March 2018
2018 was a big year for weddings for us...some friends in Poland got married, my brother, and even Zosia's dad. So, in order to make sure we didn't lose too much of the spotlight, we decided to have two weddings! How dare anyone try to have more weddings than us.
Zosia and I were lucky enough to celebrate both in the US and in Poland, and were very grateful for our friends and family who came to one, the other, both, and even the side celebrations. We can't thank you enough!!!!!
It started with a group of 8 international friends (Alan, Andy, Ash, Dorota, Jay, Iza, Noemi, and new bro-in-law Tomek) who do/used to live in Warsaw, and were tricked into coming on a trip to the US with us. The original plan was sightseeing, sightsinning, and me getting to show off Seattle. Then it turned into something more.
Friends and Family from Seattle, California, and a serial party crasher from Texas (hi Schwartz) joined us for an actual MEMORABLE weekend in Vegas. I don't think any weekend in LV has ever been remembered. It was followed by a trip to the Grand Canyon, and a few days in Seattle enjoying the best city in the world. Even though this was just a trip "home", it was probably my favorite trip ever. I guess it doesn't hurt when you get to marry your best friend.
I would do all of this again in the heartbeat:
1. "Outdoor" wedding overlooking the Strip
2. Eat too much at the Cosmopolitan buffet
3. Feel like you made money by not going to a club
4. Play $5 black jack all night at Ellis Island
5. See a Cirque du Soleil show (LOVE)
6. Take photos of the street where Tupac died (Tomek's top goal)
7. The clouds lift for an awesome view of the Grand Canyon
8. Explore Route 66
9. Eat garlic fries at Mariners opening day
10. Birthday party (which turned into the Seattle wedding reception) at Charles Smith winery, which is an amazing place for parties
11. Snoqualmie Falls and outlet shopping
12. Hike Rattlesnake ridge
13. Vegan desserts by Thea
14. Live music on Capitol Hill (foreigners need passports to go into bars!)
15. Unlimited games, laser tag, bowling, mini golf, batting cages and go karts at Family Fun Center (it's still fun when you're 40!)
And of course seeing family and friends and all the positive energy and love around us. I still feel the need to thank everyone for making the effort to meet up with us, from near and far, and I find my cheeks hurting from the smiles when thinking about it.
Not to outdo themselves, Alan and the crew gave us another surprise at the birthday/wedding party at the winery. During the first week of the trip they had filmed an entire music video about Andy the degu, with original lyrics (based on Jon Lajoie's "Everyday Normal Guy"), and showed it at the party. It was brilliant. I had never laughed/cried so hard (since the weekend before). Now it all made sense why some of them were "going out for a run", or were "busy" in the bathroom at various times during the trip. Incredible.
So, without further ado, here are three videos; the amazing degu song, a lip synch video that we made in Vegas to commemorate the big day, and a video that Tomek put together for Z and me. I wish we could go back...
2018 was a big year for weddings for us...some friends in Poland got married, my brother, and even Zosia's dad. So, in order to make sure we didn't lose too much of the spotlight, we decided to have two weddings! How dare anyone try to have more weddings than us.
Zosia and I were lucky enough to celebrate both in the US and in Poland, and were very grateful for our friends and family who came to one, the other, both, and even the side celebrations. We can't thank you enough!!!!!
Some of these amazing guys showed up without knowing there'd be a wedding
It started with a group of 8 international friends (Alan, Andy, Ash, Dorota, Jay, Iza, Noemi, and new bro-in-law Tomek) who do/used to live in Warsaw, and were tricked into coming on a trip to the US with us. The original plan was sightseeing, sightsinning, and me getting to show off Seattle. Then it turned into something more.
Friends and Family from Seattle, California, and a serial party crasher from Texas (hi Schwartz) joined us for an actual MEMORABLE weekend in Vegas. I don't think any weekend in LV has ever been remembered. It was followed by a trip to the Grand Canyon, and a few days in Seattle enjoying the best city in the world. Even though this was just a trip "home", it was probably my favorite trip ever. I guess it doesn't hurt when you get to marry your best friend.
Not a bad view
I bought Zosia her dream dress
They all flew at least 5,000 miles to be there with us!
The night of
Grand Canyon
I would do all of this again in the heartbeat:
1. "Outdoor" wedding overlooking the Strip
2. Eat too much at the Cosmopolitan buffet
3. Feel like you made money by not going to a club
4. Play $5 black jack all night at Ellis Island
5. See a Cirque du Soleil show (LOVE)
6. Take photos of the street where Tupac died (Tomek's top goal)
7. The clouds lift for an awesome view of the Grand Canyon
8. Explore Route 66
9. Eat garlic fries at Mariners opening day
10. Birthday party (which turned into the Seattle wedding reception) at Charles Smith winery, which is an amazing place for parties
11. Snoqualmie Falls and outlet shopping
12. Hike Rattlesnake ridge
13. Vegan desserts by Thea
14. Live music on Capitol Hill (foreigners need passports to go into bars!)
15. Unlimited games, laser tag, bowling, mini golf, batting cages and go karts at Family Fun Center (it's still fun when you're 40!)
And of course seeing family and friends and all the positive energy and love around us. I still feel the need to thank everyone for making the effort to meet up with us, from near and far, and I find my cheeks hurting from the smiles when thinking about it.
Go Mariners! (we're mentioned on the score board!)
If you haven't been to Charles Smith winery in Georgetown, GO. Ask for Kelly!
Does Scooter keep growing?
Rattlesnake Ridge
Thea's desserts cause your face to contort (in a good way)
Z's jaw came unhinged as a natural reaction trying to eat all of these treats at once
There were a couple moments that will last in my memory forever. I don't think I've ever been so shocked (in a good way) that I lose control of my emotions and facial expressions. But when Kelly (our wedding official) said that there were some guests from Chile at the wedding, Zosia and I were confused...and then we saw two life sized mice (aka our degus Andy and Jay) running down the aisle. It was even sweeter that the original Andy and Jay were also both there, and we gave them the biggest hugs ever. This was DURING the ceremony, by the way, when we were trying to be serious and romantic (and already fighting nerves). But it was the BEST SURPRISE EVER. I never laughed/cried so hard.
Kelly was the best!
Surprise guests
Not to outdo themselves, Alan and the crew gave us another surprise at the birthday/wedding party at the winery. During the first week of the trip they had filmed an entire music video about Andy the degu, with original lyrics (based on Jon Lajoie's "Everyday Normal Guy"), and showed it at the party. It was brilliant. I had never laughed/cried so hard (since the weekend before). Now it all made sense why some of them were "going out for a run", or were "busy" in the bathroom at various times during the trip. Incredible.
So, without further ado, here are three videos; the amazing degu song, a lip synch video that we made in Vegas to commemorate the big day, and a video that Tomek put together for Z and me. I wish we could go back...
"Marry You"
"Everyday Normal Degu"
Thanks Tomek!
