Then oooooo went the wind, and out went the light

Tomorrow is the first day of October. I love October!! Leaves start to turn color, and the air simply smells of fall. (Ryan and I received a wedding gift of scents of Autumn and you can bet that candle will be lit daily! Thanks Aunt Laurie and fam!) And, perhaps most importantly, Halloween is at the end of it. I love Halloween. It might be the decorations - I own a decent sized collection myself, and I know that Ryan is just beside himself at the prospect of having even more wife-like things adorning our home - or it might be getting to dress up. Last year I was a robber with my sister and her then-boyfriend-now-husband. We totally rocked it, and I even burglared my own future husband! (That must have been how he fell in love with me.)





Or maybe... most likely... it's the memories I have involving it. My mom is a great mom, and she made sure that we grew up with family traditions that we might treasure forever. I know that dressing up like Cinderella or The Hulk and running amok in the streets looking for generous donations of candy is more of cultural tradition, but we had lots of other things to remember this holiday by.

Halloween decorations were out ASAP, and I think the most memorable piece was an orange and black ball. It was this one:

It hung on the ceiling betwixt the kitchen and living room in both of our childhood homes. It has since gone into nonexistence, but will be forever remembered.

My mom used to work at my Grandma's daycare center and learned lots of preschool rhymes and poems. As her children, we got to benefit from it! The title of this blog is part of "Five Little Pumpkins" - my favorite one. Look it up if you want, it's pretty great.

We also had this ridiculous Halloween cassette tape full of creepy noises that are appropriate for this time of year. Some parts of it seriously freaked me out, but I loved it! My dad would face the speakers of our entertainment system out the front window to add a little ambiance for the trick-or-treaters.

We always got to be whatever we wanted, and my mom would make an effort to make us look the best. For instance, one year I wanted to be a ghost and my older sister, Crystal, wanted to be a bunny. Check out our mother's great talent (note my hair; I love that she made no effort to fix it before snapping this momentous photo):

Carving pumpkins was also great fun, but died off in my family at least a decade ago.

My very favorite Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus.

I have watched this at least once every year since it came out without fail. If you have not yet had the privilege of viewing this epic film, I HIGHLY recommend it. Just be aware - it's Disney. It's corny. And it's quite fantastical.

Once Halloween is over and it's time to start putting the decorations away... out comes the Thanksgiving decor! And then Christmas! Oh, here comes the holiday season - my most favorite time of year!

So you see? Halloween is great. I cannot wait to get back from Utah on Sunday evening so that I can break out the witches, ghosts, pumpkins, and black cats!!

Engagements Are the Most Fun When It's a Surprise!

Time to backtrack just a little.

One of the best stories from Ryan's and my courtship is how it ended. I wouldn't want to deprive you of its greatness! For full effect, I will tell it from Ryan's and my point of view simultaneously. Ryan's point of view has not been embellished... Try to keep up!

Ryan: While I was in San Diego with Hilde and Gina, I had some time to window shop on my last day there. Chantal and I had looked at rings in Fort Collins a bit, so I had a pretty good idea of what she might like. I happened to go into a jewelry store, and found it. The most perfect ring for the most perfect girl. Since I had gone to a temple almost everyday in California, I didn't have to wonder anymore if Chantal was going to make me happy for the rest of my life. I inquired about the ring, heard what I wanted, and bought it. Her finger is teeny tiny so I had to have it sized, and was told that I would receive it in the mail by the following Tuesday.

The following week (I'm back home now), I ended up giving Chantal a ride to her Relief Society meeting. I took this grand opportunity to go to her parents' house and have a chat with her dad. That man loves his daughter - quite clearly - and made sure that I knew it. He decided that I would take good care of her, and gave me permission to ask her to marry me.

The next Thursday I called Chantal at work and told her to get off early. We needed to go out on a date and I had something planned!

Chantal: I got off work a couple of hours earlier than normal and headed home to get pretty. I was so excited to go out with Ryan on an official date! We had both been so busy with school until recently that it wasn't something we had done in a while. Ryan picked me up at about 5 and had a beautiful bouquet of stargazer lilies for me. The last time he had brought me flowers was for my birthday, so I knew this was something special. We got in the car and he told me, "I hope you aren't too hungry; we have a bit of a drive."

