Fall Back

I absolutely love this time of year. It's by far and away my favorite.
Fall.
Can you see in your mind's eye the leaves turning? To me it's a shedding of the once vibrant to make room for something even better. This sense of turning over has never faded for me as I grow older. It still makes me still want a buy new boots and sharpen my pencils. However, this year is slightly different...
Autumn is fast approaching and we are venturing into some uncharted territory. With school, bible studies, and soccer starting it's sure to be a busy season in our life. Our company is launching a new product line today which my husband, FIL, and BIL are jazzed about. With these new beginnings, I am sensing a fresh start and that's exhilarating. I did also shave part of my head (see previous post) and that has me feeling: 1 part Last of the Mohicans, 2 parts hardcore, and 3 parts free of conventional beauty which I am living in the moment of.
This post is a double entendre since it's title was originally meant to showcase our family outing to Snoqualmie Falls, which was breath-taking by the way. Pearson calls them "waterfells." It is adorable. Here are a couple pictures from that adventure:

Born & Raised in a Summer Haze

Enjoying the last of summer with sprinkler time...

Life is too "short."

Maybe not THIS short, but best to make it fun whilst we're all still here. No? For me, this is fun AND a risk...

iOverwhelmed

Recently, for my birthday I received an iPhone from my wonderful hub. I am officially the least worthy human being to own a device such as this. (See: Washing my cell phone in with my clothes, then dropping it's replacement from the second story banister. In my defense I was pregnant and therefore incapable of coherent thought...)
To my amazement I am really loving it (typing this post on said device), but I am beyond overwhelmed with all it can do. I don't even own an ipod so to me it feels like I've been transported to another dimension or similarly dropped out of a space ship on Mars. There's an app for anything you can imagine and I have come to simple conclusion regarding my highly sophisticated phone. I'm keeping it real; using it for it's intention, pictures, and my bible app.
And for now calling it a day. Just before I started typing this I read Bek's blog about solitude and silence. It spoke to me and the direction I would love to take for this next season in life; take a gander. I'm thankful for her in many ways, but mostly thankful to God for granting me friendships that are rooted in Him. More on this later, but for now overwhelmed has a new meaning: that of pairing down to what matters and feeling overwhelmed at the genuine change and space for truth that will create.

The Main Event

Much has been posted this summer about the upcoming nuptials of one Ms. Sara Manzo to her betrothed Joe Benz...now here's the long awaited conclusion to all the summer fun!
Bare with me, there will be many words and many a picture. Having said that, I don't have the professional ones yet, but will be sure to post them or the link at a later date.
(sidenote: Ty stayed up here with the girls this past weekend which is why he's not in any of the pictures...here's a "taste" of what they did. See: eat popcorn and watched Rio at Gamma's.)

The event began on Friday night with the rehearsal and dinner at Manzo's mom Susie and her husband Tom's newly built dream farmhouse. It is beyond what I can describe in words; sufficed to say it's straight out of a magazine and absolutely breath-taking. The farmhouse is surrounded by hazelnut orchards and land as far as the eye can see. Here sets the stage for one of the most gorgeous, rustic, and warm weddings I've ever been in or attended. Some highlights of the rehearsal and dinner were:
The picnic theme.
The FABULOUS cookie bar baked exclusively by Joe's mom.
Tears and genuinely sweet words from my Manzo and her Joe. sniff, sniff.
Bride & Groom Bingo!








On to the main event on Saturday.
Now that I'm typing this I really think this portion should be titled: the MANE event as I think all of us bridesmaids worked on our hair for the better part of the day. Got to keep it tight. My good friend Pfau and her sister Carli allowed us to take over Carli's posh beauty salon to primp. It is amazing and if you live in Salem, you need to hit up Salon Montage! As all of this is going on, I realize I need some gum so I grabbed Courtney and we go to Safeway which as it turns out was maybe not the best course of action. It was there in the checkout line (as I was wearing a TUBE TOP and sweat pants with no makeup or any semblance of dignity) I run into an old guy friend from high school.
It might have stolen my swagger.
After finally putting my face on we headed over to the wedding local, which thanks to my creative Kt (pictured on the cherry picker above) and her cute and capable mama Kerri was transformed into something straight out of a magazine. Pictures by the cutest pregnant photog ever (shout out Katie Brown!) and then on to wait in an air-conditioned RV until go time. Here is where I was chosen to fill out the official wedding certificates and spilled beer on my dress.
It was an eventful 20 minutes.
Beautiful ceremony. The bride came down the isle with her dad to a quartet of string players, said her own vows written from the heart, and kissed the man who is meant for her. Every second was magic, every detail perfect, and I dabbed a few tears into a vintage handkerchief. I won't tell a falsehood; it was hotter than blue blazes in that orchard. I was praying the sweat-stache on my upper lip would evaporate before it was noticed...
Then on to drinks, dinner, and dancing. My favorite three D's. I loved catching up with old friends and while we're on the subject I just wanted to give a quick shout out to my girlfriends and their parents for continuing to always be real with and love me. Even though some times I'm out of sight I know now I'm never out of mind.
I miss you all A LOT.
Highlights from the main event include:
-When Manzo's grandpa Dwight declined to be introduced as such, but rather as "The oldest living booster of the Oregon State Beavers football team."
-The live band's version of Free Bird.
-Spurning the advances of a rather persistent, rather inebriated 22 year old.
It may have returned my swagger.
-The toasts.
-Seeing love come to fruition.
Congratulations to you two and the new Mrs. Benz...

