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!

Backcountry antics and lessons in campfire cooking

Last Christmas, Taylor gave me a spiffy backpacking pack, and the poor thing has been overlooked all summer mostly due to weddings.

That pack has been calling my name, so we finally carved out some time last weekend and headed north to meet my bestie Emily and her husband Greg for my first backpacking adventure.

We divided the meal duties with the Lagreids, and I learned Lesson 1 about backpacking: There's no refrigeration like when you're camping, thus visions of three course dinners and full-blown breakfasts got the kibosh from Taylor.

While the boys were busy e-mailing back and forth about the hike, where we could and would camp, and most importantly fishing, Em and I focused on more important things like who would bring the white box wine and who would bring the red. Although both our other halves suggested we were foolish for packing in two boxes of wine, I think they were more than thrilled to partake in our happy hours and campfire cocktails.

We met in the town of Packard, Washington, at a grocery store. Em and Greg hopped in our ride, and we proceeded through White Pass and up to the Pacific Crest Trail where we hiked in just as they daylight decided to disappear. We landed at Deer Lake, and (guided by headlamps) found a pristine campsite. This sucker had a fire pit as well as carved logs for sitting and a great shelf fastened to a tree (which fit our boxes of wine perfectly).

Em and Greg whipped up spaghetti and roasted garlic bread for dinner, and Greg serenaded us with several guitar solos. He packed in his binder full of songs, and on the second night, I dabbled in a few duets with the guy. Taylor loved to tell me how the entire forest could hear my screeching.

We escaped the rain that first evening, but overnight and the entire second day and night we encountered nonstop rain. Taylor and Greg hung tarps to keep our site dry, and we had to keep moving our tents to avoid massive puddles. We picked the worst weekend to camp, but it didn't matter. We had a blast.

Saturday morning, the guys caught some trout, and we grilled it up for lunch. Em and I caught up on everyone and everything, and she took her traditional catnap while I kept the fire roaring for the fishermen. Taylor cooked up some jambalaya for dinner, and then we feasted on s'mores. Actually, I think I was the only one stuffing my face with melted mallows that night. Plenty of wine and several songs later, we hit the hay to attempt some rest before our hike out in the morning.

In true Kate fashion, I forgot to charge my rickety camera, so all I have are some snaps from the very beginning of the trip. Emily has some additional footage, including pics of our total score of a campsite, which I'll post later.

Emily and Greg are such a fantastic couple, and we loved how effortless it was to coordinate this last-minute trip. After dropping off the duo, Taylor and I made a list of must-haves for our next outing, and we're already planning for this yet-to-be-determined trip. We're thinking a winter snowshoeing getaway.

I must mention the Lagreids will be celebrating their first anniversary on October 2. I can't believe it was a year ago already. Here's to many more adventures and good times!

In desperate need of a fishing license, I made Taylor choose the IGA over Thriftway because it reminded me of Dismores in Pullman, and after all, we were meeting up with my favorite Coug couple.

Taylor and I enjoyed the scenery on the way up Highway 12.

I couldn't get my camera out quick enough to take a better snap of this little cafe in the middle of nowhere called the Huff 'N Puff. We must eat there next time. I bet they have chicken fried steak and other diner delights.

God's country.

Fittingly, we scooped up Em and Greg at Blanton's Market, another proud IGA.

The shenanigans begin!

Nice shot of Greg getting Em's pack all set.

We would have matching packs. Em asked me if I'd named my Cougar-color edition yet, and since I hadn't she blessed it with the name "Butch," the WSU mascot's name.

Greg gets Em set. Can't believe I haven't mentioned Emily's Skhoop yet. It's a snow skirt hailing from Alaska. She said women there wear them when they're cross country skiing or being active in the outdoors. It keeps you warm, yet ventilated. It's on my must-have list for next time. Such a fashionista, even in the great outdoors.

Couples' shots!

The Lagreids.

The final shot before the camera died...bummer it's blurry. 

Welcome to the family, Hazel Diane!!!!!

Fashionably late to join the party, little miss Hazel Diane DeVries came into the world Friday, September 16!!!

Although she was due about two weeks ago, she decided Friday would be the day. 

