Author: Allie Zottola

Celebrating

All sorts of celebrations have been happening around the Zottola household lately! Jimmy and I had our anniversary, I turned 25-years-old, and we had a Father’s Day cookout.

Our anniversary and my birthday (yeah, we were married on my birthday!) fell on a Wednesday this year. My dad took me out to lunch at Osaka, which is a Sushi and Chinese restaurant. It was our first time there, and we throughly enjoyed it! What I loved the most, though, was sharing a meal with my dad 🙂

Sushi restaurant meal

I’m pretty sure we’re the only ones in our family who like sashimi and sushi, so we always enjoy chowing on some raw fish together!

On Friday, Jimmy and I took the day off work and celebrated our anniversary! I had to pet sit, but we made the best of it and took one of the dogs out on a trail walk with us in the morning. Then we got coffee at Dunkin Donuts, shopped for my anniversary gift from Jimmy, and enjoyed lunch at Cracker Barrel!

Trail walk with chocolate lab

The trail was so peaceful first thing in the morning!

Dunkin Donuts Coffee

Jimmy was so sweet and thoughtful with my anniversary gift. He told me to pick out a bistro table for our front porch! I had been wanting a little bistro set for a long time, and I thought it was so nice that Jimmy remembered that and let me pick it out!

We bought the table from Lowe’s, and the chairs from Target. We had dinner on the bistro set that evening, and I had coffee and read my Bible on it the next morning. I love it! Thank you, Jimmy! And in case anyone was wondering, I bought him the PlayStation 4 gaming console for his gift, haha.

Blue Bistro Table

The book on top of the pile is this one, the second one is Cherish by Gary Thomas, the third is my journal, and the fourth is my Bible!

On Saturday evening, we had our families over to celebrate Father’s Day. We grilled shish kebabs, lit sparklers, and celebrated our dads. Their gift? Us kids are taking them go karting soon!

Grilling shish kebabsSparklers

So, yeah, lots of fun celebrations lately! Reflecting on all of them makes me feel so happy, blessed, and loved. I’m beyond thankful for the people God has placed in my life and the fact that I get to celebrate with them!

How was your weekend?

Josh and Hannah’s Wedding

Josh and Hannah are now Mr. and Mrs. Rowe!

Wedding picture by lake in park

What a beautiful day it was! I met Hannah, a few of her bridesmaids, and some of our family bright and early at a hair salon near our church. We enjoyed having our hair done, eating donuts and bagels, and sipping coffee. It was such a happy, excited few hours of chatting and discussing the day ahead.

Wedding hairWedding makeup

After leaving the hair salon, all of the bridesmaids met at my parents’ house to get dressed, and then the limo bus picked us up! Hannah and Josh ended up booking a limo bus because there were 22 people in their bridal party. It was a lot of fun to have so many bridesmaids and groomsmen!

Purple bridesmaids dresses

Once we arrived at the church, we all hung out in the nursery until it was time for the ceremony. Hannah was super excited, and I think the only thing she was nervous about was crying while reading her vows, since Han and Josh wrote their own vows. We spent most of the time in the nursery dancing, laughing, and talking. I said a prayer for the day, and then it was go time!

Bride with bouquet of daisies and greenery Bridesmaids in light purple dresses from David's BridalBridesmaids dresses and boots

The ceremony was very emotional. Watching my dad walk my sister down the aisle was so sweet. When he handed her off to Josh, our evangelist, Covey, read a letter my dad wrote to Josh and Hannah that was incredibly special. Basically, he said how proud he was of them as a Christian couple, and that he loves them both so much and is very happy for them. I don’t know if there was a dry eye in the auditorium.

My brother, Josh’s brother and sister, and I all read scripture that Josh and Hannah chose for us to read, then Hannah and Josh read their vows. I loved hearing Josh and Hannah’s vows because they were funny, sweet, and full of love. I hope they frame them and read them every single day 🙂

Bride and groom walking down the aisle

After the ceremony, the bridal party loaded into the limo bus and headed to the park that Jimmy and I were engaged at for photos! It was a warm, sunny day and the park was just gorgeous.

Bride and groom with flowersBridesmaids jumpingOutdoor wedding pictures

Once we finished up taking pictures, we headed to the reception for dinner and dancing! The reception was at Josh’s house, which is on acres and acres of land, with chicken, horses, and goats. It was so laid back and fun. There were dogs walking around, people playing frisbee, and the food was served in a barn.

Bridal party with gunsglobe lightsFamily at wedding

Hannah and Josh danced to Forever and Ever, Amen by Randy Travis. Their dance was so cute! They practiced quite a bit before the wedding, and they did a wonderful job dancing together. They also cut their cake and smashed it in each others faces, which was pretty hilarious. Hannah was absolutely covered in cake after that 🙂

Bride and groom dancing Wedding cakeBride and groom cake smash

At the end of the evening, Hannah changed into a dress that wasn’t covered in cake and was easier to get around in and they drove off in a tractor! They left from their reception and went straight to the Pittsburgh International Airport to fly to their honeymoon destination. They’re in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic!

Bride and groom wedding pictures at sunset Bride and groom driving away in tractorBride and groom driving away in a tractor

It was just such a wonderful day. I am so incredibly happy for Hannah and Josh, and I wish them the very best as they start their life together!!

I’m sure I’ll be posting more wedding pictures soon 🙂