I am by far a non-traditional girl and have lived my life a bit in reverse. I have a great home that holds my three beautiful boys, Ace(8) and my twins Enzo and Cassius(2) along with them I have my amazing future husband (aka 4th child) Steve. He is the biological Father of my twins and has stepped up as the best Father, example, and man in my oldest sons life. Steve is nothing like me, I am loud, social, opinionated, and spoiled. He, on the other hand is calm, quiet and kind. He treats me like a princess and goes above and beyond to make me and our boys happy and proud.

I knew a wedding would come some day but with our busy lives I expected it to come in the far far future. However, on a recent trip to California to attend my girlfriends wedding we made a tee time at the Trump National Golf Course. This is one of the most beautiful golf course on the planet it is next to the Pacific Ocean and has cascading waterfalls and a crisp green beauty. I knew this was an exceptional place but Steve is a golf-pro so playing at great courses is always on our vacation itinerary. Around the 8th hole we had a bit of a tiff (probably my fault, it usually is) and the fool still asked me to Marry him at the waterfall before the 18th hole. I was amazed at how he found away to surprise me and catch me completely off guard.

Before I took on the position as full time Mother I had a dream job as an event planner at a beautiful golf course in Oregon and after that the Denver Art Museum. My days are now spent in comfy Target attire instead of beautiful dresses and suits. Furthermore, my organizational skills are applied to coupons, play-dates, nap time, and sport practices. I am both excited and overwhelmed to dust off some of my unused skills, it has been years since I have planned a wedding but this is one I am obviously very excited about!!! I also have plenty of new obstacles I never had when planning other events in the past. So, through the diaper changes, soccer practice, dinners, and everyday life I plan to create an amazing special day the two of us and our families and friends will never forget!

Ace is my very kind, sweet, polite little man. For a very long time it was just us two, my partner in crime and best friend. We had so much fun, however; he loves being a big brother and is fantastic with the little guys! Ace wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up and also loves the museum, soccer, football and golf.

Enzo is a miniature version of his father, my big guy with wonderful green eyes. He is my future Chicago Bears linebacker (watch out Urlacher) and is a tough guys mans man! We like to joke he is a reincarnated Jim Hoffa and has a look that any gangster would fear ; )

Oh my sweet Cassius, the "baby" by two minutes but he owns the role and plays it well! He needs every ones attention and admiration and will tug at your heart with a blink of his gorgeous big blues and long lashes. Pretty positive he will win an Oscar some day or become President, he loves to wave, shake hands, and blow kisses. 

My life has a superb cast, but I can't figure out the plot? ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Sandra Wolfe

A girl is very lucky to be blessed with her soul-mate in the form of a friend. Sandra and I have known each other for 17 plus years, we used to sneak out and dance our asses off at the underage dance clubs snow, rain, or clear sky's. We knew every N'SYNC, Britney Spears, and Spice Girl move and practiced them relentlesly in her basement. Time and miles have separated us....however; she is still the Betty to my Veronica! She now lives in Austin, Texas but I am lucky enough to see her at least three times a year and every time, without fail nothing much has changed, it only gets better!! She has more energy then should be legally allowed and just lights up everyone and everything around her ;)

Shari Zinn-Crane

No, we are not sisters though we do get it all the time. We decided that we are just a tad narcissistic and like to look at ourselves that is why we are such good friends. She is the youngest of my friends but is the most intelligent, responsible, and wise person I know. If I need a dose of reality, a kick in the butt, or a rational point of view Shari is the first person I call. She knows me very well and still loves me anyway ;}

Lisa Kealy

A true Jersey girl and so funny! We met in Portland & instantly bonded over sports & our dis~like for the rainy cold weather. We spent plenty of nights watching the OC cooking delicious meals & making up ridiculous inside jokes that we don't even get!  

 Ashlee Stadig

One of the kindest and most supportive people I have ever met. Her friendship and compassion is relentless and has never failed me. She is also an event planner so when it comes to important events we have it under control. She threw my baby shower and I had a surprise Birthday party for her, we love to have a good time and love to make them happen! She is much more grounded and responsible then me....but that goes without saying of most of my friends. She became engaged just days after I did and I am so excited to plan our special days together.

Gina Moreno

Gina might be the kindest person on the planet and would give the shirt off her back to anyone. She has known my husband for 10 years and me for 4, yep I stole his friend ;D She provodes my family and I with so much laughter, fun, & georrosity. She is my work out partner, golf buddy, & one of the best friends a girl can ask for!

 Lyndsey Pickering

Lyndsey is my friend that is the most like me, we can drink bloody mary's and watch Sunday football one day then get dolled up and go dancing on the town the next night. She is a very honest person and is good at listening, understanding, and rationalizing any problem big or small. She is wonderful with my little boys and loves them like her own. I have gone through some of the most difficult times of my life with her and I am so thankful for her love and support!!

"A person is only complete when she has true friends to understand her, to share all her passions and sorrows with, and to stand by her throughout her life."

"I would like to be remembered as a man who had a wonderful time living his life, and who had good friends, fine family, and I don’t think I could ask for anything more than that, actually.” ~Frank Sinatra

Clay Condon

Gerry Kurtz

Jonathan Manning

Greg Shakespeare

Chris Johnson

"Boys will be Boys"

\

I am what I like to call a "Mommy Bride" I had 2 year old twins to potty train, 3rd grade homework I had to help with, & I also planned a wedding while managing all the other "joys" that Motherhood brings. It is true that becoming a Mother really does change your perspective & teach you many lesson. However, being a "Mommy Bride" definitely adds new creative, fun, stressful, & often exhausting moments that will make your and your child's special day amazing! My day would maybe have been more organized or put together but I prefer the chaos mixed with love compared to a "perfect" day". 

