Luna de Miel (Honeymoon)

Diving in Cabo Pulmo.

Jason and I honeymooned in beautiful Los Cabos, Mexico. "Los Cabos" references Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo (hence, two Cabos) and all of the beach areas in between. For those of you non-Spanish speakers, "cabo" means "Cape" in Spanish, which is fitting since Cabo is the Cape of Baja California. :) Also, continuing with our Spanish lesson, I learned that there's no perfect translation for honeymoon, so they say "luna de miel" (literally honey and moon - honey as in the sticky bee product!).

We chose Cabo because of the beautiful venue, the short flight from LA (two hours!) and the fact that we could have a tropical style honeymoon without the threat of a tropical storm! Plus, it was a great excuse for me to practice my Spanish.

Hanging out at Tabasco's beach club in Cabo San Lucas.

We stayed at the Hilton Los Cabos, located on the Coast in between the two cities. The hotel was stunning, the service was impeccable, and our room was perfect! Then, there's all of the activity that Baja has to offer. We figured out what days the Cruise Ships came into Cabo and dumped their passengers, and avoided town on those days (prices go up considerably). Rented a car, headed up to Todos Santos on the Pacific Coast - an artist community that houses the Hotel California (YES that one). We shopped, had lunch at the Hotel California, visited the local surf sites (so much empty beach as far as the eye could see) and headed back to Cabo. An awesome day!

On the beach in Todos Santos.

The following two days, we kept our rental car and drove up the coast on the Sea of Cortez to Cabo Pulmo for our PADI Scuba Diver Certifications. Cabo Pulmo is the location of Mexico's only living Reef, and is a protected area and Dive Park. Our visit to Cabo Pulmo was certainly the highlight of our trip, and we're already making plans to return to Cabo Pulmo and dive someday.

Other than our adventures, we spent an enormous amount of time relaxing, eating and just enjoying our honeymoon. It was marvelous, and we could not have asked for a better way to celebrate and begin our new marriage!

The harbor in Cabo San Lucas.

The infinity edge pool at the Hilton Los Cabos.

Wedding Wrap Up

Hi friends - it's been two weeks, but I'm back!

In the wrap up of our wedding and honeymoon, I've also celebrated by 28th birthday - and a birthday is certainly anti-climactic following two weeks on the heels of your wedding!

Our wedding was perfect (and perfect in its imperfections - as they all are!). I woke up to rain on the morning of our big day, and decided not to freak out about it - that I would believe the superstition that it's good luck to have rain on your day! The rain cleared to blue skies and heat, and by the time of our outdoor ceremony - 5pm - Marina del Rey was covered with a Marine layer (or kind of fog for those of you who do not live near the beach in LA). So my decision to abdicate stress about the weather was a good one given all of the changes.

I was a remarkably low stress bride on the day of - whatever happened would happen, and I was just blessed to be marrying Jason - I knew they couldn't start the wedding until I was ready, and everything other than the ceremony was icing on the cake, because our ceremony was what is was really about.

It got a little chilly, we started the ceremony late, my almost 2-year-old god-daughter/flower girl threw her basket and ran down the aisle, delighting all of our guests and embarassing her mother Solange. My sister/maid of honor tripped on her way down the aisle and laughed it off all the way up to the front. The groom, groomsmen, father of the bride and father of the groom all wore flourescent pink socks to match their boutennieres, and the expected number of people (7) were no-shows.

It was all okay. It was all exactly the way it should have been.

Gary performed a beautiful ceremony. My Aunt Patty (professional flutist) and cousin Elizabeth (soon to be professional harpist) provided the music for our ceremony. Stunning. Everything was so heartfelt and personal, so very us. Including the imperfections.

I married my love - and I have never been happier.

When asked, "do you feel any different?" we both say no. Jason and I are the same people we were before, our relationship is the same, but we have made a lifetime commitment to each other, we both have a new ring on our left hand, and life is more beautiful than it was before.

Right now our home looks like our suitcases and wedding gifts exploded in it. It's okay. It's perfect. I'll work on it this week. But for today - this beautiful, rainy Sunday in Redondo Beach- Jason and I ignored the mess and just relaxed, making stew a la Julia Child (oooh... delicious) and just being married. Just being us.

There will be many photo posts of our wedding and honeymoon in the next few weeks, but for now, I have these few shots for you (and they're all in reverse order) - all from my Uncle Mike's camera, and not yet from our photographer.

Love to you all!

The new Mr. and Mrs. Jason Speer!

My dad reads a passage from Scripture.

My new father-in-law, Bob, reads a passage from Scripture.

About to become Man and Wife. :)

Mom, Dad and I on the way down the aisle - I was caught mid-expression and am not sure what the look on my face is...

