Ah, the Randomness of Fall

We decided to do a post about the variety of things that have been going on in our lives so far this fall. So, this will be a picture diary of all things fall-ish (at least, all those we have pictures of). Enjoy.

First up- a trip to see Whitney (a former student of Ben's) march with the fabulous Grand Valley State University Laker Marching Band!!!

The GVSU v. Ferris game-GVSU is victorious, and as always, the Marching Band rocks!!

We took a trip down to Indiana to see the Purdue v. MSU game- as is a Ben and Joe tradition. This is Ben and I with the Boilermaker Special mascot train. Was a really fun trip- saw the campus where Ben spent 4 years, saw the marching band he was a part of (wow!) and had a great time hanging out with everyone. Fun weekend getaway.

Then we tortured the dog... not intentionally, mind you- but we did. We had the poor guy neutered. Then he kept licking the stitches, so the vet had to put a cone on his head, and we had to make him wear it whenever we weren't watching- for a whole week. Poor guy was so dejected. (He's much happier now.)

Our 20/30 Group at church did a leaf raking service project to help out some older individuals at the church. Tons of fun! Here are a few of us (Andrew, Brett, Me and Ben), all decked out for the work day.

My Grandpa Carl, Ben, Justin, cousin Carlos and I all went bowling the day after Thanksgiving at the li'l Lakeview bowling alley. Lots of fun!! =)

So, that's the latest scoop in this Herrick household. We have plans to be w/all the Herrick's in Florida for Christmas, so there should be some festive pictures as a result of that, too. And who knows what will happen before then!

"P" is for Puppy... and that's good enough for me

So, we had been talking about getting a puppy for awhile. I finally brought it up again one day, and Ben said he'd been planning to get me one for Christmas, but it might be more fun to do together, so if I wanted, we'd start looking. I wanted. =) So, we did a ton of internet research about breeds and their temperment, exercise and grooming needs, kid-friendliness, etc. We found several breeds that would be a good fit for us (all small dogs) and then started looking. We searched the humane society websites in the area, but all the dogs were either a) "not good for first time dog owners" or b) "best with children over 8 years of age". So that was out. So we went to a pet store in Jenison to "look". We saw there the cutest little pug tzu (pug and shi tzu mix) ever!! He was sitting in his cage, just quietly watching us, wagging his little curled tail. I was in love. Ben wasn't sure yet... so I warned him. "If you let me put one hand on that puppy, I am going to take it home. Don't let them take it out for us unless you are sure." So... we stood there. Ben contemplating, me silently pleading for him to say, "let's do it"... and he finally did. And we DID take him home. By the time we'd pulled into the driveway at home, we'd decided on a name- Crescendo- in honor of our mutual love of all things musical. Ben was so busy freaking out about the whole thing that he didn't sleep that first night, but already, just 3 months later, we can't imagine what it would be like without him. He's a great dog- quick learner, smart, affectionate, and loves people- especially kids. I'll attach some pictures here...

This is Crescendo the day we brought him home- his first experience running around in the yard. He was an absolute hoot!!

Who doesn't love a sleeping puppy picture!? So cute- this is Crescendo at about 4 months old.

Crescendo learning to "sit" and "stay". He does it like a champ now!!

Crescendo on Thanksgiving day... now almost 7 months old. He's almost 14 pounds, which is only 1 pound shy of his "full grown" weight potential.

H-A- double L- O- W- double E- N, spells Halloween

For whatever reason, though I learned that song when we lived in Mt. Pleasant and I was in the third grade... I have always remembered it and it gets SO stuck in my head every Halloween. I notice to this day that when I attempt to spell that word, the song goes running in my head... tune and all. Too funny the things that stick w/you from childhood...

Anyway- our Halloween festivities have concluded, and so I shall post- what else- more pictures! Hurray! We attended a Halloween party at Bob and Helen's (friends of ours) this past Saturday and then passed out candy from our house tonight with Jennifer and Justin. We didn't have the most superb turn out, but the weather wasn't really conducive to extended trick-or-treating. I think many families simply covered their blocks and headed in out of the wind and rain. I'd guess we had only 20-25 kids. Oh well... maybe next year. The kids that did come were, of course, adorable. Ben was thrilled to see a 4 year old Storm Trooper among them... and my favorite was the most clever monkey costume I've ever seen. So cute.

We did all have a great time hanging out together. Jen and Justin brought pumpkins that they carved and we feasted on pizza, donuts, and cider. (Strikes me as particularly funny after just having read Sally's blog about making vermecelli w/shrimp.)

Okay- on with the pictures!

Ben and I (AKA: Darth and Pippi) in front of our house just before the kiddos begin to arrive.

That's my sister for ya- can't just carve a silly face in the pumpkin like the rest of the world- No! She's got to be "artistic". =) Who am I kidding? I'm so jealous. How does she DO that???

Jen and Justin, looking Halloween-ish.

Not often are Justin's Asian roots obvious, but he sure played them up for Halloween. Too funny.

Hope the rest of you out there had a great evening as well! Until next time....

