I left my heart in Texas...once again

I know I've written about this before, but when I met Taylor I was dead-set on moving back to Austin. I still miss it almost every single day. 

Fortunately, Taylor has fallen just a little bit in love with my our Austin friends and the capital of Texas, too. Although we didn't get back there last spring, we took a nice long weekend trip to soak up Central Texas, and to celebrate with Andrea and Blake as they tied the knot.

Jenny and Mike were, once again, amazing hosts, as were Kevyn and Josh. Although it seems like we did one million things, I felt like we really got to relax and enjoy our friends without rushing from one thing to another.

Taylor's an excellent travel agent, and he's scheduled us on red-eye flights the last two times we've traveled to Austin. We now have a little routine down, including heading straight to TacoDeli for breakfast tacos with Karina, then to Mellow Johnny's bike shop for a new T-shirt for Taylor, and finally on to Whole Foods for a special treat and some people watching for me. We take a little nap at Chez Davidson before a weekend full of fun activities begins. 

This time, our trip included the following: pedicures with the girls at Embellish (where they serve vino, a must)...drinks, dinner, and newlywed therapy at Contigo with Jenny and Mike (fun card anyone? chore list?)...TMG run group with Ricky and the old gang...more breakfast tacos...lunch with the bride and our fearless hosts...TOP GOLF!...Eastside Pie with John and Fer...Amy's Ice Creams...a long run for Taylor with the group and a trot through Tarrytown pour moi...breakfast with the Doyles at Magnolia Cafe...prepping for the wedding and breaking a shower head (that's for another post, though)...the wedding of Andrea and Blake...out on the town with the bride, groom, and fun friends from across Texas...CASH CAB...pumpkin spice lattes and a decadent Sunday morning brunch (love that this has become tradition)...a mid-afternoon snack and porch sitting with Karina and Jason at Red's...a house-warming (well, for us!) cooking challenge with Kevyn and Josh...more run group...more breakfast tacos...and an unplanned trip to a Hill Country winery with Karina...topped off with Rudy's barbecue...and one last trip to Amy's Ice Creams in the airport.

Whoosh. 

Now. Let me rewind and write a bit about the wedding. 

Andrea and Blake celebrated their marriage at a gorgeous chapel and rang in their reception at the County Line, a barbecue restaurant on Lake Austin. The setting was absolutely perfect. But, what's more perfect is their story. These two met back in elementary school, but they didn't reconnect until just about a year-and-a-half ago. Both are native Austinites, something that's becoming quite rare in the transplant-infested city, and they lived and worked so close to each other...but never crossed paths. After Blake's cycling buddies convinced him to get on Facebook, the site suggested he become friends with Andrea. After a few clicks and a couple messages, the two met up for lunch on South Congress near their offices. The rest is pretty much history. 

As an aside, I'd just like to gloat a bit about what an absolutely amazing person Andrea is and shout from the rooftops how happy I am she's found her forever with Blake. Andrea and I become friends about a year after I moved to Austin, and I think our friendship continues to grow and strengthen with every passing year. She's genuine, thoughtful, and just gorgeous. She's smart, savvy, and oh so caring. I feel so blessed to know Andrea. And, she lives just nine houses from my other dear friend, Jenny. These ladies have been through some serious ups and downs with me, and they've made more than one trek out to Portland to visit. I can never express my thanks enough to them. 

And back to the wedding...Andrea had been in and to a zillion weddings, much like I had before my wedding. She knew exactly what she wanted for her wedding, and it was perfect. From the programs to the music to the flowers and the food...everything was elegant and simple, thoughtfully chosen and lovingly shared with a select group of people, all beaming with pride to witness this marriage.

Thanks for including Taylor and me in your big day, Andrea and Blake. We can't wait to watch your lives unfold together, and we anxiously await our next adventure together. XOXO

(Photos are out of order...trying to get this posted!)

Don't let age fool you. All of these runners could kick your booty.

Insta-beautiful!

Cat. Dome.

Four photos. 

That's all I have to show for one epic afternoon in McMinnville, Oregon...an unseasonably hot early fall day when the Linfield Wildcats crushed the Pacific Lutheran Lutes (is that really their mascot?). 