1.Involve them where you can & don't expect it to be perfect, plus the little mistakes often play out to be pretty funny & memorable. I had my 8 year old help pick out the guys stuff, help with the candy table, & he wrote a prayer for the ceremony. All three boys were involved in a personal rose ceremony written by my Aunt.

2.If you have a candy table.....expect a sugar high!

3. Let them dance not much is cuter then dancing kids & it is really your only option if you want to get rid of that sugar high :D

4. If Mommy needs a drink, a run, a hot bath....DO IT! Whatever it may be make sure to do what you love & what relaxes you. Motherhood & wedding planning are a lot of work & sometimes a girl just needs a break!!

5. The day of your wedding just go with it!! I learned this lesson at it's finest when my two year old just moments before the ceremony stripped down to nothing but his diaper and had a meltdown! I don't know if his shirt itched him but he went from a white button up shirt into a red t~shirt and all was well?!? All I can tell you is take a deep breath and fix the problem trust me friends the wedding ceremony will not continue unless the bride is there! we started 15 minutes late but it all went well and my son was still able to be part of the ceremony.

6. They will want to invite their friends ;D & their friends are stuffed! My youngest twin has a true affection for his two ducks (QuackQuack & Ducky) they have been a part of so many of his adventures in life I figured I might as well include them in my wedding party! So they put on a bow tie & collar & played the role of RB pillows, it was such a wonderful idea & kept the boys happy and calm through their part of the ceremony.

(notice the red shirt, LoL)

7. Let them visit, wonder, & just plain have fun with your guest and your day, you will end up with some great pictures!

8. LET IT GO! Not every detail is going to get done, &if it does great if it doesn't....o'well!! My children were all sick as was I two weeks before my wedding. Getting them & myself healthy was more important then getting the perfect pair of shoes, making my escort cards, & getting more candy for my sweets table. Would I have liked to have those things? Of course, but life happens & a lot of times as a Mom it seems it happens all at once!

9. Bask in the love that surrounds you not only with your new husband but with your children also! Laugh with them, kiss them, hug them & always remember what a special part of the day they were!

10.If all else fails get the NANNY!! I highly recomend getting a nanny if you can fit it into the budget. It gives family & friends a chance to enjoy the kids but not feel like they have to keep an eye on them.

~Family Rose Ceremony~

The blending of a family is a complex thing.  Each person has unique characteristics, and it is those things that make us fall in love with them.  We would never want their personality to be lost or altered. But sometimes our individuality presents challenges as it merges with the individual personalities of others.  So how can five completely different people make one complete family?  There can be only one answer: LOVE.  
   The red rose is a symbol of love.  Each of you holds a red rose.  When you look at the rose, you can first of all know that God loves you.  Just as he carefully made the rose you hold, He carefully made you.  He created you to be the special person you are.  Each rose is beautiful by itself, but when all the roses are put together they become an exquisite bouquet.

   Today, as you each put your rose into the vase, you are showing your family and friends, and each other, how very much you want to be more than just your own person.  You are showing that you choose to put your lives together to be the family God designed you to be.

I must have lost my mind....I am about to embark on the biggest challenge of my life, I have decided to be a DIY bride!! I plan to do anything and everything for my wedding from scratch! Sit back, relax, & enjoy the good, the bad, & the glue fume induced fun!! :)

The invites, save the dates & programs:

The center pieces:

All three flowers in a variety of unique, beautiful, vases of all shapes and sizes

Possibly adding strings of pearls and rhinestones

Pillow & Basket

picture to follow when I find or make what I want = )

Cake & other goodies:

Tissue holders"for your tears of joy":

Many thanks to Fabreezy for this wonderful idea =)

http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/i-just-add-another-diy-to-the-list

Escort Cards

www.theknot.com

I am so blessed to have very talented & helpful friends & family!! Wish me luck ladies!! =)

One of my very first pages! I love thereminder of how this Bio got started =D

Going with the all white wedding =) =) =) It fits my beautiful venue perfectly!!!

~~~~~~~~~~

Golf is our life I would love our save the dates and engagement photos to look like this but with our boys matching dad and holding their own little clubs!! Yes...our 1 year olds have golf clubs, Dad is golf crazy!!!

 Me teeing of in San Fransisco!!               The Grooms Cake              Cassius having a tough day of golf!!

We love, love, love Modern Family & Steve loves to joke all the time how we are a little too much like Gloria and Jay!! I am a loud, & crazy fire-cracker and he is just trying to stop me from going off!! Ha Ha, I love that guy!!

~The Venue~

http://templeeventscenter.com/

http://click-photography.blogspot.com/2010/01/allison-brians-temple-events-center.html

~The Goodies~

http://thecaketressblog.com/2010/07/toronto-sweet-tables-wedding-cake-desserts/

~The Little Ones~

Jr. Best Man: Ace(8)

FG: Addison Grace(4)

RBs: Cassius(2) & Enzo(2)

                                                                                   &nb sp;                                                               ~The Girls~

~The Boys~

~Flowers~

~Table Scape~

Table Clothes

Napkins and Table Squares

White satin linens with different patterns a beautiful candelabra surrounded by white flowers in unique silver vases and picture frames of our friends and family on their wedding day =) Our wedding date is on my parents 33rd wedding anniversary so we want to celebrate every ones marriage along with ours!!

~The Perfect Accesories~

~Steve and his Father were extremely close, sadly Bill is no longer with us anymore. I want to surprise him with a beautiful saphire locket on my bouquet to remind him that his Father is there with us on our wedding day~