Photos Galore

Great news...

You can view wedding photo proofs here!

And view honeymoon pictures here!

It's beginning to look at lot like...

Weather update...turns out you can't spell Colorado without cold.  Expected high of 5 on Sunday.  The permafrost layer can be very slick in spots, I am needing to get some treads for the work shoes.  We hope to go see the real stuff up in the mountains soon!

As I sit here (this is Chris) Sarah is putting the finishing touches on her project for today.  We are the owners of a new vacuum cleaner, she has added all the attachments and hoses, just now tightening the last screw.  I am very impressed!

Sarah has been relentless this week in the job search.  Most promising leads come with the stipulation of patience as they will be doing the bulk of the contacting and interviewing after the holiday season.  Tis to be expected I guess, we find it encouraging that the opportunities do exist out there.

Work for me has been coming along comfortably, the calm before the storm I assume. 

We are looking forward to a week or so at home for Christmas, anticipating tempting treats and many hugs and pictures to share. 

Wedding pictures are starting to come in, will be passing those along as soon as we can. 

Love you all, thanks for checking in.   

Finally Wed

Here are a few photos from the photographer's blog. There are many more photos to come!

Final Website Posts...

November 6, 2008 - By Sarah

Likewise, I too am in a series of lasts. Today is my last day at ADsmith. I'm leaving a family of mentors and friends after a wonderful year and a half in my first ever, grown-up job! I really, really will miss my friends here at ADsmith. Tomorrow I'm leaving for Dallas to see Bekah and then visiting Chris in Denver. I'll spend a few days in Kansas City with my family - my last time in KC as a single Duvall daughter. Wow, this period of engagement and planning as really flown by! We're excited to see everyone in just 24 days!

November 1, 2008 - By Chris

One of the things about Sarah moving out here that will be pleasing to you, the viewer is that she will bring with her a digital camera. That way you can see the snow on our mountains!

I spent another day up in those mountains, this time with some friends. We walked up to the top of a mountain and had lunch. It was a pleasant 75 degrees and I believe a good time was had by all.

We are now officially in the same month as the wedding and the anticipation is certainly mounting from my perspective. I am beginning my series of lasts. Today I payed rent for the last time before I am a married man. Last night I hopefully went to Wal-Mart to grocery shop by myself for the last time. I am also trying to translate the time left into realistic time tables, thinking about all the things that could happen in less than a month. I could welcome any advice or suggestions as to which lasts I should take extra care to enjoy and savor. So send them my way!

Hope everyone is well! See you in less than a month!

67 days in counting.

below are our old blog posts from our wedding website. we'll begin blog posting here now. 

September 19, 2008 - Again from Panera, this time with my Love.

(by Chris) The weekend is beginning with quite a bang as Sarah and I sit here at Panera at 7pm on a Friday night. Rest assured we are about to paint the town!

www.mywedding.com/thegilstraps - If you are reading this you have probably followed the little card included in your invitation and we thank you for doing so. Feel free to meander the site at your leisure and to visit as many times as possible as we continue to update with relevant and irrelevant information. It also must be known that we are continually measuring your belief in our potential as a couple by the number of hits our website receives daily.

September 16, 2008 - By Chris.

I'm afraid I must begin this prose by promising to keep it short. For some reason, Panera closes at 8pm on weekdays. It, so far, has ben an utter feeling of helplessness being out here in Colorado while Sarah and her mother (and my mother) put in all the hard work that will make possible what you see on November 30th.

Being more the spreadsheet rather than the canvas in this relationship, I can't wait to see all the grand plans that I have heard so much about, finally come to life!

Colorado is growing on me, as if it needed to. The early fall days are perfect for cruising around in the Jeep and in the evening, those of you who know me may not believe this, I open up the porch door and windows and let the cool breeze in. I didn't realize you could turn off the AC before October!

I am anxiously anticipating Sarah's visit later this week, a few of my groomsmen the week after than and then one of my sisters to round it off. I say that to say, chez Gilstrap is filling up quickly so you better get your reservation in now.

I hope this note finds all you young, impressionable minds well. You know I would love to close with a parting shot against the beyond lucky Broncos but they may be the only chance the West has this year.

September 2, 2008 - We're Famous.

(by Sarah) We were recently featured in a commercial in  Springfield. My advertising agency did the commercial for our client, Second Baptist Church. Check it out: www.virb.com/adsmith

August 15, 2008 - Honeymoon Plans!

We're both really excited about our honeymoon plans that chris has planned! We're headed to the Riviera Maya and staying at the El Dorado Royale Resort. The resort is ranked in the top 10 most romantic resorts in the world by Forbes magazine! At the all-inclusive resort we will enjoy our honeymoon suite complete with ocean view, porch that walks out to the pool, jacuzzi with ocean view, open-air shower as well as several gourmet restaurants to choose from.

July 6, 2008 - Back from Colorado!

(by Sarah) Well I'm back from Colorado and Chris is officially moved into our new apartment. We both think we have one of the best views of the entire front range - in the entire Denver metro area! Our apartment is in Aurora, a suburb of Denver. Check out the pictures on our wedding website photo gallery: www.mywedding.com/thegilstraps

June 19, 2008 - Awesome Engagement Pictures!

DColeman scores again! He did such a great job on our pictures and we had a blast shooting them. View them here: www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=3885031

June 11, 2008 - Packing for Colorado

(by Sarah) Chris is headed to Colorado and we are all helping him move. We'll leave Kansas City June 20th and spend the week moving him into his new digs in Denver. currently there are still several finalists on the list for housing situations. Lots to consider - apartment or house? utilities included or not? washer and dryer? Plus, its tough looking at just the pictures of the places online and knowing nothing about the neighborhoods! It is going to take a 14' Uhaul and trailer to get all the stuff + red Jeep out there!

(by Chris) Never have the emotions of sadness and excitement been so strong at the same time. It is hard to believe in this big master plan that being apart from one another is such a necessary step. So far we are looking for preoccupations or anything that will help pass this time apart (suggestions please). We know that we will be stronger having gone through this time but we have to convince ourselves of that each day. We also know that we really don't have it that bad and that the big day will be here before we know it! Just gotta get there! He knows the pans he has for us. We rest in that fact and that fact alone.

May 19, 2008 - We booked our photographer today!

We just met with our photographer to book with him - hoo rah for finding a great photographer! David Coleman is a really nice guy and his wife Sarah is super friendly too. David and Sarah just got back from a vacation in Estes Park, Colorado - we are glad they love Colorado too! We're really excited about working with them and are looking forward to seeing the incredible work that David does. Check out his work on his website: www.dcolemanphotography.com