The Big Texas Wedding, A Honeymoon in Greece & Back to Reality

Today's Excitement:
I'm writing in the blog again!!!!! After a two month hiatus..... (which practically killed me...) I am finally able to return to the labor of love i adore so much. There is a fair amount to update on... but with some patience and a significant amount of time, i think i can catch everyone up. Today's post is going to be rather short... but with the inspiration of a fellow blogger (HI JESS!!!) if i do a little bit every day, i can satiate the blog monster inside of me.

The BIG Texas Wedding: 
oh my heavens............ all the prep... all the work... all the crafty DIY projects... all the time and scheduling.... all the father/daughter moments.... all the bride/groom panic sessions... completely and totally paid off!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how glad i am that i allowed myself the time to go home and prepare. I can barely believe it myself how much i was able to accomplish in a month's time. The wedding was absolutely a DREAM COME TRUE!!!! The decorations were perfect, the food was awesome... and everyone who i love so dearly was there to support us. Now it's time for the BIG thank you's:

My Father (aka Papa Scott, Dad & FOB): This wedding was made possible by YOU. Without your help, dedication, running around matching dress swatches with tux colors, cake tasting efforts, handling all of the invitations, designing centerpieces and place card holders, hacking at your trees in the backyard so i could have branches, list making skills, etc. none of this would have even been able to happen. I don't think it's possible for words to express my thanks, gratitude, and awe at your thoughtfulness. I love you, Dad and these moments were some of the best memories with you that I will carry throughout my lifetime.

Mama & Papa W (aka The W's, MOG & FOG): What a true blessing to marry into such an amazing family!!! Thank you for driving down to Texas from Iowa with car loads of decorations specially catered to dana's and my taste. Thank you for shuttling family to and from the airport. Thanks for spending time with my family, they absolutely adore you guys! Thank you for all of your contributions that made the rehearsal dinner so beautiful. I was speechless at the careful planning of the centerpieces.... they were absolutely gorgeous! We miss and love you and look forward to seeing you in October-ish!

Sarah, Nate, & Sophia Ndjerareou (aka Sister & Brother -in-law & niece): Huge shout out thank you to you guys for housing almost all of the groomsmen at one point. Thank you for opening your BRAND NEW house to help us take care of the many friends and family that passed through for the wedding. Sophia - Thanks for being the BEST princess flower girl and for rockin it on the dance floor all night at the reception!!!

The Aunties... Tricia, Teresa, Diane, & Karen: You guys are so amazing!!!!!! I cannot thank you enough for helping me make the wedding balls for the reception. Everyone LOVED them and several people asked us to take them home. I loved having you guys be such a big part of the wedding with helping in setting up the reception and taking things down. My father was so grateful to Diane and Tricia for coming back to help tear down the festivities. It helped make me feel as if mom was right there with me all along. May my words properly express my gratitude for all of your moral support, prayers and help on this monumental occasion.

The Bridesmaids (Chelsea, Crista, Brittney, Tori, Tabby, & Sarah): I could NOT have done this without you. Thanks for keeping the panic moments under wraps so i wouldn't worry. Thanks for talking to me and calming me down when i got antsy. Thanks for seriously taking advantage of the holiday vacation and enjoying the wedding to its fullest. Thanks for pulling me into the photobooth with you guys so i could get a picture! Thanks for just being awesome all around. Every one of you played such an important part and helps compliment a side of me that isn't strong. I love you all so much and am super bummed that i can't pinpoint a time where we can all be together again. Thanks for being in the moment with me..... these will last me a lifetime.

The Groomsmen (Nate, Paul, Free, Russ, Josh, & PT): Thank you for taking such great care of my husband!!!! He keeps raving to me how amazing it was to get to spend three days with all of you. It is such a blessing to know that my husband is surrounded by such incredible and awe inspiring men. Thanks for giving him a bachelor party and Russ you're a rock star for getting that cowboy hat!!! (: It was really nice to see you all and I look forward to having you at our house here in Germany.

Chelsea & Troy Davis (aka our freaking FANTASTIC photographers): You guys are incredible!!!!!! I loved having you at our wedding as guests and as photographers. You both are a well oiled machine and it was brilliant to get a chance to work with you. Thanks for helping out so much and easing stress when it came. I cannot get over how beautiful your shots turned out. It is everything i could have hoped for and so much more!!!! I can hardly wait to see the rest of the photos! My family, friends, and everyone else is amazed at your wonderful work! I look forward to staying in touch and helping you out in the calligraphy department for your stylized shoots. (: We love you guys!!!!!

For those that aren't aware... Chelsea & Troy have graciously posted a tremendous sample of our wedding photographs on her photography blog website located here: Chelsea Davis Photography Blog. Please check them out!!!!! They're work is absolutely stunning!!!!! I will be sure to post pictures when we actually get them, but for now this sample will have to do! Here's one just for funzies:

The Grecian Honeymoon:
so don't get mad, but i haven't had time to edit the photos yet... so i just did one to give you guys an idea of what's to come! We had such an amazing time... The resort is amazing and the food was unspeakably good. We got plenty of sun and surf and decided when we retire dana's going to teach scuba lessons and i'll have a cupcake shop on the beach. (Score!) So i promise to give a full play by play as soon as i can get some time to edit photos. For now, this one will have to do!

Back To Reality.......
after being in wedding world for the past two months getting back to the daily grind where you have to do things like pay bills and clean house SUCKS. Not to mention the fact that it's hard. I am trying to be so good and get the important things done now so they aren't hanging over my head. Like getting my name changed on my SS card (meant to do that while in Dallas... oops.), and writing wedding thank you's, and continuing to unpack our stuff in the apartment from when we moved here 8 months ago. ha!

On the plus side, it's been great to spend time with our friends here again. It it's amazing to be back home in Germany. We had a righteous thunderstorm yesterday and i was mesmerized by the cloud formations in the sky. Check it out!!!

Fun on the 4th of July in Germany:
One of those rare moments I am super glad to be among so many Americans was on this 4th of July. Spending an American holiday (more less the celebration of the our country's independence) is weird when you're in a foreign country. because for them, it's just another day. I wanted all of the traditional... the fireworks, the barbeque, the watermelon, and the pie!!! unfortunately, i just made do with the fireworks. which is my most favorite part anyway. The base put on a spectacular show and it completely made coming home from greece worth it!!! Here's a sample of what we saw plus some group shots!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand my time is up for the day... actually i took way more time than i should have! I hope everyone has a great weekend and I can hardly wait to post more stuff!!! Lots of love!!!!