College World Series

June 14th, 2008-

The College World Series in Omaha has become somewhat of a tradition for Chad and I, and this weekend was OPENING weekend. So Saturday morning, we met Dan and Nancy Skudlarek, Ryan and Nicole Gillis and some other friends at Rosenblat Stadium for some tailgating fun. A good friend of my family loaned us his canopy so we brought that along and got some nice shade in from the summer sun. We met the people across the parking lot from us and they happened to LOVE games. They had Frisbee, washers, etc. I think we all took a turn playing with them.

Early on in the day (only 2 beers in) I had to use the restroom. Some older gentleman were VERY intoxicated and talking to me in line. I quickly took my turn in the porta-potty and instead of stepping down, I stepped out catching my heal on the curb. I rolled my ankle and tore up my feet pretty bad. I was embarrassed more than anything so I hopped up and walked back to our car to wash off. Nothing a few more beers couldn't make feel better!

Around 6pm, we headed back to the Skudlarek's house to freshen up and grab a salad that Nancy made for the Aerotek party we were going to. We headed over there for a beer and food and decided to go back to their house for some American Idol! Nancy's brother came over with 40's for all, and to participate in the festivities.

A big round of applause goes out to Mr. Dan Skudlarek for is 100,000 score on his rendition of Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On'.

Brought a tear to my eye...

The Honeymoon

July 4th, 2008 - July 11th, 2008

Chad and I spent 8 glorious days at Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands. Peter Island is the 5th largest island in the B.V.I. yet the resort is the ONLY thing on the island. For us to get to Peter Island, we flew from KC to Dallas, Dallas to San Juan, San Juan to Tortola, taxied to a ferry, and took the ferry 25 minutes to Peter Island. It was ALL worth it.

The best way to describe Peter Island is PARADISE. You could do anything you wanted or do as little as you want. You never had to lift a finger if you didn't want to. All our food was included and delicious. We had everything from lobster tail, grouper, calamari, snapper and scallops to burgers, steak and sandwiches. We spent most of our time relaxing on one of the three beaches on the island, still finding time in between to snorkel, hike, watch the sunset and ride the Hobbe Cat.Since alcohol was not included in our package, we took the ferry over to Tortola (meaning 'Turtle Dove') one of the days to go to a local grocery store and buy beer. The taxi took us in to Roadtown (capital of Tortola) and we found a Rite Way and bought some Presidente and Heineken. We thought it would be a quick walk back to the ferry but it turned out to be a little longer, especia lly in the HOT Caribbean sun hauling a cooler full of beer. It took us the better part of 30 minutes only to realize we had another hour to wait for the ferry!

After we had been on Peter Island for a couple days, we decided to utilize our couples 90 minute massages. So that morning we had breakfast catered to our room before calling a driver to take us to the spa. We had some time before our treatment so we sweated everything out in the sauna. This was Chad's first massage and he

loved it. We were both so relaxed. Afterwards, you are invited to enjoy the Spa's private amenities (pool, beach, sauna, etc...) We took a stroll along the beach before hoping in the pool. We stayed for about an hour then headed back down to reality for lunch.


On our last day at Peter Island (Thursday) we had a day trip on a Catamaran to Cooper Island and Virgin Gorda to snorkel. We snorkeled at Cooper Island for about 45 minutes learning about all the other islands on the way there. We had lunch on the Catamaran as we sailed over to Virgin Gorda (named this because Christopher Columbus believed the island looked like a pregnant woman on her back, and it was part of the Virgin Islands). We snorkeled around and through the Baths at Virgin Gorda in the afternoon. The Baths is where merchants would take the slaves to wash them before taking them over to Spanishtown for sale. In the evening, after returning to Peter Island, we had a wine paring dinner with 7 other couples. The wine they chose went lovely with the dinner the chef had prepared.

Overall, Peter Island was an amazing experience and anyone would be only too lucky to visit there. We'd go back in a heartbeat. But most of all, we spent a week together with no interruptions from the outside world, relaxing and just being in love...
(Below is a link to the rest of the honeymoon photos on Chad's Facebook)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1603&l=76d9d&id=1372537094

Bachelorette Party

Saturday, March 15th, 2008-

My bachelorette party was hosted at my house by my two maids-of-honor Jill Mally and Sarah Kiernan (with help from Amanda Schnabel and Sarah Estlund). The theme of the evening was Mexican since Chad and I got engaged in Mexico. There were 10-15 girls that came to celebrate the last few days of single life.

As guests arrived, they were asked to decorate a margarita glass and a winner would be chosen. For dinner we had enchiladas, 7 layer dip and chips and salsa. After dinner I opened a couple presents and we played a couple games (How well do you know Chad and Guess the panties).

Then, there was a knock at the door. It was a police officer but luckily he was not there to take us to jail :-) After he left, we hung out at the house and played games until the wee-hours of the morning. It was a great time....

