Wedding Website

Isn't a blog enough?  Not quite! :)  I went ahead and created a website on TheKnot.com - the information is much more concise.  We'll keep it updated as we get more info and the wedding draws nearer.
Feel free to RSVP via this website or sign our Guestbook.  We'd like to do as much electronically as possible.

www.theknot.com/ourwedding/SaraRosenberger&KoryBlose

Cozumel Safety Info

We've been contacted by several individuals concerning the safety of the destination at which we've chosen to say "I do."  With all the negativity Mexico has gotten in the media, I understand the fear and confusion. 

Instead of taking the time to explain why Cozumel is a very safe destination for our wedding, I've decided to leave it to the professionals who have actually been there. :)   Here are some articles about Cozumel that might put those worried at ease.  The first one contains lots of good info for everybody that is considering cruising with us.  The second is more about safety in general but would be a good read for all, as well. :)   If you would like to speak to someone who is  very knowledgable about travel and safety, I would recommend you contact our travel agent - Kristi Zeleski.  kristi@denvertravel.net 

Cozumel and Cruising - Great info for everyone cruising with us!
Cozumel Safety - Great for those concerned about the safety in Cozumel.
(Google search - Cozumel Safety for additional information)

For those of us that are visual learners, I've created a map.  The distance  alone should convince you that while Juarez is unsafe, Cozumel is not necessarily unsafe!  (Click on the image to see it in a larger view)

Kory and I would never select a location that would put us or our loved ones in danger.  Please feel free to contact us with additional concerns and we will do our best to get resolutions!

Wedding Dress Shopping... Attempt 1

My oh my... I never would have imagined the task at hand when it comes to wedding dress shopping!  Not only was it time consuming and exhausting, it was completely overwhelming!  All the time I searched online has proven to be a wasted effort.  The dresses I never took a second glance at are the ones that seemed to fit me and my body type best.  That was a surprise.  The prices of these 'one wear' outfits was an even bigger surprise! 

My new gal pal Heidi, who is also getting married this fall, and I decided that it was time to start the big search for that perfect dress.  In Denver, there is a little bridal shop called Amanda's Bridal that has an outstanding reputation - a logical starting point.   Without an appointment, we began our big hunt for that perfect white gown. 

When we arrived, the consultant instructed us to pick 5 dresses from their selection.  It was like an ocean of white!  There were so many dresses!  Both of us admitted to being completely overwhelmed!  How do you really decipher one from the next...  ? Heidi plans to have a traditional, elegant ceremony, so her dress options seemed to be endless. I, on the other hand, would like to have an understated dress that fits our casual, beachy wedding theme.  Within a matter of seconds of explaining to the dress consultant what I was looking for, I found that this style of dress is far and few between.  With the specification of - 1. No beading, 2. No lace, 3. No train... there were 2 dresses that fit my "needs" and somehow they were still nothing of what I'd envisioned myself in.  I quickly widened my search criteria, if only for the sake of not making Heidi feel uncomfortable.  By doing so, I at least found the style that seems to flatter my figure best - one I never would have tried on in any other circumstance - so the day was not lost... it was certainly an eye opening experience!

After finding several amazing gowns for Heidi, we decided to take note of them and move on to a bigger store - David's Bridal.  Our spontaneous shopping didn't work as well for them.  We were unable to get in.  We promised to call ahead for an appointment next time.  Instead of searching for more bridal boutiques, we called our boys to meet us and headed out for a relaxing and laughter filled dinner at Ruby Tuesday.  

8 Months

8 months from today is Thanksgiving!  How exciting!  I just love Thanksgiving! 

8 months from today, 243 days (to be exact),  I will be a married woman!  For that very reason, I cannot wait for Thanksgiving! :)

Reality TV Addicts

As with every critical phase of life, there seems to be a relevant reality TVshow.  When we were doing home improvements, our televisions never left HGTV and I am certain that if we ever decide to have kiddos, I'll be glued to the TV when the baby shows come on.  Now that we're planning a wedding, I am addicted to catching every episode of every wedding show out there.  Lucky for me, we have a DVR, so I can have marathons when I am in wedding mode. 

