Anniversary Adventure

Scott and I have a neat tradition that we do every year for our anniversary (well, every year but one, I mean come on, Paul McCartney was in town!). We always go to a Disney restaurant to celebrate. Since we met and Disney and were married at Disney, it's really only fitting that we would celebrate at Disney.

This year we decided to spend the day at EPCOT. We made reservations at Chefs de France and played the rest of the day by ear. I have to say, the day was pretty awesome since we didn't have to worry about running two kids to the bathroom, or having them say they didn't want to go through a store.

We did make it a point to stop at the American Adventure and have someone snap a photo of us. 9 years ago this was where we held our reception. There are so many memories in that rotunda, and we are so lucky that it isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Thank you to everyone that left anniversary well wishes on the blog and Facebook!

Pre-Anniversary Reflections

I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that tomorrow Scott and I will be married for 9 years. It cannot possibly be that long. I honestly feel like I just met him.

I've spent the last few days reflecting back on our years together. I still remember the moment I met him. I was on the college program at Disney and he was the training manager for Main Street. I remember him sitting on a container outside of costuming waiting for all of us to finishing trying on our costumes.

I remember one of our most romantic moments, and we weren't even dating at the time. The park was closing and there was only one family left in the whole park. Scott was the manager on duty, so he was going to walk the last family out. He asked if I wanted to join him. Naturally, I said yes. We waited underneath the castle just talking about nonsense. It was, dare I say, magical. We were literally the only people there. It was perfect...well until he had to leave for a call and I had to walk the family out with an older security officer.

We've had a crazy time for the past decade or so. We've had our share of hard times, happy times and oh my God what are we doing times. I cannot imagine any other person I would want to share this journey with.

Happy day before our 9th anniversary, Scott!

8 years

I honestly cannot believe it has been 8 years since Scott and I said, "I do." It honestly seems like yesterday and there are so many memories from that day.

Here are some of my favorite memories from that day...

Before my Grandma Janes passed away, she made all of us girls hankies for our weddings. I carried mine with me down the aisle, wrapped around my bouquet. I also wore the same cross my Grandma Ruhling wore on her wedding day. I loved having both of them with me that day, even though only one could actually be with me.

I loved my moments before the ceremony getting ready with my girls and parents. We basically took over their hotel room. There were so many things that my parents probably should never have heard, but it was so much fun and definitely helped calm my nerves.

I don't have a photo of my next favorite moment...riding in the car with my Dad to the Floridian. I loved having that time with him. I'm pretty sure he asked me a dozen times if I was happy. 

I loved taking photos at the Grand Floridian. The reality of what was about to happen was sinking in and if you know me, you know I giggle when I'm nervous. So needless to say, the giggles and silliness was in full force for these photos. 

Doyle. I mean, is there anything else to say? When I was trying to figure out what to do with hair and makeup for the big day, I was beyond stressed out. I went home for my bridal shower and went to see Doyle to get ideas. I was in such good hands with him and knew I had to have him with me on my special day. Thank you, again, Doyle for making me and my girls beautiful!

The moment my Dad handed me over to Scott. I loved watching his face when he walked me down the aisle and the look on his face when he and my Mom walked out of the chapel. Proud is the right word to use. 

I wanted my Godmother to be a part of our wedding and I am so thankful she did one of our readings. This was the only moment in the entire ceremony I cried. Naturally, I laughed after, because after all, I am a nervous laugher. 

This. Just this. 

Our first dance was to Keith Urban's "Making Memories of Us." I honestly couldn't think of a better song.

The moment that Kristin told everyone about the infamous "Thirty-One Flavors" list. My Dad asked why he spent all of that money on my education. I still have no comment.

Dancing with my Dad to "The Way You Look Tonight."

This three layer masterpiece. Every layer was delicious. Every layer was magic. 

Carrying on this tradition. My Grandma made the apron for me and put the same number of babies on it that my Mom had. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, read this article, it's explained at the bottom.

The Bob and Amanda dance off that resulted in the death of one alcoholic beverage. 

Exiting like a total boss. Scott had this idea and our wedding planner was shocked that nobody else had thought to do this. I will say, I am glad I was sober because I never would have made it on that boat otherwise.

