Just Another Day In Paradise Day One....

View from front of our hotel.

Well the first day in Hawaii is over and what a day it was. The six hour time change is a bit tricky at first but it allowed us to be the first ones at breakfast in the morning.

Breakfast - Imagine the most ridiculous spread of fresh organic (not that it matters) island fruits you have ever seen. Guava, Mango, Papaya, Pineapple and Christina's new favorite Dragon fruit. Everything was fantastic.

Next: Christina and I rented a 4x4 for the full week so that we could explore. Since it was so early we figured we would take a drive around the coast and see some places.

For those of you following along at home we are staying in Turtle Bay which is at the Very highest tip of Oahu. We set out and drove East along Oahu's incredible coastline. Christina and I routinely asked if we should turn back but the unbelievable Jurassic Park (filmed here in Hawaii) like views kept us pressing on. We wound up doing the entire eastern half of the island before heading home. The views were breathtaking!!!

On the trip back we stopped quickly at the Dole plantation for the Pineapple Whip that everyone talks about... It lived up to the hype... The Dole Plantation however did not so we slowly headed back to Turtle Bay stopping along the way in several North Shore towns.

Once back at the resort we checked out the pool and I swam with the Sea Turtles. (Christina will tell you that I swam with the Turtles in order to rescue my sandal that fell off when I got knocked over by a wave and was floating away... but in the immortal words of Joe Wilson "Liar"... and if it is not a lie that wave was huge.)

Following the lost Sandal/Sea Turtle experience Christina and I decided it was time to head down to the pool again and take some Mai Tai classes...

Not so much classes as the Mai Tai's themselves teaching us a lesson. The lesson you ask.... Don't drink Mai Tai's... At least we slept well.... Anyway, we are off for day two of our adventure... Time for me to wake sleeping beauty...

PS - On occasion i will be uploading pics to my Flickr account.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21746042@N06/sets/72157622262957093

Recovery and Relaxation....

Well the big day has come and gone and Christina and I are well on our way to wedded bliss.

This is the first blog I have ever written with CwG looking over my shoulder and let me tell you I now understand why comedians say that marriage is not a word it's a sentence.... JK...

Since I last blogged a few minor events have occurred... Our wedding was truly epic. Surrounded by our closest friends and family we ate (actually we didn't even get to try the food but heard it was fantastic), drank (ok we did do some of that) and danced into the night.

Those of you with pictures please send them to me bgardner@nrahq.org so that we can post them here and cherish them forever.

Early this morning CwG and I boarded our first flight on our way to Hawaii... (at the conclusion of this sentence CwG has corrected me 5 times on what I am writing... Awesome!!!) [Message from CwG: "Shut up Brent" (charming)]

Anyway... we are awaiting our connecting flight to Honolulu which has been delayed for a few hours due to maintenance. (Trying hard not to draw anything from the fact our plane is having issues on the way to the hotel where they film the show Lost.....)

All is well though and CwG and I will spend the extra time continuing to laugh and relive the incredible events of this past weekend. Thank you again to one and all for making our wedding so special.

Throughout the duration of our Honeymoon check back often for updates and photos of the misadventures of BG and CwG in Hawaii.

The Dawn of a New Age....

After an incredible evening with family and friends last night the day is finally here... The Wedding Day Is Upon Us...g

The Final 48...

It is 3am.... It has begun.

3 Days....

Getting Fitted for the tux, picking up the rings, getting ready for everyone to start arriving tomorrow. Just a reminder my new phone number and the best way to get at me when you're in town is 703-304-6061...

Taking Aim @ The Remaining Details.

With just about a week left until guests begin arriving everything is falling into place nicely. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Christina and her Mom the wedding plan is really coming together. My Mom has been busy running back and forth to Rochester on a daily basis picking up this and that, in preparation for the big event.

**Wedding Update**

• Over the past few days we have ironed out the seating chart (I believe). You would think this a relatively simple task... no? I assure you its not. It is like hosting a Middle East peace summit or negotiating with the teamsters. Christina and I were both happy when it was done and I think everyone will enjoy where they are seated.
• After an exhaustive search for the guys ties we finally selected and ordered them this week. As for my tie we have one option that the colors match perfectly on but I am still up in the air. (plenty of time though right?)
• Christina's wedding gift arrived.... I did good.
• We did our final run through with all of our wedding people at the Torpedo Factory. Everything sounds incredible and Pierre (our wedding Guru) is a Rock Star.

A few hiccups here and there but if the trend continues things should fall into place and we should have smooth sailing on the 12th.

..... Cross your fingers just in case......