Well, as usual, it takes me forever to post! We've definitely been busy, and the end doesn't seem to be in sight! Here's a few things we've been up to!

Brian's cousins came to town from Chicago for a nice long weekend at the end of September. It was so great to see them! We were lucky enough to have Brent and Kevin at our wedding, but we hadn't seen Britt since her and Brent's wedding back in March, so it was definitely wonderful to catch up get to see the little Vetvick baby bump! We went to the Seahawks game (vs Da Bears) and had an amazing and eventful time, even though we lost! We enjoyed a nice Flajole/Vetvick family dinner at Anthony's in Seattle, and it was a very long, but enjoyable day. The whole weekend was long and enjoyable, and we can't wait to go visit them in Chicago next year!

Work for Brian has been good. With Terry and Nancy on vacation for a few weeks, he was always busy and now he's definitely ready for a vacation! It was a great little break when the cousins were here, but now it's back to the daily grind, but things have definitely slowed down for both of us. Times at Macy's are tough. With no one really spending any money, it's definitely been a challenge. The past couple weeks were stressful with events and big-wig visits, so this break before Christmas is somewhat welcome (I just wish it would pick up a little). With this calm comes sickness! We've both been battling the sniffles and some congestion, but I'm almost 100% better, and Brian's almost there! We get to go to the Sounders game with my mom and sister tomorrow, sitting in my mom's company's suite (amazing)! It's the last game of the season, so it'll be great to be there!

We've been married for a little over 4 months, and it's been the most amazing 4 months of my life! It seriously just keeps getting better. I kind of expected things to slow down a little after the wedding, but it's been the exact opposite! We're constantly doing something, and we both definitely look forward to Sundays where we can just relax, eat, and watch some football (well, I guess for me anyways, every other Sunday because of work)! Through all the chaos, though, we've created some amazing memories, and welcomed a new addition to our little family! Here are some pictures we captured throughout the past 4 months.


unpacking kitchen wedding presents...and being creative with the boxes! (PS the box robot has a thought bubble that says "I heart Chrissy" and has hearts for eyes!)



Outside the house on Whidbey Island this past summer. Gorgeous! The most relaxing few days!


Hubby and Wifey at the Mariners game with friends! We went several times this year: with the Sigvartsons, the Prices, and cousins!


Cousin Kevin with Hawk Daddy at da Bears game...Go Bears? Go HOME!

This is one of Calvin's favorite spots. Curled up on mom's fuzzy blanket on the couch!

Dad was getting his bag ready for golf the next day, and Calvin hopped in! He loves his daddy!


Our cute little boy!

Calvin Flajole and a new business venture

Oh man, where did the time go? Oh yes, that's right...we have a new puppy that has taken up all our time! Haha! It's been totally worth it. Calvin is the cutest puppy in the entire world! He'll go and do something like poop on the carpet, and I get mad, but then I look at his big eyes and all is forgiven. We've had him for 2 weeks, and already he is peeing on his puppy pads 8/10 times (he can't go outside for another month or 2. He hasnt' had all his shots yet), and he has successfully slept through the night for the past 3 nights (with a slight exception for last night. He woke me up at 2am, but after he pottied, he went right back to sleep and didn't wake up again until right before daddy got up to go to work). It's seriously like having a child! He loves to play tug-of-war with daddy, and sometime spazzes out and runs crazy dog style around the house. He's the biggest cuddle bug and he loves to sleep next to me in bed curled up by my armpit with his head resting on my neck. I'm sure it looks funny, and it's not always the most comfortable sleeping positions, but he's so warm and soft that I don't mind. He's asleep right now on my side, curled up between my leg and the arm of the couch. He's just so precious!

Okay, enough about my new little man. Yesterday was the first day since Brian and I have been married that we've been able to just lounge around the house in sweats all day and do nothing but be together, watch football, and play with Calvin. It was fabulous! The only thing I did yesterday that was really productive was go to the wedding expo at the Tacoma Dome with Mali, my business partner. We went to meet different vendors and kind of get a feel of what it would be like to be a vendor at one of these expos (which we will probably sometime next year). It was so informative! We could definitely feel which vendors were excited to talk to us, and those that weren't. I couldn't believe that after telling them we weren't brides, but planners, they just shut off completely and wanted nothing to do with us. Hello! We're going to be recommending you to brides! You give us info, we'll pass it along! There were 2 vendors inparticular, a photographer as well as Ron Gallucci of Gallucci catering (who's dad was my pediatrician) offered to meet with Mali and me to talk about getting into the business and kind of giving us insight into it and telling us what we should be prepared for. We're definitely going to be taking them up on their offers! It was very exciting, and I felt so energized afterwards! It was fantastic!

