#MattAndShae: Mr. & Mrs.

I'm baaaaaa-aaaack!!!

This time, to share pictures of the stars of the show: us! (I promise - honeymoon pictures are next!)

First off - our first look. We had a lot of pictures to take, and I'm so glad that we saw each other before the ceremony and took care of all but 5 pictures (the giant family pictures) - I don't think I had any eye makeup left by the time the ceremony was over :)

 

I love these two pictures:

And now, for more formal pictures. We like to have fun (as you could tell by our wedding party photos), and our pictures truly reflect that. 

Sometimes I think I married a model. It's impossible to take a bad picture of this guy.

My favorite, favorite, favorite picture! 

 

I surprised my Superman with his own Superman photoshoot :) Also, since we were going to Disney World, my coworkers hooked us up with Mr & Mrs Mouse Ears. Love! 

 

Secret: I was sitting in an ugly metal folding chair for these first two pictures, because my back hurt too bad to stand up. You can see it in the corner if you look close :) I am not wearing shoes in the second pictures...or any other pictures, in fact. I kicked them off as soon as we got outside because they were hurting my back Also, I wanted big hair, and Sarena nailed it! "Texas Beauty Queen" hair, we called it.

More wedding posts:

We're engaged!

We bought a house!

Bridal weekend

Wedding week!

#MattAndShae: The Details

#MattAndShae: The Printed "Stuff"

#MattAndShae: The Wedding Party

#MattAndShae: Our Families

#MattAndShae: The Ceremony

#WeddingWednesday: Engagement Pictures

Last week I told you how much I couldn't wait to see our engagement pictures...and not even 24 hours later, they were in my inbox!! Lindsey is like a fairy, for real.

If we're Facebook friends, there's a 99% chance you've already looked at all of them. Before you go any further, go watch this video that she put together of our engagement session - we were having so much fun!

Did you watch it?

Okay good.

Now I'll share a few of my favorite pictures :)

I think this is the one she asked him what his favorite thing is that I make. You guys, I make some really awesome Rice Krispy Treats. His answer? When I pick up pizza. Clearly I've got some work to do in the culinary department.

L. Lenae Photography

L. Lenae Photography

L. Lenae Photography

Don't worry - I got him back right about here when she asked me what my favorite thing is that he makes... Chic-fil-a for the win!

L. Lenae Photography

Isn't Lindsey just the greatest!? I told her I wanted to sing a song about how awesome she is. I am SO excited she's going to be photographing our wedding in May! I just know she's going to capture all the most amazing parts. Hop over to her blog to see more pictures of our engagement session (along with more of her work, of course)!!  

PS that awesome hair I'm rocking? Courtesy of Miss Magan LaNae Link. Talented cousin I have (and she didn't even pay me to write this...yet). 

#MattAndShae

All you need is love... and a Little Mermaid ring.

Hi!

Remember me? Sorry 'bout that leave of absence. I have a few drafts saved from before our ski trip & Christmas - talking about how excited I am for Christmas, the things I MUST have when skiing, counting down the days to go, etc. I really intended to blog but I just didn't have time.

We left on a Friday night after Kaden and Keely played basketball, and headed to Red River, New Mexico. We got to town as the sun came up and enjoyed breakfast at a cafe. We rearranged the girls room in the condo to fit 3 beds. We got our skis. We took a group picture. We skied until the lifts closed. We played Phase 10 and ate warm, yummy food, and went to bed.

Enjoying Red River!

Sunday we woke up and headed for the mountain. We went all the way to the top that day - it was so beautiful. Matt and Dad skied the Face while Kale and I went down an easier trail to meet them, with the expectation that Mom, Nathan and David were going on a different easy trail and we'd all meet at the bottom. When we got there, Mom and Nathan were skiing the face! Such an adventurous group we have. When we were done skiing for the day, I took a shower and put on warm, comfy clothes. We went to town for a little while but mainly stuck around the cabin, so I didn't feel so bad about wearing my hideous fur-lined neon green and pink floral and leopard pants. My hair was a mess, I was wearing a big comfy shirt, no makeup....I was basically ready for bed! We started watching a movie - all 12 of us in the living/dining area - and Matt taught me how to do a "bridge" when shuffling cards and I felt so talented. Then, he went upstairs, and I asked him to bring me a piece of rock candy that we'd bought earlier. He brought me a blue stick of candy. Yum! I ate the candy and turned into a Smurf mouth. Matt was texting away ferociously but I didn't think anything of it. The movie went to commercial and I went to the bathroom, and apparently everyone in the room was just dying - because they knew what was coming next (and was supposed to happen during that commercial break I'd skipped out on). The next break comes around and Kami said she was tired of listening to commercials, so she muted the TV. Matt stood up and started talking to my family. I don't even remember what he was saying but I do remember what I was thinking. At first, I was like "okay, whatever." Then he KEPT talking. At this point I'm thinking "What are you doing??? This is so awkward. Shut up. Sit down. Stop!" - I thought I was playing it cool and not giving him an annoyed look but apparently I have no ability to hide my emotions and I was definitely giving him a LOOK.

