Announcing the arrival of Andee Grace!

I've been so emotional the last couple of weeks...with the arrival of my niece, the marry-ing off of another dear friend, and now, the arrival of the most highly anticipated baby in all of Raleigh Hills!

Congratulations to one of my nearest and dearest friends Leslee, her hubby Troy, and big brother Barron! 

Andee Grace is absolutely perfect. 

When Barron was born, I had just started grad school and coaching, and life was a wee bit hectic...not to mention the threat of swine flu forced visitors to stay home from seeing the newborn. So, I was pretty pumped to be able to see Leslee and baby A on her actual birthday! And, I'm even more excited to be a part of this chick's life!!!

Les and I became friends through my mom. She used to see Leslee at the gym, grinding it out on the Stepmill while simultaneously studying for nursing school, or busting out a spin session. As chatty as my mom is, she got to talking to Leslee and found out she used to be a pro snowboarder, and even won the X-Games. Yeah. So this is what my mom told me, and do you think I believed her? No way. I totally thought she was exaggerating and just had her facts mixed up, until one day I met Leslee while with my mom at the grocery store.

I remember thinking Leslee was so nice and pretty, and yes, we should totally hang out. So, I started by visiting her at Starbucks, where she worked while plowing through nursing school. Our friendship grew slowly, as I moved away to Texas, but we stayed in touch through letters and e-mails. When I moved home, we picked up the heat, and we started having tae bo and coffee dates on Saturday mornings. 

Now, years later, Leslee is a nurse (Taylor says people probably fight to have her as their care-taker), and now a mom of two. I am so fortunate to have her as a friend, mentor, and constant source of inspiration.

We love Team Schady! Welcome to the squad, Andee!!! 

Cruz-ing down the coast

One time Taylor told me if he had whittle down his interests to just two things, he'd stick with fishing and mountain biking.

After I asked if he wanted to travel to Northern California for Troy's wedding, he looked at a map, and giddy as a school girl boy, he wondered if I would possibly...just maybe...kind of be interested in going to Santa Cruz.

Since he did all of the driving on the trip, I figured it was only fair for the guy to live it up before heading back to Portland.

After a lovely morning-after brunch at Troy's mom's house, we rushed down the highway to Santa Cruz, and in true Taylor fashion, he had it all mapped out. We blew through town and out on the trail toward Wilder State Park.

What a beaut! For miles we rode on the rimrock, with the ocean directly to our left, and outstanding farmland to the left. When a breeze blew, you could smell the sweetest combination of sea air and fresh produce...just like walking through a farmers' market.

Once the trail ended and we had to cross over the highway, things got a little uncomfortable for me. Since I am not the most experienced rider, poor Taylor's patience was put to the test as I tried--rather unsuccessfully--to grind up the hills. I've got to give the guy some serious credit. More than just a high five. A standing ovation is not enough. If I could do a one-person stadium wave, I would. He is such a trouper when trying to teach this old dog new tricks. I get a bit (understatement of the century) frustrated when I can't do things right away. I don't have to be the best, but I do not like fumbling...over and over again...especially when it's something related to athletics or athleticism.

I wish Taylor could have rode more of the trails, but we had to rent my bike and return it fairly early. We settled for a stroll along the wharf and some serious people-watching on the boardwalk.

Although I have only Hood River to compare it to, Santa Cruz is a pretty sweet place to hit the trails on a bike. I highly recommend, and I hope we can come back again when I'm a bit more experienced. That is, if Taylor agrees to continue teaching me his techniques. ;)

I took some video on Taylor's phone, so I'll see if I can add that at some point. That'd be pretty high-tech of me if I could.

All geared up and ready to go.

I, on the other hand, chose to forgo the padded pants, and was sorely (yes, pun intended) remorseful.

Helmet heads.

Lucky for us, there were some surfer passers-by.

Surf's up!

Strolling along the wharf.

I'd never seen a seal so close up...except maybe at the zoo.

Celebrating their love in front of the carnies on the boardwalk. How romantic!

It's times like this when I'm so glad it's not considered taboo to bust out your camera just about anywhere. This was a California mom waving to her kiddos on the roller coaster. The front was just as good as the back. Use your imagination.

Taylor, seriously...stop asking me to take your pic at every landmark. Oh. Wait. That's me. He he.

Welcome to Santa Cruz, where the '70s rule.

