Summer To-Do List

I am thrilled that I get 6 weeks off for summer break this year between semesters and hope to make the best of it. This summer is the "last one" in more ways than one, my last official summer break before medicine and a real job take over and our last summer before we become parents. There's a lot of things we need to get done with my extra time off and I sure hope to fill the in between moments with adventures and fun.

Summer 2014 To-Do

[+] Get out on a lake at least a few times (not to be confused with getting IN the lake, doctor's orders), potentially for the 4th of July but not necessarily.

[+] Read something that isn't a textbook. I'm thinking the newest Jodi Picolut novel, maybe Bread & Wine and even thinking about throwing in some baby books like Baby Wise and/or Moms On Call.

 [+] Go to evening and afternoon Rockies games. Baseball screams summer and I love going downtown for them.

[+] Have the upstairs carpet installed which means moving lots of furniture but it'll be worth it.

[+] Finish the little man's nursery which includes making a boy-version of this quilt and a solar system mobile, buying the rest of his furniture and plenty of other projects.

[+] Make and drink this lemonade as a substitute for the margaritas I won't be enjoying (bitterness included free of charge).

[+] Have a sweet shower for our little man and celebrate his soon arrival with anyone and everyone that loves him.

[+] Enjoy more than one fire in the evenings on our patio. We barely got to use it last summer even after all the work we did in the backyard and I love s'mores so this is a must.

[+] Register for baby classes, possibly take said baby classes (if not before school starts then after) and take a hospital tour.

[+] Celebrate milestone events with our friends, especially their showers, bachelorette parties and weddings most of all. Bring on the wedding cake!

[+] Maybe get away with my hubs even for just a quick weekend while it's just the two of us still. I can only imagine how different our lives will soon be and would love for some one-on-one time with my favorite man.

What am I forgetting? Bring it on summer, I'm ready for you! (well after my test on Monday, of course)

Book of Lists: V3

I'm still taking part in Kathleen's Book of Lists project. 

And for February, the topic was "The Perfect Day"

Random fact of the day, Kathleen and I share the same birthday! She picked this topic with birthday's in mind so I decided to go along with her and write down the things that make the perfect birthday celebration for me. And now that the day has passed, this list wasn't too far off. I did have to set an alarm because my birthday fell on a work day and we hit a bit of traffic driving to dinner but that's typical rush-hour for you. 

Next Month's Topic: I'm Good At

Tying the Knot: The List is Getting Shorter!

+ Pick a wedding date

+ Choose your wedding party

+ Find a ceremony site

+ Choose a ceremony officiant
+ Plan the ceremony details (unity, readings, etc)
I am loving the unique and personal touches we've come up with and I can't wait to share them with you soon.

+ Find a reception site

+ Plan the guest list
+ Plan the VIPs/toasts for the reception
In the casual manner that a lot of our wedding is taking on we aren't going overboard with planning these types of things specifically. We assume our parents are going to give toasts at some point (rehearsal/reception/etc) as well as the MaidofHonor/BestMan speaches but we will go with the flow for these.

+ Pick a caterer

+ Decide on a menu

+ Find a florist

+ Find a photographer

+ Find a DJ/Band

+ Find a bakery
+ Decide on a cutting cake

+ Find salon/hairstylist/make-up artist

+ Have an engagement party

+ Take engagement pictures

+ Have a bridal shower

+ Have bachelor/bachelorette parties

+ Plan rehearsal dinner

 

+Find wedding dress

+ Decide on a veil

+ Find bridal shoes

+ Pick other accessories

+ Decide on Old/New/Borrowed/Blue traditions

+ Pick out bridesmaid dresses

+ Pick out tuxes

+ Decide on wedding bands

+ Have dress fittings and alterations

+ Buy wedding party gifts

All done and even in Colorado already. Just need to wrap and deliver!
+ Buy gifts for our parents
I love the pieces we picked out. They don't scream WEDDING but I hope they serve as great memories of our special day.
+ Buy gifts for each other

+ Plan special dances & "must have" list of songs
A lot of our special moments were easy to put songs to and I have been constantly adding "must play" songs to the growing list. I'm having a bit of trouble with the ceremony part of this step but know a phone call with our DJ will clear a lot of it up.
+ Figure out day-of transportation
This process was seriously so stressful and it definitely shouldn't have been. Between harassing phone calls from a company to round & round conversations with others I'm so glad this is finished!

+ Set up wedding registry

+ Book night-of hotel room
I had grand plans of staying somewhere luxurious but we ended up going with the same hotel where our block of rooms are. It's easy, close to the venue and might be free.

+ Book Block of Hotel Rooms

+ Book honeymoon
+ Place flower order
+ Place bakery order

+ Send Save The Dates

+ Design Invitations

+ Send Invitations

+ Make guest book

+ Design wedding website

+ Decide on wedding favors

+ Create slideshow

+ Make ceremony programs

+ Make escort/place cards

+ Write vows
I know I personally am finished with mine and I believe J is done as well. We both need to print/write them out to have with us on the big day but that's easy!

+ Get marriage license

46/52

Only 6 more major things that need to be taken care of. Minus making sure everyone is paid and the last minute details we feel like adding but aren't essential items. I'm definitely feeling good and with only 23 days left the excitement is growing!