To my surprise, I'm not the only one who enjoys the wedding shows... so does my fiance!  I find Kory intrigued by Say Yes to the Dress and forming opinions I never imagined.  He will actually admit to liking Amazing Wedding Cakes, Rich Bride Poor Bride, and most of all - My Fair Wedding!

We agree that it would be amazing to be chosen to have our wedding made over by David Tutera (My Fair Wedding)... and dream about being casted.  Just for fun I checked the website to see if they were casting and if so, would they be willing to come to Mexico?  Unfortunately, no.  Though, we can hope that that changes! haha.  It would be great fun to have someone just do everything... with an unlimited budget! : )

Wedding Wish list

Kory and I decided that we would run out and do our wedding registries today.  While it seems odd to both of us to create "wish lists" for what we would like purchased for us, all of the wedding magazines and websites say it is rude not to.  Apparently people really stress about what to buy.  So we did as we were told... 
We did a quick little google search for stores that offer wedding registries.  The list was endless.  We ended up selecting Crate & Barrel and Target... for no particular reason other than we knew how to get to each place and they're stores we love!  
We started our registry rampage at Crate & Barrel.  We had so much fun!  Kory, of course, was in charge of the barcode scanner.  We registered for everything under the sun... and we both learned so much about things like glassware, cooking tools, and entertaining.  An hour later, when we'd made it through the entire store and scanned all the things our hearts would ever desire, we headed to the register to return our scanning gun.  The ladies that worked there were shocked that we were laughing and smiling.  "You're not fighting?" One of the employees asked.  Apparently most wedding registries end in battles over what to choose.  Luckily we did not fall into this trend.... we just made it a little adventure and had a wonderful time.

Before heading to our next registry destination we stopped at a little sushi restaurant for a snack.  All that walking and scanning must have been more demanding than we'd realized.  Little did we know, Crate & Barrel was nothing compared to our second store of choice.
We headed to Target.  Immediately we were overwhelmed by the selection.  We came up with a plan of how to attack the store.  Starting in the storage/cleaning section, we were off.  From decorations, luggage and camping supplies to bedding and cookware, we managed to get a little of everything.  After 4 exhausting hours of fantasizing about our future and scanning, scanning, scanning, we were finally heading to Customer Service to return out handy dandy scanner.  We agreed that this was a much more tiring experience than the one we'd had earlier in the day.  I never ever would have imagined the time it would take to get through a single store!
To finish off our mini adventure, we headed to Cold Stone Creamery for our grand finale... ice cream! :) 

Considering his overworked feet and a lack of interest in home decor, Kory was amazing!  Like the gals at Crate&Barrel, I was a bit concerned that this wedding task wouldn't be a smooth one.  I'd read tales of grooms-to-be throwing fit about having to spend hours walking up and down aisles of stores they may not ever enter otherwise.  I was relieved to find that Kory did nothing of the sort.  As always, he tried to make the day as fun and comical as he possibly could.  I actually think he enjoyed it.... well maybe just the fact that he got to use a nifty little barcode scanning gun!  It was challenging and exciting trying to envision what we will need going forward...

Our registries:
                       Target         Crate&Barrel



248 days to go...

Update: Sam's Recovery, Week 4

Today it has been 4 weeks since Sam had her knee surgery.  Considering the extreme lack of exercise and stimulation she is getting, she is doing amazingly well - thanks to the awesome drugs the vet has prescribed for her and the containment of our baby gates.  She is now allowed two 5-minute walks a day.  This obviously doesn't compare to the hour long walks and daily trips to the dog park, but she is clearly thrilled to get out of the house and get to sniff around the streets and parks near our home.  I think we're all longing for the day we can go on our lengthy excursions exploring the neighborhoods and parks in the warm Colorado sunshine ... for now we'll settle for our brief  'teaser' outtings.   She seems to be coping with the mundane days by choosing different places to nap.  One minute she might be on the bed, the next she is in the bathroom laying on a pile of dirty clothes Kory left behind.  Whatever makes her happy and keeps her calm and comfy...

