The Honeymoon

I realized that I have not posted about any of the events leading up to our wedding, about the actual wedding (with the exception of this post about the special aspects of the ceremony and reception), or even about our honeymoon.

Since the honeymoon is the less stressful part of all that, I will start there :) Next, I'll post about the engagement, in honor of it being one year ago from today!! Stay tuned for that post.

So. The Honeymoon. It all started...well, when we left the church.

We drove straight to the gas station to fill up the tank because snow was coming and we were about to embark on a two hour drive to the North Georgia mountains! His parent's gave us their GPS system to follow to take us to our destination, because where we were headed had been a secret until then! It was called Falling Waters Mountain Lodge!! Visit their website and browse through the photos. It was SPECTACULAR! The owner took such great care of us.

The owner took this picture and texted it to my Mother-in-law, Terri, the day of our wedding, showing her what it looked like after the snow that day! So beautiful!!

In the distance, there is a lake, you just can't tell in the picture.

Here are some pictures I found on the lodge's Facebook page that the owner took the day of our wedding before we got there...

But, back tracking here...

On our way up to the lodge, we were driving on snow covered roads, in the downpour of more snow! The GPS was taking us a way that included a road that was too steep in the current weather conditions and our car was not going to make it. Among all the confusion of the snow and the GPS, we were almost ready to just turn around and go home. Daniel was convinced we were not going to make it to the lodge if the only route included steep roads covered in 2 inches of snow. (we were already sliding on the roads, as it was.)

We called the owner of the lodge, whom, by the way, was such a wonderful person! He was so helpful - he guided us down the correct roads and when we arrived, he greeted us at our car and carried my bag in for me because I was busy holding my dress, and trying not to slip in my heels and fall on the snow/ice.

As soon as we walked in, the owner handed us both a glass of wine! He gave us a quick tour that ended in our suite with a huge spread of cocktail shrimp, smoked salmon, medium rare steak, cheese and crackers, more red wine, fruit, and veggies!! We were starving so it was perfect! We dug right in. (Borrowed the picture below from the lodge's Facebook page as well... I'm SO glad he took these pictures! And posted them!!) :)

Unfortunately for everyone, I left my phone at the church because it is what we used for the music for the reception. So we do not have very many pictures from the stay at the lodge. But here are a few...

The owner decorated our suite for us! So romantic and perfect! That is two bottles of wine you see on the pillows. He got them for us from the local winery! (The first pic is from the lodge's facebook page too...)

The second day, we went to the local town and got a few drinks to add to what the owner already gave us!

This is my brand new husband, passed out while watching the Superbowl. :)

And here are a few videos to share as well...

We arrived at the lodge on Saturday night and departed for Atlanta again on Monday morning. We immediately got to work at my parent's house packing my stuff, and the packers were already there! I felt sorry for them because I thought it was going to be a large crew...but no, just three guys. And I had a LOT of stuff!! o.o

Never-the-less, they got it all packed up! Eventually!

Among all my stuff, there were the gifts we received at our reception that were still unopened, so there we stood, in my parent's living room, in the way of the poor packer men, opening all the wonderful gifts!!

It was so precious to see all the wonderful gifts and to know that we were taking it all with us to make our first home together in Texas. But first, the honeymoon must continue.

Our honeymoon consisted of two parts...or three actually!
1. The North Georgia mountains Bed & Breakfast resort - courtesy of Daniel's parents
2. The condo stay at the beach in Florida - courtesy of Daniel's grandparents who own the condo
3. Road trip to Texas - our first home together!! <3

We left for Florida before the packers finished but couldn't leave without saying our goodbyes to my Mom and Dad and taking a few pictures of all the packing action.

I miss my Daddy's kisses!!

 Standing in the room I grew up in.

  Daddy was sad that the empty room meant I was gone...

But then Daddy was happy to have a room to make his office!

I'd like to think these two pictures were in reverse order but they weren't :/ lol!!

All my stuff packed into my parent's living room!

 Coming up next on Hoarding: Buried Alive!

Where's Jenn?!

 

So then we were off! We said our goodbyes and shed some tears. We also stopped at Daniel's parent's house to say our goodbyes to them as well.

We drove to Florida and this is how Daniel slept on the way...

We arrived in Florida at Daniel's grandparent's beautiful condo and were greeted by one of their friends that gave us the key :) The community at the beach is so friendly and welcoming!! We walked in, dropped our stuff, and found this on the bed!

Daniel's grandparents, Mimi and Pop, have such sweet friends!! They gave us gifts and put them with a basket of goodies. Thank you Mimi and Pop and friends!! We appreciate all you have done for us. <3 Pop, we miss you everyday!

Big cheesin'. Standing on a dock after we ate lunch.

The bridge in the distance.

 We went to the local grocery store to get food to cook later.

Driving back to the condo.

 Poor sunken ship :/

 This is our amazing dinner we cooked together!! It was tuna steak, topped with mango salsa, with asparagus.

 SO yummy!! Daniel is an amazingggg cook!

 Medium rare tuna steak - the only way I will eat tuna! Lol!

 Daniel has this weird thing with laying on the floor. He looks relaxed though...

And here are a few more videos...

 

So then it was time for us to head home. To our own home - our first home - in beautiful Texas!!

The gorgeous sky during the drive.

We arrived in Texas but because of the timing, our water nor electricity were turned on at the house, so we had to stay in the barracks over the weekend. Where we were sleeping in a twin bed in the barracks, living out of our suitcases, and cleaning the barracks to get released out.

5 days later, and it was finally time to live in our first home!!

And the honeymoon continues everyday... ;) even 245 days later!