Photo Flashback! Until We Meet Again...

Two weeks ago, we said goodbye to my father-in-law, Jim. 

Jim is missed by many. He loved to laugh and was equal parts ornery and generous. I am thankful for the time I was able to spend with him and desperately wish my husband and children had more years with their father and grandpa.  The girls decided Grandpa's favorite things were John Deere, Pepsi and the WSU Shockers.

Jim went to Walt Disney World four times and I was a part of the last two. He read 1 Corinthians 13 to start our Disney wedding and asked "who gives this woman?" A couple years later, we took a trip with both sets of parents and managed to get everyone to ride Everest...once.  Jim didn't know quite what to make of character meals but was a good sport. 

Jim, until I see you again in Heaven someday, I promise to take good care of the family you left behind. Thank you for raising Andy to be smart, funny, loyal and a hard-worker. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. 

Photo Flashback! We're Going to a New (to us) Resort with Lots of Palm Trees

Almost 11 years ago, this handsome guy and I said "I do" at Disney's Wedding Pavilion.  It was a beautiful April day and the setting could not have been better.

Since then, we have had two babies, lived in 7 places in 4 states, and moved 8 times (long story but we moved into one house twice.)  We've been blessed with lots of joy and many tears of frustration. 

2015 was a rough year for us so a tenth anniversary trip didn't happen.  But now it's 2016 and things have settled down.  Our girls are old enough to stay with Grandma and Grandpa for a week without us.  We haven't taken a trip alone since our first anniversary.  

So when my husband asked if I'd like to go to Hawaii this year, I was thrilled.  We drug our feet on planning (no idea why) but now we have planned a trip to Oahu.  Aulani, here we come!  I am excitedly researching things to do and see and eat.  Our week's stay will be split with 4 nights at Aulani in the more relaxed area of Ko Olina and 3 nights at a resort amid the hustle and bustle of Waikiki Beach.  

If you have been to Aulani or Oahu, I'd love any tips you'd like to share!

  I'm so happy that Deb is back to blogging!  Please head over to Focused on the Magic and leave her some comment love.

Photo Flashback! 4 Favorites, Disney Fairy Tale Weddings Edition

Next week, my husband and I will celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.  Our Disney Fairy Tale Wedding was truly a dream experience.  I wanted to share 4 Favorites from this day.

Favorite Wedding Location: Disney's Wedding Pavilion

Having Cinderella Castle as a background for the ceremony and photos is amazing.

For more: The Magic of My Disney Fairy Tale Wedding

Favorite Bit of Disney Wedding Magic: Majordomo

There is a GREAT story about him...When You Wish Upon A Star

Favorite Wedding Crashers: Mickey and Minnie

My dad managed to surprise me with some very special guests at our ceremony.  For this Disney kid, it doesn't get much better.  

For more on the cake: My Own Wedding Cake Wednesday

Favorite Bridal Photo Location: grand staircase at the Grand Floridian

I had seen many brides take photos in this location before it was my turn.  I love the Grand and love having these special memories there.

Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings: Photos You Just Can't Take Anywhere Else

Today Andy and I are celebrating our eighth wedding anniversary.  Our Disney Fairy Tale Wedding was truly a magical experience.  One of the things I loved as a Disney kid was all of the wedding photos that you just can't take anywhere else.  Let's take a look at a few of those special images.   ~Amy

If you are going to be photobombed, the monorail is pretty high on the fun scale.

LOVE THIS! They told us the monorail was required to stop if they saw a wedding couple.  And purple is my favorite color! 

How "Grand" is this?!? (And we went with a limo over Cinderella's Coach $$$.  I ran the marathon the day before our wedding planning session and decided the coach just didn't go far enough for me.)

Cinderella Castle.  Need I say more?

Another great view of Cinderella Castle.  The wedding pavilion is perfectly positioned for beautiful backdrops.

Majordomo = Amazing  Be sure to check out the full post on him and the awesome prank pulled on our brothers.

Our Disney wedding cake was beautiful and delicious.  Don't miss the entire story.

Cinderella slipper dessert. Wow.

Happy Father's Day: A Disney Bride's Dance with Daddy

Continuing the Father's Day Celebration, I'd like to honor the men who have shown my husband and I what it means to be a terrific father, our dads.  

And since they looked great in their suits, let's check them out on our wedding day.  Andy and I were married at Disney's Wedding Pavilion with a reception at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.

