Many Moments of Marital Bliss

The 411 on the Kaelberer family: Beth's family is very small and intimate. Of course, we have our larger, extended family (whom we love very much), but especially this Christmas we were reflecting on how nice it has been to have such a small family. Throughout the years our family has certainly shifted and changed, but the love that we share has been constant. My mom and dad are as in love as ever. On Christmas day they celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary. My dad, Eric, is a pastor at Grace Lutheran Church (the church where Doug & I will be married). My dad is very devoted to his church. Our church people have become some of our very best friends and extended family. My mom, Kawai, is your typical amazing mom. She always manages to make the house warm, provide lots of love and support, and has been a role model for my sister and me. She is proud to be my Hawaiian mama! She works for the Rancho Cucamonga Water Valley District as a customer service representative. She loves her job, her friends, and of course her family. My sister, Julia, has been my best friend from the moment she was born! We are only 17 months apart in age. I am the proud older sister of this blond cutie! She is going to be my maid of honor in the wedding. After high school, she quickly left us to pursue her dreams with the Navy. She went the the Naval Academy Prep School and is now in her third year at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. If you ever come to our house or see our cars, you will see these areas adorned in USNA gear. My parents are very proud of us (that's an understatement, right Julia?). Julia's interests include shooting, outdoor events, and hanging out with her friends. I miss her all the time. I am happy to say that Julia hand picked Doug. When she met him my freshman year of college, she pulled me to the side and said "I like him! He should be your boyfriend!" Julia always knew what was best for me! I love you sissy! Other members of our family who will be present at our wedding are our grandparents, Bama and Bompy. Julia and I were so blessed to have them around for the crux of our childhood. We call our grandma Bama and we call our grandpa Bompy. They both reside in Washington State now. My Grandpa is a retired Navy Captain and my grandmother did a number of important jobs, including abortion counseling in San Diego. As I acquire more pictures, I will post more info about my extended family! I cannot wait to see the Hawaiian ohana present! I love you Auntie Allie, Uncle Dwayne, Aunt Kiha, Uncle Jojo, Jo-Kyle, Pi'i, Hea, K'Aloha, Pua, Kelii, Kaulana, Keala, Johnny, and everyone else! I am so excited you are coming! Its going to be so special!

Once again, HAPPY THANKSGIVING Family & Friends!

Friends, it's time to "meet the parents!" Doug and I are so insanely blessed to have such amazing families! The movies are so far from the truth when portraying the joining of two families through the act of marriage. We are in awe of how wonderful the Thanksgiving weekend was. My mom's quote of the past two nights have been "What a wonderful family. You are so blessed to be marrying into this family!" I would have to agree! On Thanksgiving day, Gayle, Rich, Kelly, and Jeff greeted us with hugs. We all sat down and chatted away. Doug's Grandma & Grandpa Wright (and the new addition to their family, sissy) came shortly after we arrived. The house was buzzing. The ambiance was warm and welcoming. Gayle slaved away in the kitchen to prepare a perfect Thanksgiving feast. No special and delicate touch was spared. Everything was present, a moist turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, stuffing, candied yams, and so much more. During the middle of dinner Doug made the announcement to our family about our big wedding date! As many of you have read below, WE ARE TYING THE KNOT ON SUNDAY, MARCH 3rd, 2008! We couldn't imagine truly starting to think about the day without the love and support of our family! From before we got engaged, it was really our families who stood behind us, pushed for us, and loved us, both as individuals and as a couple! We are so excited to celebrate our wedding day with the ones that we deeply love! It was nice to be able to celebrate our engagement as one whole family (Julia, you were and always are in my heart)! I will forever be indebted to my parents & Jeff for making our engagement night so special! Doug & I love you all so much. It was that much more special when Gayle whipped out some "Bride", "Groom", "Best Man," and even "Maid of Honor" champagne glasses (Julia Gayle was thinking about you). Rich and my dad, Eric, made some very touching toasts. I was brought to tears. Grandma Wright & Gayle gave me the traditional tea cups to celebrate our engagement! Looking over at my mom, seeing the love, pride, and joy in her face was priceless. I could see my dad beaming with joy. Man, I cant wait til he walks me down the aisle! As I sat there, looking at Kelly, my future sister-in-law & bridesmaid, with a bunch of bridesmaids dresses magazines next to her, made me have a flash of the day that I will pick out my gown with my mother. I am so blessed to be loved so deeply and richly by my own family and by my "new" family! Just when we thought our special evening was over, Gayle prepared a lovely dessert for us. She surprised us with a traditional Hawaiian wedding cake! My mom and I were in heaven! What an amazing Thanksgiving! Thank you God for this beautiful family.

The day after Thanksgiving the Fishers took us on an exclusive tour of San Francisco. Before we romped around the outskirts of the city and the city itself, we made a much anticipated stop at "El Patio." Doug & I always debate which Mexican restaurant has the best food. I am sure we will contest this for years to come! We then piled into the van and droved towards San Francisco. Originally we had planned to go by and see the huge Christmas tree in Union Square. Gayle & Rich then found out that my mom had never seen the Golden Gate Bridge and had to remedy this problem. Rich took us to the Presido. The views of the bridge were amazing. We were able to see some old military grounds (made my dad so happy) and so much more. Rich is the best tour guide! We then moved onto Fort Point. The view was spectacular. Doug had said that he probably had never seen a more beautiful day in San Francisco than today. We hope you enjoy the slideshow above! In those pictures, there are a few moments that I know I will remember forever. There is a shot of Doug & my daddy in the sun as it was beginning to set. It is a little bit overexposed, but it sends an ethereal blur and my heart simply said, "Man, do I love these two men!" Another great shot is the one of my mom, Gayle, and me! I am so excited to have Gayle as my mother-in-law! I AM SOOO BLESSED!!!!! So to make a long story short, we had a pretty amazing day together!

As I wrap up this blog on the Thanksgiving weekend with the two families, I wanted to give a few shout-outs! So to my Mom, Dad, and Julia: I love you so much! You have made me who I am. You have taught me what it means to love and truly love others. I am so proud to be your daughter/sister. I cannot wait to share in all of the planning & excitement of the wedding (and of course, Doug & my married life) with you! Thank you for praying for me from before I was a mere sparkle in your eyes. Julia, you will always be my best BEST friend. I have known you as long as you have been alive and I will forever cherish and love you!

Gayle, Rich, Jeff, and Kelly- You have NO CLUE how incredibly excited I am to OFFICIALLY become a part of the family. I couldnt ask for more perfect in-laws. From the moment I have met you, you have welcomed me into your lives. I know that we truly have something special. Grandma & Grandpa Fisher would truly be proud. I promise to try to love you the way that you have loved them! WOW what an amazing example we have to live by!

Grandma & Grandpa Wright- You two are so special to us! We are so blessed to have shared this day and so many others with you. We will always look forward to rumbling games of hand and foot. Grandma Wright, as Doug always says, you and I are soul mates! We will always share a very special bond! I love you and I am excited to be a part of your family!

Well thanks for listening to the shout outs. We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow. The Fishers are taking us to the ever famous EL PATIO and then to Union Square to see the big Christmas Tree. I will cherish this time forever. We hope that you enjoy these memories as much as we enjoy making them! Happy Thanksgiving. May God bless you all.

With PRAISE & THANKSGIVING,