Mexico!

We had a wonderful weekend in Mexico with Choco's amazing family.  It was wonderful to meet his brother Josue who just came home from his mission.  We also got to go to Kino Beach, which was beautiful.  

I must confess that I am motivated to learn Spanish.  I'm excited for the day when I'll acutally understand everything that is going on. 

At the airport with Josue and Choco.

3 days and counting!!  I can't believe I'm getting married this week.  I'm so excited to be Mrs. Lopez!  I changed the picture on the profile.  It is a preview of the amazing pictures Holly took for us.  I know it might be kind of jumping the gun, but I loved it too much.  This week we're busy cooking food and finishing up details for the wedding.  It is going to be a party! 

Big Weekend

It was an exciting and eventful weekend.  Friday morning Chris drove up from Provo because I went to the temple Friday afternoon in Idaho Falls.  It was beautiful and a special experience.  I'm so excited to go back again and again.  I love my family so much and were so grateful some of them could be there with me.  It is a huge blessing to be surrounded by some of the people you love in the house of the Lord.  What a blessing!!

I was especially excited to see my best friend Rach in the temple.  I love her.  Feels like only yesterday when we were little girls jumping on the tramp together.  I'm so grateful for her amazing example and for the blessing of such an incredible friend. 

Also, I love love love my husband-to-be.  He truly is so amazing.  I'm so lucky to be loved by him. 

Only 12 days!

 

After the temple, we ate a delicious lunch at Johnny Carinos.  Can you say yummy?!  I love the bread and dipping garlic and olive oil especially.  Then we ran to Macy's and Dillard's in IF, bought a pair of shoes to wear with my wedding dress faster than I have ever bought shoes before, and sped back to Pocatello.  I had a hair appointment, and Chris and I ran home to change into our attire for pictures.  Amazing Holly is our photographer.  I love her, and we had such a good time taking some pictures Friday night.  It was so exciting to wear my dress for its debut.  I forgot my new shoes in mom's car, which was silly but it ended up working just fine.  We even took some cute barefoot pictures. Chris looks fabulous in his wedding attire as well.  Pictures to come.  I'm excited to see them!  

Saturday, my amazing lady friends and family threw me a bridal shower.  It was so fun to see and chat with people.  Everyone is supportive and generous.  Thank you all!!  Delicious food + great company + cute decor + lots of women = A party!  It was so fun.  




Fabulous friends!  I was so happy they could all come!  Love you all.



Joni and Gram

 


I was so happy Katie could come up!  I love my cousin.

 

The party planners





Choco made an appearance near the end of the shower. He is so sweet and a charmer.  I love him!  I especially love
his engineer mind.  Some of his answers to questions included 70% of questions I would get correct or on the number of dates we've been on he gave Rach an equation.  My civil engineer.
  

 Overall it was a beautiful weekend with the people I love.

Shout out to mom

Last night, we were brainstorming for an original, clever name for this blog.  My mom is the winner when she suggested Livin' la vida Lopez.  So, here's a shout out to her for her wit.  Both my parents have suggested putting "Livin' la vida Loca" on the blog, but I must confess I don't really love the song.  So, we'll avoid that song, but I love the name for the blog.  It has a little English, a little Spanish, and a fabulous name.  Suits us very well.   

While I'm on the subject of my amazing mom, I am so blessed to have such an incredible woman for my mother.  If you know mom, then you know that she is the most friendly, loving, and joyful person. I love her so much.  Right now she is super busy as she juggles planning my wedding, selling real estate, being a football mom, student teaching for seminary, etc. etc.  I have no idea how she gets everything done and how she is still sane, but she does and does it with style.  I love her so, so much!!  Thanks mommy.

Mother and daughter at the Hill Cumorah Pageant, which explains my hippie outfit with headband and all.  I'm so glad they came to support me and see the show.  We also had an incredible traveling around back east.  It was an amazing time with the fam! 

Marriage and Starting a Blog

I've always thought it would be fun to start a blog when I get married. 

Now that August 27th is almost around the corner, I figure I'd like to begin.

 

First, let's have some introductions: I'm Maren, the soon-to-be Mrs. Lopez.  I was born and raised in Pocatello, ID, and am blessed with an amazing family.  I'm attending BYU studying elementary education. I'm happy and love life.   I also love Choco.  He will graduate with a degree in civil engineering in December.  He is the best man I know, and I love him so much. 
 I can't wait to be his wife! 

We'll see how we do with this blog thing.