Goodbye SC. We'll see you again sometime.

The year of the wedding: Los Gatos (Nestldown) edition

Where do I begin with this one?

Should I start with a walk down Memory Lane? Stories about the groom from our college days...as the most All-American guy I know...college football star...church buddy...lunch bunch member...big brother type???

Or, should I start at 1:30 a.m., Thursday...the time the alarm erupted at Taylor's house? The time we rolled out of bed to begin our trek down I-5 to San Jose for Troy's wedding?

No one besides the two of us road-trippers really needs to know about our voyage through Southern Oregon during the wee hours of the morning...seeing the sun rise over Mt. Shasta...my failed attempts to copilot and deejay the trip.

So we'll just skip over that and pick up once we made it to the San Jose area (just shy of a ten-hour trek). We met up with another great college friend Jesse and his girlfriend Courtney. After a couple showers and a couple cocktails, we hopped on the shuttle from the hotel to the wedding venue. It was quite the quick turnaround.

As semi-professional wedding attendees, Taylor and I feel as though we've seen a lot of sites, and Nestldown (still not sure why there's no "e" in the name) really took our breath away. The bus ride out felt like heading to summer camp, with the windy tree-lined narrow road. According to the bride, the venue used to be an estate, and the owners now offer corporate events and meetings along with a few weddings.

There were countless homespun details at this wedding, which I truly appreciate and try to document. You could feel the love in the delivery of the vows, and of course I loved the fact that Troy was able to finagle a Catholic ceremony outdoors.

I hadn't met Christie until the wedding, a rather significant something I couldn't quite believe. Troy was one of the best buddies I could have asked for in college, and for me to have not met someone this special up until that moment is almost ridiculous. Christie looked stunning, and oh so happy. She has quite the husband, and from the speeches and chit-chat among guests, it's evident the Bienemanns are adored by many.

Let's take a look back...

Guided by the light of the moon at "o'dark:30" as my dad likes to say.

Blurry...just like my state of mind.

Taylor had to drive and document as that latte at 5:30 put me right to sleep. Mt. Shasta at sunrise.

Let's scoot right to the ceremony site. Jesse, Courtney, and Taylor begin the decent. Thanks to Christie's note on the invite, I knew not to wear heels. Oh how thankful I was.

Down the stairs to the pond...

Seated and ready.

Shadowed, yet stunning. Jesse (or should I say Bono) and cutie pie Courtney.

Absolutely loved these program fans because of the flip-side...

A wedding party crossword! I loved it! And, just to note, with the help of Taylor's quick wedding website cramming, we were the first of our crew to finish.

Reason #756,945 why I need a new camera: I wish you could see the look on TB's face!

And that's another! My blurry first glance at the Mrs! Oh well. The memory stands. Simply stunning!

You can see (ever so slightly to the left) the bridesmaid attire...gray and white stripes with yellow flowers. The groom and his men wore gray suits. My favorite ensemble accessory was the yellow argyle socks.

Sizzling So-Cal-ians.

Surprise, surprise! Here we are at another wedding!

Had to get one with the Jess man.

The little lodge where the after-dark dancing took place.

Too much cute. Loved all the vintage treasures like these suitcases and the typewriter (not pictured). I also just love the Bienemann sign. Great gift.

Inside.

Outside. Cocktail hour.

Train rides available for guests. ;)

Coug flag shipped straight from the homeland. I can't wait to see the professional pics of the Cougs in attendance. 

The secret garden on site.

Jesse made me take a pic of the lime on this plate. He couldn't get over it! 

Paging Hansel and Gretel. We want your house.

Taylor and the garden sculptures.

Picture perfect.

Regretfully, the only pic of the bride and groom together! Can't believe TB is all grown up and married!

This was a spread straight out of the Benz book on desserts! Cake pops, cookies, pie bites, rice crispie balls, yum yum yum!

Shot sans flash. Also must note the lace tablecloth. Loved those.

First dance: Whatever It Is, Zac Brown Band.

Things started to get blurry...and Taylor told me to put the camera away. :) 

Unfortunately, I didn't get the snaps of Jesse + Courtney & Taylor + Kate or the pic of the four of us with the bride and groom, but Courtney did...so as soon as I get those from her, I'll add them to this post.

Cheers to everybody's favorite Coug and his new bride!