Where are you Mr. Sun?

Rain, rain go away!  Give us some sunshine to brighten the days!

....This gloomy weather is seriously robbing me of my motivation to be productive.  We have a ton of little projects going at home but we've totally been slacking on them for the last week (blaming the rain...since it's literally been raining everyday we've been home).  One thing we did accomplish is the wedding invitations!  We were just too excited to wait any long and decided to drop them in the mail a couple days for before our 8 week mark. YAY!!  I really spent a lot of time on those babies so it's been really fun to hear/see people's feedback. Plus, it's like Christmas in our mailbox....everyday. We love getting the RSVP's in the mail, especially when they have fun little notes from you guys!! :)

Last weekend my aunts put on a beauitful shower in my honor.  I was truly in awe of the creativity that went into everything -- it was so fun to celebrate with both sides of my family.  Of course, we also got to see all sorts of family on Easter Sunday which is always a good time.  Kurt worked on Saturday but made it back to WL in time for the Easter service which was really nice.  We also enjoyed brunch with my Dad's side of the fam, an egg hunt a la my parents (yes, they still hide eggs even though we're 24 and 14) and then a big Easter bash at G'ma & G'ma Simon's complete with tacos, kites and more egg hunting!  The jam-packed day slowed us down a little and we didn't make it back home until after 11pm which probably didn't help with the lack-of-motivation we've been fighting this week! ha!

Due to the astounding generosity of our family and friends we now have a basement full of shower gifts that need to find a permanent place!  This is really fun "problem" to have but I need to focus some time on rearranging the cupboards and closets to find these beauties a home! :)  We've been getting all sorts of advice on this sort of thing lately... advice to wait until the wedding to break out the gifts, advice to dive in and enjoy them, advice about the items that will hold up and the ones to use with caution...and the list goes on.  We're pumped about it all -- but more than anything we're just loving it that our family and friends are sharing our joy at this exciting time in our lives! 

Alright.... a little less talk, a lot more action.  Time to get something done!

Living in Fast Forward.

These past couple weeks have felt like that movie "Click" where the guy's life is stuck in fast forward -- I feel like I took a deep breath and another week was gone!  Our weekends have been busy and the weeks have been packed with preparations for another big event at work... except this happens to be my favorite event, QUASH!  (Sounds fun, doesn't it???)

QUASH is the Quest to Unravel Alzheimer's Scavenger Hunt, a totally unique and high-energy scavenger hunt that takes place all over UNI's campus and the nearby "Hill" area.  It's one of the few perfect events where you can actually have a really good time, for a really good cause!  I love it because it allows me to spend time on campus, working with emerging leaders (college students) and put my two favorite things together... UNI and events!! :)  This is only the 2nd year that we've done QUASH at UNI and we were really shooting for the stars.  After a very successful first year (2010) we were unsure how much growth we could count on...but I had an amazing group of student leaders on the planning committee this year and they really ran with it!  It's been really fun (but a lot of work) to ensure that QUASH was even better than last year, but we did it!!  QUASH was this past Saturday and even though it was a ridiculously freezing April day (literally...snow on the ground) we had a record turnout and raised even more funds for the cause than last year!  Here's a few pictures to give you a taste of what QUASH is all about...

QUASH raising funds and awareness for Alzheimer's disease.

It requires teams of 2-4 people to complete physical and mental challenges, while racing against the clock and eachother. Oh, and we encourage crazy costumes.

Yes, that is a pool of pickles...and Yes, they are digging for 38 cents.

One of the many challenges out on the QUASH course.

Emilee was on the Q-Crew this year!

This is 2011 Planning Committee (aka the Q-Crew).  They rock!

I had my wrap-up meeting with the committee tonight and I'd have to admit... I kind of have mixed feelings about QUASH being done for another year.  It's great to have another successful year under our belts but I'll miss working with the great group on such a fun and outrageous event. :)  I'm sure next year's QUASH will be here before we know...until then it's time to focus on Walk!

Now, that's not the only excitement around here... the weekend before QUASH we hit the road to WL to spend some time with our families and for my very first bridal shower!  Things are all falling into place now and I can't believe how real the shower made it feel.  For some reason, when we registered for all these great things I didn't actually occur to me that we'd be getting them... SURPRISE!  Everyone is so generous and it's so much fun to have all these friends and family members joining in our excitement.  Kurt's aunts threw me a really great shower and I'm feeling uber blessed to be marrying into such a big loving family. :)

Talk about living in fast forward, the next shower is already this weekend!  These last 2 months before the wedding are really going to fly by.  I'm so excited to see all of my family this weekend as my aunts are putting together this shower.  I love having everyone together (no matter what the reason) - so we're looking forward to slowing down for a weekend and seeing all of the people we love over Easter.  ....Time to pause, and switch to "Play" mode.  *Sigh*  That's better.

