VT vs. Miami Weekend

Ryan and I traveled to the burg with Lauren and Tom for the VT vs. Miami game. We had a great weekend tailgating with friends and watching Hokie Football!

Friday night fun at Big Al's

The Guys

Me and Lel

Look who I found! My grandlittle Emily!

VT GAMEDAY

Enter Sandman...

Honeymoon - Leaving Rome back to the USA!

Our flight left Rome at 10am and we landed at 3pm at Dulles. We had dinner with my parents, unpacked and went to bed! We had the most amazing honeymoon and made so many memories that will last forever.

Honeymoon - Leaving the ship/touring Rome II

We were very sad to leave the ship today! Our car picked us up at 10:30am then we went back to the hotel, dropped our bags off and toured the Colosseum/Forum and ate dinner. They turned the clocks back today so we got an extra hour of sleep!

Honeymoon - Livorno, Florence & Pisa

We docked in Livorno, toured Florence, had lunch then toured Pisa. Both places were great! Walking into Pisa felt like we were in a movie or looking at a painting. The sky was so blue and the tour was so nice to see. We sampled a few great Tuscany wines and olive oils and bought a nice bottle of wine for when we move into our home:)

Honeymoon - Cannes, Monaco & Monte Carlo

Today we docked in Cannes, France – we had to tender in but it was the most beautiful port we have been to thus far. We toured Cannes – saw where the film festival takes place then went to Monaco/Monte Carlo. What an amazing place! Monaco/Monte Carlo was so beautiful. The buildings, scenery, beaches, cars, etc. were all amazing. We took pictures of the Hotel de Paris and the Casino Monte Carlo along with a few Bentleys and Ferraris.

Honeymoon - Barcelona, Spain

Today we docked in Barcelona. We toured Codorniu wine cellers – the largest in the world. We got great pictures of the wine cellar. We took a tram ride to the bottom of the cellars and sampled "cava" (champagne). We then went to Las Ramblas in Barcelona and walked around/shopped. Barcelona was beautiful – we visited the Olympic village and the big cathedral.

Honeymoon - Third Day at Sea

Today was our last day at Sea and the second formal night. The show tonight was a tribute to the Beatles. It was an awesome show!

Honeymoon - Messina, Sicily & Taorimino

Today we docked in Messina, Sicily – home of the canoli! We toured Taorimino for the day and saw Mt. Etna at a distance. I had a chocolate canola and Ryan had the vanilla with chocolate chips. We hung out with two of our newlywed couple friends from Conn. and LA. As soon as we got back to the ship it started to pour so we made perfect timing. The show this night was so funny - it was called the Carnival Legends show and guests tried out at the karaoke bar to play the parts. One of the guys that sits with us at dinner was Ricky Martin. It was a great show!

Honeymoon - Second Day at Sea

Today was our second day at sea. We relaxed and slept in until 11am. We went to the chocolate dessert buffet for lunch and sampled cakes and fondue. We tried to get on the newlywed game but there was couple that was married 30 mins after us so they got on the show.

Honeymoon - Dubrovnik, Croatia

Today we docked in Croatia and toured Dubrovnik. It was a beautiful city - now we know what everyone was raving about! The cruise director spoke so highly about this port – that it is the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The people and the city were very nice. We bought a picture to hang in our house. The weather was a little cloudy but we really enjoyed our day.

Honeymoon - Venice Day 2

We woke up and took the water taxi straight to San Marco and walked around. The piazza was packed but we took plenty of pictures. We made our way over to the Rialto Bridge to take some pictures and do some shopping. After a few hours, we made our way back to the ship. On our set sail out of Venice, we were filmed for the new carnival commercial, which will air in January. About 700 of us purchased shirts to raise money for Breast Cancer research and they took a group picture and filmed us for the commercial. After that picture, we took part in the Venetian mask party and we were also filmed for the new Carnival commercial/video! I hope we make it on! This is the last Mediterranean cruise for this ship so they are doing a lot of fun things! After dinner, Ryan played sports trivia and won another ship on a stick! We are famous on the ship – everyone calls us the newlyweds from the show on the first night. We also met several people from VA and who went or have kids who go to Virginia T ech. After dinner, the show was a magician from England. He was pretty good. Then we played roulette and walked around.