She is perfect with tons of hair and plenty of meat on her bones, weighing in at more than 9 lbs! She may have inherited some Benz height, too, because she was 22 inches long at birth. 

My sister and Jordan are doing great, and my parents are heading down to meet the new bundle this weekend.

I really thought Stef was having a boy, so I was doubly surprised when I received the news "it" was a "she"...and we're all pretty pumped to start picking out dresses and bows. Elizabeth said she freaked out and went straight to the mall to buy girlie outfits. (This coming from someone who has two boys.)

Congratulations to Stefanie and Jordan! Welcome Hazel...you already have a lot of nicknames and a whole lotta love coming from your aunties, uncles, and grandparents.

Love, Auntie Kate

Letter to myself

Dear Me,

Have patience.

I could end this letter right now, but wouldn't that be boring?

I'll elaborate and say...have patience for the future and all things unknown. Sure you thought you'd be in a different spot in life right now, but did you have a vision for what that'd be? No. Not really.

You always thought you'd be an editor at a magazine, but you tried the journalism path, and its cutthroat nature didn't really suit you.

You certainly never saw yourself as a coach, let alone a college coach, but there you were, skirt suit and clipboard in hand for two years.

Balancing the demands of a graduate program you loved dearly and managing the tasks of your coaching job proved to be a true test of your multitasking abilities and endurance. You made it.

Along the way, you ran in some races, overcame a serious case of heartbreak, traveled, became best friends with your mom, started reading again, reconnected with some genuine friends, cooked, baked, ate, went broke, and most importantly, fell in love all over again.

I'd say things pretty much worked out for you, wouldn't you?

Don't ever forget you had an outstanding summer this year! After graduation 2.0, you lived a dream life, which consisted of twice-daily workouts, cooking and eating incredible food, traveling all around the country to your friends' weddings (including two trips to your so-called second-home), soaking up all the sun the northwest sky had to offer, walking/talking/errand-ing with your mom, trying new things like Bikram yoga and yogurt!, laughing and loving any and all things with Taylor, experiencing family loss as your grandpa passed and gain as your brother married the love of his life, sitting on pins and needles waiting for your sister to head into labor on Labor Day (still waiting on this one...), networking with outstanding professionals in the Portland area (really learning and understanding just what job will be right for you when it comes along), being able to enjoy local events and happenings, and checking off all the things to do you'd been storing up for two years as an overworked, underpaid graduate student.

You're refreshed. Your mom never wants to hear you're stressed or worn out ever again. You've done your fair share of gallivanting around, and you're ready to be contributing to society yet again.

But yet, you're frustrated. You're slinging groceries right now, instead of writing and editing professional pieces of literature or business copy. It's okay though. It's just an in-between gig. A stepping-stone. That's what people keep telling you, and that's what annoys you. "I already went through this phase once before...back when I was 22." You can keep responding in this way, or you can hold your head high and take comfort in the fact that your life always seems to work out.

You're going to look back and laugh. You're going to want to delete this post the minute the dream job actually comes calling. It'll probably be sooner than later, and you'll be embarrassed you spent so much time complaining.

Don't let the things you can't control overpower those you can. Namely, your attitude. Enjoy the work that brings in your paycheck. The people you work with a friendly and kind, and everyone knows you love food--and you can't forget to mention the fact that you get a discount!

Your dad loves to preach the quote: "Sit back and watch life like a movie." Maybe it's time you took a deep breath and did just that.

"...the many paradoxes of happiness: we seek to control our lives, but the unfamiliar and the unexpected are important sources of happiness." Thanks, Gretchen Rubin. I'll keep this quote in mind, too.

Just have patience. Life just keeps getting better, and like always, the little hiccups serve as great stories and experience for future endeavors.

Now go and enjoy the day and your random grocery store work schedule, which permits you to indulge in a run and your favorite boot camp, as well as lunch on the couch in front of your Food Network friends.

Sincerely,
Kate

The year of the wedding: Fort Worth edition

I headed back to my beloved Texas last weekend for the quickest trip ever. There was no way I was going to miss the wedding of Jenny and Mike!