PS.  Can't forget about the fur babies.... Max is rowdy as can be, but he's learning to listen pretty well.  Pita is looking fabulous (you can't tell us that they didn't cut his hair at the shelter...he's like a whole new dog now that his coat is back to normal!).  If you put them in the same place it's a constant game of "catch me if you can".... but they seem happy, so we're happy too!

Isn't he getting BIG?!

This is how Pita travels (above) ...

...And this is how Max travels (below).

Let the Craziness Commence!

Well, March didn't exactly go "out like a lamb" so we're anxious for what April has in store!  We've had a lot going on the last couple weeks and it looks like our schedule will be that way until about..... June 25th. :) ha!

Not this last weekend but the one before I was lucky enough to have the help of my bridesmaids and my mom to tackle a whole slew of wedding projects!  We gathered in WL for a full day of craftiness and let me tell you - it was intense!  I seriously could not have done all of the cool little things that we have planned without the help of these amazing women.  I've got an eye for details and a soft spot for anything handmade so the DIY list has continually grown since we began planning the big day.  I'm SO excited about all the fun stuff that we've put together and I hope you (our guests!) enjoy the personal details too! :)  After that oh-so-productive weekend with the girls I am happy to report that invitations are fully assembled, addressed and ready to be mailed!  Now we're just waiting for that 6 week mark (ohhhhh wedding etiquette, so precise).  As for the other projects...you'll just have to wait to see what we were up to!  Less than 3 months to go, I can't believe how quickly everything is going now.  My first bridal shower is this weekend!  We're really getting excited now that the wedding is getting closer -- we're in the double digits, crazy!

Speaking of crazy... I was once again hired to coordinate volunteers at the USA Wrestling Folkstyle National Championships at the UNI-Dome this year and the tournament took place this past weekend.  In a word, it was CRAZY.  But surprisingly not as crazy as the last 5 years so there is definitely progress being made.  In order to accommodate the 2,300+ wrestlers we run 25 mats for 3 days straight.  ...Lets just say I'm still recuperating!  It's a long and stressful weekend but at the end of it all it's worth it - the extra cash is nice and it's so cool to see huge events like this come together!  Kurt even volunteered and learned to use the new high-tech TrackWrestling program....fancy stuff - it sure beats paper score cards!

Between our busy weekends we've been doing some yard work, playing with the pups, baking lots of goodies (because that's the best way to handle stress) and putting in some extra hours at work.  There is so much going on that we've been making a conscious effort to sit and relax together every day or two... what a difference that makes!

Well.... I think it's time to relax!  Have a fabulous week.   <3  J&K

Photo Update

I've been slacking on the pictures lately so here's a few to catch you all up!....

This one is old -- from last month... look how small Max is!

We bought our shoes for the wedding... currently being dyed.

A typical night ... sleepy boys!

Max has a friend over (Tuff) while the Collins' family was in town for Super Pee Wee State Wrestling!
The dogs loved to wrestle, too!

Drake-man ready to wrestle!

Uncle Kurt w/ Briggs -- cheerin for Drake!

Engaged for 1 year - 3 months to go! :)

All tuckered out after throwing fit for being left outside... *Sigh*

Look how BIG he is now!! He used to sleep under the couch... Ha!

Bring on SPRING!

Thank God winter is finally over!! We're loving this extra daylight (but still struggling with the dark mornings after daylight savings time, haha I guess we can't have it all). 

Last weekend we went back to WL to spend some time with our families.  I got to see Matt and his classmates pull off an uber-impressive musical --- I seriously can't get over how cool it was! And to think that they're only in Jr. High, WOW.  ...Kurt worked on the firebird and before we knew it it was already time to head back to Waterloo.  Weekends at home always go too fast and there never seems to be enough time to do everything we want to do and see everyone we want to see!

This past week we've been enjoying the warmer weather and truckin' away on wedding projects/plans... here's our updates in a nutshell:
- Finally took the dogs on a decent walk.  Yay for nice weather!
- Spent an evening setting up a wedding registry at Menards (Kurt was in his glory).
- Attempted to convert Max to an outside dog... not going well so far.
- Kurt surprised me by taking the awnings off our house - a project I've been dying to do since we moved in!
- Got all pumped up to grill up some burgers only to find our propane tank is empty (sigh...George Foreman saved the day).
- Sent our wedding invitations to the printer. (Wow, we're that close!)
- Researched Bachelor/Bachelorette party locations/plans...... sooooo fun. =D

We're enjoying this weekend by not doing too much.  I got to spend the day shopping in Cedar Rapids with two of my best friends yesterday -- it was fun to have some girl time and we found some good stuff shopping too! :)  Kurt squeezed in some fishing and we even got some time to hang out and play Wii with some friends in town. After this weekend we're completely booked until May ... let the craziness commence!