Taylor's football buddies and their families like to make this one a tradition, and now I'm married into the ritual. We didn't stuff our faces with Sandwich Express or gas station bentos like years past, but we did hit up Muchas for the massive breakfast burrito before heading straight to tailgateland at the Cat Dome. 

 Who doesn't love reliving the glory days of college? 

Quite a crew this year...with the addition of several baby Wildcats.

Apparently the team drove this classy motor-coach to games. That is, until it broke down one too many times.

Unky Taylor and little Carter. Nice kicks, stud! 

Maybe someday this little guy will be a Wildcat just like his dad.

What happens in Vegas...no, really...what happens?

Well over a month ago...

Yes. That's how I'm starting this post. It's been kind of a whirlwind. Not just for us, but for everyone, it seems. I can't tell you how many times we've answered the phone recently, only to hear some kind of big, huge, monumental news from friends. Several (and I mean more than a few!) are expecting babies. Others are buying houses or getting married. Just really thrilling, amazing news.

We haven't had anything out of the ordinary happen in the last couple of months, but we have been running as if it's still the height of summer. 

And now, back to the meat and potatoes. Well over a month ago, Taylor's work took us to Las Vegas for a long weekend. Although I had predispositions about Vegas based on one weekend spent there when I was seventeen, I decided to go into this with an open mind. 

A vacation is a vacation, and we certainly vacated. It felt so good sleeping in, pampering ourselves with long, hot showers, lounging poolside, people watching and walking up and down the Strip, standing in awe in front of the Bellagio fountain (something I could do all day and night long), and celebrating the fact that we weren't losing any money because we don't really gamble. 

Highlights of the trip included venturing off the Strip to Red Rock Canyon, where we ran in the hot hot heat and also witnessing my first Cirque du Soleil show. Not to mention finally indulging in Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate...even if it wasn't in New York. Lowlights included the smoky casinos and the constant feeling of claustrophobia.

We sure loved jet-setting away for the weekend, though. Always hard coming back to reality. What? I have to make my own bed now?

Loved all the hotel lobbies dressed up for fall.

Couple o' tall boys and just a few sports bets.

We liked to buy our beer at CVS before walking the Strip. Extra classy, huh?

That's chocolate.

Red Rock Canyon.

Taylor and his bosses.

Toni and her brother.

Looks like a legit legal team took a good look at this one.

Lovely, lovely hotel.

Taylor had to peel me away from the fountain after every show. I could have stayed there all day, and certainly all night long.

Texted this on over to Mike and Kat. They love them some Vegas.

Cosmopolitan lobby for Liza.

Pièce de résistance.

Gold medal wedding

Not too long after I met Taylor, my friend and roommate at the time, Mariel, met her match: Mike. 

And, they just said, "I do." 

Mariel and I spent many-a-night sitting in her living room talking about our dream dudes. Who would have guessed the next guy each of us met when living together would be "the one? I can't believe that was years ago now. 

I remember how tough it was coming to terms with the fact that we were growing up, spreading our wings, and moving on in life with another person. Mariel was my support system during a tough transitional time in my life, and even though I moved out to live on my own before I got engaged, I had a hard time adjusting to my life without my constant companion. It was the end of a two-year era in which we created countless memories.

I felt like my brain was flooded with so many of those memories and moments the week of her wedding. As laughable as it sounds, I felt like seeing her get married gave me this closure, peace, and sheer joy for her new chapter in life.

She and Mike are sure to have a lifetime of laughs and love. We couldn't be happier for the two of them and were so proud to be a part of their day. Congratulations, Mar! Love you! 

Site 1 of 2 for the wedding: Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Beautiful! 

Third from the right is Matea and Katie's on the far right.

Two Kates and a Kelley...Kate W.'s about nine months prego with baby Teddy.

Cake Brigade was called into service at the last minute as Mariel didn't think her main bakery cake would feed everyone at the wedding. Since Katie was in the wedding, Kelley and I had to hold down the fort...and I think another one or two additional people helped with the auxiliary cakes. They turned out well. 

Location 2 of 2 = Elysian Ballroom in downtown Portland.

Their main cake was rainbow striped inside! 

Quite possibly THE most unflattering photo of moi...but beyond that, this is a great snap of the five of us friends from freshman year of high school. I love you girls. Friends forever!