Honeymoon to Southern Cali...Part 1 San Diego...

Joe and I were so excited to go for nine days to Southern California...we left the 3rd of July for San Diego. I was there when I was eight years old and Joe had never been there. You can imagine our excitment!! We spent a couple of evenings at Coronado Beach (I kept leaving my camera...so frustrating!!). I absolutely LOVED the beach. Oh my goodness...it was beautiful and the waves were crazy fun. We went there our first evening. What ended up just dipping our feet in the water came to a full fledged swimming fest. LOL we couldn't help ourselves. It was way too fun!! The sunset was beautiful there...we spent the next couple of days there. I really wish I would have remembered the camera!!

Sunday we decided to visited the Mormon Battalion Center. They had just remodeled it and opened up in January. It was really neat how they portrayed the lives of the men who joined the U.S. Army under the counsel of the prophet Brigham Young. The sacrifices of leaving their families, sicknesses, hunger and sufferings. But through it all the prophecy of Brigham Yound came true. That if they went they would not face battle. Most of the money they made went to their families and helped the Saints travel West to Salt Lake Valley...


We went to the San Diego temple. We both have always loved that temple and we were beyond excited to see it. However, it was under construction :0( The scaffolding covered all of it except for the west tower. But it was still beautiful and we were so grateful to do a session there. Joe and I agreed that it was one of the prettiest temples we have ever been in. I want to see it sometime when the construction is over. I can't begin to imagine how pretty it would be...






We went to the San Diego Zoo. We have heard such great things about this Zoo. And it lived up to its reputation. LOL, we loved seeing the elephants, but 15 elephants later we realized that they were a common thing ;0)


We saw so many different animals!! I have been to the Hogle Zoo in SLC, which is small but fun. I went to Cincinnatti with my brother's family, which I thought was the best. But wow, San Diego is definately one of a kind...

Joe's favorite animal in the whole zoo...who wouldhave guessed that it was the camel?! LOL, he makes me laugh ALL OF THE TIME!!



Joe by the hippos. I don't know why, but I absolutely LOVE this picture!! It makes me laugh every time. Isn't he so stinkin' cute?!


We saw our first Panda cub (I guess they are pretty rare). She was two years old and so adorable...



Joe and I by bamboo trees...


Joe and I riding the Skyfari from one side of the zoo to the other...



We went to Seaworld. We were like two little kids in paradise!! The first thing we ran into was the Sesame Street rides. We had to ride the Abby Sea Star Spin...


One of the first Seaworld animals we saw were the Beluga whales. I personally thought they looked funny, but Joe thought they were beautiful. But looking at these pictures, I might have changed my mind...


The polar bears...


These walrus's cracked me up with their whiskers...



Joe HAD to see the flamingos. They were so pink and pretty!! And there were so many...


And what would Seaworld be like without the dolphins?


Or the killerwhales?



Joe and I were very excited to find out about a ride there, Journey to Atlantis. We went on it again, and again, and again!! We had a BLAST!! It was such a fun drop off at the very beginning were you got soaked, and then you continued on a rollercoaster ride. It was the perfect mix!!



We had gone on Shipwreck Rapids (where you got soaked on a raft) and the Wild Artic Ride (they simulate a helicopter ride where you see wildlife and experience the thrill of the flight) but our favorite had to be Journey to Atlantis. Look how wet we are!!



And we loved every minute of Sea World!! We had so much fun. And with the little taste of a rollercoaster with Journey to Atlantis, we got hooked!! We couldn't help but decide we wanted to have more...

Wedding...

We were married and sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. We have shared some special memories there together. So we were so excited to be able to arrange our wedding there. Those in attendance were: Grandma and Grandpa Neibaur, my mom Linda, Stephanie and Jeff Bare, Kevin and Rachel Hebdon. My dad Steve, cousin Allen and neice Beth watched over the kids. How grateful I am to them!! They joined us after the ceremony.













All of our family on the temple steps...



My brother in law Jeff took the pictures at the reception and the wedding. I love them and am so incredibly grateful for his talent and willingness to help us out. We love ya Jeff!!

Reception in Idaho

We were so excited to have a garden reception at my Uncle Chad and Aunt Jackie Neibaur's home in Bancroft, Idaho. Everything turned out PERFECT!! Their home and yard was absolutely beautiful and my family helped us out so much!! Joe and I felt so incredibly blessed...




Joe's dad Gary, oldest brother Phillip, and mom Sally, were able to make it. We were both so grateful that they came...


Joe and I at the reception...(side note: It was so humid that any attempt to curl my hair was exactly that, an attempt!! Out of control...oh well). The night was absolutely perfect. We couldn't have asked for anything more...


