The Happy Honeymoon!!!

After a dream wedding day, we were off in the bug to head for a night in mesquite, then on to Disneyland! Jordan was so cute and got the prettiest room with a Spa Tub right in the room... I'll spare you the rest of the details ;) ...

The next morning we were off again to head for the golden state...unfortunately, we got in a little of a fender bender....what a way to start things off to smashing success on the first day of your marriage!!!

My poor "Lemon"...how I loved my zippy little car... RIP...

But that's ok, it's just given us more opportunity to learn from our struggles and work together...and it ended up working out better. My insurance listed it as totalled (does that look totalled to you...that's what you get with VW's, I guess) and I couldn't have sold it for what I owed on it...but my full coverage ended up paying almost exactly what I owed instead of just kelly blue book value....by the time we get back from Brazil our cars wouldn't be worth anything anyway, so we count it as one of our blessings...just a semi-stressful one at the time!

So we ended up spending our second night in Barstow...so romantic...especially with the Chinese-American Chinese restaurant we enjoyed next door (don't go to one of these for a classic turkey dinner...stick to the sweet and sour)...but it really was sort of romantic...just another adventure to share...

We stayed here...

to go here...

and get this...

Our rental car was fabulous and we were so happy to make it to the Happiest Place on Earth!!!!

The view from our balcony...

Jordan's wonderful cousin, Christina, gifted us our honeymoon at Disneyland...she is such a sweetheart and we're so grateful for her thoughtfulness and generosity! We had such a fun time!

Waiting in line for the 3-D Toy Story ride...

About to board the Pirates of the Caribbean Ship...

This is how we actually met...

Jordan selected me from a wide variety of Pirate wenches...
and payed top dollar...

Just Kidding!

Disneyland gave us these cute "NEWLYWED" Buttons upon checking in...Christina must have warned them! Any who, these buttons were amazing and had many benefits: We got on rides faster, people always smiled and talked to us about "when we came to Disneyland on our honeymoon," and little girls always looked at you like you were a walking fairytale. It also made you susceptible to extra attention from employees.

Such was the case with the Mariachi band that cornered us at lunch and had us stand up in the middle of the PACKED eating area for our "second first dance." They serenaded us with a soulful "At Last" and we danced around as fellow eaters whooped and hollered!

We really enjoyed the Bug's Life underworld and movie...the ending is so creepy!!!

Jordan should be the star of the show...just look at that face...

In front of California Adventure...go Cali!!!

After barely escaping the Tower of Terror with our lives... ;)

The Aladdin show was possibly my favorite thing at Disneyland...it was Broadway worthy!

Prince Philip and Princess Aurora in front of their castle...

We got to have our very first Thanksgiving Dinner in the park in good ol' New Orleans Square...yumm-o...and possibly my most successful Thanksgiving Dinner of our marriage...no cooking and no mess!

Mr. & Mrs.

We enjoyed opening presents in Hurricane with family on the way back...

And got to spend a day in Zion's National Park. I've never been before and it's practically in Jordan's backyard...It was gorgeous!

Taking a break from our hike...

Jordan's Grandpa helped dig out and build the tunnels that go all the way through Zion's. Amazingly, they started at either end and met in the middle only 1'' off...that's amazing without the technology that we rely on today!

The view from the top...

Jordan likes to be a daredevil and climbs up these rocks like he's a billy goat... He gets so close to the edge...and makes me really nervous. That's a roofer man for ya!

I prefer to stay sitting on a slab faaaar below...

I saw a Buffalo and elk ranch on the way back...it looked intriguing so we had to stop.

Jordan found a new friend in a huge stripey tongued beast...

We even got to go spot-lighting...pretty fun...let me just say my new brother-in-law in-law whooped out some mad skills...

poor thing...

Happy Honeymooning from the Hastings!!!

Almost There!!!

The last few days before the wedding were really exciting ones! Here's a quick run-down of all the events.....

#7

I had the best Bachelorette Party ever thrown for me by my good friends and bridesmaids, Elizabeth and Lindsay...and we did something I've ALWAYS wanted to do, at the appropriate time of course! Here's a quick clue...

Any Guesses?

We took a very educational and aerobic class about pole dancing! My mom's probably going to blush that I even put this one here (and maybe Jordan too)....but it was so much fun I just had to share the experience with you! It was hard work, but if there was a gym that taught it near us I would definitely have to take it again! My arms, abs and legs were so sore the next day. We were all walking around church like we got hit by trucks....but they said I was a natural! hahaha...Sometimes I wonder what they were trying to say...but it seems to be a legit sport....they have competitions and everything... Perhaps my true calling is to be a competitor in the sport...only time can tell :)

Of course it wouldn't have been half as fun without the help of my ladies....They made it quite unforgettable!!!

After working up such a sweat, we headed over to the Melting Pot in downtown Salt Lake for a yummy meal and some fabulous dessert! I've never been there before, and it was a fabulous experience!

The "smokin" Gals...

My amazing friend, Elizabeth...