Our Wedding

May 31st, 2008
Chad and I celebrated our love in front of hundreds of our closest friends and family. Our wedding took place in Omaha, NE where we were both were born and where I grew up. Our ceremony was held at St. Michael Lutheran Church and was lead by Pastor Al Duminy. After the ceremony, guests were invited to a 30 minute cocktail period, followed by dinner and dancing at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom. The fun didn't end until 1:00am!

The Attire:
My dress was a white taffeta ball gown with pick-ups on the skirt and intricate beading on the bodice and a sweetheart neckline. I carried a beautiful white and champagne colored cascading bouquet and wore a single-tier fingertip length veil with rhinestones, and a tiara.

Chad wore a sophisticated 3 button suit in black, with a white shirt, tie and vest. The vest design was paisley while the tie was plain. His boutonnière was a simple white calla lily. Very hansom.

The bridal attendants wore floor length Alfred Angelo gowns in mocha. They were strapless with an overlay rouching around the mid-section and a slight sweetheart neckline. They wore delicate strands of mocha and champagne pearl necklaces and earrings which they were given as gifts at the rehearsal dinner. Their bouquets were various gathered flowers in shades of red, pink and orange, emphasizing the calla lily. Attendants were Jill Mally, Sarah Kiernan, Amanda Schnabel, Sarah Estlund and Liz Carr.

The grooms attendants wore the same tuxes as Chad with white shirts. Their vests were mocha with black paisley design and a mocha tie. The boutonnières were bright calla lily's. Grooms attendants were Steve Bixler, Dan Skudlarek, Jeff Walstrom, Todd Rasmussen and Josh Mell.

The ushers were Justin Winter, Bob Welch and Michael Carr. Other wedding helpers included Patti Kahre (bride's personal attendant), Ashley Ahlin (candle lighter), Grant Renkin (ring bearer), Mike & Penny Ranallo (host couple), Michaela Ranallo (guest book), Jamie Ranallo (greater) and Kimberly Wilson (programs).

During the ceremony Chad and I recited traditional vows, as well as exchanging custom vows we wrote for each other. Nick Gooch was the soloist and sang the Big & Rich song "Lost in this Moment" while we lit the unity candles and hugged our parents and grandparents.

After the ceremony, Chad and I along with the 10 members of the bridal party, the 3 ushers and Ashley hopped in 2 limos and cruised Omaha for 2 hours before making it to the reception. At the reception guests enjoyed Pecan Crusted Chicken, Prime Rib, salad and rolls, veggies and potatoes. And for desert, an assortment of cupcakes and chocolate strawberries (Chad's groom's cake was Superman).

Chad and I danced to Red Hot Chili Peppers "Hard to Concentrate", the father-daughter dance was "I loved her first" by Heartland, and the mother-son dance was "I hope you dance" by LeAnne Womak. After these dances, the dance floor was packed until they had to drag the last few off at closing time.

It was the MOST amazing time!

To view and order the professional photos, go to http://collages.net
Click in the 'Guest' section and the user name is: Jessi & Chad Bixler Wedding
Password is: 14812

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1604&l=b09b3&id=1372537094
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=565&l=74c79&id=1372537094
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=567&l=e6cd9&id=1372537094
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=569&l=829e3&id=1372537094

The Proposal

August 26th, 2007
Chad and I left for Mexico on August 25th, 2007. On August 26th, we had just finished a beautiful dinner and decided to take a walk around the pool and ocean. We sat on some patio furniture looking at the stars and enjoying our surroundings. Chad told me he had a question to ask me and I thought nothing of it since he was laying right next to me. He had to say "Will you marry me" three times before the words "yes" could escape my mouth. I was stunned to say the least. He then presented me with a lovely plastic ring and told me we would go pick the ring of my dreams together. The next day, after trying on a number of rings, we found "the one". Chad didn't want me to wear it back to the hotel so I wasn't sure when I would get to wear it. Once we were back at the hotel, he said "Jessi", and when I turned around he had the ring box open and he said "Will you still marry me". This time I said "yes" right away and he got on one knee and slipped it on my finger. It was perfect!

About Us...

Jessi:
Well, I am an overly obsessive drama queen. I love telling stories and if they didn't happen to be that interesting when they happened, I'll just add my own flair. I wake up every morning and smile (maybe not every morning) when I think of what a lucky woman I am. I thought I would be the girl at all of my friend's weddings alone because I was too picky and no one would put up with me. Now I have someone who means more to me than words could explain. I'm greatful to have found my best friend, soul mate, "good cop" and "mario".

Chad:
Chad is the sweetest, most generous person you will ever meet. He always puts others before himself and has never been in a bad mood as long as I've known him. He puts up with me when I am moody, unreasonable, short and sometimes down right mean, when I thought that no one else could. He is the biggest kid you will ever meet as everyone well knows. His love for games and activities assures me that we will have a very exciting life together!

How we met:
Chad and I met on eHarmony. My friend Sarah convinced me to give it a try since we both were always complaining how hard it was to find a decent man in Kansas City. I was very hesitant at first, but I thought I would at least do the free trial. Chad was the only person that I communicated with outside of eHarmony and I didn't have to continue with the program.