wow!

We had such an amazing time!  What a wonderful wedding and week in Maui with everyone.   I am actually sitting here back at work (in a workshop about blogging!)   So I learned how to let everyone comment so if you want to leave a comment now - great!   Also,  wanted to get some feedback on a website where we can all share our pics with each other (as Facebook only does the small thumbnail size now and I need big ones!)  It is really fun to watch you all "friend" each other on facebook now that we are all back.  Much love,  Mahalo!

Wedding & Boat Directions

If we don't catch up with you before events begin, here are some helpful directions you will need!


Directions to Kukahiko Estate:     Follow Pi ilani Hwy (#31) South, all the way to the set of lights at Wailea shopping center.  Turn Left and follow Wailea Alanui Dr., South.  The Street name changes to Makena Alanui Road.  You will see a street sign that says speed limit 20 miles an hour, up around that bend is Makena Surf Condos, Turn right at the next street, Makena Road.  Follow road past gated condos, 5034 Makena Road-The Kukahiko Estate is the first house on the right.


Here is a link to directions for the Pride of Maui boat in Maalaea Harbor :
http://www.prideofmaui.com/map/

Activities

We've been talking about catching a luau.   Rich did some research and is in favor of the Old Lahaina Luau.  We are thinking of doing this on Tuesday night.   Use this link if you would like to meet us there:

http://www.mauiactivitiesoutlet.com/activity/202/show

We are also wanting to scuba dive.  We're hoping to do this on Sunday, Aug. 2nd  at the crater.   There are snorkeling options as well.  Here is the link for where we will probably sign up:

http://www.mauidiveshop.com/Maui-Dive-Trips/2-tank-manta.htm

We will keep you posted on other activities and possible pool side options.
Aloha!

Wedding Party Updates

Estrella Mendoza

Flower Girl

We are so excited to have Rich's niece, "Star," carrying flowers down our aisle! She is going to be such a beautiful flower girl!  

                                        Maxwell Taylor DeWinter

                                               Ring Bearer

We have heard that Max is super excited to be our Ring "Monkey" and we are so happy and thrilled that he is able to make the trip over!   He was born in Hawaii so I am sure he is excited to get back to the sand and the surf.

Updates

We have gotten questions on where we are registered.  The links are to the left.  If you want to go to an actual store - William Sonoma, good option for in town events.  I registered online, as well, at Gift Registry 360  This should be a good option for shipping so you won't have to pack gifts to Maui.  The site seems to be working for me, but if you are having difficulties let me know so I can figure out what might be happening.
kfelcyn@gmail.com


If you are wondering what the beef, fish and veg. options are for the wedding dinner-they are:  The beef dinner selection is Roast Prime Rib of Beef, the fish is Macadamia Crusted MahiMahi, and the vegetarian option is Eggplant Parmesan.

Finally, we are working on putting together a sunset dinner cruise along the Maui coast on the Pride of Maui  for the evening of August 3rd for all our guests.   The cruise will depart at 5:00 and we return at 7:30.

Pride of Maui

Our Wedding Party

Dominique Dudine DeWinter

Matron of Honor

I met Nikki and her puppy Diva when I first moved to San Diego.  She needed a third roommate at her Pacific Beach house and I needed to move out of a BAD roommate situation.  We became roommates in 1999 and lived together for many years after.  We had several third roommates, including Nikki's brother Mike, but the most memorable (for me at least!) was when Rich moved in with us in 2001.  We had so much fun together and we have always felt like family. 

Over the years, we have maintained that family even though we no longer live under the same roof.   I was able to read for her at her wedding, visit her homes in Hawaii, Tennessee, and Monterrey.  Rich and I were honored to become Godparents to her daughter, Lucia last year.  Thank you for all the love and laughter over the years!

I love you dearly Nikki and I am blessed to have you in my life and as my matron of honor.

Arturo Lujan

Best Man

from Rich

Art and I met in 1993 at DeVry University in Phoenix.  It is pretty cool that we have maintained our friendship for this long and through the many different states we have both lived.  We both ended up living in Phoenix, San Jose, and San Diego together.  Now he is in Singapore, but we are still keeping tabs on each other.  We both enjoy competing on the golf course as well.    He's like a brother and has been my family when I have been so far away from my own.  I value our friendship thank you for being at my side when I wed my bride.

.

Fabrizio Michael Dudine

Officiant

Mr. and Mrs. D. are Nikki's parents, which is how we met, but now they are dear friends of ours! I was fortunate to stay with them when I was traveling through Singapore and needed a place that felt like home.  We have shared many holidays together over the years including Christmas in Hawaii and Thanksgiving.  Eating Italian food together is always a great joy.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends... we look forward to MANY more years of laughter, love & good wine together!

