Fall Festivities

It's officially winter, and I have tons of pictures to show you from our fall adventures.

First up, engagement photos! After Joey proposed he suggested that we head back to Morro Bay for our engagement shoot. And I thought, Well, that was easy. So that's what we did in September. Here's some of our favorites...

In October we were back east for Joey's cousin Jeff's wedding. We had the best time! So much so we took zero pictures. Looking forward to seeing the official pics, Jeff & Nikki. And if that wasn't enough dancing (and Kem Pa Sote*) for one weekend, the following night we had a surprise birthday party for Joey's grandmother, Rose. *Kem Pa Sote reminds me of the Haitian version of Hava Nagila, but with added moshing (from the cousin's). Beware of TiPush.

SURPRISE!

Rose aka Mom's bodyguards

dancing to Kem Pa Sote

sisters / Rose's daughters

We loved seeing all of you. Til next time.

In November we spent a weekend in the bay area hiking Muir Woods, eating delicious food in Sausalito, and enjoying our last game at Candlestick Park. Sad to say we never saw the 49ers win a game or score a touchdown in their stadium - field goals only.

For Thanksgiving we traveled to Florida to be with family. Living so far away now, the times when all of us are together are extra special. We ate our way through turkey day, spent quality time with our nephews at Chuck E Cheese for Hanukkah, enjoyed a belated birthday celebration for Michael racing go karts with the siblings, had a successful shopping trip with my grandmother, who bought her dress for our wedding, and topped it off with an engagement celebration with the local family (see pictures below). It was wonderfully busy. That said, we're happy to stay put in December. Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season!

If you can't tell his glasses say GROOM

Glad Zabe was in town and could celebrate with us. 

Great picture of you two

Us and the grandparents

Plus the parents

Now with the siblings (minus Jessie, who had to work)

Nina, Amy, Guerly, Lisa

Reminds me of the picture we took together on the night we started dating.
Know which one I'm talking about, Jela?

Thanks for celebrating with us.

Cutting the cake that Carmel made for the party.  

Hope to see you in 2014. Peace.Love.Happiness <3

Summer of '73

5773 that is. And now with the new year ---happy & healthy to everyone!--- I'm reflecting on our incredibly invigorating summer.

So you know Joey proposed in March, and we spent the next couple months basking in engagement. Even though I have some very persistent family and friends, my goal was to relax and enjoy and then have all the big stuff nailed down by the time we were back in Boston. Come May I found my wedding dress (eeee!!!!), we chose our venue, and rounded out the edges with DJ, caterer, photo and videographers... Want a sneak peek?

South Garden in La Jolla Woman's Club

By June we we were home for the wedding of the year (trademark by the bride). The entire event was perfection, I feel so blessed to have been a part of it.

Kat & Joe's bridal party, GQ style

She is one STUNNING bride

Yes I had Joe 'break the glass' at the end of my speech

The day after the wedding we flew home to be greeted by my parents, sister, brother-in-law, nephews, and grandparents. Hosting and showing off San Diego are two of my favorite things to do. Mix that with my immediate family and it was bliss. A few of my personal highlights:

• Showing the ladies a sneak peek of all my wedding secrets, topped off with a delicious lunch
• Watching Noah and Eli's faces light up at all the animals at the San Diego Zoo
• Spending the day with my parents at Coronado and sunset at Pacific Beach

They left and my brother and his two friends came for the following week. Entertaining the guys was fun and laid-back. We spent the 4th of July at our friends house eating ridiculously tasty home-cooked food and catching the fireworks from their backyard. Come back everyone, SD misses you.

If you can believe it, we were back in Massachusetts just two weeks after Kat's big day for another wedding. This time one of my grade school friends was getting married and it turned into a mini Hansen Elementary School reunion. God, I love weddings and friends and western MA.

Shawn, Dave, Joey, Eddie the night before the wedding

Tough town sticks together.
Helen H. Hansen Elementary school girl friends gazing at the GORGEOUS bride
From left to right: Lindsay, Brenna, Janeen, Erica, Liz, Hannah, Amy 

We danced til the music stopped. Excuse the bra.

I repeat, 'God, I love weddings and friends and western MA.'
Cannot wait for 2014 and each of our weddings!!!!! Bring it on.

And while we were home, we lucked out with timing and saw RDGLDGRN perform at Comcast Center. Never heard their music? You're in luck too. Their worldwide album just released. Get it here.

Front row watching RDGLDGRN

Cousinly love. Backstage after the show with RDGLDGRN.

After all that amazingness it was good to be home with little to do in August. Wedding prep continued, Joey and I celebrated 8 years together, and we hit our official year countdown. I'd call that a fabulous way to end a magical year. Life just keeps getting better and better.

L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu to each and everyone of you. And for those that are curious, the literal Hebrew to English translation: "May you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for a good year."
In short, wishing you a good year!

And a few more pics.
xoxox!!

Sky is officially Californian

This summer me and my siblings all added new watches to our wardrobe.

Parents representing Boston on Pacific Beach.
Happy 36th Anniversary Mom&Dad!!

Celebrating 8 years at Bencotto, my new Italian obsession

Sunset picnic with my boo. In 5774 I wish to watch more sunsets.