Ryan: There is an amazing Italian restaurant in Estes Park called Mama Rosa's. I had taken Chantal there for her birthday at the beginning of our relationship, and chose it for this night to "book-end" our courtship. I had called ahead to make a reservation and requested a special table.

Chantal: We got to Estes Park and I was so excited to eat at Mama Rosa's! It is so delicious. We were escorted to our table and I definitely noted the secludedness of it. It was very romantic. After we ate dinner, we ordered their chocolate cake to-go since we were both full already. We got back in the car and Ryan just started driving. We went up Trail Ridge Road. He pulled off at a trailhead and I thought, "Excuse me. I'm wearing heels and it's cold outside!"

Ryan: I'm a smart cookie. I do not overlook anything. Before we had left, I borrowed socks, hiking shoes, and a coat from my sister-in-law. I also brought my backpack with a blanket, champagne glasses, and sparkling cider. I was not messing around - this was going to be perfect.

Chantal: I could not believe how perfect this date was. I was most certainly not going to let myself think it was something it wasn't and end up being disappointed. So at this point, I still didn't think it was The Proposal. We walked up a short trail and stopped at a large rock. We laid out the blanket and watched the stars come out.

Ryan: I am a tradionalist, so I needed to be able to get Chantal standing up so that I could get down on one knee. I'm also very smooth. I took out my iPOD and put on "It Had To Be You" by Michael Buble. I asked Chantal to dance.

Chantal: Seriously, could this get any better?! We were dancing and once the song ended, Ryan began saying the most sweet things any woman has ever had the privilege to hear. So sweet, in fact, that I consider them sacred and hold them dear to my heart. Then he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Yes yes yes!!! Ryan opened the sparkling cider, and we toasted our relationship as we shared chocolate cake.

Ryan: She didn't even look at the ring.

Chantal: So you see, this was the perfect ending to our courtship and beginning of an eternity together. Even though Ryan and I had been discussing marriage for some time, this was still a total surprise to me, and there is not a single thing I would change about it.

The Honeymoon

Before we were engaged, Ryan told me once that he had always wanted to go on a cruise for his honeymoon. Since I had no arguments against that, shortly after we became engaged our 7-day Caribbean Cruise was booked! We had the opportunity to go to Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Mexico during that week. Many adventures were had! While we were there I kept a travel journal, and will now use those entries to describe to you the wonderfulness of it all! Don't worry, there are pictures to keep you entertained throughout.

Day 1: Flew into Miami airport. Oh my, the humidity! Took a taxi to the seaport.
Boarded the ship and found our cabin. No windows. Perfect! - No joke. Ryan had wanted a balcony, but I knew that my weak stomach wouldn't be able to handle looking out a window on the moving ship!
Strolled around looking for food - NOTHING IS OPEN and we're STARVING! Make a dinner reservation for ASAP.
Have an amazing dinner of prime rib for Ryan, pork for Chantal.
Went to a show. A woman twirled 25 hoola hoops. Mean comedian. We left.
Laid out under the stars. Beautiful reflection of the moon on the water.

Day 2: On the Ocean
Had breakfast brought to our room at 9:30 AM. Ate and went back to sleep until 1 PM; it was wonderful! That no window thing sure makes this room dark! (Maybe the fact that we had been working our butts off planning the wedding the last 2 months also had something to do with it...)
Put on swimming suits and went to the Windjammer (buffet) for lunch. Then went to the pool to soak up some rays.
Came back to the room, made dinner reservations. Were going to go rock climbing - fell asleep for 1 1/2 hours instead.
Woke up at 6 PM, took showers and headed to dinner. Dress was formal. Tried escargot. Not bad!
Walked around ship - tried on some perfumes. Got to feeling very tired again. Realized it was the motion sickness pills!
Went to the Honeymooner's Night at 10:15. Had strawberry daiquiris. Virgin, of course.



Day 3: Labadee, Haiti
Woke up at 9 AM. Much more reasonable! Got ready and headed to shore!
Bought some souvenirs, grabbed lunch, and changed into our swimming suits. Made our way to the ocean.
Very rocky in the water. Not fun at all. Ryan got stung by a sea urchin. Got back on the boat about 2:45. Haiti wasn't great - wished we got to travel further inland. Oh well, now we can say we've been there.
Had dinner; had a strawberry gazpacho that was to die for.
Bed!


