Thought I'd give you an update on the latest news. So far I have ordered the champagne flutes, the Flex pack, and a photo album from things remembered. The photo album I purchased on a whim--the color of the front is "wine", which I thought was appropriate for the "Ruby" anniversary! I had it engraved with the purpose being that the album will include pictures from our weekend celebration. Hope that's ok, I can't wait to get it and see how it turns out! I am going to include the lyrics to "You're still the one" by Shania Twain, because mom and dad had mentioned a while back that that's their 'new' wedding song. We won't mention that things haven't worked out too well for Shania lately!
I also made a reservation at the Ocean Grill Restaurant's private party 3rd floor (has a great view!). Here's the deal--I asked for Sunday night, but they have an unconfirmed party. So for now it is scheduled for Monday night, but we'll take Sunday if the other group falls through. There is no extra charge for eating up there, and we can just order off the menu w/o restrictions. Obviously we should plan to pay for Mom and Dad. www.oceangrillrestaurant.com The guy is going to send me a list of their champagnes so we can select one for the toast. I'm not sure how many bottles to reserve, maybe 2? I've put out some inquiries on cakes, so that is in the works. If we do cake at the reception, there is a $3 per person cake cutting fee. I guess they have to get you somewhere, right?! But it would be really nice to do the toast and cake right there in the private room, so I say we go for it.
I'm putting all the expenses on a credit card that had a zero balance so we can easily split everything up that weekend. We can also put mom and dad's meal on it. So far, including an estimate of mom and dad's meal and the cake fee along with the gifts, our total is $91.50 per person (split 6 ways). I'll update you later on what it will be with the cake.
Gee, couldn't mom and dad have had just a few more kids? Think how cheap this would be split 10 ways! KIDDING!
Kristen said 20 minutes later
Oh, and one more thing. Any volunteers for actually making a toast? Hum, perhaps this should fall on the eldest child! Muhawhaha!
GJ said about 6 hours later
Oh you are quite evil. Can I double my donation and get out of it? Or maybe...I'll do one, and invite each of my wonderful siblings to speak their best wishes as well. Muwhahahahahahahaha!
GJ said about 6 hours later
Also, make it 3 bottles to be safe. I'll drink the remainder if I have to.
And THANK YOU for taking care of this. You rock!!! Let me know how you want me to get the money to you.
GJ said about 22 hours later
OK, don't all volunteer to do the toast at once. :)
I'll take care of it.
GJ said about 22 hours later
Not sure yet how I'm going to approach it, but if you each have a memory or event relating to Mom & Dad that you'd like me to consider adding to the toast, email it to me. You know, firstname.lastname at experian.com. If I get enough of them, that could easily form the core of the toast.
Also, if one or more of you really want to speak, we can arrange it, but I want to keep this short (under five minutes total, tops).
GJ said 1 day later
The toast has been written, tested, and performed...comes in at 90-120 seconds, so it's just about right in length. I decided against a memories style one, since this should be about Mom & Dad, not us. :)
Kristen said 2 days later
Wow, I am impressed!! Whatever happened to the signature 'wait till the last minute' baumbach trait?
I should have more cake details on Monday....
GJ said 2 days later
I got inspiration and decided to act on it. I think Mom and Dad will like it, so I'm going to be sure to bring a copy printed up nicely to keep. So...how do you want the moola?
Kristen said 2 days later
I figure that I will collect it when we get down there. What would work really well is to have you guys write a check made out to my credit card! I'll keep updating you guys on what the final total is.
Geoff said 2 days later
Thanks for stepping up to the plate Kristen and GJ. I've been busy as can be and haven't had much time to contribute to the blog (or anything for that matter) lately.
Unfortunately I don't believe we will be attending the festivities this year. Just let me know what I owe when the time comes and I can write a check or PayPal it to you. Thanks!
Kristen said 2 days later
Bummer, I had just talked with mom the other day and she thought you guys were coming! :( I'm sure you will be busy though...for about the next 18 years or so! LOL
Here's a link to the bakery where I'm getting the cake. The website is really good, I think even you guys will be impressed! The prices for what I'm looking for don't seem too steep, which surprised me. (I even ordered one layer to be vanilla, for Geoff! Doh!) www.sherisedibledesigns.com
Geoff said 2 days later
Yeah they sort of got ahead of themselves. I just looked up airfare...which is darn expensive for a 2 day vacation :) Besides that, I've got no one to watch the dog and I would have a lot to cart around for a road trip at this stage...and timing for work isn't too good. Ah well. You guys don't want to listen to a screaming baby in the wee hours anyway :)
GJ said 2 days later
Young babies actually tend to do great in car rides, but they require so much maintenance at this stage it's just not much fun vacationing *with* them at this point.
Geoff said 2 days later
All I would do is sleep. No need to spend $1000 to fly to SC for sleep :)
Kristen said 4 days later
Hey Geoff, just putting it out there--you might be able to find much cheaper rates by flying in near me, and then you could drive down with us. Check into flying into BWI (Baltimore), Dulles, or Reagan.
Kristen said 4 days later
For example, I just did a quick search on travelocity.com and found a steal: fly into Baltimore from Rochester on thursday morning or afternoon, July 17 (non stop), and then fly back out the following Wed, July 23rd (non stop) for only $148! that's for 2 adults! What a steal!
Mom and dad could grab you at the airport thursday afternoon on their way down to my house, or I could pick you up. Then I can drive you back. BWI is only 90 minutes from my house, no biggie.
Let me know.
Steve said 5 days later
Kristen, thanks for arranging everything. Are you leaving to head home early on the 23rd? I thought this was a week long thing - Saturday to Saturday. Just trying to keep in the loop.
GJ said 5 days later
Uh, no, it's Saturday to Tuesday morning--for the Hilton Head part.
Steve said 5 days later
ok, thanks.
Steve said 5 days later
Flight booked. I'm flying down Friday afternoon, will spend an evening touring Savannah, then driving up to Hilton Head Saturday morning. Fly home Tuesday afternoon.
Kristen said 5 days later
Ohhh...I'm jealous! Someday I'll get to Savannah again for more than an hour!
Cake is ordered as well. Now I'm working on planning out some meals. I'll do some grocery shopping when I get down to the resort.
Geoff said 5 days later
Hey Kristen, thanks for looking up the flight info. I don't have anywhere to go with the dog, and Michelle won't leave her at the kennel. I'll keep trying to convince her...the dog didn't eat any food when we were at the hospital and she doesn't want that happening at the kennel.
Even so...I'd have to figure out where to go with the luggage, car seat, stroller, portable play pen/crib, and the moon :) I may need a jumbo jet.
For any booking purposes, I would count us out. I doubt we will be able to make it. I'll let you know if plans change otherwise!
GJ said 5 days later
Kristen, Darcy would love to help with the meal planning and execution.
Kristen said 6 days later
True Geoff--even if you get the tickets cheap they will charge you an $800 surcharge to put your luggage on the plane!
