The Wedding

Andrew & I tied the knot. After about 10 months of planning, well about 10 months of me planning & Andrew smiling and saying "whatever my baby wants" & wishing the two of us had been married in Vegas already, the day was here. The day we'd make promises we intend to keep for the rest of our lives to the person we love most in this world. About 90 family and close friends joined us to celebrate our day. The weather was beautiful, a sunny 80 degrees. I was excited, Andrew a little nervous and wondering if it was too late for that trip to Vegas. 


The festivities started a week before with my third and final bachelorette party (Andrew thinks three bachelorette parties is a bit excessive, but I can't help it if my friends are spread all over the place and they want to celebrate my last days as a "single" lady) and Andrew's bachelor party. Our families and friends started trickling into town on Wednesday. Thursday Andrew went shooting with the boys while the girls arranged the flowers for the wedding. Thursday there was a cocktail hour sponsored my my mom and her husband, which was followed by a rehearsal & dinner. Friday was the big day. Saturday there was brunch at my mother-in-laws. It was a fun filled few days.

*Photos by Ventola Photography (she's awesome!)

Chinese Engagement Photos- The Photos

We received the photos from our Chinese engagement session. We were happy with them. Along with a DVD with all the photos we received two large albums, a 36 inch framed photo and two framed 5x7. 

2011 U.S. Tour

Prior to our October 7 wedding, I was in the U.S. for five weeks. It was great to be back in the U.S. for a few weeks. I enjoyed the comforts of home, e.g. Chipotle, seeing good friends and family and was able to accomplish all the tasks for the wedding I couldn't complete in China. 


First stop was Denver, CO, where our good friends Adam and Chrissie became husband and wife. It was a beautiful wedding and I was fortunate to spend a few days with the beautiful bride before the big day.

From Denver, I few to Minnesota where I spent two weeks with my family. It was so great to be home. I forgot how beautiful Minnesota was. I was able to meet my new nephew for the first time. I may be bias, but I think I have the cutest neices & nephews. 

Hopefully they'll always like each other this much.

While in Minnesota, my sister and aunts threw two bridal showers and my bridesmaid Hannah hosted a bachelorette party.  Fun was had by all. I also was fortunate to spend a few days with Hannah and her two beautiful little girls. Hannah is a stay-at-home mom. I think it's the toughest job there is. I had a great time visiting her and her family. After Minnesota I was off to Arizona for the wedding.

What bridal shower wouldn't be complete with out zip lining in Viking color zubaz?

Bingyu Valley

You may be thinking that the Tanya & Andrew China Adventure blog ended, but you would be wrong. We're just slackers. However, in our defense, Andrew has been extremely busy at work and I was in the U.S. for six weeks to prepare for our October 7 nuptials. The good news is, we're now both back in China & I have some time to update the blog. Stay tuned...

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At the end of August I took a day trip to Bingyu Valley, which is about a two hour drive from Dalian with our good friends Leon & Kevin, their dog Jilly and Kevin's mom who was visiting from Scotland. Binguy Valley is a national park, complete with a roller coaster, zip line and shooting range (what national park isn't complete without these items?) We really enjoyed our trip to the unspoiled China countryside.

Flying saucer or flying bullets, either way.

No need to keep the firearms in a gun safe.

Maybe a look of fear on my face. The Chinese aren't known
for their  outstanding safety standards.

A little scary crossing this dam.

After crossing the shady dam, we had to hop a fence.

Food on a stick anyone?

No sure what they are cooking (above), but they have a number of
sauces and spices to make it better.