I seriously cannot believe it has been 8 years. I love you more today than 8 years ago. We have been through so much and have grown so much. I cannot imagine my life any other way.

8th Anniversary from Amanda Nethero on Vimeo.

Love you, Scott!

Celebrating 8 years

Scott and I celebrated our anniversary this weekend. I seriously cannot believe it has been 8 years.  Mimi and PawPaw took the kiddos for the night and we were able to dress up for a night out.

Funny story about my dress, I snagged it at Target that morning with Jillian in tow. When I tried it on she asked if the M on it stood for Mommy. I think that's pretty adorable.

Every year we pick a Disney restaurant to have dinner at since we met and were married there. We actually repeated a restaurant this year and went to Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. We went there on our third anniversary and loved it so much that we had to go again. 

Dinner was amazing, as expected. We even spent some time walking around the resort and were able to sit on the rocking chairs and look out over the savanna. 

While dinner was great, I have to say my favorite part of the weekend was our morning run on Sunday. Yes, both of us went on a run together. Scott began the couch to 5k program on Saturday, so this was his second day. 

I took him to my favorite trail and we took off (or as he will tell you, I took off). We did a complete 5k even though his day 2 only took him to just over 2 miles. I am so proud of him for taking on this challenge, not just the couch to 5k challenge, but the whole healthier lifestyle challenge. I mean seriously, look at the photo of him above, there is a noticeable difference. 

After our run we went to our favorite breakfast place for omelets. All in all it was a great way to celebrate our anniversary.

I cannot believe we are approaching 8 years. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us! 

The Story Behind the Photo: We're on a Mission from God

Have I ever mentioned that my brothers are characters? Every family function somehow has a theme to it, for my wedding, it was the Blues Brothers.

So when "Shake Your Tailfeather" came on, my brothers and nephews came out looking like this. I have no idea where they stored these items or how they got them in to the reception, but it was awesome and definitely one of the funnier moments of the evening.

The Story Behind the Photo: May I Have the Rings?

I'm really loving these "story behind the photo" posts, so I have another one for you.

Scott wanted to play a prank of his best man, Harley, so bad he couldn't stand it. When we were meeting with our planner he told us about how Major Domo can bring up the rings and you can just "forget" to tell the best man. Scott was sold. Did Harley fall for it? Not really. Did it make for the most amazing moment and photo ever? Most definitely. I mean, look at Kira's face, it says it all.

The Story Behind the Photo: Something Old Something New

Continuing with the wedding weekend posts, here is another photo and the story behind it.

I love this photo of all of my "stuff" from our wedding day, but most especially because two of the most important things to me are in it. 

The cross in the photo is the same cross my Grandma Ruhling wore on her wedding day to my Grandpa Bednarek. He gave it to her as a wedding present and she gave it to me. I always knew I wanted to wear it on my wedding day.

The handkerchief in the photo was made by my Grandma Janes. Grandma made all of us girls a handkerchief for our wedding day and I had this in my hands the entire ceremony. It was like she was with me on my wedding day.

More posts to come before our anniversary on Monday!

The Story Behind the Photo: Our Rehearsal Dinner

I wanted to share two of my favorite photos from our rehearsal dinner and the story behind them. 

My father hates carrots. Not dislikes...hates. At our rehearsal dinner we served carrots and he specifically asked that he not have carrots. So what did I do? I made sure he had an extra plate full of carrots. The only problem? My wonderful brother Art, who knew about the plan, made sure I had an equally large plate of carrots, my least favorite vegetable. 

This will always be one of my favorite memories from the night. 

Check back all weekend for more anniversary posts!

The Seven Year Itch

Scott and I are fast approaching our seventh anniversary. Yup, the seven year itch, if you believe in that sort of thing. 

Seven years ago we were celebrating with his coworkers. They threw Scott a "bachelorette" party. That's what happens when you have an office full of women, they throw you a bachelorette, not bachelor, party.

Can we talk about how young, thin and blonde I was?!

Seven years is a long time and in all honesty, I'm pretty shocked it's been seven years. I mean, didn't we just take this photo a couple of years ago? 

I'll have more "seven year itch" posts coming this week. I truly love taking this walk down memory lane every year and love sharing it!