here

Enjoying the view during a short hike Sunday

by the creekbed: enjoying the sunshine!

Dad and his silver salmon, caught along the Russian River, Aug. 29

The bear he and Scott watched fish/play

Erin, Mom and Ethan at the windy,  rainy, Bird Point

Belugas: confirmed.

The whole fam damily: Aug 31 in Seward, Alaska

Wet and miserable, we made it to Exit Glacier

Our rehearsal dinner guest

My main squeeze getting ready to head out with his fellas

My door-answerer and hair dresser and I admiring the beautiful flowers my then-fiance sent over (after he ding-dong ditched us)

Applying make-up with Aunt Elysia

oh so very happy to finally be in her dress

THE cutest flower girl and godson

the emotional 'hand-off'

THE main event

 More to be uploaded shortly...

Wedding Day!

Just thought I would post here quickly before I head to bed (I'm hoping for a least a little sleep tonight). We had a great rehearsal dinner tonight: so very glad all our family and friends that were able to make it could join us (plus a bull moose was kind enough to make an appearance). We're very much looking forward to today! Thank you for all the well wishes :)

Quick Update

Just a quick update as we await the late arrival of my sister tonight. Mom and Dad arrived without trouble on Saturday night. It's been a BEAUTIFUL couple days: clear, sunny and in the 70s. Denali was fully visible- it was awesome. I took them to the Flattop Overlook to see the Anchorage bowl and surrounding areas, we checked out the Anchorage Market (to get more jam :), then we headed out for a hike to a waterfall.

Having to work last night was a blessing because I ran into my preceptor's husband who was looking for a fly-fishing companion for this week. He graciously offered to take Dad on a fishing trip today, so Dad was able to get a 24hr fishing license and some hip waders and then headed south to the Russian River. He caught a silver salmon (dinner tomorrow!) and spotted some wildlife up close, including a hungry bear. It sounded like an awesome trip, but pictures won't be available until his battery gets charged (both him AND the camera).

While Cody had to work, I took a short nap while Mom was able to soak up the awesome sunshine and take advantage of nearby running trails. We welcomed my dear friend Sarah and her hubby Craig this afternoon and were fortunate enough to be able to have dinner together.

We're currently waiting on Erin's 12:30am arrival (some of us more conscious than others). We have another full day tomorrow, although the weather isn't looking to be quite as grand.

Thanks so much for all those that have sent gifts and cards: thank yous will be in the mail as soon as possible! :)

Hand Tram, Anyone?

Cody and I headed down the Turnagain Arm this morning to accomplish a few undisclosed errands and decided to take the opportunity to hike a trail we've heard rave reviews about: Winner Creek. It would have been much easier of a trek had it been somewhat dry, but it was an easy hike regardless. The views were awesome, plus the hand tram was quite the unique experience. Later, we walked throughout the Alyeska resort and lunched at the Bake Shop (delicious!). Perhaps we'll be leading a tour of Girdwood for our soon to be arriving family. Here are a few pics:

A few grates were all the separeted us from the creek below

I really like this pic for teh sunlight/mist combo you can see

First Trip Back Home

I have officially booked my first trip home from Alaska! I was granted leave enroute back from my TDY in Virginia next month. I will be arriving in Omaha on the 27th of September (very late... thanks, Mom!) then I fly out Sunday, October 2, 2011! So excited to be home again! I would love to see buddies that are free around that time and are in the area :)

Licensed to Wed

We're now within 2 weeks of the wedding! ekkk! Cody and I were able to make it to the Anchorage Market today to finish a few more gifts for our welcome bags. Upon leaving, I think it was the first time I started feeling confident that we'll actually finish everything on our list!

We've both been busy working as usual. I only have 4 nights of work left (not counting if my call shift turns into a real shift). I'm looking forward to my 10 days off work. Cody was able to take 5 days off work, although he'll be dropping by the day of the wedding for some guy-time golfing. My mom and dad are the first to arrive, flying in this Saturday. We're very much looking forward to seeing our family.

On my list of things to do was try on my dress (something I hadn't done since February). Much to my relief... it still fits! And a special thanks goes to my buddy and coworker, Alex, who helped be into it. She and a few other buddies from Scottsdale, AZ (NTP) met up last night for a 'girls night'. It was nice to get out on the town. Thanks so much for dinner and the outing!

We are now officially licensed to wed:

Cod being a gentleman and writing the check for the license...

The proof!

And of course, we've been working on our pew decorations/centerpieces: here's a sneak peek:

The letters look sort of blue... but it's just a rich purple