Wedding Set Up...

This is the first installment of our wedding pictures. We make no promises to deliver subsequent installments in a timely manner, as should be expected, by this belated first installment. We hope you enjoy!

Birthdays...

Ashley's 23rd Birthday. I took off early to finish some of the painting projects we had been working on and clean up our apartment that had been "under construction" for several weeks. It looked good. She was very surprised. We went out for Mexican at the Cantina and ate this goopy chocolate cake that I made for her. It was a fun day.

For Patrick's 28th birthday we went a Polish restaurant in Hamtramck with my family. There we enjoyed traditional food. Before heading home for cake we stopped down an alley and saw the towns version of "Disneyland". A 90 year old man decorated his entire back yard with paintings, statues, and all sorts of painted things. It was AMAZING!!! The picture does not do it justice.

Apartment Decor...

Here are some pics of a wall decal we got for the apartment. We like it a lot. You can also see the bedding we picked out. We also have sheets in the aqua color that you see in the decal. They are made of jersey material. Let me just say. They are awesome!

Side note... we were able to pick the three colors you see in the decal through the website we used.

Engagement Pics!!!

Fry Day...

A couple weeks ago Ashley and I wanted to test out her new Fryer (her Valentine's gift). We got together with her parents and each brought things to fry. It was way fun and tasty. So much so that when Ash and I get married we'll probably have to set some rules as to when we can use it. Don't want to gain 50 lbs each within the first year. Here is some pics from that night and some of the things we've fried since.

• Pickles (Yum)
• Broccoli
  
• Califlower (Yum)
• Chicken
• Shrimp
• Twinkie's
• Almond Joy (Failed)
• Cheese (Failed)
• Donuts
• Oreo's
• Strawberry Rolls (Yum)
• Pork Pot Stickers
• Ravioli
  
• Onion Rings (Yum)
• Cheesecake
• Banana

Dance...

This is an interesting and exciting time for Ashley and me. We talk of lot of beginings and firsts... our wedding in May, finding our first apartment, our first furniture etc... However, mixed in with so many firsts are a few lasts. A couple weeks ago, Ashley and I went to our last Single's Dance!!! No more friends that drag us there, no more awkward dancing with strangers, no more being single... ever! We had fun... dancing and relishing in the moment. Whene I dance with Ash, the world around fades away and it's like it's just us in a room. I'm positive that we make others sick when they see the way we look at each other. Farewell Single's Dances... I will not miss you!

The Best Valentines Day Ever!!!

I have been looking forward to Valentines day for weeks now. I was so excited to spend it with Ashley. We decided to celebrate it yesterday, Friday, instead of Sunday because of our schedules. Thursday I hurried with my preparations. Most of which was a thorough cleaning. We're talking chemical warfare here. I had Ashley's gift and as usual it was something a little non-traditional for a Valentines Day gift but I figure by now she should expect that my gifts may be a little different.

I picked up some flowers for her. I was so, so proud of them. They looked so good. I picked the vase and created the arrangement, small white daisies with one large purple daisy in the middle (Ash isn't a fan of roses).
The plan was that Friday afternoon Ashley would let herself into my place while I was still at work. She would then cook us dinner and by the time I got home I would quickly shower off work and join her. During my lunch brake I sped home and created these notes for Ashley to find while she was cooking in my kitchen. These are just a few. I had them spread throughout the house.

When I arrived home after work Ashley was still working on dinner. After I cleaned up she was just putting the final touches on the dinner when on of the decorative ceiling paper things fell into the candles and caught on fire. I was in the living room still having not seen the set up as Ashley wanted it to be a surprise. Well surprise! She called to me, "Patrick you're house is on fire!!!" I laughed, then looked towards the kitchen and through the sheet barrier she had hung I could she the flickering of flames!!! I ran in and put out the flaming ball. It was so funny! No damage was done just a lot of ash and smoke.

Once the flames were out, we sat down to eat this. A cornish hen, potatoes, green beans, and little whole carrots! It looked so amazing and tasted even better. Seriously, it was really good! I ate the whole bird. Yummy!

After dinner, we opened our gifts for each other. Ashley got me a curry cookbook that looks really good. Lots of pictures. I do love curry! She also got framed me my favorite picture of us at Cannon Beach in Oregon. I think I'll keep it in the kitchen where I spend a lot of time. Below, is Ashley right before she opened my gift. A deep fryer! She had told me months ago that she would ever buy one because she would use it too much. She put in the clause that if I ever had a desire to have one I better get it before we're married. I thought it was perfect. She loved it. I'm sure it'll get a lot of use.

Later, for desert Ashley once again surprised me with this spread. She wouldn't let me peak but told me that she was very excited for it (she went light on dinner so save sufficient room). I on the other hand stuffed myself at dinner and didn't have much room left. In case, you can't tell from the pic. It's chocolate fondue and a spread of hostess snacks and fruit to dip in.

It was Ashley and my first Valentine's Day. And it was perfect!!!