They seated us in a room with an entire troop of marines celebrating the Marines' Birthday in style...so in honor of my brother-in-law, Taylor, who is serving in Afghanistan as a Marine, we took a picture....the sign says "We Miss You Taylor!"...and we do!! Come home safe, and Thank-you for all you are doing for our wonderful nation.

#6

Jordan and I attended our last day of Singles ward at BYU!!! The Bishop (Bishop Scott Owen) stood up and asked "will those in the congregation who will be married this time next week, please stand up." He then acknowledged our examples, along with another couple being married on the same date. He wanted the ward to get on the fast-track of temple-prep, worthiness and marriage. It hit me then, that all the things we've worked for were paying off in less than a week!

Our last time in the RB church halls. Incidentally, this is where I also spent most of my time at BYU for classes....so I've grown to love this building. All week I'm in the rooms in dance shoes and on Sunday's I'm in heels...kinda fun...you can pick up any notes you missed after church, get items you forget from your locker, and sometimes find a quick snack in there too!

#5

Today we got to apply for our marriage license!

Jordan loves taking pictures, and will take any opportunity to do so... ;)

We were super excited about this big step, and really concerned with who was going to bring it to the wedding...He took care of it, since my head was anywhere and everywhere that week.
PS- getting married is quite the pricey thing to do these days....

#4

Today was so much fun! After working hard all day, I got to relax at my bridal shower thrown by Liz and Leah. It was so much fun to see great friends around having a wonderful time!

Leah came up with some fun games to play including one where I eat a piece of bubbilicious gum for every wrong answer I give in response to questions about Jordan. One would think a fiance would do a good job....

Oh contrar...my results made it seemed like I barely knew him!

I blame it on the questions.... ;)

and the fact that Jordan refuses to have a favorite about anything...he is pretty accommodating. Here's a quote from our first date at Yoasis (a frozen yogurt/fruit bar) to illustrate my point:

mj: "so what's your favorite fruit?"

j: "my favorite fruit? Well, that would be like having to pick a favorite child."

However, when they asked me what his favorite fruit was....I got it right!

14 pieces later...and that was after they let me eat one for every two wrong answers after seven.

Jordan came over to crash the party....that cute stinker!

Thank-you ladies for the wonderful time!

#3

Three days before we got married my parents drove up to Utah and I got to go to the Salt Lake Temple to receive my endowments. It was such a special day that I will never forget as I continue to enjoy the blessings of the Temple.

My mom and I outside the entrance! So excited to get to go in!

Outside with Jordan after the session...

So Happy!

We celebrated being together at the Spaghetti Factory (mmm...mezithra cheese) and enjoyed some of the Christmas decorations along the way...we're Santa's helpers ;)

#2

Two days before the wedding my mom and I went down to St. George to prepare before everyone landed. My mom was so cute and made me a "Bridie" Day Kit. It had everything from make-up touch up tools and tissues to safety pins and Kleenex! My Mom is the Greatest!!!

Beware...no make-up alert...

#1

Just one day left!!!! This day was a crazy busy one, full of photography sessions, flowers, awesome family members and luncheon and reception set-up. We had a blast!

Jordan and I were really excited to see each other on the last day of not being husband and wife!

My mom and Elizabeth helping me get dressed in the temple visitor's center... what an experience! Hopefully we didn't scare any visitors away!

Liz captured this long distance shot of us trying to work it for our photographer...

My sweet Dad went all the way back to California to pick up the flowers and drive them back overnight in a Penske truck....what a DAD!!! I'm not sure of many who would do that, let alone look so cute doing it! Go DAD!

My Mom and her talented co-workers arranged all of the flowers for both wedding receptions...They are SO incredibly talented and I can't thank them enough!

My darling mom working on site to arrange all the personal and wedding party flowers.

My family and other wonderful helpers hard at work to set up our decorations at the Bell Tower Reception Center. Our friends, Julie and Robert Iverson own the center and we were so blessed to get to hold our event in their facility...it couldn't have been more perfect for the look and feel of our wedding.....Gorgeous!!! More pictures of it all set up will come later.

Taking a break for a sweet kiss...it looks like time stopped for it!

My Mom's Wedding Day Kit inspired me to make one for Jordan...it included his cute socks to wear on the big day, yummy food, a stress ball, tissues, hot coco and mugs to share that night, and a note, of course!

We finally got to use the "1" by itself...we thought that day would never get there!

Getting some good sleep in the shadows of my gown...

#0

THE BIG ONE!!!!
(Part of it)

Lindsay came over to do my hair in the whee hours of the morning. Alicia, Lindsay and Elizabeth made sure to make it an entertaining morning full of laughter and hairspray!

My Dad came in mid-morning to share the song he picked for the Daddy-daughter dance...it was a tear jerker for all, including my big tough dad...

Lindsay is a master at her craft...I never dreamed that anyone would hit the nail on the head to my dream do' like this. I was going for 40's classic glamour...and she did it! She is truly one talented and gorgeous girl!

Thank-you Lindsay! xoxo

Stay tuned for more of the Wedding Day and Receptions to come....the next few posts may be out of order...but I would rather get them done before our big move to Brazil then worry about mother-load posts I've been avoiding!!! ;)

Have a great week!!!