A lot of wonderul things have come from Ryan and I being together... more than I will ever be able to count. We have gained SO many additional friends and family while sharing our lives together. It has been my favorite thing to see these relationships unfold. Ryan has met my friends and family, and I have his.
As a result we have a HUGE support system and LOTS of love and happiness around us. With our wedding right around the corner, our friends and family have really joined together to make this a special time in our lives. Plans are being made, bridal showers are being scheduled, presents are being given, and congrats are all around.
I can honestly say that Ryan and I are astonished at how many people are showing kindness to us. We had no idea that so many people cared about us. I know that the next few months will be very busy ones for us, so I want to go ahead and say a big THANK YOU to all of our friends and family. We love you more than you know! We also look forward to those many friends that we will continue to make in the different places we will go in our future - and family, well we will always be family not matter what or where! :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Hitting the Headlines
Ryan and I were in today's edition of The Wake Weekly! I know what you are thinking and no, we didn't get arrested and we were not creeping the classifieds. :) Instead, it was our engagement announcement!!! YAY!! I may have picked up 20 copies....that's not weird right?! Don't worry, they aren't all for me. Promise!
Since not all of our friends and family can see it (and the paper doesn't view online), I figured I would re-create it on here!
Since not all of our friends and family can see it (and the paper doesn't view online), I figured I would re-create it on here!
Bryant Wiggins of Rolesville and Greg and Beth Dixon of Wake
Forest are pleased to announce the engagement and forthcoming
marriage of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Wiggins of Wake Forest,
to Ryan Tad Larsen of Stansbury Park, Utah.
Sarah is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Johnson of Pilot Mtn.
and Mrs. Bertie Wiggins of Rolesville. She is employed as
a teacher of the Wake County Public School System.
Ryan is the son of Tad and Kathy Larsen of Stansbury Park, Utah,
and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Buddy Larsen of Salt Lake City,
Utah. He is employed in Airborne Infantry for the U.S. Army.
The couple is planning an April 16th, 2011 wedding at a
private venue in Rolesville.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Anxiously Awaiting
For those who know Ryan and I, it's no surprise that our relationship has been a large waiting game, for the most part. I have handled 3 months of waiting to meet him, 9 months of deployment, 2 months months until our Christmas together, and now 3 months until we get married. Out of all of those, the one that drives me crazy is the 1 week I have until leaving for Italy!
I am SO nervous about traveling to Italy. (I'm sure this past weekends flying flops has nothing to do with my nervousness!) For some reason I just have the fear that something/anything will go wrong - like me getting stuck in France without anyone who speaks English, with my credit cards not working, so I'm broke and starving, and then I get kidnapped or something ridiculous like that. LOL.
Ryan has reassured me that everything will be fine and he will be at the airport to greet me at my scheduled time of arrival. I am hoping and praying that is the case. For now, I am trying NOT to think about it and just worry about it when I am at the airport. In fact, I am not sure I have anymore nerves to worry about it even if I wanted to! :) Wish me luck as I make my first international trip. I can't wait for Ryan and I to spend a week together in Italy. We will have lots of blogs and pictures to share when I get back! :)
I am SO nervous about traveling to Italy. (I'm sure this past weekends flying flops has nothing to do with my nervousness!) For some reason I just have the fear that something/anything will go wrong - like me getting stuck in France without anyone who speaks English, with my credit cards not working, so I'm broke and starving, and then I get kidnapped or something ridiculous like that. LOL.
Ryan has reassured me that everything will be fine and he will be at the airport to greet me at my scheduled time of arrival. I am hoping and praying that is the case. For now, I am trying NOT to think about it and just worry about it when I am at the airport. In fact, I am not sure I have anymore nerves to worry about it even if I wanted to! :) Wish me luck as I make my first international trip. I can't wait for Ryan and I to spend a week together in Italy. We will have lots of blogs and pictures to share when I get back! :)
Monday, January 17, 2011
7 Flights and A Wedding
This weekend was rather busy for Ryan and I - OK, that's an understatement, it was insane! Ryan and I spent the last weekend of his leave in Utah for his brother's wedding. Ryan flew back to Utah last Wednesday and I flew out last Friday. We laughed about how much flying we have done over the past month. Just the two of us could keep the airlines in business! LOL.