The kids were so great during all of this. We set up for quite a few hours, then the reception was a few hours long...and the whole time I never heard fighting, chaos, or anyone getting into trouble. They were so wonderful...and incredibly cute...


The beautiful wedding cake that my mom created. Stephanie helped her to put it all together...I absolutely loved it...didn't they do a fantastic job?!

Idaho fun with the Hebdon's

Kevin, Rachel, Beth, Jake, Adam, Benjamin, and Caleb were able to spend a couple of weeks in Utah and Idaho. I was so excited!! It is a yearly event, however it is NEVER enough. So we are grateful to get them when we can. And it added even more to the excitement because I have never met Baby Caleb...what a blonde cutie.

Stephanie and Jeff's family all made it to Idaho at my parents. I am always amazed at how well the cousins get along. With the age difference being younger than 1 to 14 years old...you couldn't ask for better friends.

We were able to go fishing at a friend of my dad's pond. We are pretty spoiled there. We had each kid catch 2 fish, and just within a few hours. All of the kids with their trophy catches...

Jenna and I waiting patiently for a bite...

Jeff, Mom, Jenna, and Beth...

Joe and Kevin demonstrating the art of fishing ;0)


Having a lunch and playing at the McCammon City Park. Once again, all of the kids just have a blast...



Stephanie, my mom, and Rachel threw me bridal shower for my extended family. The decorations were absolutely beautiful and fun. Our wedding colors are red, light pink, and a medium pink.







They did such a wonderful job. The theme was Emergency Preparedness/Camping. We played a few games and everyone seemed to enjoy the evening. There is one game in particular that I will never forget...me answering questions about Joe. I thought "piece of cake!! I know him inside and out. Bring it on!!" Well, needless to say I realized that there were so many things that I didn't know...in fact things that I would never have thought to ask. What a fun game!!



We received so many wonderful gifts. To name a few: Dutch Oven, tent, latterns, mess kits, first aid, homemade patchwork quilt, hot dog roasting sticks, cooler, 72 hour kit, flashlights and more!!


We were so excited because we dont have anything for this. We are so grateful. And when it was all over, we had to keep the Neibaur tradition, make a wedding dress out of wrapping paper...when they were done they invited Joe in. LOL, I couldn't tell if he was having second thoughts after he saw me in the dress ;0)


But he was a trooper and took the hotseat to answer the same questions about me. It was great fun.

Thank you, Stephanie, Mom, and Rachel for doing this. And thank you to my family for your kindness and joining in on the fun. Love you all!!
What a fun weekend!! Thank you

Wedding Updates....

Wow!! I can't believe that it's only ten days away!?!! Oh my goodness....it has been a pretty crazy few weeks. We have both been incredibly blessed. Things have gone pretty smoothly and we couldn't ask for more. May 15th my brother-in-law Jeff Bare took our engagement pictures at Thanksgiving Point. Didn't he do a fantastic job!! We are so pleased with how they turned out. He and Stephanie also worked on the announcement with us, and hopefully soon I can post a copy on here.

Here are mine and Joe's favorites....






May 27th some friends from the hospital threw me a bridal shower. It was held at Deb Johnson's home, so nice and relaxing. I asked Joe if he would come to the shower when he got off work. I have received many complaints about us not having an openhouse here in Utah. So I thought the chance for them to meet him there at the shower would be a perfect compromise. He is such a great sport and the ladies loved him.

Friday of Memorial Day weekend we drove to Nampa, Idaho to spend the night at Sally (his mother) and Phillip's (his brother) home. The next day the four of us headed to Sumpter, Oregon to meet up with Gary (his father) Mark (his brother), and the rest of Joe's uncles and aunts from his father's side. There we spent time talking with the family, going on a old west train ride, and shopping at flea markets. Later that evening we had a BBQ at his father's home in Union (near La Grande), Oregon with the rest of the family.

The rest of the weekend went great, and it was so much fun to get to know all of Joe's family. One of my favorite parts was listening to everyone bragging about how wonderful Joe is, how much they love him, and how lucky I am to have him in my life. I totally agree =0)But the highlight of the weekend was getting to hear all of the stories behind the man. His mom and dad were willing to share their memories with me while we looked at old photo albums.....I was in heaven!! And I have never seen Joe so embarrassed!!

I couldn't find my camera so I don't have any pictures of the weekend, but I absolutely loved every minute of it. I am so grateful for Joe's family and their open arms. I must admit that I was superly nervous to meet them all. Now, I am so excited to see them again when they come to the reception!!

This weekend we are heading to Idaho for a Bridal Shower my mom and sister Stephanie are putting on for me with the extended family. I am excited to go home and see everyone.

I probably won't be able to post until after the wedding, but I just wanted to put up our engagment pictures and express my gratitude for the love and support of our family and friends. You are all truly WONDERFUL!! We love you all!!