Day 4: Ochos Rios, Jamaica
Had signed up for a sea kayak excursion and hike up Dunn's falls. Lots of Chinese people who seemed confused. Ryan and I kayaked together... the Chinese people were way slow and we kept stopping to wait for them. Many waves. Finally reached our destination after about an hour.
Held hands in a train. Hiked up the 1,000 foot waterfall. Way fun!! Rode a noisy (as in, party) little boat back to the other pier.
Walked around town, bought a few things and went back to the ship.
Had dinner with 4 other people and realize that we enjoy eating alone more. Food wasn't impressive.
Went to a Love & Marriage game show. We totally would have won.
Bed!


Day 5: Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Woke up, got ready and headed to shore!
We hadn't booked an excursion, so we decided to explore. It was not great weather - it started to pour. I was grateful for the umbrella that my mom gave to us!
We walked 2 - 3 miles and found the 7 - mile beach. Gorgeous sand and water. MUCH better than Haiti. Took a taxi back to the port and shopped.
Ryan couldn't find the plastic bag with our cash, his driver's license, and credit card. A small amount of panic ensued. Found the bag in our back pack. Heart attack avoided.
Prime rib and lobster for dinner. Yum.
Danced to some latin music and went to a show kind of like Cirque du Soleil, only weirder. There were men in mermaid outfits.
Stopped in the arcade. Totally beat Ryan in 2 racing games, but he kicked my trash at air hockey.
Watched The Bourne Ultimatum and had room service delivered. Yummy cheese plate!

Day 6: Cozumel, Mexico
Woke up and headed to shore.
Had signed up for a snorkel and beach combo ($30 off for being honeymooners - go us!). We rode a boat for about 45 minutes to our location. Took a little getting used to breathing through a long tube. Saw lots of pretty fish, a shark, and barracuda.
Snorkeled for a bit over an hour, got back on the boat, and headed to Playa Mia beach. Had a little lunch and pina coladas on the beach. The water was beautiful.
Went back to Cozumel.
Rented a scooter! Rode around town. Very fun! Went into some shops - picked up a few souvenirs. And some sunburns.
Came back to the boat and had dinner. Lasagna and creme brulee! Yum!
I have two blisters and many fun memories from today. And now I want a scooter.

Day 7: At sea
Spent the morning sleeping - got up around noon.
Played putt putt. Not sure who won, but there was some serious windage!
Slept.
I worked out on the elliptical machine for about 35 minutes. Had to fit it in somewhere! Humidity makes me sweat.
Got cleaned up, went to dinner. Seafood tempura, potato gnocchi, and steak.
Went to a variety show. Great piano player, funny comedian, weird hoola/unicycle woman.
Laid out under the stars and watched an amazing lightning storm in the distance.
Went back to the room and packed.
Tomorrow is an early rise and shine (5 AM), plane ride to Atlanta and then to Denver.
The honeymoon was great - very memorable - but Ryan and I are excited to go home.

Little tidbit: It's called a honeymoon because it is believed that the first month of marriage is the sweetest.

Unforgettable Summer

You know how after every summer friends and family ask, "What did you do this summer?" And how many years have we all said, "Oh, nothing really." I personally have quite a few times. But not this time!!! Ryan and I were sure to fill every weekend with something fun!

May 13 - 18: We went to Oregon to visit Ryan's dad and stepmom! A very fantastic vacation. We went on a 40-mile bike ride, ran up basically the most steep hill in the world, saw Japanese Gardens, and ate little man doughnuts.

May 20 - 24: Ryan's "German Grandma" came to visit. They left on the 24th for a week adventuring in California (where Ryan was thoughtful enough to pick up an engagement ring).

May 28: My younger sister, Holly, got married! And I caught the bouquet! Foreshadowing...

May 31: Rock climbing! First time for me in the outside world; it was very fun, and I wish we had time to go again.

June 5: Mountain biking attempt #1. Epic fail.

June 10: Got engaged!

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June 11-13: Ryan's grandparents were attending a small reunion in Fruita, CO, and we decided to go

June 18 - 20: My cousin, Amy, got married in Utah

July 3: Rockies game with my family

July 10: Mountain biking attempt #2. Success!

