I see it slipping away...

I felt it the other day.

Once in the morning and again in the evening on a post-work run.

It was that crispness, disguised in a blanket of sunlight.

You can't fool me, Fall. I can feel you coming. And, I'm not happy about it.

We really lived it up this summer. Maybe to the extreme. I say that when I think about several meltdowns I've had after weekend getaways or when we decide to say "yes" to one more weeknight happy hour, concert, or other such celebration. That feeling of "...but it's Sunday night, and I didn't get anything done this weekend because we were too busy having fun!"

There's just not enough time in the day to enjoy the time not spent working.

And so, although I just ranted how I'm not looking forward to the approaching autumn season, I am, ever so slightly, looking forward to slowing down just a pinch.

Here's a few snaps of other summer notables, but I must admit I didn't have my phone or camera handy during some of the most memorable moments. And, I'm OK with that. Sometimes living in the moment is worth more than having it caught on camera.

In no particular order...

Matching beers and matching nails for the sisters.

One of my summer highlights included busting out some of our typically stowed away wedding gifts and trying out several saved recipes for a sisters-only happy hour at our place.

Of course we had to have a cheese board and charcuterie.

Uncovered some never-before-seen wedding snaps, like this one from Al. 

And these from the world's best pen pal, Becky. We have been friends for like 15 years, right?

And some Fourth of July food photos...note the doilies...

Mariel's bachelorette weekend festivities.

The longest (grossest) hair ever.

And the after.

It was touch-and-go there for a while with this little devil, but I'm happy (yes, I did just type that) to report Bronx the cat is back to his old self. And, I can now add "administers IVs to felines" to my resume.

We've been on a summer concert roll...Lee Brice at the zoo...whatever band we can get our hands on for free at the local parks...Wade Bowen/Mickey and the Motorcars/Reckless Kelly...and very soon we will be seeing ZAC BROWN BAND...ahhhhh. I can't wait. 

Lunch date at Fireside with Naomi and her mom. Wish we could do these every week. 

In-progress shots of the kitchen reno. I forgot to take a complete "before," but you get the idea with the laminate cabinets below the countertops. Taylor researched the heck out of Annie Sloane's chalk paint, and that's what he used on the uppers. The new countertops are coming this week, and then we'll add the backsplash and paint the lower cabinets. Perhaps some new appliances could be in our future, too. Not sure about that yet. Taylor's been doing a stellar job honing his inner Bob Villa (do people even know who he is anymore? Would one of those HGTV guys be a more appropriate reference?) and doing all of this work on his own. I am very proud.

Note the glasses. Note the quote. Our motto.

Current state of the kitchen.

So. This is where we leave off. Just a few more days and one long weekend left of this sweet newlywed summer. It's so hard to believe...

Lightning storms, padded shorts, and wedding bells

A few weeks ago, my cousin Mark married his love, Kristine, in Bend. 

We jump at any chance to head to Central Oregon, but we were super excited to welcome the newest member to our extended family and soak up that high desert air and sun. 

My sisters and their kids made the trek up from Southern California, and it was nice to have almost all of the band back together again.

Despite a bit of rain and some pretty sweet lightning storms, the bride and groom said "I do" in some pretty perfect weather conditions.

In other news, Taylor took me out for my first big mountain bike ride since my unfortunate accident at Hagg Lake last summer. Did I ever write about the time I flew over the handlebars shortly after our engagement??? Nevertheless, it was high time I got back on that metaphorical horse. God bless padded shorts.

This was the first wedding we attended since our wedding, and it just so happened to fall on our three-month anniversary (what's that? Do I hear the Shania Twain "Looks Like We Made it" song playing in the background?). Ha. 

Good fun family times to be had by all. 

Unky Taylor and C.

Brosef Joseph the groomsman. Great speech, by the way.

Hazey D...not too sure about this?

Mark's vows were the best: "I promise to love you no matter how many dogs you bring home."

Happy two-year anniversary to Joe and Sara on this very day...August 20!

How much do my mom and sis look alike?

Peacock theme.

Outlaw love.

Dad and Darryl...havin' a chat.

Leo and Hazel in their Vintage Benz attire...looking on at the festivities. 

Brothas.

Cousins.

First dance with Uncle Bill and Aunt Terry looking on...cute.

Mother-son dance...Joe and Lady.

It's always hard during the father-daughter dance...I mean, the guy's got three daughters.

And, so it begins...H was obsessed with the flower girl's poofy tutu-esque dress, and she gave H a piece of it.

Cuttin' that rug.

Auntie Sara is the funnest!!!

Check out Campbell's hair in this one...

Hazel's dream come true...a hug from the flower girl.

Benham Falls. So pretty.

He's not so much a fan of these types of photos. ;)

Uncle Tay and Auntie Kate...H really not having it, which is rare!

Obligatory Rock pic.