Other than that, not much else has been going on. I started bowling on Brian and Brad's bowling team, which is so out of my comfort zone it's not even funny! Last week was alright, but it's definitely something that will take me awhile to get comfortable. Who knows what's in store for tonight!

Well, that's all...enjoy the pics of Calvin!

The best birthday present EVER!

This is right after I picked him up. He was so scared at first, but warmed up right away!

Sitting on my lap while daddy drove us around! I love the little chocolate chips on his nose!

pooped out on the couch!

Oh so much going on!

Wow. This coming Sunday we will have been married for 3 months. 3 months! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. Lots has happened, and much more is happening this weekend. We're finally buckling down and making some house purchases, which included today's purchase of a nice washer and dryer! Yay for doing laundry faster (it takes forever for the water to fill up enough in the washing machine we have now)! Saturday is going to be a nice refridgerator. Super exciting. These purchases are all thanks to my amazing mother-in-law scouring craigslist and finding amazing deals. We only paid $450 for the washer AND dryer (which are only a couple years old and still in amazing shape) and the fridge we're looking at on Sunday is a $2000 fridge for only...wait for it...$800. I love it when things don't fit into people's new homes!

I think the most exciting new addition to our home (and our family) is a new little man! No, we're not having a baby...we're getting a PUPPY!! He's a 3 month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He's black and white with a little bit of tan and he looks like a total snuggler. I can't wait to meet him! The breeder is bringing him up here Saturday, and I am probably driving my poor husband crazy with all the little squeals when I look at his cute little picture. Here's a couple pictures from the breeders website...

Look at that little chocolate spot on his little cheek!

Isn't he the most precious thing ever?! I can't wait to cuddle with him. Saturday can't come soon enough!

Another major development in our little Flajole family...I am starting a new business! My friend Mali and I are starting MC Events, an event planning company. We have a couple things already lined up to plan, and we've recently put together an email address (MCEvents4U@yahoo.com), a website (still under construction), and some other little things put together. We have our first business meeting tomorrow at noon to fill out our business license. So exciting! I can't wait until we're up and running well enough to where I don't have to work at Macy's anymore! Haha, I think I have a little bit of a wait, though.

Other than that this weekend is going to be filled to the brim! Friday is a cousins Mariners game with some of the Hanstad cousins, Saturday is my birthday/puppy welcoming/fridge pickup/fight night at the house, Sunday is the Best Burger BBQ and wedding stuff with my wonderful Sara who's getting married in March (yes, she already has her wedding planners thank you very much!), and Monday is a nice relaxing day where I get to sleep in with my amazing husband, and play with puppy. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, since my husband is on a bowling league...so am I! Monday is their first week back after having the summer off, and I get to rotate bowling nights with Tommy's wife, Courtney. Yep, I'm a nerd. But that's why you love me...right?

I'm sure I'll be posting more often, now that I'll be taking pictures of our new baby boy. We'll reveal the name after we've had some time to play and get to know him. Look for a big picture post soon!

PS Congrats to Jason and Paula on their new baby boy!

One month!

I can't believe it...we've been married for one month already! Our anniversary was Tuesday and Brian surprised me with flowers and a romantic dinner at Anthony's here in the harbor. We also opened our joint checking and savings account...woohoo! I spent that day ordering new credit cards and updating all my info, so I'm almost done with Cervantes and a full fledged Flajole (say that 5 times fast)!

I have a pretty awesome schedule this week. I had my seasonal school for work on Monday up in Seattle, so my days off are funky this week. I'm supposed to work at the counter Friday, but I'm going to call out so I won't have to go back until Wednesday! That's great news considering I'm definitely in need of a little mini vaca from the department. We'll just leave it at that. The only bummer is that Brian has to work all the days I have off :(. At least he doesn't have to work all day on the 4th like usual!

Well, I hope all is well! Congratulations to Molly and Jonathan on their handsome baby boy! Congratulations also to Brent and Brittany on their pregnancy! We're so excited for you guys! Love you all! Here are a few more pics from our wedding...

Getting into the Limo after the ceremony!

During our first dance

At the falls before we left the Salish Lodge

Yay Best Burgers!

dum dum da dum dum dum dum....

WE'RE MARRIED!!!

Oh my goodness words can't describe how amazing it feels to finally be married to the love of my life! I'll do my best, though, to describe our wedding weekend...which PS was just already 2 weeks ago! Man, how time flies when you're in love! Anyways, get comfy...this could take awhile!