Scenes

...from my (and Taryn's) fabulous birthday party thrown by one Mrs. A Bell. Thank you, Andi!



Today I turn 28, making it a point to enjoy this year without reservation...

T & C files: August 2011

I feel as if I write this every August, but I suppose since it tends to hold its truth: this week in August is insane. Insane every year, but especially this one. This week we have/had a wedding, three family birthdays, my birthday (night out), and my parent's anniversary, two parties, one baby shower, and preschool orientation.
hey-o! Game face on.
I do indeed have many a story from Manzo's AMAZING wedding this past Saturday, including but not limited to a 10,000 sq foot farm house, a tube top, heat, and love. But you can't tell a tale like this one without the decidedly helpful accompaniment of pictures, because I can guarantee the pictures from that wedding will be incredible. So as soon as I get the word, that post will come and I'll alert the media or the two people who read this on a regular basis.
In other news, my creative projects have spawned a rather ugly and illegitimate child, which I have christened: Redecorating Conundrum. Has a nice ring, huh? In short, now that I have some boss candle sticks (etc.), everything else looks second rate. Thus, I am changing things here and there and now I feel like I am redecorating our whole place. hmm...I'll keep you posted, but there might just have to be an intervention.
Send me to a rehab near HGTV headquarters.
Today we went school clothes shopping. My four year old officially has more excitement for this than I did in high school. Congratulations Tyler Bell, your genes have defeated my own. It was quite the scene. Such phrases as, "Ooooo, I think we will get this one!"
(Between intermittent squeals of excitement) "So cute!"
"I LOVE this color." were uttered out of the mouth of my babe. I just kept thinking: I CANNOT let Tyler take her clothes shopping EVER. We will be bankrupt, of that I can assure you. It is crazy to think that school starts in less than two weeks! Pearson is waiting on pins and needles. Pre-K, can you believe it? One more year before REAL school...every day. Such a little lady now! Sorta makes a Momi sad, but happy for her to have one of the things she enjoys most return to her.
Tomorrow is my birthday.
Yours smiling,

Oasis

Or at least MY version: a calm moment of sisterly affection and peace.

I love staring at this while they are screaming at the top of their lungs in the playroom over who can hold Orange Blossom and who can hold Strawberry Shortcake...my money's on Harper.

H&M

Cousin nickname. And since Molly seems more than a little confused as to whether her name is actually Molly or if indeed it is McGee; H&M should work no matter what:)


I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship!

Inspired

I've been on artistic fire this month. Just inspired to be outside and being creative...
Here's my latest; a set bulletin boards upstairs for the girls to display their artwork, chore lists, and pictures. What do you think?

Harbor

My parents took us on a Harbor cruise around Lake Union on Monday and it couldn't have been a nicer Seattle day. Pearson loved the boats, paddlers (surfers as she called them), and little house boats. But her favorite was the graffiti on the walls of canal by the U. Here are some fun pictures from the afternoon, thanks Mom and Dad, we had fun! oh, and I apologize for Harper's hair. It is beyond a hot mess; this is what happens when you let a 16 month old have her own banana in the back of your car...

Proteinikka 2011

Meat fest was again held at J & T's just down the street. It's quite quickly becoming one of my favorite summer traditions. I love that we can just walk right over on a summer night and eat the BEST meal 15 dollars can buy you in at least the tristate area; maybe the whole of these united states.
There were yummy dips, a pre-mixed drink cooler with wonders like the Strawberry Habanero margarita, spicy prawns, and lamb wraps. oh boy: mmmm, mmm, double mmmm.
I think Joe improves his technique every year; examples?
-The pre-mixed drinks. We may or may not have learned the vast importance of NOT progressively mixing yourself a cocktail as the night lingers on.
-Less fanfare with the plating and no utensils; which frankly you don't need when the food is that good. Lots of finger-liking goodness.
-And finally, that if you want your marsh mellow roasted to absolute perfection; Ty is your man. The roast master is patient and very careful to cultivate a slow burn of perfect golden tastiness.
Here's to next year, I'm already steeped in anticipation...

Quota Exceeded

...and planning on more too:)

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night

Aminals & That Spinny Thing

This is Pea's official title for the zoo. Here is our day in pictures, thanks for taking us Grama Polly!