Hawaii 5-O

Okay- so no cops were involved in our honeymoon, but it was fun anyway. We spent a fabulous week in Maui for our honeymoon. Flew out the day after the wedding and enjoyed a very relaxing week on the island. We had a rental car, so did a few activities off the resort, but all relatively close by. Did lots of reading on the lanai, relaxing on the beach, swimming in the ocean and pool... it was absolutely perfect. Here are some pictures! =)

A picture of part of the Sheraton Maui resort where we stayed. Our room was in the building on the right, bottom floor, two in from the left. They upgraded us free since we were honeymooning- so we got a gorgeous full-ocean-view suite.

Another view at the resort- everything was gorgeous. Jutting out into the water is Black Rock, where there is a nightly cliff-diving ceremony. Very culturally significant and very cool!

One of our nice dinners out. A place called Leilani's near our resort in Ka'anapali. Really good!

We did a sunset sail on a catamaran... amazing! An hour away from the sun, then an hour and a half back toward the sunset. Great food, GORGEOUS view. (Thanks, Christy!!)

We went horseback riding (obviously) in the West Maui Mountains for a few hours. Absolutely beautiful- ocean, mountains, pineapples everywhere. The guide even picked a guava for us all to try fresh. Yum! (Thanks Uncle Dan & Aunt Linda!!!)

Ben's pride and joy- the picture he took of an octopus at the Maui Ocean Center, an aquarium about half an hour away from the resort. It was really cool.

Another nice night out. This time at Longhi's in Lahaina- about five minutes from the resort. We went here based on a recommendation from my Uncle Brian. It was absolutely wonderful!!!

We, of course, had to attend a luau. We went to the Old Lahaina Luau, which has been featured in National Geographic and the Travel Channel. It was superb... and lots of fun!

Wedding Pictures

So, here I am once again. I attempted to send a mass email to invite people to view this blog the day that I created it. However, my computer froze (perhaps due to me overloading the email "to" list... who knows) and I did not have even a semblance of patience left to make another attempt. Forgive me.

I will attach several pictures from our wedding here, so that those of you (Amber) who have been pestering may view them. The rest of you can, too.

This is me, headed up the aisle, on the arm of my Grandpa Carl.

We dismissed everyone- and the photographer got this great shot of my little cousin, Megan. Isn't she adorable!!

Us leaving the church amid clouds of bubbles. So fun!

Candid shot the photographer managed to get- us walking from the car into the reception.

Yes, I am this in love- a surprise my sister and I planned for my Star Wars-obsessed husband. We entered the reception to the theme music from Star Wars under a tunnel of light sabers!

Our first dance as husband and wife- to Selah's "Bless the Broken Road".

Since neither of us are huge cake fans, and my obsession is ice cream- we had an ice cream sundae bar instead of cake... yum!!

I find that this requires no explanation.

Us with our bridesmaids (my Maid of Honor and sister, Jennifer; Christy; Erin) and groomsmen (Best Man and Ben's twin brother, Joe; Ben's brother Rich; Bob).

That concludes the wedding tour. Tune in next time for the Maui honeymoon tour!

God bless, Heather Jane

Day One as a "Blogger"

So... we decided to create our own blog. Why? Mostly because some certain family members have been pestering for a posting of wedding pictures online, and this seems the simplest way to make that happen. Also, though my office door contains a sign that says "Feisty and Non-Compliant", that's not entirely accurate. Many friends and family members of ours use this medium to stay in touch and share the latest happenings in their lives... and it holds a certain appeal! And so we shall "comply".

I guess the best place to start with this, in consideration of the fact that some I will send this to are unaware of the current status of our lives, is with a moment about us:

Ben and I met at the Wyoming church which we both attend. We are both very involved in music ministry there, which provided a great place for us to get to know each other. Ben proposed to me on October 17 of last year... by singing Selah's "Bless the Broken Road" and getting down on one knee. It was amazing. We were married on June 15, 2007. It was truly the best day of my life (and hopefully Ben would agree). A beautiful ceremony, surrounded by our family and friends, and as happy as I can ever remembering being. And being a part of the Herrick family is wonderful... I now have Tom and Kathy (AKA Dad and Mom), an older brother and sister-in-law (Rich and Kelley) with two daughters- making me an aunt!!! The girls are Emerson (3) and Camryn (5 months). Ben is also a twin, so I have another brother and sister-in-law: Joe and Stacey (who, in twin style, were married EXACTLY three weeks after us). We are so very blessed.

I now work for Hope Network West Michigan as an occupational therapist and the "Senior Manager of Community Options". I work every day to help individuals with developmental disabilities gain greater access to the community and world around them. Ben has the very noble profession of high school math teacher (geometry, precalculus, and AP calculus) in a rural district south of Grand Rapids- very similar to my hometown school. He is very passionate about his work and is an amazing teacher- shaping future leaders daily! No small task. =)

So, that's where we are now... and in the future I hope that these posts will contain updates... and I'd expect to see lots of pictures! =)

God bless you all,
Heather Jane Herrick