It was my 35th birthday weekend and Brad surprised me with a trip to San Fran and Napa Valley. We met up with friends, ate good food, drank amazing wine...it was a fabulous weekend and amazing surprise. On my birthday June 3rd, Brad, myself and our good friends Scott and Angie Gavin went to Domaine Chandon for a light snack of meat and cheese and a little bubble. We ventured off into the vineyards and Brad proposed...I had no idea...it was a total surprise (much like the entire weekend had been). We both cried...it was emotional and awesome!

We celebrated with our friends, delicious food and amazing drink. Continued our wine tasting excursion in Napa. Brad had one more surprise in store. We ventured onto Calistoga were we stayed the night at the Pink Mansion. The gentleman who checked us in was so excited for us he upgraded us to the Honeymoon suite. Possibly the most amazing room and B & B I've ever stayed in.

It was the best trip! One surprise after another.

The wedding will be held on Sat June 1st 2013 at the Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens in Denver CO. This day is significant because we got engaged the first weekend in June, my birthday is June 3rd and our anniversary will be June 1st...if Brad forgets one he forgets them all. No forgetting!

The wedding will be small, approximately 75 of our family and closest friends. Family and Friends will join us from all parts of the US, mainly Omaha, NE and Iron Mountain MI.

We envision a ceremony at dusk in the backyard gardens of the Lumber Baron Inn, followed by dinner, drinks and dancing. This will be a fun, casual and easy going wedding. Bring your dancing shoes!

This is the fun stuff! We'll be heading out of town on Thursday July 11th landing in Istanbul Turkey (hmmmm Turkey). We'll stay a few days sightseeing around Istanbul and heading south to Izmir, Kusadasi, Ephesus and Pamukkale. We'll hop a ferry to Samos Greece where we can relax and get a spa and lay on the beach. We'll spend the last 3 nights in Athens and head back to Denver on July 23rd.

We chose Turkey and Greece because they had a little bit of everything to offer. Wed were looking for culture, history, food, entertainment and nightlife, beaches, spas and relaxation.

Here are some links to check out where we'll be going.

Istanbul http://www.lonelyplanet.com/turkey/istanbul

Pamukkale http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/01/pamukkale-turkeys-cotton-castle.html

Samos Greece http://www.samosguide.com/

Athens Greece http://www.lonelyplanet.com/greece/athens