Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Dreams & Desires

Sorry for the misleading title.  This post is not, in fact, intended to provide motivation to follow your dreams- unless those dreams entail jumping on trampolines or bellyflopping with small children.  Then maybe it is. 

Dreams = the fabulous resort where Austin & Shawna tied the knot, Desires (wedding-goer translation: Desirees) = the hopping club we spent most of our evenings at on the resort grounds and this post = the last (pause for tears...) about our adventures in Cabo for Austin & Shawna's nuptials.    I know based on the previous 2 posts it probably looks like we spent the whole time being serious, devoted, wedding participants* with little to no time for fun** but I believe this post might paint a different picture. 

After much deliberation, I've decided that there's absolutely no way to relay all the stories, laughs, jokes and funny moments in the detail they deserve and hold everyone's attention.  So, in lieu of writing about 20 pages of single-spaced verbage, I will provide you all with a bulleted list of the lessons learned on this trip.  What do you know- maybe this will be inspirational after all!  (Cue "I believe I can fly").

* sarcasm font
** extreme sarcasm font

LESSONS FROM CABO:
  • It is important to remember the difference between "bebidas" and "bambinos," lest you swim up to the pool bar after a few beverages and proclaim "Quiero bambinos!"
  • The resort takes painting it's exterior VERY seriously
  • If you enter the bellyflop competition - you may win diamond earrings but you also may get shown up by some 5 year olds.  Be prepared.
  • Remove all watches prior to breakdancing.
  • Don't ask to buy hats on Mexican credit.  It's not worth death stares for the whole week.
  • Champagne glasses are the new shot glasses.
  • Successful bartender motto: "If you can't beat them, let them behind the bar."
  • Certain members of the wedding party have a real future as recording artists ("We're the 4 best friends that ANYONE could ever have.")
  • If the bartender asks you not to dance on the wicker side table... he means it.
  • My husband may leave me at some point in the future for the woman who makes juevos rancheros at Dreams.  I pray she never finds her way to Katy. 
  • No one at a resort for a wedding should be allowed to participate in a tequila tasting.
  • If you are participating in a tequila tasting and you don't want the last one - pour it on the ground rather than on the white seat cover.
  • Rock, paper, scissors - just say no.  Or "double or nothing."
  • Dirty monkeys are delicioso.
  • Certain wedding guests could have their own sitcom involving only a CB radio, their Spanish and a man named Alejandro.
  • If Ryan knew he only had 1 week to live he would attempt to do so in a whale's belly.
  • Mexican wrestling masks constitute formal wear.
  • "Beat up" is not a compliment to girls in bikinis.
  • The Explorer Club is kind of serious about that whole "only children on the trampoline" thing.
I hope you wrote that all down.  Now for the visuals.

Price for a beer outside the Cabo airport: $5.  Price for a beer on the shuttle to the resort: $3.  Knowing you weren't beverage-less for those 10 yards: priceless.



Los Suenos!


Ohhhh, I miss it.


The adult pool.  In case you weren't sold on the main pool.


Yes, please.


Ryan is high society.



It's cropped so you can't see it in it's full glory - but Melanie got a STEAL on that handbag.


Safety equipment?  We don't need no stinkin' safety equipment.


Eh.  I suppose this view will do.


This photo serves to document the moment Ryan fell in love.



Ready to chase some tail of the whale variety.


Loveeeeeeers.

2 of the best friends anyone could ever have.

Oh hey David!  Didn't mean to interrupt your senior pictures back there.


So nautical.

Heeeey guys.

Hi friend!


Window to the pacific.


If you've got it- flaunt it, right?


Cabo arches > Golden arches.


I'll never let go, Jack.


David and the fierce competition.  Age boundaries have no place in the world of belly flopping.



Iiiiiii just wanna flllllly.



Nothing like a pina colada to celebrate a solid victory over David and the youth of Dreams.



Rub a dub dub, 3 hotties in a tub.  (I'm cringing at my cheesiness too, don't worry.)

So much prettier than the American version of this.


Paper, rock, scissors in action.


New amigos.


Booty dancing with paper Shawna.  DUUUUUH.

Self taken balcony pic to start the day.


