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...