Tomorrow Sam is scheduled to get her follow up x-rays to confirm that she is indeed healing properly and on track to a full recovery.  We're crossing our fingers and toes and praying that her bones are mending as they should.

Absence Makes the Heart..

homesick.

For the first time since Kory and I have been engaged, I had to hop on an airplane to get to work.  It doesn't matter that I've gotten to work from home the last several months... I still miss my boy and pup as if I'll be gone indefinitely!  (Sam must get this from me.)   What is the matter with me?   The state of Indiana surely won't miss me when I'm gone, and I will certainly return those sentiments.  Thursday cannot come soon enough...

3.6.2010: Kory turned 25

I've been trying to explain to Kory, for years now, that birthdays are something to be celebrated and enjoyed to the fullest capacity.  With his "It's just another day attitude," it has never been a priority to do anything exceptional.  So, in hopes of inspiring a new love of his day of birth,  we explored a delicious restaurant, had an amazing dessert at a new favorite spot, followed by delightful cocktails at an intimate hideaway overlooking Denver.

When Kory ventured off to baseball practice early Saturday morning, I pretended to be asleep until I heard his truck pull out of the driveway.  When the coast was clear I jumped out of bed and headed to the local grocery store for his all time favorite - carrot cake and vanilla ice cream.  When he got home we (Sam included) had a little "family" birthday party where I sang a sad rendition of Happy Birthday and Sam persistently tried to sneak a lick of the cream cheese icing.   We followed the morning shin-dig with a crazy long nap. 

In fact, it was so long that we nearly slept through our dinner reservations!  Thankfully, Kory woke up at 4:00, just enough time for us to get ready and be at our 5:00 dinner reservations.  Dinner was amazing.  We went to a Brazilian steakhouse downtown called Fogo de Chao.  The meal begins with a salad bar that is to die for.  When you've had your fair share of veggies, cheeses, and salads, you flip a little card to green.  Men carrying gigantic pieces of meat come to your table to offer you what option they have.  It was something else.  Kory flipped his card to green and it was as if their life's goal was to please him.  From filet mignon and sirloin, to chicken, pork, and sausage... the selection was vast and quite tasty!  Needless to say, we ate all we could possibly eat...  but it was incredible! 

After dinner, we rolled out of the restaurant and headed to a little cafe restaurant called The Market.  We met up with our friends, Ryan and Heidi for dessert.  We sat and talked for nearly an hour before Kory and I agreed we finally had room to share a dessert.  Instead of carrot cake, we opted for an oversized eclair...  by the time we'd finished our dessert, we were overstuffed yet again and ready for another long long nap!   Instead we headed to a little known bar/cafe that is hidden on the 27th floor of the Hyatt.  The views were breathtaking.  I could have sat there all night and just looked at the twinkling lights!  Kory, Heidi, Ryan, and I nestled into a little corner which is where we would remain content for several hours just enjoying each other's company! :)

When we finally got home it was around 11 pm.  Sam acted as if we'd been MIA for weeks.  Kory curled up with her in the bed to check his email... and to our delight there was an email from his mom awaiting him.  It was a little tale of Kory when he was a babe and a child.  It was the PERFECT ending to an awesome day!  It's so sweet to imagine my big teddy bear of a fiance as a chubby, helpless baby... 25 years later. :)

Happy Birthday, Kory!

