What I meant to say...

At our wedding which is almost a week old now I had attempted to give a speech thanking everyone for coming and thanking those who have had the biggest impact on my life.... I think it came out something like blah blah blah I'm not as qualified as Crystal to give this speech. So here is what I was trying to get out-

Thank you all so very much for attending and taking part in the best day of my life. As I look out into the crowd I see Friends, Family, Mentors and Heroes. Some fit into all four categories and many fit into at least a couple and for that I am extremely blessed. The lessons that I have learned from all of you are the lessons that I will one day teach our children and grandchildren. I have had the best mentors that a young man can ask for. When I was a braggadocios young man I used to call myself a 7 time National Champion. As I have grown I have learned that I was just the one holding the halter sure I practiced and "put time in" but those heros and mentors where the ones that really made it happen. My father and Grandfathers have done more for me and helped me grow to become the man that I am and husband I know I will be that I ever could have asked for. I'm not sure I have been deserving but it is safe to say they saw some hope or would have given up long long ago. Thank you all so much for devoting so much time and energy into my development. I will not let you down.

To my new family, I know that you all may not know me very well but you all made me feel right at home when I met you and cannot wait to learn more about you all. They say it's meant to be when you sleep to the same dream and Crystal and I cannot wait to bring our dreams into a reality. There will be no revolution coming from us, just evolution. There is nothing that would more defeat our purpose than remaining the same. If we get even a small portion of the help and knowledge that we have received up to this point, the sky isn't even close to the limit. Why shoot for the clouds when the stars are so much brighter?

One of my favorite rappers proudly proclaims that he is "self-made" which is something that I will never be and I'm okay with that. My mentors and hero's are who made me who I am and I only hope that we make them proud as we move forward.

(This is where I would have thrown my sheets that this speech would have been on in the air and I would have followed that up with)

I LOVE HEREFORD CATTLE AND EVEN MORE SO I LOVE MY WIFE!

Time to Check In

We hope that all your travel plans are coming together well, and can't wait to see you. Wanted to let you know that when you check into your hotel room there should be a little welcome bag for you with some goodies, information on local attractions and an area map.

If you don't find one in your room when you arrive me sure to ask the front desk. See you Saturday if not before.

Shorts or a Winter Coat?

Maybe both.

Well actually hopefully not. We've been keeping an eye on the 10 day forecast, and it looks like the on and off rain will continue through the week, so an umbrella might be your best bet. However, for the beginning of April we still can believe how nice the weather has been.

This is Iowa though, and just like home in Alberta the weather can change pretty quick. I would make sure to throw in a jacket, and a combination of shorts and pants. The one guarantee that can be made is there will be some mud.

Fahrenheit - via www.weather.com

Celsius - via www.weather.com

And if you have allergies be sure to throw in some medicine as well. We've got green grass everywhere and the trees are blooming!

Can't wait to see all of our friends and family.

Request a song

Who is ready to dance?

The wedding will be here before we know it. If there is a special song that you would like to make sure the DJ has so you can really bust a move take the following steps.

1. Go to www.UltimateEntertainment.cc
2. Click on Guest Request System
3. Enter the wedding Date 04-07-2012 and password JCB2012

Can't wait to see you!

Don't forget to get your hotel!

By now I hope you have received your invitation in the mail, and hopefully even RSVP'ed. We love those of you who already have ;)

Don't forget that the hotel block will only be held until March 17. You can find all the hotel information here.

Can't wait to see our friends and family, the big day will be here before we know it.

-- Crystal

La Brisa Photography

I have mentioned to quite a few of you how amazing Jon and I think our engagement and wedding photographer Chris is. We are so excited to have him capture our day. The images used in our save-the-date and our wedding invites (which are in the mail) are all by Chris.

Today, he has featured us on the La Brisa Photography blog. Take a minute to check out the days story, it includes keys being locked in a car and this time is actually wasn't me!

See you in April! 

- Crystal 

Weekends in Iowa

Hitting the lanes. 

December and January were a whirlwind of travel for Jon and I, however this past weekend we were BOTH home which has been a little bit uncommon lately. So what does one do in Iowa in their free time? Well other than spending a lot of time in the barn working on our Iowa Beef Expo cattle we've spent some time at the bowling alley.

Jon bowls every Wednesday night in a league and this weekend he also participated in a doubles tournament. I obliged and went to cheer him on.

It must of worked because Payne, one of the groomsmen, and Jon ended up winning the tournament. Which was handy because we then had money to go shopping th next day for these gems.

What a good looking group. 

On Saturday night Jon and I participated in a charity bowling event. We scored a big win in the costume contest and Jon said I am a good enough bowler that we might have to bowl together a little more often. I am going to have to ask the boys to wear pants instead of dresses to the wedding.

Save the Date

We are so excited that our save the dates have been hitting your mailboxes! We can't believe the big day will be here right around the corner.

We are pretty proud of our little invite. Jon knows I have a sweet spot for saving money. He used this to his advantage in convincing me I could design the save the dates and invitations. I guess he knows me pretty well!