Whuddup, beach?


I believe he's explaining to Caitlin where babies come from.


Just another day at the office.  With blue drinks.


I would like to say this is before the tequila tasting started but it could just be that we ran off the other attendees.


You guys look beat up.


It was time for the kids to nap anyway.


Were you worried the boys weren't having any fun?


Rough day golfing on such an unattractive course.


You can take the boys out of highschool, but you can't take the highschool out of boys.


So proud.


Fireside chatting.


Jonathan made this face before he even realized he was in for the ride of his life.


"Como se dice Co-pilot?"


Dos Alejandros Shuttles - coming to a city near you.


Cabo Wabo.


It's important to stay well limber on these long vacations.


Finders are not keepers when it comes to the lady undergarments at Cabo Wabo.


Sign of a successful evening out.  (Successful is a relative term).

Peace, love and Desirees.



E'rybody dance now.



Peace was apparently very important to us on this trip.


I think I'll end it on this one.  Going out on top... of a bar.



Never forget.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Happily Ever After: The Sumerlin Edition

As I've stated before on several occassions, I just don't feel right muddying up life's most important moments with my sarcastic banter, so I'll make this short and sweet and let the pictures do the talking. 

On January 14th, after 6+ years of being together, Shawna & Austin got hitched!  It was absolutely gorgeous and everything that each of them deserved.  Actually... maybe more than they deserved given stories that were unearthed during the speeches, but I digress.  Juuuust kidding!  I believe it's overwhelmingly evident from all the stories I've told on this blog that they are 2 utterly fabulous human beings who deserve nothing but the best in life (and lots of hotdogs).

We spent the day leisurely getting ready, watching the world's calmest bride, turning Dena's hair gray, watching the beautiful ceremony with the backdrop of sunset, laughing at speeches, eating incredible food and dancing our tooshes off.  It was a day I will never forget (mainly because I expect to be taken on an annual anniversary trip back to Cabo) and I feel so incredibly blessed to have been a part of it all.  Thank you so much for including me and a heartfelt congratulations to Justin & Shawna!

P.S. - Thank you to all the people I've pilfered pics from - Heather, Jen, Julie, Rindy & the talented Caroline Fontenot.  This post would be kinda boring without your excellence.



Simply stunning.



He cleans up pretty well after all.



What's better than a gorgeous dress with a perfect Cabo day as a back drop?  Yeah... nothing.


The whole shebang.



Dry shampoo does not equal hairspray.  Also- it turns your hair gray.  WHOOOPSIES.



Beautiful shoes for beautiful ladies.



Men in Black khakis.



Like a postcard.  Luckily Ryan resisted the urge to sing "pinche, pinche, pinche" to the rhythm of this mariachi band.


The march to Sumerlin-hood.


In the immortal words of Belinda Carlisle, "Oooh, heaven is a place on Earth."



High fives for Mr. & Mrs. Justin & Shawna Sumerlin!

If this doesn't end up as a motivational poster in a highschool some day, I will be shocked.


Can you nominate photos to be the ones that come in picture frames?  Is it creepy I'm asking?


Sista, siiiiista.


The hubster & I.


The only thing that could make this setting more scenic is our dancing.  Just keep scrolling.


Dress up for adults.


The Maids of Honor's speech was a hit... as one might expect when it included a chronological review of Shaustin's evolution via Facebook wall posts.


I wonder if Ryan Poppins is pulling Austin's Nike stock certificate or his purple TI-83 from his pocket at this moment.



Obviously Beth's disguise is working.  Jimmer looks confused.


The Jendan.


Bromance in the air.


Dirty Branch - all grown up.


Busting a move.


Dance battle.


Parental pow-wow.


Thrilllllllller.


Oh, there you are Desirees!


Making that bar look gooooood.


Ties were the evening's hottest accessory. 


Dramatic arm gestures were also very in, obvi.


Destination Wedding + Destination Prom all in one.


Were you worried we may have abandoned dancing at Desiree's for the sake of goofy pictures?  Have no fear my friends.



Shawna, this bartender took an excellent photo.  SFP material.


Lola is so lucky to have us for parents.


I think they may have missed their boy band calling.


I believe that's a wrap.