Honeymoon - Venice

This morning we decided to actually go to the dining room for breakfast instead of our usual room service. Then around 11am we arrived at Project Moses – the entrance to Venice. The water level is projected rise in the next few years and Project Moses is a steel wall that will rise from the bottom closing off the water flow. Everyone was outside on the top decks taking pictures for the hour-long boat ride into Venice. We floated right past Piazza San Marco and Elton John’s house. Once we docked, we went to Morano and watched the sand glass making demonstration. Then we went to St. George’s Island and toured the cathedral. At dusk, we took a 45 min gondola ride. It was amazing. Venice was so beautiful. The water was a perfect turquoise and the scenery was beautiful. After the gondola, we walked to Piazza San Marco. The Piazza was lit up – what a sight it was. Then we had a pizza and gelato. The pizza in all the ports was good but nothing beats NY pizza. Around 10pm, we went back to the ship.

Honeymoon - First Day At Sea

Today was our first day at sea and we went to the Art Auction for free champagne. Well we also bought a piece of art and won a piece! We had our first of two formal nights and the captains cocktail hour. We went to the show and gambled a little in the casino.

Honeymoon - Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri

Capri

Capri

Sorrento

Pompeii

Naples

Wednesday 10/17

Ryan and I went on the 10 hour Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri tour. It was beautiful. Last night was the first show and of course we got there to sit in the front row;) The cruise director is great - you can read his blog on the carnival website. At the show he asked for the newlyweds to raise their hands and there are actually 8 couples on the boat. the cruise director went around and picked 6 people to get up on stage. He picked me since I was one of the honeymooners and 5 others. We got introduced, I said that we met at Virginia Tech and everyone clapped. The guy next to me - his name is Willie Bangor - he had to show his Sail and Sign so the cruise director would believe him - his wife's name is Anita Banger and they are from Bangor, Maine!!! It was really funny. I got a medal, the cruise trophy and a bottle of champagne - our cruise is set!!!! We went to the piano bar and hung out until 2:30am singing Billy Joel, Rod, Bruce - it was so much fun!

Honeymoon - Rome

Sunday 10/14

Crossing the Atlantic for Rome. Someone on board bought us two little champagne bottles and we were given champagne with dinner:) We watched movies and Ryan slept on the flight.

Monday 10/15

The ride to the hotel was so pretty! When we got to the hotel we did as the Europeans, and slept a few hours. Our hotel was close to the Spanish Steps so we walked there, then to the Trevi Fountain, then had dinner in front of the Pantheon, then walked around and back to the hotel.

Tuesday 10/16

We toured the Vatican this morning, we walked all the way to the top of the Cupola and through the Sistine chapel! We got back to the hotel at noon and left for the ship as soon as we got back. Our room was decorated with lots of honeymoon decorations! The ship is amazing!!! We had a couples massage at the spa - it was great!

Our Big Day

On October 13, 2007, Ryan and I were married at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, VA. Our ceremony was so beautiful. We had a traditional catholic mass with an organist and cantors. A formal evening reception was held at the Westfield's Marriott in Chantilly, VA. The day was absolutely beautiful! We couldn't have asked for better:)

Rehearsal Dinner

After rehearsal at All Saints, Ryan's parents hosted our rehearsal dinner at O'Meara's Restaurant in Old Town Manassas. The decorations were very fall festive and everyone let loose and had a great time. Krysta and Ryan's friend Lee played the last hour of the night.

Day Before The Big Day

The day before our big day, Ryan went golfing with his men and Krysta had her girls over for a light brunch followed by nail appointments.

Krysta's VA Bridal Shower and Bachelorette

Entering the Shower

Favors

Cakes

Over Labor Day Weekend, Krysta's Mom and Bridesmaids threw her a fun bridal shower at the Battery Heights Clubroom in Manassas, VA. After the shower, the girls drove to Baltimore, MD for Krysta's Bachelorette Party. A fun time was had by all!

Ryan's Bachelor Party

Lawson, Ryan, Tom and Dave

Golfing

Ryan, Rob and Jamie

The guys at Carmine's

Over Labor Day weekend, the guys took Ryan golfing, played poker and spent the night in Atlantic City. They had a great dinner at Carmine's and a fun night on the town.