July 17: Paintballing! and then the Drive-in to see Inception (superb!)

July 24: Kayaking

July 31: Ryan's mom was in town and I had my bridal shower

August 2: Water World

August 14: Got married!!

I will never forget this summer, and not just because it included getting married. I will remember it fondly, but I know that it isn't the last adventure-filled summer for Ryan and I!

Finally Joined "The Cool Club"

Somebody once asked me, "Why don't you blog, Chantal?"

My reply: "Maybe I will once I have my own family."
So here I am, having my own family comprised of a handsome man and myself, and starting to blog! With that being said , you may think that "The Cool Club" is the one for bloggers. Not so - it is the one for married people!

With this being my first post, and since some of you may not know this oh-so magical story, I shall share how Ryan Koenig and Chantal Duggins became Ryan and Chantal Koenig. I apologize for the length. You don't have to read the whole thing; the ending is spoiled anyway.

Ryan and I were both, by Mormon standards, getting on in years and our futures were looking bleak and lonely. Because, for Pete's sake, who isn't married by 25 these days?! (That's a joke.) We may have both taken just a little longer than expected, but we ended up with a life partner who is undoubtedly the perfect match. We met in high school eons ago (11 years), and became friends from a distance. Knowing that the other existed but never actually making an effort to socialize. In fact, one of the only times I can remember hanging out just the two of us was when I was being a stubborn student and doing poorly in my Calculus class and my mom suggested that Ryan tutor me. He did... once. That's how good he is! (I am currently situated in the exact spot that took place 10 years ago!)

After high school he went away to Germany for 2 years and I moved to Grand Junction. Shortly after he got back, Crystal (my dear older sister, who had gotten married by then) invited me out on a double date with her and her husband and Ryan. I thought that would be just the most bizarre thing EVER. #1: Crystal was Ryan's ex-girlfriend and now she was married, and he was going to double with her?! #2: I had a boyfriend. #3: It was Ryan. Needless to say, Ryan canceled. I didn't hear from him again until Facebook got cool a few years later, and we were chatting and he insisted on picking me up for Family Home Evening that night. I went and had a good time, but still, it was Ryan. We didn't have much contact again for about 15 months, after which he called me one night after he knew I had a bad day and invited me to go salsa dancing with him. This wasn't a date people, I paid for myself. He also started hosting "Brunch and a Movie" at his town-home (where the original math-tutoring took place) after church each week, to which I was a regular. I do love cooking after all. I, of course, quickly became his "kitchen helper". Over the next 5 months or so we began to bond over this tradition.

At Christmastime 2009, my dad and I made an emergency trip to Alaska for 10 days when my uncle passed away. We got back on a Sunday afternoon, and despite after having just gotten off a red-eye flight, I still wanted to go to "Brunch and a Movie." When I got there, I expressed to Ryan that it felt like I had been gone for a really long time. He gave me a hug and said, "You have been gone a long time! I missed you. Chantal, you are a perfect addition to my life." (My thoughts: .......) *Pause* "But not THE perfect addition!" Thanks Ryan, that's better.

About a week later, Ryan convinced me to cancel plans that I had with somebody else to spend the day/evening with him. We did simple things: we went to lunch, ran errands, went to Alley Cat, and then watched The Phantom of the Opera. This was, I believe, our first not-real-date. Those continued almost nightly for a few weeks before it started becoming obvious that we wanted to go on a first real-life-date. I, personally, came to that realization when I found myself unable to stop thinking about Ryan. Trying to tell myself that he was "just a friend" because IT WAS RYAN, but always hoping that he would text me each day to invite me to some activity. (Which he did) It was incredibly refreshing not to have to force a relationship into existence.

We went on our first real-life-date on January 22, 2010 to East Moon. Since that day, we have been as inseparable as possible. Life was good; we were falling for each other, and it was SO obvious that there was no turning back once we started dating. We got engaged on June 10, 2010, and gave ourselves a quick 9-weeks to plan our wedding so that we could get married and go on a honeymoon before school started - I was sealed in the Denver Colorado Temple on August 14, 2010, to my very best friend, and became THE perfect addition to his life!

photo by Madison Eppley Herbas www.madmariephotography.com