Jackson Hole, Wyoming

So sorry. So sorry. I definitely did not mean to leave y'all hanging like that.  My brain has been functioning at subpar lately.  I blame the heat.  I sort of didn't acknowledge that we were actually leaving town until right before.  Pure procrastination on my part.  Again, I blame the heat.  Anyway, we are finally back from a wonderful trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for my husband's cousin's wedding.  It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to, and Jackson Hole is one of the most beautiful places - real America, The Beautiful, if you will.

Of course, I 'll share a few pics with you because I know you are all dying to see my vacation photos.

Our view outside our hotel in Teton Village was gorgeous.

I loved the rustic look of the rehearsal dinner table setting.  The flowers were perfect and whimsical.  It was really lovely.

This is the view behind the altar at the church in Teton National Park where the bride and groom married.  One of the most stunning places I've ever been.

The reception was held at a place called Shooting Star in Jackson Hole.  I mean, look at that back drop!

The pool looked very inviting.

Edward thought so too.

My husband's super talented aunt made all of the table clothes so the lucky bride gets to keep them.  I loved the buffalo check and, of course, the blue and white color scheme.

Stunning view of the Grand Tetons as we drove to Yellowstone for the day.

Another gorgeous view of Jenny Lake, where we hiked one of the days.  And by hiked, I mean I walked with Edward for about 10 minutes until he became so overtired he threw dirt in my face, at which point I had to turn around and go back to the Lodge and have a fancy lunch so he could sleep.

Ok, I won't bore you with anymore beautiful views.  But here are two more of Edward's first mountain climb.  He dominated that rock (and later the tree behind him).  He's definitely a climber.

That's just a small bit of my trip.  Jackson, Wyoming is a really fantastic place.  Even if you're not outdoorsy, the town has so much to offer.  The art galleries alone would require a full day of exploring. It's definitely a very fancy, upscale town disguised as the Old West.  It's kind of like Aspen's laid-back, tomboy sister who doesn't wear make-up, but is still super pretty and can get dressed up for a fancy dinner with diplomats and their sons after eating ribs for lunch and cleaning the stalls at her daddy's stables all day.  Know what I mean?


Ok, have a lovely day!

Three Years ...

Three years ago today, I married my soul mate.  It was the best day of my life.  He's the most amazing man, husband and father, and, sometimes, if I take a moment to think about it, I'll get a little teary over it all.  He's the reason I believe that there's always hope.  Before I met him, things just wouldn't go my way no matter what I did.  Like for years.  It wasn't awful, but I didn't realize how good things could be.  Then I took some time to listen to that voice deep inside, God, my angels, my heart, the universe whatever you want to call it and suddenly I was moved in a direction that led me to him.  A weird and scary direction that involved moving away from all of my family and friends, but for some reason I knew I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.  Since then I've experienced small miracles and big ones (Edward) and my life is filled with so much joy and love.  There was clearly a bigger plan for me (and probably still is), but I know that plan includes Kip from here on out and that makes me the happiest person alive.  I love you Mister! Happy Anniversary!

{See more of our wedding here and here}

Love Me 'Til My Heart Stops- My Baby Sister's Wedding.

My sister's wedding was incredible! I want it to happen annually! If you have no interest in my sister or her wedding, make sure to at least scroll down to the picture of my dad in his Elvis costume.

Trevor Johnson of Trevor Johnson Photography has generously allowed me to share some of the photos from my sister's wedding. Trevor is a lovely friend of Kate's who lives in Wisconsin. He has offered a 10% discount to anyone who mentions eyes of my eyes when booking him for a future job. So all of you Midwest families out there, check out his work. Trevor was one of those great photographers who you don't even notice are present. Thanks Trevor. Oh, and I'm so glad all of your cameras survived, I thought the beauty of my sister might cause them to spontaneously combust.

Kate

World's Cutest Ring Bearer

Meazi and her cousins, Betsy and Abby. Flower Girls Extraordinaire.

Sigh.

Don't hate her because she's perfect.

Did I mention Kate is a choreographer?

The ceremony was on the roof of Madison's modern art museum.

Modern art.

Remind me later to tell you why Kate chose green...

My mom with her beautiful Irish Blessing.

SWAK

Tarek the Happy

Available, one Nordstrom's flower girl dress worn once. 6x, already too small for Ms. Meazi. Will trade for Grenache Blanc, Dalwhinne, or Chocolate of any kind, or size 7 girl's clothes.

My brother Bubs looking dapper, with Bets.

Can I get a witness?

Family Photo

LA's newest power couple- Best man Greg, and his beautiful wife Claire. I keep checking Greg's website to see if he has posted his charming and eloquent best man speech, and I keep checking Claire's to see if her book is out yet. Still waiting...

Uhm, why my sister chose GREEN!

Again, please don't hate her for her charming form and her giant brain.

One of my dates- the shorter one.

The reception was at the Orpheum Theatre. Kate had two poets open the evening reciting a love poem to each other from the Romeo and Juliet balconies (not shown).

I said a few words.

It was impossible for me to describe what it means to have Kate as my sister.

They chose one of my absolute favorite Talking Heads' songs for their first dance- This must be the Place.

My Father.

My Father- after a couple of cocktails. (Some people garden, play chess, he dresses like the king and performs).

It is a freaking miracle she didn't fall over this balcony.

 

 

 

 

It was a truly spectacular evening. I love my new brother Tarek so much. I didn't post a lot of pictures of his absolutely lovely family because, well, I'm not sure how they feel about blogs. Perhaps they enjoy privacy like some husbands I know.

I truly underestimated how moving an experience this would be, watching Katie tie the knot. She looked at Tarek in a way I'd never seen her look before. It was a thing of beauty.

AbFab Wedding Weekend Part 1

Gorgeous flowers outside this Aspen home

Ok y'all, I have not quite recovered from this weekend's wedding festivities so bear with me.  It was a PARTY.  Beyond that, it was my very oldest and bestest friend's wedding and there's nothing more wonderful than celebrating her meeting her prince charming.

Aspen is beautiful.  Breathtakingly beautiful.

(all of my pictures are from my iPhone so they may not do the weekend justice)

Everywhere you look, there are gorgeous flowers blooming.

We stayed at The Sky Hotel, which was really fun and definitely the best place for all of "the kids" to stay.  Our room was whimsical ski chalet chic, if you will.  It was really fun and the beds were super comfy. 

Here are some more pictures from The Sky Hotel web site. 

How fun are those oversized chairs in the lobby? 

The pool area saw a lot of action this weekend.

I love the cozy lounge.

We didn't use the meeting room, but I had to include it because of the antelope carpet, which also lined the bell carts.

My parents stayed at The Little Nell.  I never saw their room, but my sister was very impressed by the barn doors leading to the closet.  

Barn Doors 

We had a welcome party at The Little Nell followed by an after party at Caribou Club where I danced ... hard.  If I were ever to design a room for my husband, I would definitely use this room as inspiration. It is so masculine and warm. 

Caribou Club 

If I had a house in Aspen, I would probably spend the entire summer there.  It definitely brings out the outdoorsy side of me, which doesn't surface all to often.  It is just such a beautiful town.  I'm completely spoiled. Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 when things really get fabulous!