From Park City, with love

Our last supper at Olympic Provisions. Bummed this photo didn't turn out better. 

One night at the Hopworks bike bar.

We'll be saying that someday soon. I hope. Our dear friend Dan just took a job in Salt Lake and is up and moving his whole world to Park City, Utah.

He's a huge mountain biker and snowboarder, so he's pretty much moving to paradise. And, we couldn't be more excited for him. Well. That's actually a lie. I could be more excited if I weren't so selfishly sad.

I met Dan at my last job. He got hired on a few months after me, and he left a couple months before me. It was a quick work friendship, but it was and is priceless. Once I introduced him to Taylor, the two of them bonded just as we had, and their mutual love of mountain and road biking cemented their friendship. The three of us would meet up for extravagant dinners around town, most lasting hours and capping off with the giant brownie sundae offered at Hopworks biker bar on North Williams. Thanks to Dan we tried some delicious (notice I did not say "yummy," TAYLOR) food, drank some tasty beers and full-bodied wines, and rated restaurants like it was our job.

Dan, you're a one-in-a-million confidant and friend. We wish you nothing but the best on your next adventure, and we will come visit as soon as you're settled and have the SLC restaurant scene figured out. Off-roading adventures to follow. Culinary delights must continue.  

[God]father's Day 2013

I've had the privilege of accepting various honors over the years. You know, sports letters and trophies, academic awards, mentions in the newspaper...but none of these compared to how touched I felt when Emily and Greg asked if Taylor and I would be their daughter's godparents. 

We arrived at Casa Lagreid Friday evening and just like every other visit, we chowed and chatted...drank a few brews and sang a few tunes. Emily planned a pre-Baptismal party for friends and family in the area, and she let me take the reins in the food department. We whipped up quite a few hors d'oeuvres Saturday morning, and then we grazed all day long until said guests arrived. Our girl KVH came to the par-tay but had to take off before the big show because she just happened to be climbing Mt. Rainier the next day. NBD, right?

The Lagreids' church is literally right around the corner from their house, so we buzzed on over for the Saturday evening service. The congregation welcomed the newest member of the church, and we felt such pride and honor standing up on the altar with Em and Greg. Taylor and I gifted baby L with a book of prayers and a ceramic night light, similar to one I received at my baptism. 

It was fairly emotional for me, especially, as baptism is a sacrament, which means "to make sacred" or as the priest who married us described, "a sacred moment." The priest who preformed Lily's baptism gave a thought-provoking homily about the meaning of parents and godparents (since it happened to be Father's Day weekend), and he hammered home the point of raising up children right. Poignant and moving.

We are so blessed to have such flat-out amazing friends in Emily and Greg. It's an effortless and rewarding friendship, that just seems to keep getting better with time. I sometimes laugh out loud when I think about meeting Emily ten years ago...as my next-door neighbor in the dorms at Wazzu...and reminiscing about some of the situations we got ourselves into throughout our four years together in college. Two weddings and a baby later, it's like we never skipped a beat when we meet up. 

Thank you, Team Lagreid, for bestowing this amazing honor upon us. We promise to help be your baby's moral compass should either of you become "deadbeat Catholics" as your priest so lovingly described. We love you! XOXO 

Auntie Kate just had to snag these sandals for L. Might be a pinch too big.

Beer of the moment. 

It's good to see Taylor get in on the duet action.

Fat cats.

The star of the show.

Good thing that badminton set got assembled. 

Ten years of friendship.

Of course there is a story behind this one...

Greg really loved that brie en croute! 

Em, KVH, and Lily.

Emily's mom made Lily's baptismal gown out of leftover fabric from the wedding gown she made Emily. Precious.

Peonies from the farmer's market. So fun to get to walk around the market with Em and sort of live her typical Saturday (well, besides the whole baptism thing). We also really enjoyed a long run on the fantastic trail system just a stone's throw from their house. 

Placing the while stole on Lily's shoulders.

Uncle Taylor lighting the baptismal candle. 

The whole group. Special shout-out to the stranger in the pew behind us who graciously took the photos of the actual baptism. I sort of just threw the camera at her, and she took some great snaps.

Sneak peek into our whirlwind wedding weekend

I don't have the wedding photos I've received from friends or family organized, and I want to write about the day in nauseating detail...but I'm feeling a bit nostalgic at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday...when I should be working on a freelance project instead of clicking through photos. So, here goes. Just a few snaps from the wedding haps. Back to work and/or off to bed I go.

A true sneak peek from the photographer. If I don't have any other photos from the day, I'll be happy with this one. I love it.

Big sister Elizabeth buttoning up the zillions of hand-sewn buttons...and little Hazel who just wanted to be a part of the party.

Father of the bride part 3.

Weeeee! We're may-weeeeed!

Stars of the show...Leo in my uncle Bill's suit, which my brother wore when he was a kid, and my nephew Campbell wore in my sister Stefanie's wedding in 2008. This this has been around the block! Vin-taaaj.

Campbell showing Leo how it's done. 

The Heit boys.

Seersucker blaze did not come off all night. 

Tuckered.

My two college besties, Troy and Jesse, post-wedding, I  believe. 

The lovely Christie B, party planner extraordinaire. So thankful she and TB were there!

T's grandparents, Bobby and Nanny.

Candid.

Talking strategy. Cake-in-face to follow.

I know there are countless photos to download and plenty of stories to share...the rehearsal din amazingness...the day-of craziness...the "well, I guess that didn't get done"...and the "sure, that didn't exactly go as planned, but I didn't really mind" tidbits. I want to share them all. And, I will.

She's heeeeere...welcome, Naomi Ann!

After what seemed like forever, Allison and her hubby Andy welcomed their baby girl, Naomi Ann into their arms and hearts one week ago today. 

I think it's felt like forever because Al trusted me with her pregnancy secret very early on, and man oh man was it hard to keep it hush-hush until she decided to make her news public.

In true Allison fashion, everything went perfectly according to plan, from the name to the date of birth, and of course what baby N would wear home from the hospital.

We are so excited to have yet another baby in our lives, and I certainly can't wait to watch this little one grow into a latte-loving shopaholic like her mama. Congratulations Andy and Allison. Crazy Aunt Kate is ready to babysit! 

Super-duper proud "auntie" with one-day-old Nay-Nay (I doubt her mama's going to like that nickname!).

And, some Allison-related photos from the weeks prior to Naomi's birthday party!

Andy's surprise 30th birthday casino night party. Wonderful party planning, as always.

The rest of the snaps are from Al's perfectly executed baby shower, organized by lovely big sis Ashley. 

"Big brother" Hunter the golden.

Mama Fenton in the house!

So. SO sweet. Allison's grandma Naomi. She was THE BOMB. Lovely, lovely lady.