With all of our flying, I must conclude that 1) I hate Delta and 2) I think I am cursed when it comes to flying. Over the past month Ryan and I have had the worst luck with airplane travel! Ryan almost didn't make it home for Christmas because France had a dusting of snow and cancelled all of their flights. Then he had to fly back and forth all over the US just to get to me. Yesterday he BARELY made his connecting flight back to Italy (and I mean they had to reopen the door for him). I say I'm cursed because every flight I try to make gets delayed. On Friday, my flight was delayed over an hour - making me late getting to Utah. Then, trying to get back home was the same way. My first flight was delayed, which then made me miss my connecting flight by 2 minutes!! I was totally the person running to the next gate as fast as I could - and of course it was in a whole different terminal. Thanks to that run, I officially know how out of shape I am in. You know those walking escalator things? Yeah, I was the person with my hands on my knees gasping for air when I got to one of those things. Then when it was up I would start running again. LOL. What a headache. I know that many of you know how I feel, because you too have had flight issues. All I can say is - it is what it is! I just hope that I can make it to Italy next week without any troubles!!!
Aside from all of the lovely flights this weekend (7 btw Ryan and I), we were able to attend the wonderful wedding of Kara and Jerad!!! It was at a BEAUTIFUL location in Utah called Heritage Gardens. My favorite part of their wedding is how their personalities came out in the ceremony and reception. They did not get caught up in all the formal traditions, instead Kara and Jerad were just themselves - and they were having a great time! It was so sweet to see how many people came to celebrate with them. Kara was glowing and Jerad just had a sense of pride about him. LOVED IT! Ryan was the best man - and was excited about it until he found out he had to do a toast! Even though he was a little nervous about it before, he pulled off the toast with grace and ease! He did a great job!!! We are so excited for Kara and Jerad and we know that they will have a wonderful life together!!!!
With all of our flying, I must conclude that 1) I hate Delta and 2) I think I am cursed when it comes to flying. Over the past month Ryan and I have had the worst luck with airplane travel! Ryan almost didn't make it home for Christmas because France had a dusting of snow and cancelled all of their flights. Then he had to fly back and forth all over the US just to get to me. Yesterday he BARELY made his connecting flight back to Italy (and I mean they had to reopen the door for him). I say I'm cursed because every flight I try to make gets delayed. On Friday, my flight was delayed over an hour - making me late getting to Utah. Then, trying to get back home was the same way. My first flight was delayed, which then made me miss my connecting flight by 2 minutes!! I was totally the person running to the next gate as fast as I could - and of course it was in a whole different terminal. Thanks to that run, I officially know how out of shape I am in. You know those walking escalator things? Yeah, I was the person with my hands on my knees gasping for air when I got to one of those things. Then when it was up I would start running again. LOL. What a headache. I know that many of you know how I feel, because you too have had flight issues. All I can say is - it is what it is! I just hope that I can make it to Italy next week without any troubles!!!
Aside from all of the lovely flights this weekend (7 btw Ryan and I), we were able to attend the wonderful wedding of Kara and Jerad!!! It was at a BEAUTIFUL location in Utah called Heritage Gardens. My favorite part of their wedding is how their personalities came out in the ceremony and reception. They did not get caught up in all the formal traditions, instead Kara and Jerad were just themselves - and they were having a great time! It was so sweet to see how many people came to celebrate with them. Kara was glowing and Jerad just had a sense of pride about him. LOVED IT! Ryan was the best man - and was excited about it until he found out he had to do a toast! Even though he was a little nervous about it before, he pulled off the toast with grace and ease! He did a great job!!! We are so excited for Kara and Jerad and we know that they will have a wonderful life together!!!!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Rock You Like a Hurricane
Last night Ryan and I went to a Carolina Hurricane's hockey game, at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC. We got the tickets as a Christmas present from my dad (thanks dad!!). Now, hockey isn't really a sport that Ryan or I follow very much - more of just a fun seasonal sporting event to attend. However, it was at this game that we discovered two common interests that we have!
1) Random dancing - During the halftimes and at various exciting moments during the game there would be music played to pump the crowd up. Well, Ryan and I had ourselves a good time looking like fools as we danced. I even think we created a couple of new dance moves (we will debut them at our wedding reception on request! haha). I have never laughed so hard. Some of our best moments together are when we just let go and act like no one else can see us. Love it!
2) Fighting - Although we were attentive to the game, we didn't do much yelling and screaming - UNLESS there was a fight. Then we would jump up and yell, "Hit him!!!" or "Take the gloves off!!!!" or "Punch him in the face!!!!" LOL! Hockey fights are the best! Luckily we got to see a few last night. I'm pretty sure Ryan would have been super disappointed if we didn't see a fight. :)
Overall the hockey game was a GREAT way to end Ryan's time in NC. We got home pretty late and with about 4 hours of sleep, I was up again taking Ryan to the airport. Today he flew back to Utah to help prepare for his brother's wedding (Jerad and Kara are getting married Saturday!!!). I will be flying to Utah Friday afternoon so that I can attend the wedding also - and be Ryan's hot date! :) We are so excited for Jerad and Kara and can't wait to celebrate with the family!