Then he turned to me.

And suddenly, I realized what was going on. Basically, my internal voice started yelling in all caps and said "HOLY CRAP I JUST FIGURED OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING!!!!"

He dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him. To spend our lives together. To become his wife.

We're engaged!!

My Little Mermaid engagement ring & my sparkly engagement ring Matt let me pick!
Please excuse the chunky fingers. :)

The last two weeks have been a fast-paced bundle of excitement. We set a date. We picked rings (Matt proposed with the CUTEST Little Mermaid ring - obviously that's what sealed the deal). We started premarital education with my youth pastor. We asked our bridesmaids and groomsmen. We're looking to buy a house. We've picked a honeymoon destination. We've started a guest list. We bought are returning decorations to hob lob (apparently I don't need eleventy million glitter covered mermaid branches for the front of the church, thanks Brent). I'm looking for THE dress. We're excited for the wedding, but mostly, we're excited for our marriage. I'm so very incredibly blessed.

www.MattAndShae.com

Merry Christmas!

#Snowklahoma STATE!

Ya'll, apparently we have been transported to Antarctica or something. Oklahoma has turned into a frozen tundra and is covered in ice/sleet/snow. We don't deal with this kind of weather in Oklahoma very well, so Thursday the office closed early, Friday we were off, Saturday half the state about 60,000 of us went to Stillwater, and again today church was closed. Since it still isn't above freezing and roads are a hot frozen mess, school is out for my brothers and all the surrounding schools tomorrow as well.

A lot has happened since we went bear hunting, so let's get to it.

Pre-Snowklahoma, in addition to celebrating Thanksgiving, I (1) got a lap full of Tate snuggles, (2) had a blast on a date downtown with Matt and (3) took my brother to work with me!

#MyLifeAsAuntieShae: Being Tater Bug's Human Mattress 

We dressed fancier than normal and went for a yummy dinner followed by watching some great football! #SweetLife

Kale came to work with me and volunteered! He got to meet my pal Bernie, too!

Then Oklahoma turned into a frozen tundra.

The nice thing about this is I had plenty of time to decorate for Christmas! I have two trees in my room this year - thankfully it's big enough to handle both of them! 

Dad cut a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree for me! | Our Elf on the Shelf, Chester, likes to "watch over" us...
Christmas decorations aren't complete until Santa Shae is out! | My other tree has plenty of ORANGE on it!

Since it's been so cold, I've been getting plenty of Molly snuggles, and anytime I've ventured out, I've worn Uggs and fleece lined leggings to keep toasty. At night, I've been extra thankful for my heated mattress pad (seriously, get yourself one) in these sub-freezing temperatures!

 

Saturday was Bedlam, the day that divides families and friends like nothing else. We braved the weather with layers upon layers of warmth to watch our Cowboys lose in a heartbreaker. All I have to say about this game and people's actions: no matter what team you support, don't be so mean. I saw things I was disappointed in on BOTH sides. Don't take everything so personally that is said about "your team." Don't trip the other team's players. Don't flip off the crowd when you're shown on the jumbo-tron. Also, I am proud to live in the land of the free and the home of the BRAVE where we are all able to support whatever team we like and enjoy football games in 10 degree weather. 

Matt & me
Matt, me, Kaden, Momma, Daddy and Kale

Church was cancelled due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions, and cabin fever began to set in (yes I was out yesterday, but otherwise, since Thursday at 3, I've been online shopping in my sweats). Dad talked me in to going to check cattle with him, Kale and Hunter, so I pulled on a jacket and joined them. 

Left: target practice at the farm
Top: Daddy visiting with our donkey, Bugs
Bottom: cattle across the frozen pond

And now, as I'm writing this, since my brothers and cousins are out of school tomorrow, two of my little cousins just walked in the door. Hunter and Uncle Shawn have hung out with us most of the afternoon, but they brought Julie back to hang out, too. Julie came in wearing a mustache and I said "I mustache you a question!" I got blank looks from mom, Uncle Shawn and Julie, while Hunter excitedly responded "But I'll save it for later!!" Goodness I love these two kiddos. What a great way to end a blessed couple of weeks. My heart is full and happy.

