Teddy & Elizabeth Gounaris Wedding

This was by far the nicest wedding I have ever been to! Congratulations Tedd and Elizabeth!!

Me, Denise, Nick, Teddy, and Angelo in the limo


Toms brothers- Nick, Teddy, & Angelo


Toms dad, Angelo, haveing some fun...


one of the groomsmen, my father in-law and Petrulla


The brothers and Elizabeth


Sister in-laws with Teddy


The brothers with their father


Tommy and I


Greek traditions of the reaths and walking around the table three times... The bride and groom are crowned with flowered crowns, or "stefana", which are joined by a white ribbon and have been blessed by the priest. The crowns symbolize the glory and honor bestowed on them by God, and the the ribbon signifies the couple's unity. The "Koumbaro" then exchanges the crowns three times between the couple's heads.
The priest now leads the stafana-crowned couple three times around the altar, which amounts to their first steps as a married couple. The "Koumbaro" follows close behind, holding the stefana place.
When the Ceremonial Walk ends, the priest then blesses the couple, removes the crowns and separates their previously-joined hands with the Bible, reminding them that only God can break the union they've just entered into.



The Kiss!

The Reception

Tom and I with Elizabeth


Sister in-laws: Denise and I


Me and Tom


Cousins- Eleni and Angelo


The bride and groom cutting the cake

Back to NY

Tom and I went to NY for Teddy's wedding (Tom's brother). It was so much fun to get just a little break. We did a few fun things like go to the beach! Funny story....Tom and I were enjoying the beach when we decided to walk to the lighthouse. Usually we take the wooden path to the lighthouse but this time we decided we would walk along the beach with our feet in the water. We were just walking along innocently when Tom turned to me and said "Is that guy naked?" He was very fat so it was hard to tell. I said "I don't know" and we kept walking. Then I looked up and we both realized that we were in fact at a nude beach and we were just about the only ones wearing any clothes! Needless to say we quickly walked up the path to the lighthouse and said goodbye to the nude beach. Such crazy things happen on Long Island!

ME!


Toms footprints in the sand...


I heart Tom...


Our favorite lighthouse- Fire Island


Tom really wanted to take this picture because when we got our engagement pictures this one didn't come out...


Cheese!!!!

Happy Birthday to Sarah

I had an adventurous day for my 23rd birthday. I woke up around 9 am to the smell of french toast. Tom made me a wonderful breakfast. When I opened my preasent I found a card that said today was my day and we could do whatever I wanted. I think Zion is the most beautiful place ever (Note: It is so beautiful that the early Indian settlers wouldn't go into Zion because they thought it was so sacred that it was only for the gods. It used to have a different name, but when the Mormons came they named it Zion)...Anyway, we got in the car and drove to Zion. I read in the paper about a hike called The Narrows and I thought it sounded fun. For those of you who ever want to go on this hike--get on the bus and go to the last trail called The River Walk. At the end of the trail there are stairs leading down into the river--this is the beginning of The Narrows hike. The hike involves walking through the water. Most of the time the water is at your knees, but at some points it is waist high depending on the season. You have to bring good water shoes or you end up with blisters like me. This was the perfect hike for us because it keeps you nice and cool--it was about 100 degrees outside! This was the perfect birthday, thanks Tom!

Isn't this a cool little waterfall?


I'm the Queen of the mountain!




This place is soooooo amazing and beautiful!




We saw a rattlesnake! Ahhhhh! I decided to take a picture instead of running away...good thing I didn't get bit!








Happy Birthday to me...



Never order pizza from Godfather's Pizza! They said we would have it in half an hour, but the delivary boy couldn't find our house so he just decided to go back to the store and not bring us our pizza--of course he didn't think to call us and ask how to get to our house. Anyway, 2 hours after ordering the pizza this is what we got. And by the way, Tom ended up having to pick it up. Of course it was free...and they did throw in a cookie for the birthday girl. :)

Washington County Fair

On Friday Tom and I went to the Washington County Fair to watch Kurt's a cappella group sing. A lot of you know how badly I have wanted to ride a ferris wheel. If you've seen Charly and know how much I love the movie you would understand. Anyway, the second I saw the ferris wheel I begged Tom to go on it with me. Yay! So now I have been on a ferris wheel. I didn't get my dream of being proposed to on it, but a year after we were married is good enough for me. :)

Living and Loving Life

Just an update for everyone on our life. We've been having a super fun and hot summer here in Saint George. I try to keep everyone updated with my pictures, but sometimes I get a little behind. We've had many trips to Zion National Park. We are planing a trip either to Bryce Canyon or The Grand Canyon for Labor day. If you want to come along just give us a call and bring your tent :) We love hiking and doing things outdoors. We've decided after this summer that despite the 115 degree weather some days....it's not too unbearable. ;)
At the begining of the summer I was working at a preschool/day care here in Saint George...the place was awful so I quit. Then Tom and I had this briliant idea that I could just start my own day care here at our house....so I did! Now I get to stay home every day, which is wonderful! We turned our spare bedroom into a play room, put a fence up in the backyard, and baught a bunch of toys. I put my add on craigs list and a ton of people called. I have 11 kids comeing so far....not at the same time of course. Some are in the mornings and some only afternoons. I'm having so much fun and have found something I love to do.
As for Tom he is still working hard on his new business, August Hill Capital, Inc.. It seems like he has so many amazing learning experiences daily and it's so nice that we both get to work from home!
Well, that's all for now. I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer! Enjoy the new pictures!

Camping

Since Tom and I love camping so much we decided to go camping for our anniversary. We went for three days up to Pine Valley. During the day we went to the lake. It was a lot of fun!





Tom is the family cook!

4th of July

Tom and I watched the fire works at a park here in Saint George. They had a country showdown before the fireworks and our friend Heidi won! Congratulations Heidi!

Heidi up on stage doing a great job.


Heidi and Brian after she won.


Tom and I watching the show.


Fireworks

Our Kitty's

Here are some adorable pictures of our cute little kitty's (pictures of Jerry courtesy of Jenny Walker)

Saint George Roadrunners

Tom and I went to a local baseball game to see the roadrunners play with a bunch of our friends here in Saint George.

Engagement photo

Yet another trip to Zion

Tom and I went to Zion again right before the 4th of July to meet our friends Jake and Kelly who were visiting for a family reunion. We knew them back on Long Island when we all lived there.

We went on the Weeping Rock trail.


So pretty...



Tom, Maria, and Kelly on the bus.



Tom and baby Maria