Our Reception Party

We had a few weeks to get adjusted to the married life and get Colton all moved in. Until the house I grew up in sold, we would be living in it to take care of it. It was really cool to live in a two story, five bedroom house just the two of us but when Colton would go to school I would go over to my parents house because it was creepy to be home alone. Three weeks after our wedding day, on September 25th 2010, we had our reception. Some people didn't agree with how we did it, and were questioning it, but I am so glad we did it that way! Our actual wedding day got to be just about our sealing in the temple and our reception night we got to just party and have a great time, not feel exhausted after a long day, and get to actually enjoy everything. Another main reason we did it this way was to have our reception outside at my parent's house and have it not be in the 100 degrees at 7pm. Again a special thanks goes out to my mother who really planned everything for our reception and to her wonderful friends who helped her with all the food.

Warning: possible picture overload:

The walkway into the backyard

We had a really fun photo booth

That hand drawn picture in the top right was a wedding present from my friend Chris Kennison :)

Caramel apple bar! 

My sweet grandma made our cupcake cake for our wedding

My mom in her natural working environment that entire night

I love this picture of my dad for some reason

These little boys are ADORABLE! They aren't little anymore but I used to sit with them every Sunday in church when they were little to help! Pretty sure the best hug I got all night was from Daniel (the one closest in the picture). He gives the best hugs!

This little guy loves his Uncle Colton!

Mark and Rob, Colton's best friends

I'm pretty sure I fed Cole close to 5 cupcakes that night.

Now don't me wrong, I LOVED seeing everyone there and had a blast but this was my favorite part:

 My best friend Conger surprised me by showing up when she had told me days before she wouldn't be there. For once, she actually fooled me!

I loved our reception! Colton and I both felt so loved by everyone that showed up to support us. I was exhausted by the end of the night so I have no idea how people have a wedding and reception in the same day. I give all those who do that a big virtual high five. I made it a person rule that Colton and I weren't going to use any of the gifts we got until I had written thank you cards and sent them out. Yes, I'm going to brag a little about myself because I wrote 350 hand-written personalized thank you notes and mailed them in less than a week. GO ME!

The girl who fed all the little kids unlimited cupcakes at the reception, Erica

Walking on Water

Next, we left the temple with all our family that could make it and close friends. We went to a luncheon at Mimi's Cafe. We had some yummy food and got to spend time with our family. One of my favorite memories from that luncheon was all our family and friends got up and introduced themselves and said a little something to us if they wanted to. It was really special to get to hear so many stories, memories and advice from our family and friends.

After the luncheon Colton and I went and got our bags and headed out to the Desert Sheraton Oasis where we spent our first night as Mr. and Mrs.! We had Jason's Deli delivered and watched movies all night. I must admit my entire wedding day was so relaxed and I got to enjoy every moment of it, which I'm grateful!

The next morning we checked out of our hotel and headed to the Phoenix airport to catch a flight over to San Antonio, Texas. On the way there, bare in mind I am blonde, I forgot my id back at my house. We left the resort with just enough time to make it to the airport. Let's just say Colton got to see exactly how fast, and safely of course, he could drive back to Mesa and then on to the airport. Lucky for us, and I have NO idea how it worked out, we got to the airport in time and didn't miss our flight.

TEXAS! I had never been to Texas before. Since we both had school and work we decided to take a short trip somewhere that weekend and go on a bigger honeymoon during the winter break. Colton didn't tell me where we were going until we arrived at the airport. We stayed in the most awesome hotel on the Riverwalk from Friday until Monday. 

Friday and Saturday:

Friday we rented our car and drove around in... the green hamster car from the commercials. I know what you are all thinking and yes, it is completely alright to be jealous of our sweet ride! After we checked in our room we wanted to go explore the Riverwalk. We spent the rest of the day Friday and all of Saturday walking around, going on boat tours, seeing the Alamo (which is tiny), shopping and eating delicious food!