1) Random dancing - During the halftimes and at various exciting moments during the game there would be music played to pump the crowd up. Well, Ryan and I had ourselves a good time looking like fools as we danced. I even think we created a couple of new dance moves (we will debut them at our wedding reception on request! haha). I have never laughed so hard. Some of our best moments together are when we just let go and act like no one else can see us. Love it!
2) Fighting - Although we were attentive to the game, we didn't do much yelling and screaming - UNLESS there was a fight. Then we would jump up and yell, "Hit him!!!" or "Take the gloves off!!!!" or "Punch him in the face!!!!" LOL! Hockey fights are the best! Luckily we got to see a few last night. I'm pretty sure Ryan would have been super disappointed if we didn't see a fight. :)
Overall the hockey game was a GREAT way to end Ryan's time in NC. We got home pretty late and with about 4 hours of sleep, I was up again taking Ryan to the airport. Today he flew back to Utah to help prepare for his brother's wedding (Jerad and Kara are getting married Saturday!!!). I will be flying to Utah Friday afternoon so that I can attend the wedding also - and be Ryan's hot date! :) We are so excited for Jerad and Kara and can't wait to celebrate with the family!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Wedding Website
I missed the memo that said having an engagement ring on my finger gave everyone permission to ask me a bazillion questions about my wedding plans. I hope people have not taken it personally when I always respond, "Ummm.... I don't really know yet. (smile)".
Although I do not have all the answers yet, I think I have a pretty good start. Ryan and I made a wedding website to help spread the answers to every one's questions. Hope you enjoy! :) I am getting very excited as I continue to plan my wedding...who knew!?!?
Also, apparently it's considered kosher to include your husband (future husband in my case) in your blog - so my blog has now turned into a couple's blog, hence the name change. It's about time we came as a package deal! :) It might be a little premature, but I am excited...so what!?! :)
http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/pwp2/view/MemberPage.aspx?coupleid=5053277480803976&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d2743522d779a5b%2C0&MsdVisit=1
Although I do not have all the answers yet, I think I have a pretty good start. Ryan and I made a wedding website to help spread the answers to every one's questions. Hope you enjoy! :) I am getting very excited as I continue to plan my wedding...who knew!?!?
Also, apparently it's considered kosher to include your husband (future husband in my case) in your blog - so my blog has now turned into a couple's blog, hence the name change. It's about time we came as a package deal! :) It might be a little premature, but I am excited...so what!?! :)
http://weddings.theknot.com/pwp/pwp2/view/MemberPage.aspx?coupleid=5053277480803976&sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d2743522d779a5b%2C0&MsdVisit=1
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Helloooooo 2011!
Well, Santa sure did find me in Utah! I have been in Utah for Christmas and New Years with Ryan and his family. We have been having such a great time - lots of family and friend get togethers.
Not that this is a surprise (since I am a little late posting), but Ryan proposed on Christmas Eve at Temple Square! :) It was the perfect night! While we were taking family pictures in front of the reflecting pool, everyone stepped away and left Ryan room to get down on one knee. I was so surprised. In that moment, Ryan and I were in a little bubble. We were only focused on each other. The second I said yes to his proposal, we turned and reality hit us. Family AND strangers who were gathered around started cheering and taking pictures. My face literally hurt from smiling! That was by far the happiest night of my life.
Since then Ryan and I have been enjoying the engaged life. We have been congratulated by our closest friends and family- which has meant the world to us!! We are so lucky! Everyone has been so anxious to find out dates and plans and locations....yikes!!! What!??!?! haha. We promise we will get all that info out when we figure it out. LOL.
Finally, one of my favorite parts of our Utah trip was having the pleasure of Ashton Swank (my high school best friend) taking our engagement pictures! We had originally planned to just get together for lunch, but when Ashton heard about our engagement she offered to do our pics. We did them at the Garden Park Ward in Utah in about 17 degree weather. We were all freezing (including poor little Emma - Chris had to keep her warm in the car). Ryan was so much fun while taking the pictures. I was so impressed with his attitude. I can already tell he is going to be a wonderful and supportive fiance! The pics turned out great and it was even a little sentimental to have Ashton do them.
Last night we welcomed in 2011 with a family/family friend party. With all that has happened to this point, it's hard to imagine that it will not be an amazing year. There are SO many things to look forward to! Hope everyone had a wonder holiday season and Happy New Year!!!!
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