We're back!

Hello everyone! Can you believe it is over? All of those months of planning, and the big day has come and gone. It felt like it happened in the blink of an eye.
I just want to thank each and every one of you that could make it to help us celebrate! We also wanted to thank those of you who couldn't make it in, you were still on our minds and your presence was greatly missed!
With the whole night feeling like a total blur, I just wanted to thank everyone who took pictures along side the photographer. We had a chance to see them the other day, and couldn't love them more. What a fantastic gesture from Taby, who is already circulating her Picasa album, and also to Adam's dad for making a beautiful keepsake for Adam and I to have with us forever. We love looking at our wedding from your eyes, and get a chance to see it in a different light.
As soon as we get the pictures from the photographer, we'll let everyone know!

As you all know we left the next day for a small get away to the hills. No, not L.A.! Hocking Hills! No swimming pools, no movie stars. (sorry, just made sense in my head!) It was just what the doctor ordered. Peace and quiet, partially due to no cell phone reception. Although Adam loves to hike and rock climb, this was a different type of time for him. Even though there were a few opportunities to explore, we actually stayed close to the inn, and did some driving and sight seeing. We stopped when and where we wanted to, and moved on when we were ready. Originally Adam had planned to go swimming while we were there, so I booked a half-spa day for myself. Instead, while I was getting a massage, facial, and ionic foot cleanse, Adam took a nap in a hammock behind the spa and the inn. There was no tv in the cottage, and to be honest, we really didn't miss it. We watched movies at night on his portable Play Station, and that was good enough for us.
The cottage we stayed at is at a place called The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls. This place is wonderful! It is charming and quaint, and we really couldn't have asked for better accommodations. You check in by the gift shop (yay!) and the restaurant is right next door. The inn itself is in a building directly behind the office, and they also offer cottage and cabin rentals. We opted for a cottage for two reasons. First, we really didn't need that much space, and second, we thought there was a chance the Beagle would be coming with us and the cottage we stayed in was pet friendly. The name of the cottage is Yarrow, and it suited us just fine. We had a nice large back porch that looked out to the forest behind us. It was pretty much trees as far as you could see. We spent some time on the back porch in between activities, and once Adam pulled out his guitar and played a few songs. The only other sounds you could hear were the birds chirping over head, and every once in a while you could hear tires going up and down the winding gravel road in front of the cottage. We had a wonderful dinner at the inn's restaurant. The chef there is known throughout most of Central Ohio, and the restaurant is a favorite among locals and travelers alike. They use fresh local produce, and you can really tell when you take the first bite into your dish. Adam had breakfast there every morning, and we had dinner there on the second night into our stay.
We went "mining" or "sluicing", depending on which term you're more familiar with, on the day before we left. Basically, we went to a campground that sold piles of pre-packed dirt in three sizes: small bag, large bag, or bucket. We opted for the bucket, and are so glad we did! They jam-packed it full of different goodies. Adam hit pay dirt when he found a nice-sized piece of rough amethyst, two arrowheads, and some other large sized stones and crystals. They even throw in two tiny little plastic bags with pre-cut "gems" that you can have faceted into a setting for a necklace. We had a pink one, and a pale purple one in our lot. We made the pink one into a necklace for me, and so far Adam's Aunt Bev complimented me on it when we got back home.
We had a great time while we were away, and were both a little sorry to leave. We're already trying to figure out a way to get back there soon! The people at the inn, and in Hocking Hills in general, made us feel so welcome during our stay. We can't wait to go back and visit everyone there again! Yarrow cottage: we'll be back!

As nice as the trip was, there really isn't anything like falling asleep in your own house and your own bed. We walked through the door, and found the four fuzzballs waiting there for us, and knew it was good to be home. We unpacked and reminisced at the same time, and still had traces of regret that we didn't stay at least one more night. We did get a lot accomplished once we settled in for the day. I got our thank-you cards written, and did quite a few loads of laundry, while Adam got a chance to hang up our beautiful wind chime outside, and then snuggle in with the Beagle to watch some tv. The next day he had to go to work, and then we were invited to Bubi's for Friday night dinner. His aunts and uncle were there, along with his sister, and his nieces and nephew. It was the perfect ending to our weekend, having begun it with family and then ending it with family. Dinner was perfect, and the dvd's we watched of the wedding and Adam's cousin's Bar Mitzvah were a nice way to reflect and laugh, and really spend time with those we cherish.

We really couldn't have asked for a better time. This whole experience, along side the love and support of our families and friends, made this whole experience so memorable. Thank you all so much, for caring enough about us to be such an integral part of our wedding. What a week it has been!

We love you all, and are so grateful you all are in our lives.
Thank you everyone, thank you!