It started on Thursday with my bachelorette party! My girls (Amanda, Coree, Sara, Lindsay and my surprise guest...my cousin Lindsay!) threw me an amazing night. They got us all a room at the Silver Cloud down on Ruston Way, so we could walk to the bars (which I'll get to later). We started the night off with a shot and some naughty (but wonderful) presents! We kept drinking and with no food in my tummy, I was feeling pretty good pretty quick. We had dinner at Primo Grill on 6th Ave, where we met my friend Haley from work and had an amazing dinner with some more drinks. Bottom line here is, we drank a lot! We tried to walk from the room to the Ram after dinner, but it was closed. We walked all the way down to Katie Downs and everything was either closed, or already had last call. Lame! Well, we thought it was lame at the drunk time, but in retrospect, it was all for the best! We partied back at the room, had the always (bachelorette) invited noise complaint, before we passed out a little before 1am.

The next day, we woke up bright and early at 7:30am. Why, I don't know. We did however get to enjoy some early morning episodes of Saved By The Bell...starting with the one where Zach and Kelly got married in Vegas! How appropriate! We all got ready and headed to my house before getting some necessary Starbucks and then going to my nail salon for some manis and pedis. After we were all pampered, we went to Best Burgers to see my soon to be husband and get some lunch. We ran into Brian's brothers Brad and Kyle, and their cousin Brent there, which was awesome because I hadn't seen Kyle or Brent since they arrived. After lunch the crew (minus the boys) went to the reception hall for ALL the decorating. It went by so fast! It was all because of our amazing families from both out of town and around here. We had my uncles and aunts from Texas, Colorado, and Ohio helping and we recruited the bridal party and their significant others to help as well. Before we knew it, we were sitting around at all the decorated tables drinking beer! I had some last minute errands to run before rehearsal that night, so I did those, got ready, and somehow made it to the church on time! Rehearsal went really well, if you exclude the tears my parents were already crying! I swear they set me off the entire weekend! Brian's mom and dad put together an amazing rehearsal dinner, including a little picture slideshow, which was phenomenal! My dad made everyone cry with his little toast and the rest of the night was spent taking pictures and laughing (which is just how I wanted it). After getting my last single girl kiss from my amazing man, the girls and I went back to my mom and dad's to put together their Gerber Daisy bouquets. Lindsay stayed the night with me and she fell asleep way before I did! I was packing my wedding night bag, last minute emailing, and watching Friends, all the while being way too excited!

Wedding day! Sara and Coree made a Starbucks run in the morning, which was amazing and I can't thank them enough! My tea really helped calm my stomach and not make me want to throw up! Haley came over and did an amazing job on my hair, and Melanie came and took some wonderful pictures (PS she is an amazing photographer)! Sara got us crying as she saw Haley putting my veil on, and then after a couple pre-ready shots, we were off to Macy's for Jonathan to do my makeup! I felt so bad because we were running sooo late, I was on my Blackberry the whole time and I felt like I was rushing him. Sorry Jonathan! We ended up at the church right at noon, and the guys were just finishing up their pictures. I finally had an appetite (it was the getting their on time that had my nerves in a jumble) so I ate some grapes and cheese before I put on the dress and headed into the church for our "first look" at each other. I couldn't get over how handsome and HOT Brian looked! We took some bridal party and family pictures before I was shooed away and sent back to the nursery to hang out until I walked down the aisle! When it was finally our turn, my dad couldn't look at me and I couldn't look at him. I think my mom said "I'll look at you at the reception"! I kept most of my composure walking down the aisle and I was fine once I was holding onto Brian. He can always calm me down! The ceremony was beautiful and I was so excited to sign that Marriage License!! We went through the receiving line, a couple more family pictures, and then we headed off with the bridal party in a limo to Ruston Way to take some pics by the water.

The reception was amazing. I'm sad I didn't get to talk to everyone, but I think Brian made it around to say hi for both of us. We danced, drank, cried, laughed...pretty much everything! I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day or to have spent it with a more perfect man! I think my favorite part was that our families and friends are so amazing...there was absolutely no drama and everyone just hung out and partied! It was seriously the perfect day!

Brian surprised me and took me to the Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls for our wedding night! I wanted to stay there so bad, but I thought it was too far away and I totally didn't expect it. We had a really laid back night that started with us sitting on the bed and eating grapes while I took a huge amount of bobby pins out of my hair (thanks Haley)! We had a yummy breakfast the next morning in our own little private room overlooking the falls. It was so romantic! We had a barbeque later that day, so after we checked out we went to my mom and dad's to help set up. All the out of town family and friends (I'm so glad Marcie and Sean were able to join us!) came over and we had leftover wedding food, cookies, and cake. I think it was sad for my mom and dad when I drove away that night with Brian, and I was a little sad too, but oh so excited for starting our life together.