  

Pre-ceremony smiles for the Eastmans 

One last kiss on the cheek from DisneyDad before we headed down the aisle

Andy's father opened the ceremony with a reading of 1 Corinthians 13 and asking "who gives this bride?" I loved how my father addressed that later in the ceremony.  He said that he didn't give me away because I wasn't his to give.  Children are a gift from God and I was entrusted to him and my mother for a time. 

Not many girls are lucky enough to have their dad officiate their wedding.  Not many grooms are unlucky enough to have their father-in-law officiate their wedding.  (I kid. )  He did a fantastic job with the ceremony.

First dance with Dad to "Stars Fell on Alabama"  A Disney moment that I now wish had lasted a little longer.

Love this picture!  Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you!

Wedding Anniversary: Food, Glorious Food

Today is our 7 year wedding anniversary.  Andy and I have lived in three states and had two amazing and gorgeous little girls during this time.  I am truly blessed to be married to him. 

The Eastman family at Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort
January 2012

I feel like I talk about our wedding often here, but it was the most amazing Disney event I will ever be a part of, well, unless I become a Disney mother-of-the-bride.  And other than the cake, I haven't shared the food from our reception on Growing Up Disney before.  A wedding is but a day; that is, unless it's a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding and you are a Disney blogger....then it goes on forever.

The cake.  Isn't it beautiful?!?

We had a sit-down dinner and a small group, so we all sat at one long table.  The flowers at the center had been on the altar during the ceremony.  

This was my brother's place card.   

Each guest received a copy of the menu.  I warned our guests to come hungry.  While the wedding party took pictures in the Wedding Pavilion after the ceremony, everyone else enjoyed pre-reception nibbles at Summerhouse.  It was a beautiful day and they all got to relax and look over the water.  Then they were guided to a ballroom in the Grand Floridian for the dinner.  There was a per person minimum that we had to spend on food and beverage.  And since we didn't have alcohol at the reception, there was a ton of (delicious) food.  I know it's crazy but I actually got to eat and visit with my guests at my wedding!

Our toasting glasses from Arribas Brothers  

Mickey and Minnie on the toasting glasses 

We were given his and hers Disney Fairy Tale Weddings watches 

Favors for the guests.  I brought the cake candles and the wedding team got the Mickey treats for us.  Andy just loves those so we had to include them.

Double cream brie cheese en croute
With poached pear compote and sliced baguettes

Cinderella's White Chocolate Slipper
Filled with fresh cream and raspberries on a castle silk screen plate
Accompanied by dark chocolate mousse 

Our fabulous surprise guests  

Thank you for joining me as I remember this wonderful day.  Its memory is made even sweeter as time goes by and I fall even more in love with my outstanding husband.  (Seriously, he's doing dishes right now so I can complete my blog post.  How awesome is that?!?)

Wedding Favors from Disney Fairy Tale Weddings and a Credit for YOU!

For those planning a Disney Fairy Tale Wedding, it is now just a little easier to send your guests home with a piece of the magic.  When I was a Disney bride, I had to scour the internet looking for gifts for our wedding and shower guests that reflected our Disney theme.  In January, Kate Aspen released a new line of ten beautiful items that will allow brides and grooms to extend their fairy tale experience.  Each one was inspired by one of Disney's princesses and is a wonderful mix of Disney whimsy and elegant design.

My Wedding Favors is proud to have been selected as one of the exclusive retailers for this gorgeous collection.  They were kind enough to send me a couple of the items to review for you.  As you can see from the photos below, the packaging is lovely and would coordinate with just about any bridal decor.  The bottle stopper is inspired by Cinderella's coach and will certainly bring back happy memories of your special day.  It has a nice weight to it and the etching is very pretty in person.  The love bird salt and pepper shakers are very sweet.  Inspired by Sleeping Beauty, the set feels well-made but not so delicate that guests would be afraid to use them.  The full collection offers something from all of your favorite princesses and ranges in price from $3.29 to $6.55 per item.  I especially like the "Let Your Dreams Light the Way" tea light holder (Rapunzel, of course) and the "Be Our Guest" ceramic coasters.  

 "Happily Ever After" Royal Coach Crystal Bottle Stopper

"True Love Conquers All" Ceramic Birds Salt and Pepper Shakers

The full collection


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Disclosure: I received free products for reviewing purposes. No monetary compensation was received or offered. All opinions expressed are my honest thoughts on these products/services.