My beautiful bridesmaids, al in their individual dresses, waiting for me to come down the aisle. Sadly, Jen is cut out of this photo!

From L to R: Jen's shoulder, Nancy, Karenanna, Akiko, Steph, Solange, Kelli

Caitlin throws her basket and runs down the aisle, making everyone smile and laugh. Her poor Mother,

Solange, is in the back, stooping down to pick up the basket before she walks down the aisle.

The Men, Groomsmen and Pastor wait for the procession.

From L to R: Pastor Gary, Jason, Chad, Rob, Daniel, Jeff, John

Nancy

Nancy and I at my birthday celebration, October 17, 2010.

Nancy is a rare bird in photos, and this is one of the few I have of us together!

In the order that I met them, Nancy is next.

The story of how I met Nancy is very much wrapped up in the story of how I fell into teaching, choreography and ultimately directing. I'll try to give you the short version.

In the Spring of 2001, I was teaching two acting classes at the City of Torrance for a Company called Pizzazz Productions. The owner, Laura, was so happy with the work I was doing in my classes, that she was going to hire me to run drama camp for the summer. I remember sitting in this pre-camp meeting with Laura and my friend Kasey (who was going to work with me that Summer), when suddenly the door of the tiny office opens, and in bursts one of the most outrageous women I have ever met. She was wrapped in a velvet shawl (with tassels), and she was furious because Laura still hadn't found her a choreographer for the summer musical she was directing, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. Kasey opened his big mouth and said, "Erin's a choreographer!", (which I still am not sure I was at that age - I'd done some choreography and I had a big dance background - but a choreographer? not yet) and I was hired. The rest is history.

Nancy ended up taking over the company and transforming it into Starlight Productions, and I have been working with and for her for nine and a half years. Along the way, she has become one of my nearest and dearest friends. Although we sometimes make each other absolutely nuts, we come around, apologize, and treat each other with love.

Nancy has the best, most generous heart, and she really has the ability to see people and their circumstances with a clear, compassionate eye. She also has a very good sense of perspective about life's ups and downs, and she is never afraid to talk me down when I get over-stressed or out of control. Truth be told, she's also sweet talked me into a number of crazy ideas over the years, just as I have done to her!

I have learned SOOO much from Nancy over the years, and feel like I am an adopted member of the Gomez family - almost like the fourth child!

Nancy, I am so honored to have you as a friend and part of my bridal party. Thank you so much for seeing something in a little 18 year old and for supporting me 100% along the way. Thank you for all of the opportunities, for humoring my crazy ideas, and for loving me even when I'm a little bit nuts. I look forward to many more years of margaritas and late nights up talking!

Solange

Solange and I at Disney's California Adventure, about to ride Toy Story Midway Mania, July 2010!

This week, it's Solange's turn!!!

I first met Solange my freshman year, though she doesn't remember it. We had Freshman English together, and it was her first year in Public school after a lifetime in Catholic school.

We didn't become good friends until our Sophomore year. We both ended up in Advanced Dance that year, and when the Advanced team was "required" to be a part of the Spring Musical, Solange and I were two of only THREE members who remained in Advanced for the Spring Semester. That musical was "Once Upon a Mattress", and if you want to read about how that period of time changed my life, you can click here!

What's important is that Solange became my dear friend, my best friend, during that important time in my life. It was also a major time in Solange's life, because it was during that show that she met the young man she would one day marry, Nik.

The three Advanced Dance Students who stuck it out at the Music Center, about to see CHICAGO at the Ahmanson Theatre. L to R: Connie, Me, Solange. May, 1998. We look very "Clueless" here.

Throughout high school, college and beyond we maintained our friendship, and it grew just as we did. I remember all the moments, watching her struggle through the many break-ups and get-togethers with Nik, and her joy when they were both on the other side of the growing - ready to make the next step - marriage.

Solangey and I at Trinity Lake, sometime in College. I think this is August 2002 or 2003.

She has stood by my side through some really tough times, always in my corner, always telling it exactly like it is. Solange says what she thinks and lives by what she believes.

Solange is a mom now - an incredible mother to her gorgeous daughter, Caitlin Erin Rohde. My incredible god-daughter has my name as her middle name, and I am so honored and humbled by that gesture. In fact, when Nik and Solange told me what her name would be, I cried.

That's me with Solange's daughter (and my god-daughter), Caitlin Erin Rohde.

Christmas Day, 2009.

Solangey, I love you. Thank you for being a better friend to me than I am to you - for being a ferocious friend and an inspiring mother. You are hilarious, kind, honest, loyal, patient (SOOO patient) and my family. You are the BEST.