Well, I think that's all for now. I'll hopefully get to update more often now that the wedding is over...but who knows! We're still trying to find places for all our new stuff, and trying to integrate into the new stuff all of our old stuff. It's been a long process, but a lot of fun. My favorite part of being married is being able to come home to him every day, wake up with him every morning, and fall asleep next to him every night. Here are some pics that I was able to get so far (the first 3 are from Melanie), and there are definitely more to come! Hopefully another update is coming soon! Love you guys!

This is one of my favorites. Our friend Monika took it on her iphone!

Our first day as newlyweds! This was taken at the Salish Lodge in our private dining area!

2 days!!

Considering it's after midnight...yes, there are only 2 days until Brian and I say "I DO"!!! I am soooo excited and I am in awe of how fast time has gone by!

It was a year ago (technically yesterday, the 27th) that Brian made me the happiest girl in the world by asking me to marry him on a gondola in Venice, Italy. That moment will stick with me forever! It doesn't seem possible that we've already been engaged for a year and are about to be married this Saturday! Craziness!

If you haven't checked out our wedding website: www.brianandchristiana.weddingwindow.com, I think you should! I absolutely love it and I'm so excited to have just found out that Brian finished his version of the proposal! The last few sentances just about brought me to tears! He's the most amazing man, and I'm so lucky to be his wife!

Well, it's all downhill from here! The bachelorette party is tomorrow (tonight) night, and I know I'll have some good pictures for you! The rehearsal is on Friday and then Saturday is the big day! We have (almost) everything done, and I'm definitely going into super productive mode tomorrow to make sure there's no stressing the day of. My motto is: if it's not done by Saturday, it's not that important! Stressing will only make me break out, and I definitely don't want that!

Well guys, the next time I do a little update...WE"LL BE MARRIED! :)

20 days!

Well, in about an hour and a half it'll be 19 days...until our wedding day!! I'm so excited I can't even tell you! Too excited for words! Things are definitely coming down to the wire and falling into place. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people behind us and helping us. We definitely couldn't do anything without you guys.

Brian has been out of town since Thursday. His brother Kyle graduated from NAU on Saturday. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make the trip down there. I need to work since I'll be taking a week off for the wedding, and then another week at the end of June for our little mini vaca/honeymoon part 1. Besides, they didn't get home until after 9 tonight, and I couldn't leave my mom on the last mothers day with me still living in the house. It's kind of sad, but really exciting. I decided not to pack anything else up today, since every time I bring a box downstairs to take to the house, she yells at me..."STOP PACKING!" I know she's excited, but the fact that I'm actually packing up my room is just reaffirming the fact that the wedding is 3 weeks away, and I'm not going to be down the hall anymore. It's definitely weird waking up in the morning and not seeing my stuff up on the walls, and all my picture frames and stuff off my dresser and nightstand. But seeing all this just reminds me that soon I'll be able to wake up and see my husband laying next to me, and I just can't wait for that.

While it was sad to be away from Brian for a few days, it seemed to go by quickly because I've been very productive! I've been working, obviously, and yesterday my friend Haley and I did a trial run on my hair. Oh man, she's going to do an amazing job and my hair (even though we only had enough bobby pins to do a little more than half my hair) is going to look wonderful! I'm so excited and thankful for her! We've put the money envelopes together for the caterer and such, we got our marriage license (well, Brian and I did that Monday after work), figured out which DJ we were going to use (finally!), put together a list of photos we want taken, among other little things. All the while I'm sitting in bed sending emails and watching friends in my jammies, my wonderful mom is downstairs painting the kitchen and dad is working on the new fireplace so it's all ready for the barbeque that's going to be held the day after the wedding for opening presents and for everyone to get together in a more relaxed and casual setting. My parents are so wonderful!

I did have 2 more wonderful bridal showers a few weekends ago. One was thrown by my amazing Aunt Melissa with some family and family friends. It was the first shower where I received lingerie, and it was a little awkward sitting right next to my mother in law and having my grandma sitting in the corner going "oh my gosh"! Haha! The other shower was thrown by Brian's Aunt Cathy up in Seattle with all his mom's sisters and their daughters and aunts. It was a lot of fun! Once or twice a year all the Hanstad sisters get together for a "sister sleepover" where they bring their daughters (at least in high school) and drink wine and play games. I was able to go this year, and let me tell ya...those women know how to have a good time! It was the most fun! The next day we all got ready and Brian's cousin Marie took me out to get coffee while they set up. It was great to have everyone there to play a couple little games and it was especially great because my mom and sister drove up there so they could meet everyone as well! We're both so blessed to be marrying into two amazing families! Sometimes I have to step back and make sure I'm not dreaming, because it feels like it's all too good to be true.

Well, it's time to get started on another project...music! Trying to get a list of all the must play songs, as well as pick out songs for all the dances! Hopefully it won't be a super long time before our next post...but you know how it goes when you're getting married! :) Love you guys!