More Amateur Shots

Courtesy of Susan Benton (my other mother) and Ryan Marshall, who is one month and four days older than me.

You can see the professional shots here:
Seattle: http://lisetteandcameron.blogspot.com/2008/11/leah-and-yantzy.html
Spokane: http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2008/11/saturday-photoshoot.html


If you don't have the patience to look at them all, please at the least scroll down to the grand finale!



The bridal parade: It was a blessing to everyone I wasn't twirling a baton.



Dad tried to sneak off with my boquet several times.

Parents!

That's the highest I could raise my arms.

With my wonderful parents.

This is the buildling where we had our ceremony:

Santa clause was at my wedding. Naughty or nice -- what do you think?

1) my hottie brother

2) his intelligent, witty girlfriend who has great taste in music

3) look at the gorgeous fall foliage

Weddings involve so much waiting.

Jen and Fleet are just so happy to be here.

Katrina; my sister, Collette; and my almost brother, Fleet

And yes,

oh yes,

the grand finale:

I love this girl so much.

Caption contest. Go!

Wedding Photos: Round II

These photos were taken by Yancy's brother, Jason Zimmerman, after our ceremony in Spokane, Washington.

http://teachinfourth.blogspot.com/2008/11/saturday-photoshoot.html

Jason does amazing work. See more at http://www.alongthebackroads.com.

Wedding Photos: Round I

The reception in Seattle Thursday night taken by Lisette Wolter-McKinley, our photographer in Seattle and my old friend.

The wedding in Spokane Saturday morning, taken by my aunt and uncle.

I'll have more soon.

Surprise! A new post

A week and a half ago, the lovely girls I work with managed to completely, utterly surprise me with a shower.

I had just come back to the office, flustered and tense because a frustrating visit to the bank had made me late for my 3 p.m. "meeting."

I walked into to the Conference room...


...and my entire office is staring back at me.

Me: Bright red face, cold sweat, no brain function.

Our CEO, Bill, said some nice things and then everyone wanted a speech. The only type of extemporaneous speaking I know how to do is bearing my testimony, but luckily, even in my mental fog, I didn't start with "I know the Church is true. I love my mom and dad..."

Staff gave me several lovely gifts, best of which was a collection of wedding advice, which includes:

1) The most important words in any marriage, "I'll do the dishes"
2) It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
3) "I got gaps; you got gaps; we fill each other's gaps" (with a picture of Rocky)
4) Be best friends
5) Eat lots of chocolate together
6) Love is why we get married...Our believe in God is why we stay married.
7) Even when you're married, always keep dating (each other, of course)

Finally: Quit PRSA and have lots of babies. That's from Heather, who's giving me the scheming look below. Maybe she wants my job. Hmm...

Pictures again

For just $300, we got Yancy's suit, belt and shoes. Thank you, Macy's!

Best reactions

For all the negativity you hear about marriage in our society, you get some pretty excited reaction when you tell people you are engaged (which is very reassuring). Here are a few of my favorite:

"I GET TO BE A HOTTIE.......got any cute, single uncles coming to this thing?" -- anonymous, just in case it's embarrassing

"Thanks! And please resist buying a black wedding dress. And please start a wedding blog." -- Cousin Marie

Livi: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT Omilivinggoodness

"Congratulations Leah! Wow. I am impressed with your efficiency." -- Hilary, past roommate

"Now you get to be saved from Brother Cariello's love connection." -- Jessica Allred

"Wait, so this is serious? You're getting married? (I always have to wait a bit first to see if people are playing tricks on Facebook...there are so many possibilities)" -- Suzanne Reeve, a friend from Seattle

"Congrats on being engaged!! Its so much fun" -- Jessica Hanson (did you know anyone who seemed happier to be engaged than Jess?)

"Wow, officially engaged on Facebook and everything. Congratulations, this must be for real." -- Cousin Robert

erika: I hope I will get a pic of the ring. you know how important knowing what the ring looks like is important to me.

me: Mark guess what
Mark: you're engaged?
me: yep
Mark: holy frijole craaaaaaaaaaaazyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

"'Gasp, Oh my goodness!!:)' Was the first thing out of my mouth. I love knowing what people's initial reactions are." -- Stephanie Bishop, in the RS presidency with me now. I wonder how she verbalized the smiley face

"what? oh my gosh!!!! LEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited for you! oh my gosh! i just gasped out loud and i can't type fast enough! I am so super excited for you! we definitely need to hang out so that i can hear the story. seriously! congratulations! i am so happy for you!!! Yay! :) i want details when you have a minute! yay!" -- Malia

Not another waste of his time

I feel slightly more engaged now that my fiancee status has been acknowledged.

I assume the blog title does not refer to me.