Mike is an amazing man with charisma, charm and a great sense of humor.  We couldn't think of anyone more perfect to be our MC...and we were so happy when he offered!   Thank you so much!

From Rich and Kerri

We understand that not all of our friends & family will be able to attend our wedding. Our choice to have a destination wedding was what we felt deep in our hearts was the perfect celebration for us.

There will be many ways to celebrate, with those who are unable to attend. We look forward to sharing photos, stories & videos with those who couldn't be there.

Please remember that we have no expectations and your attendance is 100% optional! We do not want anyone to feel any pressure or obligation to come to Maui; we understand that time and money are often a hurdle in one's opportunity to take a vacation. If you can swing it, that's great! If you can't, no worries!

We're Booked!

Aloha!

Okay folks! Sorry it took us soooo long to make a decision on where we are staying and for how long.  We found a flight/hotel/car package through Expedia.com that saved us big money.  We also decided on a condo for the week rather than a resort so we could cook some meals.   So we will land in Maui on 8/1/11 and stay until 8/8/11.   This is Monday to Monday. (The wedding is on a Thursday.)

Here is a list of resorts / condos our planner recommended:
Resorts:                                              Condos:
Makena Resort                                   Maui Kamaole
Hotel Wilea                                        Kamaole Sands condos
Wilea Marriott                                    Kihei Surfside
Maui Coast Hotel   (across the street from ocean)

We didn't go with any of these!   Although, they all look great!   We decided on a condo on the ocean side and all the above condos were across the street.

We chose Hale Pau Hana because every unit is on the water, and has a lanai.  Condos don't charge a parking fee or resort fee everyday either.  The condos are all decorated differently and some are more updated than others.   They have one and two bedroom options.  Here is a link to their website:

http://www.hphresort.com/mauicondos.php?title=amenities

Mahalo!

Save the Date

So it is officially set!   We are getting Maui'd on Thursday, August 4, 2011.   The ceremony and reception will both be held at an estate in Makena, Maui.   It is located in south Maui.  

The beaches of Kihei, Wailea, and Makena are all located in South Maui.  It sounds like West Maui is an hours drive (if you decide on looking into hotels there.)   Here is a link to a south Maui map that may be helpful for people.    Aloha!

http://www.mauiinfosource.com/Maui%20Maps/Maui%20Accommodation%20Maps/South%20Maui/south_maui_accommodation_map_main.htm

Getting Leeched

We got engaged in Australia on December 19, 2010.  We had just taken a flight from Sydney to Cairns, Australia.  We rented a car and drove 90 miles to a private rainforest.  Rich did the driving on this super windy road, twisting up mountains, and driving on the other side of the road.  He managed roundabouts and figured out how to drive on the other side of the car.  We were staying in tree houses located in 100 acres of the rainforest.  I immediately wanted to start hiking and seeing animals.  So we donned our gum boots (see picture) and away we hiked.



A note on gum boots:

So a gum boot is for leech protection.  There are land leeches that attach to the leaves of the rainforest. They are not the Stand By Me North American leeches we have.  They are smaller and more vicious. We also sprayed our boots with something that was supposed to protect us from leeches as well.  I am here to confirm that if you can choose a leech sock...go for it!   In Thailand I hiked for HOURS and the leeches could not get through the sock.

We began hiking in the middle of the afternoon so it was super hot and muggy.   The animals were in the shade and out of sight.  We saw a few scrub turkeys and toads but that was it.  About 20 minutes into the hike Rich looked down at his boot and noticed a leech inside, and then found a second leech.  I freaked out and looked at my boots and in my boots and felt relieved, until I noticed my shorts were bleeding.  Checked under my shorts and saw a little bugger wiggling into my leg.  Thankfully I could pull him out, but I had a leech scar where the hole was for about 3 weeks.



After the leeching we tried to find our way back to the treehouse as quickly as possible.  We twisted and turned and realized later that we had hiked every single trail of the 100 acres.   We did manage to find our way home and decided to relax and chill and enjoy the rainforest from the comforts of indoors.

We had a two person jet jacuzzi with big picture windows looking out.  We took advantage and enjoyed some bubbles in the bath tub and some bubbly champagne.   We chatted and enjoyed each others company and had a great talk on our past, present, and future.  Finally, Rich turned and asked if there was anything that would make our relationship any better?  I mentioned more champagne.  Then he pulled out the box and asked those 4 words, "Will you Marry Me?"

I said yes, and here we are off onto our next big adventure together.




Where we were engaged-Canopy Treehouses

www.canopytreehouses.com.au/