Right out of our hotel

 

 The Riverwalk

The dessert that Wild Forrest Cafe gave us for getting married. This dessert alone was worth getting married ;) Only joking of course, but only a little...

The boat tour that takes you around the whole Riverwalk

You literally walk on water

Sunday:

The last full day of our first honeymoon. Sunday we got up and drove over to Dallas. The drive there was so green and lush, unlike Arizona. We went to Sea World in Dallas! I got to touch a dolphin which I told Colton was something I had always wanted to do and my cute husband made it happen. 

"Awweee" moment: a baby killer whale was born just a couple weeks before we got there and he swam next to his mama the whole time. When she would jump out of the water he would just float around waiting for her to dive back in. They even taught him to wave. Made me want to get my own for my pool back at our house. 

Monday Morning:

Our flight home was in the afternoon on Monday and we decided to find this TINY zoo and go check it out on the way to the airport.

For those of you who know me, you know I am OBSESSED with elephants!So naturally I had to take like 100 pictures with them

We then got on a plane and flew back to Mesa, Arizona where we were forced to come back to reality and go back to school and work. We quickly got into a routine back home. I attempted, and sometimes failed, at making dinners, slept in until 9am-10am every morning and worked every night until 6:30pm. Colton went to school a couple days a week and got up at 5:30am to work out, go to work and be home by 2:30pm. Life being married felt so normal to me because I married the best guy out there, sorry ladies you all settled for second best ;) Colton and I spent the first few weeks of being married staying up every night talking for hours instead of sleeping. We still continue to do this almost two years later at least once or twice a week. Those were and are my favorite memories because we stay up talking about everything and anything and laugh a LOT. Why go to sleep when nothing in your dreams could be better than what is right next to you? 

The girl whose dreams can't compete with real life, Erica

The Girl Who Wore the White Dress

The next big thing for us to do...pick a date! We decided to get married over Labor Day weekend on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 in the Mesa, Arizona temple. That way we could always have a long weekend to celebrate together. Honestly, the four months of our engagement are a little bit of a blur because of how much there was to plan, decide, do, etc and with work, school and vacations it was a busy few months. A special thanks goes out to my wonderful mother who spent many hours making sure my wedding was exactly what I wanted and for making all the food for our reception.

The night before we got married Colton had school until 10pm so I wasn't able to see him that night. I did however spend the evening over at his house talking to his parents. Colton loves knights and I took him a knight statue that said "Thank you for being my knight in shining armor". His mom is one of the most welcoming and loving people that I know and she gave me some great advice about marriage. That's one of my favorite memories that I have of her so far. At the time I was living with my brother in the house we grew up in because my parents had bought a farm down in Lehi and were trying to sell our old house. As I was about to fall asleep I got a text from Colton saying "See you in the morning beautiful". Everyone told me that I wouldn't sleep much the night before I got married and let me tell you, they were all wrong! I had one of the best nights sleep of my life! There was nothing to be nervous or worry about. I was about to marry the young man of my dreams in the most beautiful place to get married. I fell asleep wondering how I ever got so lucky. 

In the morning, my sister and mom came over to do my make-up and I did my own hair. My sister laughed at me most of the morning because dresses are definitely not my style and neither was being all girly girl. My mom drove me to the temple where I met up with Colton and saw him for the first time that day. I got out of my mom's car and ran (or awkwardly skipped/ tripped/ stumbled) over to Colton, who had a GIANT smile on his face. We took pictures of just us, some with our families, and then headed into the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. We were sealed at 10:30am on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010. That's when my real life began. Words can't express the feelings I felt that entire day. Lucky, happy and excited are all understatements. I know without any doubt that Colton Kent Walker is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Every morning I wake up next to my best friend, the best husband, and most handsome guy around. Life cannot possibly get any better, yet every day I get to spend with Colton it always does. 

What would a story like this be without some wedding day pictures? Enjoy! Also, thank you to Brittney Gurr for taking all our pictures and doing an absolute wonderful job on them! 

“True love doesn't have a happy ending, because true love never ends.” 

The girl who wore a white dress, Erica