A family hike: Diamond Head

We finally got our wedding photos back from our photographer, so while I swift through 1500+ photos, I thought I'd talk about the couple outings we had on the days leading up to the wedding day. First up, our last minute, totally not planned family hike up Diamond Head.

I go back to Hawaii every few years to visit friends and every single time I'm there I make sure (and usually drag my friends) I get a chance to climb Diamond Head. Not only is it breathtaking once you get to the top, but it is very nice and easy (and good) exercise.

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Don't we look like tourists!

Hawaii's most recognized landmark is known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history. Diamond Head Trail is 1 ¾ miles with two sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other, 76 steps. There is also a 225-foot tunnel.

My family:

Diamond Head Lighthouse

We made it to the top and unfortunately it was very windy and cloudy. We didn't get our postcard shots of Waikiki this time.
See how cloudy it is...

On our way back down, we ran into my friend and co-worker trekkin' their way up the rock.
We had 11 family members truckin' up the crater (including us).

It was great having a family outing like this and one of my favorite outings during this trip.
I really hope we do more massive family vacations in the future!

Bee Cameos!

Earlier this week Brooklyn Bride had posted about One Elf, a charming lil' etsy store that sells the most adorable cuff links, charms, earrings, etc. Seriously, how cute are these?!

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Got a groom with a sweet tooth?! Check out these cuff links!

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Look closely, you can get your initials carved in the tree stump!

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Our own bees are sooo famous, they are replicated! :o)

Mrs. Cupcake

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Mrs. Cookie

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Mrs. Avocado

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Mrs. Cherry Pie

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What are your favorite Etsy finds?

Rockin' the trial, out on the town.

The one disadvantage of having a destination wedding is you don't have the convenience of having a trial or even a taste test at your leisure. We got to Hawaii a week, one week, seven days before the wedding. That gave me seven days to visit our venue, have a hair trial, and get all those itty bitty lil' details in check; all while trying to relax, have fun and entertain with our guests in paradise.

Two days after we got to the rock, I had my hair and make-up trial with May from Beauty by May. If you don't remember, I was looking for a half up/half down do with dramatic eyes.

Before:

Yikes!

After:

Makes me wish I had some one to do my hair and make-up everyday!

I paid extra for fake lashes and air brush make-up. The eyelashes were interesting. I've worn fake lashes before at a friend's wedding, but these weren't the strips of lashes, they were individual lashes. I'm not sure if there's a huge difference in results, but I was happy with them. The air brush make-up was very light and flawless. Totally loved it!

Since I had paid for the trial, I figure I might as well get my moneys worth, so I rocked it out that night. I gathered all my friends and we went to Dave and Busters for some game play and a few drinks.

Me and my two bestest and oldest friends I have, back from when I used to live in Hawaii


One of my bestest PA friends and her boyfriend (who also happens to be my co-worker), shootin' up aliens.

Me and my "baby" brother. Isn't he a cutie?!

Mr. Mek., L and my brother totally killing it on a trivia game.

My brother, Mr. Mek and I playing a racing game. Mr. Mek was cheating and I was obviously upset about it. :o)

The whole gang! Everyone put their tickets together and we got light up lollipops. Somehow Mr. Mek got the ONLY blue one. :oP

This was also one of the only nights that I had all my friends together for a night out. Plus, I got to test how long the make-up and hair would last through the night.

Anyone else got a trial, then went out?

Backtracking: The Shower!

It'll be awhile till I receive my wondrous wedding photos from Frank, so till then, I thought I could catch you guys up on what's all been going on up until the wedding, and maybe a lil' after.

Four days before we caught our plane for Hawaii, Mr. Mek's mom threw me...I mean us, a shower. It was a surprise shower and unfortunately I wasn't prepared with a camera; the few photos I have, I received from friends. I don't have photos of the 25+ guests that were able to squeeze into her home and I don't have photos of the AMAZING Filipino food that MIL Mek and all her friends spent 3 days prepping and cooking. It was a good ol' fashion shower, presents, family, friends and food.

I walked in and MIL Mek's house was jam packed with people. Apparently, we were a lil' late getting there. :o) Not my fault!

"Uhhh....hi"

I hate being the center of attention; I made Mr. Mek sit in front of everyone with me to relieve some pressure off me. hehe. It's hard work opening gifts. Mr. Mek's son, brother, uncle and grandfather were also present at the shower.


I got a Husband Voodoo doll. I can stick pins in him, which will supposedly make Mr. Mek tell me he loves me, take out the trash and kiss my arse. :o)


Uhh ohh, looks like Mr. Mek got a lil' sumthin' sumthin' from Vicki's.

"niiiiiiice"

And of course...the bow hat.

Can't forget a lil' cake. Yum!

And Mr. Mek laughing at me because I can't cut cake to save my life.
In all honesty, I really wasn't expecting a shower. At all. So I was SUPER excited and gracious that all these lovely women (and men) were there to celebrate with me. MIL Mek is adorable and I am so blessed that she (and all her friends) put this together for me. :o)

Mr. Mek's brother is getting married in May, so I'll be helping MIL Mek plan a shower next month for my new SIL. I'll make sure to have my camera ready for that one!

Hair today, gone tomorrow.

Welp, I did it. I chopped all my hair off. I've been dying to do it for some time now and now with the wedding over I nothing holding me back. I cut off about 10 inches of hair and donated it to Locks of Love.

I wasn't the only one in the family that got the choppity, chop, chop done. Lil' B is rockin' a new do too!

He's a rockstar!

We are officially Mr. & Mrs. Mek!

I feel like I've been away for a century! Well, I'm back now and have soooo much to share! We had a wonderful, laid back kind-of wedding. I really wouldn't have had it any other way. :o) It was great, the weather was wonderful, no major mishaps, no ugly cry. I have much to share with you; final preps before the wedding, our luau reception, and our rainy honeymoon. Mrs. Mek is back..with a vengeance. :o)

Here are a couple teasers from the fabulous Frank Amodo! These are enough to hold me over for now...but I'm dying to see more!

Dear Hubby...

Mr. Mek,

In only a few hours we will be legally bonded together...forever. I can't believe that after ALL our ups and downs, over the last 3 and a half years, has brought us to this path. I love it. I love you. And I'm excited to start a new chapter in my life, with you in it. I know that with everything we've been through, it's only made us and our relationship stronger; I can't imagine anything that could break us. :o) 

I honestly can't wait to get this wedding part over, so we can start the marriage part and the family part. In retrospect, it's really true what they say, the wedding is one day, the marriage is forever. And while I will definitely enjoy this one day, I can't wait for forever to start. 

Mwah!

Ms. Mek