The year of the wedding: Seattle edition

Taylor and I decided to turn a semi-local wedding into a fun-filled weekend in Seattle. 

We packed up the rolly-cooler (a fabulous graduation present from my parents) and headed north. My friend Kelle just so happens to live in the same neighborhood as the wedding venue, and although she was headed out of town, she offered up her absolutely adorable apartment to the two of us. We loved running Kelle's route on Lake Washington, walking to the Madison Park Starbucks, and enjoying happy hour at the cute little Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood. Another great luxury included shuffling home from the wedding on foot, rather than having to call a cab! 

We also got to see King Felix throw a great game as the Mariners beat the Marlins Friday night. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see some of my best friends as our schedules did not match up, but it's probably a good thing because we were able to just relax and enjoy having no plans. 

Taylor's good college buddy Tim got married at the Seattle Tennis Club Saturday, and it was a lovely wedding with great food and friends. 

Before heading home, we braved downtown Seattle for a quick trip through Pike's Place.

The rolly-cooly-cooler-rolly!

The day started out gray, and it didn't look too promising, but the sun broke just before the wedding, and it was outstanding. So perfect. We are standing right where the ceremony took place. Talk about a view!

Taylor, Kathleen, and Jenna...pikies up!

This is a total framer and classic Mike. I just love this pic.

Mike and Tulls going at it on the dance floor.

The bride and groom dancing their first dance.

The year of the wedding: Austin edition

One of my biggest worries when moving away from Austin was losing my indescribably amazing group of friends. Two years later, I'm happy to report this was nothing more than a worry.

Last month, two of these friends (from different crowds) got married a week apart. Taylor and I were fortunate enough to be able to help out groom No. 1 by housesitting for him and his new bride while they enjoyed their honeymoon in Hawaii. Ricky and Cortnee have a cat, a little dog, and a big puppy. They live in a condo near downtown Austin, and we experienced some serious Adventures in Babysitting while watching over their pride and joy(s) for that week.

It was tons of fun showing Taylor around my former home. He was such a trouper meeting all my friends, eating an abundance of Tex-Mex, staying up late visiting and waking up early to attend my old running group, hearing me say things like: "This is where I used to grocery shop"..."This is where I had my first taste of Texas barbecue"..."This is where I learned to two-step." 

Poor guy. I know if the roles were reversed, I probably wouldn't have been so patient. We capped off our week by attending my friend Emily's wedding. It was a lovely affair, and I'm so thankful we were able to attend.

Highlights of the trip included (but were not limited to):

• The Gunn-Doyle and Mayfield-Lewis weddings
• A wonderful reunion of current and former News 8 employees
• The couples shower for Fernanda and John's newest addition, Vincent Vezina
• Two nights sleeping and reminiscing at Chez Kling
• Waking up to sunshine and feeling warm for the first time in many months
• A day trip to Houston for an Astros game
• Dinner, drinks, and walking down memory lane with the Brenans in Katy
• Recreating a photo opp with Andrea and Jenny at the Xavier Rudd concert at La Zona Rosa
• Stalking Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend at said concert
• A day trip to San Antonio so Taylor could see the Alamo and the Riverwalk (not my favorite, but he enjoyed it!)
• Two words: breakfast tacos
• Lunches and people-watching at Whole Foods 
• Sitting in on legislative happenings at the Capitol
• A perfect dinner at The Oasis on Lake Travis 
• Cooking for friends
• Introducing Taylor to Amy's Ice Creams
• Savoring every bite of my breakfast and enjoying the company of two of the best girls I know at Kerby Lane
• Dropping off Taylor for his Saturday bike ride with a group from Mellow Johnny's

I know I'm forgetting to mention some key items, but there it is in a nutshell. I think Taylor enjoyed Austin as much as I did. Even though I won't be moving back, I'm determined to have my own place there someday, so family and friends will have an awesome vacation spot. 

It's such a part of me, and I will never forget the way Austin made and makes me feel.

Dinner at Matt's El Rancho our first night...before Josh and Kevyn got engaged (this just happened last weekend!!!).

At Ricky and Cortnee's wedding, the Allan House, Austin.

I think this is an awkward picture. I need a posture check!

The happy couple!

Ricky and Cortnee dancing their first dance.

Taylor and Bailey, one of the three under our care for the week.

Taylor in front of Mellow Johnny's...we went back three times, and he went on a Saturday ride in Hill Country with a MJ group. The boy loves his cycling.

Taylor at the Texas Capitol. He's pretty excited about this!

Legislative business happening below!

We tried sneaking into Royal Memorial Stadium while under construction, but this is as close as we got. They keep that place under wraps!

Channeling his inner Vince Young.

Xavier Rudd doing what he does.

Jenny and Mike at Fernanda and John's couples shower/dinner.

Celebrating Vincent Vezina.

Andrea and Kara cut the cake at Vincent's dinner.

Awful pic of us, but good memory. Taylor will never forget the Alamo because of my attitude at having to visit San Antonio. (I mean, why would I want to leave Austin?) Photos are deceiving. The Alamo is pretty tiny.

Riverwalk, San Antonio!

It wouldn't be a proper trip to SA without a spin through the five-and-dime.

Right, Tay?

Karina and me at The Oasis.

Dinner at The Oasis on Lake Travis.

The use of this camera phone function was completely accidental, but oh so cool!

More of the sunset at The Oasis.

What would a trip to Austin be without a night at Pete's Piano bar?

The gorgeous table setting at Emily and Trey's wedding.

My favorite Austin blondes, Jenny and Andrea.

Seriously? Apparently this is the only pic I took of the bride and groom chatting with Fer and John.

Great gang of ladies at Emily and Trey's wedding, Four Seasons, Austin.

Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Taylor's going to get tired of me taking photos of him like this.

Between then and WOW!

I look at my blog and think about blogging every day.

Why oh why am I so lazy? I'm not sure, but now there's no room for excuses.

I'm done--Done--DONE with grad school, with my job, and--just to give you a mental picture--I'm currently sitting at the kitchen table in my plush bathrobe without much of an agenda today.

Ah. Yes. It's summer. It's that period between the end of the school year and...oh...wait. That's right. I don't have a plan.

If you would have asked me a year ago what I would be doing right now, I would have said with total confidence that I'd be back in Austin working in publishing. Clearly, plans have changed. I'm beginning to wonder why I ever make plans of any sort.

This last year has been one of the most exciting adventures I could have asked for, but it's left me in limbo, and I'm not exactly comfortable.

I'd just like to know what I'm supposed to be doing!

I know I will find a job. I mean, c'mon. I just started looking. I've got health insurance, and the support of family, friends, and a top-notch boyfriend. What more could I ask for?

Yesterday, I worked out three times, put a dent in my book, and spent the first day of summer as it should be spent: soaking up rays, lounging lakeside with an iced coffee, and dining with one of the best friends I've got.

This is the life.

If I have to scrape by for a bit, so be it. I'm going to enjoy this time as I doubt it'll ever surface again.