Time Flies ...

...when you're planning a wedding!  Seriously, today is the ONE YEAR anniversary of our engagement and I honestly cannot believe it's been 12 entire months.  I almost always feel like time is flying but this year in particular has been a crazy, hectic, emotional and exciting one!  It truly is a whirlwind and we're doing our best to take in all of these experiences and memories - afterall, we only get to do this once! :) 

As we think back to last year at this time I can't help but tear up... The proposal was such an awesome surprise and I love how genuine and straight-up nervous Kurt was.  It makes me giggle!  We had bought tickets to see Jason Aldean in concert in Ames so we took off work a little early to account for travel.  I was rushing around the apartment in an attempt to get ready on time (imagine that) and Kurt was being oddly quiet (seriously can you imagine that? ha!).  I had randomly found an unclaimed wedding magazine by the mailboxes that afternoon and was babbling about how it would be the perfect thing to flip through on the way to Ames (ironic, right?).  ...We were heading out the door (already behind schedule) when Kurt suddenly "forgets something inside".   I hesitantly followed him back into the apartment (slightly annoyed) and shut the door only to turn around and find him on his knee!  It took a few seconds to realize what was happening and to shake off the disbelief and acutally listen  to what he was saying but when I did, I flew at him for a huge hug and burst into tears!!  I remember trying to take in every detail of the moment... and I'm glad I did, so I can remember it so vividly at times like today.  =)  Of course, we went to the concert and had a blast just living it up on cloud nine!  It's an amazing memory.

I know I posted about the proposal last year when I began blogging but I couldn't resist re-living it yet again.  Tonight we're celebrating our year of happiness (and planning) with a little date night.  I even have a little surprise in store for my future hubby... (I know I can post it now b/c he never reads this unless I leave the page up for him lol)... I picked up his wedding band this week and am planning a little proposal of my own. And guess what... I'm kind of nervous!! Now I understand what he was feeling that day!  Wish me luck, hopefully he says YES.  <3 

Front of our Save-the-Dates

Back of our save-the-dates.

PS. If you haven't visited our wedding website, please do!  Don't forget to sign our guestbook...it always makes us smile! :)     www.theknot.com/ourwedding/kurtsimon&jessikelly

Hello March!

Holy smokes it's already March!  February was a really really busy month but the fact that it's such a short month made it FLY.  We're welcoming March with open arms and holding out all hope that the old saying is true.... "In like a lion out like a lamb".   It better be... I'm sick of this cold crappy weather!  The extra daylight is noticeable now so that's a good sign. :)

On another note - we had a great time here in the 'Loo last weekend (it's already almost the weekend again!!).  Kurt's friend (Seth) Anderson came to visit and we all went to the Miranda Lambert concert on Saturday... she was awesome!!  I know she's coming back this way this summer (to the Mississippi Valley Fair I believe) so if you're able to catch the show - do it!  Justin Moore was the opener and he was really good too -- it was a fun concert!  I always like going to concerts at the McLeod Center because it reminds me of the events/shows that I used to work there.  Plus, you can't beat it because the tickets are affordable and all the seats are great.  We got the cheap-o bleacher seats because I knew you'd have just as good of a view!  Ahhh it feels good to be right. =)

On Sunday, while the boys tinkered with crap in the garage I headed to Cedar Rapids to meet my mom and the bridesmaids!  We all picked out our shoes for the wedding (yay!) and grabbed a bite to eat.  It was great to have some girl time and the more time I spend with them the more excited I get for our wedding!  Everything is really coming together and that is a great feeling.  According to TheKnot's to-do list I am about 1 month ahead of schedule.... Rockin' it, right?

Oh and the biggest development in our plans...  we booked the honeymoon!  We debated long and hard about honeymooning right after the wedding or holding off until Iowa's weather was less desirable.  We opted for the latter -- it just made more sense to us to avoid hurricane season down in the tropics and enjoy what we can of Iowa's summer by planning the trip for November.  We decided to go big (it's big for us anyways!)-- so we're heading to Punta Cana for a 6 night trip the week after Thanksgiving.  Check out our amazing resort..... all-inclusive, adults-only, perfect. =)