One week in the sunshine, one week in the snow! Who could ask for a better honeymoon. Every year the Rathbun family heads to Bend Oregon to hang out, celebrate Christmas, and ski Mt. Bachelor! Only now, it's the Rathbun's, Butler's, Anderson's, and the Chesire's. (My oh my, our family has grown)

This year we got Rowan up on ski's and introduced Olivia to the snow. We also enjoyed a magic show at the resort which was complimented by the most amazing gingerbread house contest we'd ever seen. Next year the competition is on....

ps. In case you are wondering why we're doing shots on Christmas...well, here's the story. During our gift exchange if you want to steal a present you must take a shot first! Some see it as a deterrent others as an incentive.

Two days after the best day in our lives (up to this point), Chris and I were off to Kauai. After we arrived to beautiful sunshine and got settled into our hotel (Grand Hyatt in Po'ipu)we took off for a scenic drive. Chris couldn't wait to take the jeep for a little off-roading!! click "read more"

For the next week, we basked in the sun, hiked Waimea Canyon and toured around the island. We went to Polihale State Park (via the worst road ever), Waimea (Yummy Shrimp Station), Spouting Horn, Kilauea lighthouse, Princeville, Hanlei(our favorite place), Ke'e Beach,and much more. But the highlight of the trip was the helicopter tour. All we can say is WOW!! That is a must if you are going to Kauai.

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It all began on Thursday, December 14th when 80 - 100mph winds blew through Oregon leaving downed trees over the roads, no power, and no heat. Luckily, Chris’s family, Roger, Dee, Chasen, Gavin and I made it to Oceanside before the roads were completely closed...but not without flying tree limbs and white knuckles!! Of course, now what? The house was cold, it was dark, and we had "tons" of food for our 3-days of festivities that needed a fridge...Click "read more"

Here's where the Butler ingenuity comes into action. Dick, Chris's dad, knew that there was a possibility we'd be out of power, so just in case, he bought along some generators (within minutes, all generators were up and running) one for the fridge, one for the furnace, and even one for the coffee pot! Along with a big fire in the fireplace and s’mores to eat, we were as happy as could be!

Now for sure the lights would be on the next day, right? Wrong...no power all day Friday, the 15th! Plus, to add a little more drama, the phone lines were down, which meant there was no way to communicate with anyone because cell phones are out of range in Oceanside. If that wasn’t enough, all the roads were closed to get to Oceanside as well. That meant...the rental company was unable to come and the rest of our family and friends were detained in Portland.

Just imagine...everything and everyone was to be in Oceanside at 2:00pm on Friday for set-up and then a rehearsal at the church at 6:00pm. Trying not to worry, Chasen, Dee, Chris and I set up the most we could in the community center and even our photographer "Frank" pitched in to tie bows and hang stars. But without tables, dishes, garland, candles, glassware, silverware, linens, the canopy, etc. there wasn't much else to do.

It was now 6:00pm and still no word from the rental company or our family (cell phones don't work in Oceanside) Since, only half the wedding party was in attendance the only logical thing to do was cancel the rehearsal and head up to the house to wait everyone's arrival. But just then, a parade of cars rolled in Oceanside. Yeah! My family had arrived as well as our friends, and we were back in action again. Now, originally we had planned a "Grooms Dinner" with immediate family and then dessert & coffee with everyone afterwards...But that quickly changed because the Butler house was the only home with heat & food (still no power in Oceanside). We couldn't let everyone freeze & go hungry...just like that; our instant party grew :)

So, how did Sue prepare a meal for 40 without power? Easy, she cut up the prime rib roast into steaks while Dick and Roger fired up the propane grill and minutes later, the best tasting steaks you ever had!! It was amazing! We couldn't have planned it any better than it turned out :) And at around 7:00pm our rentals rolled into town...thank goodness :)

Saturday, December 16th, I awake at 7:30am to a blinking digital clock!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah! THE POWER IS ON... The only thing I could think of was a nice long, hot shower :) Yes!
Once dressed, I walked up to the community center ready to tackle the task at hand (set up), only to find Chris already leading a crew of family & friends. Chris had been up since 5:00am trying to pull everything together :) He's the best...isn't he :) Since, I was off to get my hair done at 9am I had to leave all the set up to everyone else. Needless to say, I was a little freaked out! Not being in charge is hard for me on a normal day, so it being my wedding day.... I could have passed out! But, I trusted Chris and our family & friends to make it beautiful and of course they did :)

A huge "thanks" to Cheryl who designed and created all our flowers, bouquets, boutonnières, ribbons & decorations in a few hours out of her hotel room! She is unbelievable! Plus, Julie & Janette who decorated the church. And my aunts, our friends and family, the Chesire brothers, etc. for the community center, Dick and Roger for the generators(plus much more), Sue and my mom for being able to go with the flow (there's just too many names to mention) I was so thankful for everyone :)

Amazing enough, by 4:00pm everyone made it to the church and I got to marry by best friend. I wouldn't change one thing about our wedding weekend! It was truly memorable :)

You are the future of my past,
the present of my always
the forever of my now
-Charles Ghigna