Today is Kory's 25th Birthday! It's hard to believe he is another year older... it seems like just yesterday we started dating - when he was only 19...  At the same time, it feels like we've known eachother our entire lives!
I am so thankful for Kory and that I get to celebrate this milestone of a birthday with him.  What a blessing he has been in my life and the lives of so many others. 
To celebrate we're going to a Brazilian Steakhouse followed by the most delicious bakery for his favorite food of all - carrot cake! :) 
I look so forward to the day that we can have little family get togethers to celebrate... until then...

Happy Birthday, Kory!

I love you!

OPERATION: Vow to Wow - Day 1

With just under 9 months to go until our tropical wedding day, Kory and I have officially kicked off operation ' Vow to Wow ' and it was not an easy first day, let me tell ya.  On one hand you have the groom, Kory, who seems to be able to hop right back into a fitness routine - running miles at a time and lifting weights that I can't even scoot across the floor.  On the other hand, there is me.  Let's just say I didn't get off to the same easy start.  I decided a consultation with a personal trainer might be a better way to begin this journey, to avoid injury or missed goals.  (Keep in mind, I haven't exercised regularly since my second year of college). So that I did... and I would definitely say I got my money's worth!   I ended up twisting and moving my body in ways I didn't know possible and used the most unsuspecting exercise equipment to do so.  Marty, my secret key to swimsuit body success, had my heart pumping and the sweat flowing within 10 minutes of our meeting.  Needless to say, I was sold.  I will meet up with Marty every Friday that I am in town for that extra push...
It was an awesome start to this long journey... but now I am ready for a donut... or some pizza! : p

Details Details... Details!

We are finding out the hard way that it is not the big decisions that will drive you crazy when planning a wedding, but the minor ones, that could be easily overlooked!  To some they may seem like significant parts of a wedding, but to me, I just don't see the real importance.  I keep thinking, as long as I'm marrying the guy of my dreams and we're surrounded by our dearest family and friends, then nothing else will matter or make the day any more wonderful.  The ironic part is that I am having the hardest time making these "insignificant" decisions - whether it be what color to dress the chairs in or the type of flower the boutonnières should be made of - I just cannot decide!  Trust me, it doesn't make any sense to me either!

The good news, I believe we've gotten all the major decisions hammered down.  We know when and where we're getting married... and who we will invite and who will be photographing the big day.  Other than that, it is all still up in the air...
A wedding dress, a color, favors, food, drinks, cake flavors, first dance, flowers, gifts for attendants, invitations, registries... and then of course we have the hometown reception details to be concerned with... food, drinks, DJ, centerpieces, decorations, and of course, what to wear!
It seems like we have forever, but each time I look up another month has passed and we're still where we were...

265 days until November 24, 2010 ... and counting.

First Cruise Booking

Our travel agent informed me today that our very first guests booked their cruise today!  Our incredible friends, Jay and Jen were the very first!  For some reason, this little factoid totally melted my heart and grounded the fact that we are really going to do this... and there might be people there to witness it! :)

This is a photo of the 4 of us, taken on the eve of Jen & Jay's wedding day, last September!

Sweet Reminders

Kory and I have been so blessed to be surrounded by the most thoughtful and surprisingly creative people.  The number of sweet cards and homemade gifts we've received since our engagement has blown us away.   We received an ornament reflecting the date of our engagement from Kory's dad and stepmom.  I think this will end up being more of a year around decoration than one exclusive to Christmas! :)  And it even looks like us! I didn't even know things like this were available... I love a good personalized gift!

Most recently, we received a surprise package from Florida.  My distant relatives from Punxsy ("Bubbles" and Tom Steenburgen) picked up a seashell on their annual Florida getaway and personalized it for Kory and I! It certainly made our day! :)  We're going to have little reminders of our wedding and engagement all over the house and I love it!  Currently our refrigerator is covered from top to bottom  in cards from our friends and family... I don't know if it would be possible for us to be any more loved or fortunate when it comes to the kindness our awesome families and friends have shown us! :)  We're really so blessed...