If you want to check out the goings on of the Rohde Family, check out Solange's blog, here!

Solange and I on the way to her wedding ceremony, July 2006.

Akiko

Feb 2, 1990 - Akiko's 8th Birthday! Unfortunately the photo was damaged, so I touched it up as

best as I could once I scanned it. I have so many memories at that dining room table!

From L to R: Kelli, Tomoko, Yoriko, Akiko, Me

Continuing on with my bridesmaids in the order that I met them, Akiko is next. My family moved in across the street from Akiko's house when I was six years old. We met at the bus stop on the first day of 2nd Grade, and from my recollection we didn't actually like each other initially.

That certainly didn't last long! We became fast friends - best friends - and spent nine years riding the bus and then walking to and from middle and high school together. Sleepovers, torturing our younger sisters (who also became close friends), learning the ins and outs of how to eat with chopsticks, and cooking up one wild scheme after the other... We were inseparable for nine years until her dad's job caused their whole family to move back to Japan.

I will never forget how lonely I was when Akiko left. As I moved into my Junior year of high school without her - getting my drivers license, going to dances and Proms - all the things we'd always talked about doing together, I was doing alone. It broke my little heart - and still makes me sad when I think about it today.

But... she came back! College brought Akiko back to California, and for one awesome Christmas, she was back on Ingrum Way with my family and I.

Akiko and I during that special Christmas when she stayed with us - New Years Eve 2000/2001.

Over the years, the gaps between our visits have gotten larger - mostly due to geography. When Akiko was in California, I was in Michigan. When I was back in California, she moved to New York for work.

Still though, every time I see her the years disappear, and we are the same old friends. The time and life experiences just enhance our friendship, not detract from it. Akiko is so genuine. She is accepting and loving, honest, and sooooo intelligent. Oh man! She was always super intelligent - match that with a kind and generous heart, well it's no wonder she has gone into a career where she can help students!

The biggest memory that comes to my mind right now is from 6th Grade. For her birthday, Akiko FINALLY got to have her very own bedroom - no more sharing with her two sisters! And to celebrate, I got to spend the night. Of course, that meant that Kelli got to spend the night with Yoriko and Tomoko as well. So there I was, sleeping on the floor while Akiko slept her first night in her own room. I woke up in the middle of the night with my head rolling side to side - it was the night of the Northridge Earthquake. It woke Akiko up, too. AND Kelli, Yoriko and Tomoko, all of whom ended up in Akiko's new bedroom - where she did NOT spend her first night in her own room without her sisters.

One more story - I was always so envious that Akiko could play piano. That's one skill that has escaped me no matter how many times I have tried to learn. I can read music, but I just can't PLAY. Akiko could, though. So, in one of my crazy, harebrained schemes I decided that I could cheat and learn to play a song - I just had Akiko color code the stickers that I put on the keys of my family piano. YEP. Stickers on the keys - sacrilege - but I talked her into it. I still have no idea how.

I love you, my friend. Thank you for being willing to cross the continent to be a part of this special, special day. I am SOOOOO looking forward to giving you a huge hug!

Halloween, 1994 - We both didn't have a costume so we went as crazy tourists!

Little House - But a new one!

Jason and I get our little house this weekend, and we are SO excited about it! Send us good thoughts for our packing and moving! We have lots of stairs to negotiate!

There are two things about the house that we are especially excited about. 1) it's a HOUSE - there is no one attached to any of our walls or in an apartment above us. 2) Indy gets a backyard (and so does Erin - yay for gardening!)

In addition, it's in an AMAZING neighborhood in Redondo Beach, close to everything, but quiet. And it's a two bedroom house with a big kitchen (at least for a two bedroom!), so we'll have enough space to start our lives together without being choked out by stuff or furniture.

Here are some "before" photos that my sister and I went to take yesterday. I'll update with "after" photos when it's all organized and done!

View from the front - it doesn't have the same character and age as the 100 year old front house, but it's clean, well-maintained and has a very nice owner. :) (and a big lavender bush - which I love).

Kitchen - yes, the countertops are two different colors, but there are TONS of cabinets, room to put in an island of some sort, and I'm thinking Anthropologie-esque colored glass knobs on the cabinets. :)

Breakfast nook looking into the living room.

Living Room - it's big, which is amazing - with a built in for the TV and all of the things that go with it.

Bedroom - pretty standard, but the closet is HUGE!

Bathroom - I have an amazing shower curtain ready to go (yes... shower curtains can be amazing).

The side yard - my herb pots, bbq and a patio table - maybe some roses along the wall.

The yard around back - small, but with so much potential, and I'm going to plant some creeping plants to crawl up and hide the back wall!