It starts with Big T's birthday

Today is my dad's birthday (can you tell we're related?!), and it just dawned on me that his big day ushers in a slew of summer celebrations.

In honor of these, I thought I'd take a little stroll down memory lane.

Tomorrow is my sister Elizabeth and her hubby's fifth wedding anniversary. Two brothers for J. Bird and twelve houses later, I'd say Team Heit is as happy as ever.

Look at these crazy kids back in the day.

July 29, 2006: Elizabeth trades in her Benz for a Heit.

Lady Di and her girls.

Is that the famous "one-two-rock-step" I see?

Danced every Tuesday for 30+ years.

Welcome to the family, Bird.

A year later, the Heits expanded as Campbell joined the fam.

Team Heit in full, full effect.

Fast-forward a few years, and Team Heit made its second annual appearance at the Benz Birthday Weekend Cooking Challenge '10.

Then in March of this year, we (I say that as if I am a part of the immediate fam) welcomed brother Leo, affectionately called Weeo.

The cutest nephews on the planet.

Just a few weeks from now, we'll be adding another Benz to the family as Joe marries Sara August 20 in Salem.

Once there were four.

And we were a family of six. 

And, not to be forgotten, my sister Stefanie and brother-in-law Jordan are welcoming a new addition to their family in early September. No, it's not a furry companion for Tilly. It's an actual human being! A baby DeVries! Boy or girl? Your guess is as good as mine!

Back when they were dating. Aw.

Rounding out the celebrations will be S and J's anniversary in late September. It seems like just yesterday we were in Sunriver for the wedding.

This wedding and photo made us a family of ten.

I guarantee we'll have a similar photo of Nana B at Joe's wedding, except she'll be toting Leo.

Cheers to Stef and Jordan! Lizey and I tag-teamed the MOH duties and speeches.

Stef and Jordan's wedding was the first time I really got to know Sara. I'd say she felt pretty comfortable with the fam.

When Stef married Jordan, Joe got two brothers. Finally, some men to balance all the estrogen at the family get-togethers.

Who knew then that they were really just practicing for August 20, 2011?

Joe and his big sis.

By summer's end our family will round out at 13: the original six, three spouses, and four kiddos!

Before, after, and in-between these monumental family events, I have several (more than a couple) fabulous friends tying the knot, and my good friend Leslee will be welcoming her baby girl to the world!!!

So, essentially what I'm saying is that I have an excuse to perma-party from now until October. See you on the dancefloor!  

This guy will be boogy-ing, too. No doubt.

King Felix and a Friday night Mariners game

I must have forgot to upload these pics after our fun weekend last month in Seattle.

We visited yet another baseball stadium, and although we didn't get to sit in his special section or eat turkey legs, we witnessed King Felix throw a great game.

Taylor at a baseball game is like a kid in a candy store. I'm not a big fan of that analogy, but it proves the point.

The year of the wedding: Bachelorette edition

Things got a little nutty this weekend as we celebrated the remaining moments of single status for Sara (my brother Joe's fiancee) and my dear friend Katie Woodman.

I'll be a bridesmaid in both weddings, just one week apart, so it's fitting both celebrated their bachelorettes over the weekend. 

Sara and her crew of friends headed to Lincoln City for an entire weekend of debauchery, and although I stayed just Friday night, it was long enough to know her high school and college buddies had been waiting for and planning this trip for quite some time. 

I headed back home Saturday to co-host Katie's shower with Mariel and Kelley. We had so much fun baking and decorating in preparation for this party. A great group of about 12 ladies gathered for food, cocktails, and--of course--all kinds of treats before heading to downtown Portland in a party bus Mariel rented for the night! What a great way to get around. 

It was wonderful to see the focus of the evening on Katie, who is one of the most humble and selfless people in my life. She's constantly planning, crafting, organizing, and remembering the special moments of others, so it was really great to have a whole night dedicated to celebrating her. 

Katie's done a brilliant job of putting a homemade loving touch on just about every part of her wedding details, including her invitations and her gown...so I really can't wait to see the whole thing come together on August 13.

Unfortunately, I didn't snap any pictures of Sara's party, but her sister made some beautiful decorations, and the beach house on Devil's Lake was a gorgeous setting for the weekend.

Cheers to two lovely brides!   

The bride embarrassingly unwrapping lingerie as Mariel, Kelley, Sarah, and Kate look on.

So sad this pic is a bit blurry. Only Matea is missing from our fab five.

I'm so thankful to be in Portland so I can partake in these special moments. Oh, and if you're wondering...Kell is standing on a step ladder.

Here we are on the party bus, Ring Pops and party hats in full force. I love my friends! Cheers to Katie!

Gorge-ous views from Dog Mountain

Yesterday, my friend (and Confirmation teacher) Carla asked me if I wanted to hike Dog Mountain with her in the Columbia River Gorge. Of course I did! I've always wanted to do this hike, and we had a blast.

The wildflowers were in full force, and the photos just don't do 'em justice. The best part was the fact that there were few people on the summit trail.

Hiking on a weekday = just one of the perks of being in my "transitional phase." Sounds a lot better than "unemployment," eh?

Here we go!

A little Vanna White action showcasing the wildflowers.

Gettin' close.

A cute older couple took a pic of us at the summit ~ 3,000 feet. 

Heading down.

After some moments of doubt, we found that switchback, confirming that yes, in fact, we were heading back down.

Le Tour fever

Taylor had me watch a documentary about Le Tour de France, and I must say, it really helped me appreciate and understand the race. We took this photo at Mellow Johnny's in Austin. He's such a good sport.

The year of the wedding: Troutdale (Edgefield) edition

Taylor had the privilege of serving as a groomsman in his high school and college friend Nick's wedding. The ceremony and reception were at McMenamin's Edgefield in Troutdale Friday night.

An added bonus of this wedding included Mike and Kathleen as members of the bridal party. I don't know if it was the DJ or the company, but we boogied like nobody's business at the Sailer-Parlee wedding.

We have a couple weeks off, and then we're back on the wedding train again. Until then, we'll be bachelor/bachelorette partying-it-up.

Taylor and his 'maid, Stephanie.

Melissa and Nick, 7-8-11.

The boy cleans up pretty good!

The most fabulous bridesmaid in the lineup!

Kat attaching Mike's "BM" (Best Man) patch.

Owen (the ring bearer and smartest six-year-old I've ever met) and his girlfriend, Kat.

Taylor taking part in the Dollar Dance.

Six Hours of Mt. Hood

Before we headed to the Greenbergs' for an all-American Fourth of July party (on the third!), we ventured up to Mt. Hood so Taylor and his buddy Denny could participate in Six Hours of Mt. Hood.

As the name of the race suggests, those crazies rode their bikes for six hours on a grueling course, all for the glory of finishing, as well as a nice pint glass and necklace. ;)

Besides being the (un)official race photographer, I hit up the trails for a run before lounging at the base of "camp" to work on my tan. It was a tough day for all.

The "hand-off" between Taylor and Denny.

What a stud.

It's crazy to think just a few months ago we were skiing here. It looks a little different during the summer months.

Comin' in hot.

Super happy to be done.

Taylor and his teammate, Denny (who, by this point, had already changed and had his post-race beer).

And, the night before the race, we went to the Timbers game! Such a great weekend.

Great seats courtesy of Timbers midfielder Freddie Braun!