Bay Party of Two

*Catch up post from September 21, 2014

In second grade, I met a peculiar brown-haired girl.
She wore big glasses and loved to read.
She could use sign language fluently.
And her family had Texas roots as deep as mine.
Her name was Abbi Clark.

As Conifer is a small town, Abbi and I grew up together.
We moved from elementary school to middle school to high school with each other, 
even ending up at the same college.
Where, of course, we became roommates.

We experienced a lot with each other over the years.
From birthday parties to sleepovers to school dances to our grand acting debuts
at Stagedoor Theater to the first time each of us began dating. 
She was, in essence, the third sister I was never given. 

In high school, Abbi began dating a boy named Nick.
I had known Nick since middle school.
Like I mentioned, Conifer is tiny. 
From what I saw in high school, they would date for a bit and
then break up for a bit. 
It was a fleeting love, or so we all assumed.

My opinion changed, however, junior year of college.
Abbi had begun to date Nick again.
I remember, as she sat with a gleam in her eye, and told us roommates
that she had started seeing him again.
She talked about how full her heart was and the happiness in her life
and even spoke about how this was "a different type of love."

Well.....

Here we are - September 21, 2014 - their wedding day!! 
(yes, I realize I am posting this in December)

After years of trials and tribulations, Abbi and Nick 
FINALLY tied the knot. 

The beautiful couple! 

They had a beautiful ceremony at the Highlands Ranch Mansion.
It was the perfect setting.
The exterior looked like a castle and the intricate interior details only
added to the magical illusion. 
In lamest terms, they pretty much were married at Hogwarts.

They were surrounded by a small group of family and friends,
and the couple was married by Abbi's step-father.
The ceremony was breathtakingly beautiful.
And yes, I shed a few (or a lot) tears of joy for them.

I was honored to be a part of their wonderful day.
I was in charge of their guest book and handing out programs.
It was the perfect job, and one I more than gladly accepted.
And I even got a corsage.....
Sadly, it was the very first one I've ever received.....

The whole evening was a wonderful mixture of old and new.
I was able to catch up and see many friends I had grown up with,
while also sharing the evening with my new college buddies.

My gang for the evening! 

We spent the evening dancing and laughing and 
taking way too many pictures in their handmade photo booth.
The evening was magical. 

Photo booth fun

Greeley Gang

Remake of our college graduation photo with the bride! 

Abbi and Nick are two of the most amazing people I have met in my life.
Both of them are filled with so much passion and life and love.
I can't wait to see what the future holds for them.
However, I do know, whatever it is, they will charge at it head first....
and in great style! 

Here's to the happy couple, love you both! 




ps - a few extra pictures...because you can never have too many! 

Group shot from the bridal shower

Group shot from the bachelorette party

Family Reunion.

*Catch up post from July 4, 2014

As a young girl, I spent a lot of time in Texas.
My family is from Texas, it's where I was born, and despite growing up in Colorado,
 my heart belongs to that wonderful state. 

Although I have spent a great deal of time traveling around and seeing Texas,
my fondest memory of the state is the time I've spent at our family's lake house. 
It's located in Palo Pinto, small town West Texas.
It's surrounded by cactus and rattle snakes and a huge man-made lake.
In essence, it's heaven on earth. 

For as long as I can remember, I have been going to that lake house. 
It's been a part of my family for over 30 years.
My dad spent college summers laying the stone stairs, 
and my grandfather built the dock. 

Placard from our lake house

As a family, we spent just about every 4th of July out there.
Spending days on the lake - learning how to water ski or fishing for 
giant catfish or simply enjoying the rays. 
However, once I began college and business picked up at the store,
we slowly stopped attending Independence Day at the lake house....

Until this year.

After close to eight years of missed attendance, I finally returned to 
my beloved lake house.
As a birthday gift, my eldest sister bought me a ticket to Texas. 
A one week vacation, meant to be spent at our lake house of the 4th of July.
It was like my childhood was rushing right back towards me.

I spent my days soaking up the Texas heat (it averaged 110 degrees most day),
I enjoyed taking walks with my Grandmother and watching the fireworks
and attending the annual catfish fry! 

Thermometer on our porch....that's in the shade too! 

Real Texas-style catfish fry

And I would've enjoyed swimming in the lake; however, Palo Pinto
was experiencing their worst drought when I visited.
It became somewhat of a joke that we had to "mow the lake" rather
than go out and fish in it. 

Dried up Lake Palo Pinto

The true surprise came when my parents - whom claimed to be working
the family business - showed up on the 4th of July.
It was, after eight long years, one big family reunion at the lake house.
We spent the day eating hot dogs, playing on the lake, 
smashing a piñata (family tradition), and simply
soaking in each others presence.

It was, hands-down, the best 4th of July to date! 

My family!

The Thompson Clan! 

View from the dock - Flags representing all of our colleges