Honeymoon in Paradise

It would be hard to imagine a more romantic setting than Playa Mujeres, Mexico...situated on an untouched peninsula between the Caribbean and a wetlands preserve.

As honeymooner's, we created many unforgettable memories that we'll cherish forever. 

We took over 150 pictures...here are just a few of our favorites...

We were welcomed with champagne and a tour of the resort and pleasantly greeted with this sweet honeymoon sign on our door. 

First evening dinner at Spice... an Asian restaurant

Ben enjoying the ocean before Hurricane Ernesto...

It only lasted for two days and brought some rain and wind...much needed relaxation was enjoyed by us during the storm.

Caught in a rainstorm...

Poolside with some fruity drinks...yum!

Taco party on the beach

Waiting in the theater for the unbelievable Circus Acrobatic Show...

Cooking class on the beach

Dinner at a Tappas Restaurant..

On our last day,  we decided to take an excursion and so it WAS!!!

We went to Isla Mujeres to swim in the middle of the ocean with whale sharks. This was the most amazing opportunity to experience Whale Sharks in their natural habitat!  During the summer months, hundreds of whale sharks gather just north of Isla Mujeres in a seven mile radius to take advantage of the plankton rich waters created by the joining of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Unfortunately,  for us, on our way out to swim,  our 12 person boat broke down in the middle of the ocean. I was super freaked  but after some clanking on the engine and lots of Spanish dialogue (that of course we didn't understand), we were rescued by another boat and only delayed by an hour!  It was well worth it...The sharks were breathtaking!!!!

 Another storm was brewing..the reason for the choppy waters... Our poor tour guide was worn out after yellin'  "swim lady swim" over and over....lol...I was fighting with one of my flippers!

What an awesome experience to be within touching distance to the largest fish in the ocean!!

View from our Swim Up Suite...

Our private, relaxing patio...

Saying good bye to our paradise...until we meet again (next year hopefully)...

Playa Mujeres we LOVE you!

 

Arriving home at the Tulsa Int'l Airport with a welcome sign being held by my mom and Paul....

 

..."MARRY ME...say you will"...

Let me start at the beginning....September 3, 2011...a day I'll never forget... 

Our ENGAGEMENT...

..."when a blue eyed boy meets a brown eyed girl...
oh, oh, oh the sweetest thing"...

Ben planned the proposal for the first OU game of the season since we met attending college there.  He recruited his brother Sam and girlfriend Daisi to distract me by asking us to go to the concession.  Ben declined the offer because he planned to tell  everyone around us that he was going to propose and to please clap. Once I got back to my seat 20 minutes later he said, "I have something really important to ask you".  He then got down on his knee in the bleachers and at that exact moment OU got an interception. It turns out that the interception was an unplanned opportunity to spend our special moment in private with 80,000 people cheering and standing in the background!...  and that was a big BOOMER SOONER!!

August 4, 2012



...the most special day of my life...

Mr. & Mrs. Ben Owens entering the reception @ the Tulsa Country Club!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
 plans to give you hope and a future".  Jeramiah 29:11 (NIV)

...my bridal portrait taken at the Tulsa Garden Club...

...leaving the Tulsa Country Club for a short drive to the historic Mayo Hotel...

REHEARSAL dinner @ the historic Mayo Hotel, hosted by Ben's dad & Michelle...Aug. 3, 2012

...wine & cheese "meet and greet" before dinner...

My mom and sister...

Mamo with her 6 granddaughters...having fun...

...Ben and I with some of his siblings and neices, aunt & uncle...

Sam & Lindsay giving a toast....Lindsay being funny and in the end bringing everyone to tears...

...Paul and my mom....BRENDA!

..us girls doing the "wobble"...

..My sweet soloist and mother of my cute flower girl with her oh so awesome husband that helped step in to video the wedding.....thank you, Ali and Eric for sharing your time and family!!!

...Ben's dad and Michelle...

..fun w/ my mom @ the Mayo Rooftop Penthouse...

Wedding Rehearsal @ Sharp Chapel on the University of Tulsa campus...



BRIDAL Luncheon...@ Bar M Ranch, Bristow, OK....Aug. 3, 2012..

My sweet, sweet Aunt Patti who also was my 1st grade teacher hosted my bridal luncheon as she did for my sister.

Aunt Patti & Presley

I am just so thankful for my family and friends....they put "joy" in my heart!  xoxo, Ali

Countdown..13 DAYS!!!!

September 3, 2011 will be a day I never forget......Now, it's hard to believe we are THIRTEEN days away from our big, exciting celebration.  More than likely this will be my last post until after the honeymoon and after I get acclimated to my new job as a Reac3h Coach with the OSDE.

I had a Tulsa  Bridal Shower yesterday hosted by Jessica's friends.  Jessica is Ben's mom (also known as:  Granny)....

It was a brunch and everything was delicioiusly  perfect!  However, I was not the only guest of honor.  We had a special guest that entertained us!......Judy Ham!

For most people, the word "pig" brings images of a farm with a huge pig rolling around in mud or snorting in a pig trough.  But for some folks, like my future sister-in-law, they have a teacup piglet that enjoys eating leftovers from a bridal shower....LOL!  This is the newest addition to the many pets they have in their family.

One of my bridesmaids, Julie, was in "hog heaven".  Most of you don't know, but Jules loves pigs!!!

...with my mom...

.. Mrs. Harper...she doesn't look a day older than when I had her as a 5th grade teacher @ Metro...

 

...Rachelle...pregnant with twins...and so beautiful!

This sweet thing is one of two girls I babysat for as a teenager...time flies!

Allison Clark...the next bride in the family marrying my cousin on the 18th of Aug....

It was a day shared with  Love & Joy....I am thankful....Ali

I am also thankful that Ben's bachelor party was a huge success....They spent the day and night at the Hard Rock Casino.  They had planned the day for golf but because of the heat decided to leisurely spend their day at the pool, then  dinner @ McGill's and the rest of the evening gambling!  I'm very jealous of his fan picture....as most of you saw me on Brookside with the well known "Biker Fox"...lol....Ben just happened to be at the right place at the right time....

 ...Poolside pic with AD...aka:  Adrian Peterson!

Again, L & J....ali