I became friends with the couple back in 2008, so although we haven't had the longest-standing friendship, it's one I know I will treasure for years to come. They are part of a great group of friends from all over the place, connected by the one and only Austin.

I like to think I was adopted by Jenny and our friend Andrea (one of the beautiful bridesmaids) as we all dated guys in the same circle. Although only Jenny and Mike remained an item (queue that Shania Twain song...), the friendships between Jenny, Andrea, and me just seemed to get better with time. Funny. That's just like wine...and isn't it funny how wine and cheese dates proved to be one of our favorite shared pastimes? Some days--well, most days, I wish I could teleport to Austin to join the ladies for happy hour or a Bachelor/Bachelorette viewing party. Our little gaggle of gals also included some other pretty fabulous women, including Fernanda and Emily (remember Emily's gorgeous wedding?), both whom shared in Jenny and Mike's joy at their Fort Worth wedding. We had such a fun time reconnecting, all thanks to the happy couple.

Fernanda and her hubby John picked me up from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport in style as they were waiting at security. Who comes in to the airport these days?!! I felt so special! We went to lunch at the famous (is it famous?) Joe T. Garcia's in Fort Worth and then off to the hotel to get ready for the wedding. See what I mean about a quick trip? We watched as Andrea got ready for her bridesmaid duties (this girl has been in quite a few weddings, I might add), and then we headed off to a chapel on the TCU campus where Jenny and Mike got married.

The ceremony was just gorgeous, and let me ask a question: Who can hold back tears when Cannon in D begins to play? Anyone? As soon as I saw Jenny walking down the aisle, I felt the tears well up. After the vows, a couple scripture passages, and a big ol' smooch, we cheered as Jenny and Mike became Mr. and Mrs. Davidson--officially! Woohoo! The reception was pretty breath-taking, and of course my photos (again) don't express this sentiment well enough. It was very elegant, and I could feel the love, energy, and excitement Jenny put into the details of the celebration.

The morning after the big party, I headed to Austin with Fernanda. We lunched at South Congress Cafe, I got to visit with her baby boys, and we spent my remaining time at Whole Foods...ahhh...all of which gave me a quick Austin fix before jumping on an evening flight back to Portland.

Talk about a whirlwind. It was all worth it. I'm so thankful to have these friends in my life, and I love that no matter how long or short of a time I get to spend in Texas, I always rack up some great memories...and I usually pack on a couple of pounds thanks to the margaritas and migas!

With love to the happy couple!  

And now...without further delay...here are the attempted photos from my "it might be better if I used a disposable" camera.

The first church wedding of all the weddings I've attended this year. Loved that.

The bride was beaming!

Post-unity candle lighting.

Mr. & Mrs. D!

The beautiful 'maids (Andrea is far left).

Aaand I feel like such an ogre in this pic. John tried to put us in height order, but I told him I preferred to line up as though we were a candelabra. L-R: Emily, Fernanda, moi, Sarah (only the second time meeting her--she's just fabulous!), and Kara!

I forgot to mention the menu included a macaroni and cheese bar as well as a s'mores bar! Mmm.

I can't believe Fer had a baby two-and-a-half months ago. She is phenomenal.

Hot couple alert! 

Cheers! I maaay have committed this act one too many times that night.

The ballroom was stunning, and Fer really loved the lights!

The table names were locations Jenny and Mike have visited. They had a "modern Texas" theme and included their love of travel. Cute idea.

Andrea, me, and Fer.

This cake was absolutely amazing, and I couldn't get close enough to get a great picture. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Blurry moment...

I want this band for my next event that requires needing a band. Do you think they'd travel out west?

Brasilian kisses!

Andrea, Lea, and Sarah.

There are more pictures. Why? The Robot? Texas Tech fight song? WHY?!

Loved meeting the bridesmaid on the far left, Kathy. Such a hoot!

Cheers to the bride and groom!

And...I had to throw in a pic documenting the heat wave in Austin. It was 113 degrees last week. I saw some of the terrible fires in-person, and I am thankful my friends are safe. I'm also thankful I no longer work at the news because my friends still at the station have been working around the clock since Sunday. Pray for the people in Central Texas.

Yeah...that says 105 degrees. Yowza!