Oh! And since it's about time for Christmas cards share your bloopers on Instagram! Cassie came up with the idea of sharing those not-so-cute, awkward and unplanned moments that won't make the final card cute but are still absolutely hilarious (at least for the rest of us!). Use #ChristmasCardBloopers2013 when you share on Instagram!

PS - for overwhelming cuteness, watch this video. Thanks Kristen for sharing!! Happy Monday!

Linking up with Sami

Bear Hunting

I had a feeling it was going to be a good weekend. After getting to hang out with stop by a food drive Desmond Mason was signing autographs at last week, I was just feeling the orange power :)

My Cowboys were overcoming the Corso Curse bear hunting playing Baylor on Saturday, so we headed to Stillwater to watch in the appropriately cold temps! I had FIVE layers of shirts/jackets on, two layers of pants, ski socks, boots, gloves, a scarf, somewhat working hand warmers, two layers of head wraps and I was STILL COLD. Oklahoma turned into Antartica on Friday evening and it just kept getting colder, I think. I did have two blankets, and we sat on one...but since we started out the game on a good note and I wasn't wrapped in blanket #2, I couldn't use it. It's only weird if it doesn't work, and obviously, it worked, because my Pokes WON! Such a great game and worth every second of shivering.

College Gameday was in town so of course we had to get a picture!

We LOVE seeing you in ORANGE, Collin!! :) 

This is about the time I decided I need a warmer jacket before we go skiing!

Yesterday was a snow/ice day so my family spent it playing Phase 10 and online shopping. I'm always a little amazed when there is no blood shed over a game of Phase 10 - my family is competitive and intense. After most of the afternoon and evening, the game was settled and Kaden won. The most satisfying part? Mom lost! :)

Fall Update :)

Have I told you lately how much I just LOVE America's Greatest Homecoming? It's definitely one of my top 3 favorite holidays (along with Christmas and my birthday). Well, this weekend was the best of the year - OSU's Homecoming - and I celebrated appropriately - in Stillwater!

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That up there? Yeah, I wrote it two whole weeks ago. #whoops

I really did mean to post about Homecoming weekend...and then I meant to post about pumpkin picking...and then I meant to post a quick update... and then I meant to do all of that last week while I was home sick all week long. But, it just didn't happen. I was either too busy to sit down for a few minutes to post or too sick to hold up a computer long enough to post. But now, friends, you're getting a quick (I mean it, kinda) life update! Including Homecoming and pumpkins, because it's fall and what's fall without ORANGE?

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I LOVE when the campus is just as orange as can be! Matt said this picture of the library looked creepy. I thought it looked spirited :) | New video board in Gallagher Iba Arena - um, awesome! 

I do believe Gallagher Iba Arena was rrrrrrrrockin'!!! 

Yes, that's a "video board" on the FLOOR of GIA. The intro video was projected onto the floor, and it was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Now I want to make that happen at the AmPo Gym Grand Opening. #DreamOn | Love those two photo creepers (aka, Kale and Daddy) who joined me and Matt for our picture :) 

Gameday! It was SO cold. But SO fun. And the Pokes won! 

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Next, I meant to blog about going to the pumpkin patch. So, here's that:

This year, instead of carving pumpkins, Matt & I decided to paint them! I was so certain my pumpkin was going to turn out perfect - I mean, I carefully selected the most brilliant pumpkin in the patch and planned to turn it into a beautiful princess. Well, that failed. 

Matt searched for the perfect pumpkin and thought he got it, but really, I totally did. Mine was destined for greatness, until someone let a 24-year-old toddler grab a paintbrush and some glittery tulle. 

Santa Shae hasn't made an appearance on the blog, that I know of, but this (on the left) is Santa Shae 2.0: Scary Shae. Matt, on the other hand, perfectly executed a vampire. 

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After that, I spent a week sick in bed (from being embarrassed over how ugly that pumpkin turned out of course... #not). I got plenty of Molly Snuggles during my sickness though... isn't she the cutest? 

I also helped paint panther paws through the streets of Amber...

Watched Kale's first two 7th grade basketball games (Go #33! And yes, that shot went in!)...

And bought a new MacBook! I'm officially 100% Apple - iPhone, iPad and MacBook. Just a few years ago I would have been saying these were CRAPple products...so I'd say I've come a long way to the good side :) As I was transferring files from my Dell to my Seagate Backup Plus (have you backed up your computer lately? If not, get on it, and get yourself a Seagate product because they're awesome.), my I got the Blue Screen of Death on my Dell...so obviously it was perfect timing. 

Anyway... I'll be back sometime to update you more on life and adventures :)