The Best Day Ever.

Evan and I celebrate 6 months of marriage this month. We're pretty much experts now.

At the risk of over-saturating my dear readers with our wedding, I wanted to rehash some of my favorite moments and details from the day.  It's my blog and I'll do what I want to.

First off, the weather could not have been better.  Evan and I both went running that morning around Lady Bird Lake (separately, of course!) and it was pretty chilly.  But then it warmed up into a perfect, crisp day -- and gave us the opportunity for pictures like this.

Getting ready at the venue was so laid back.  There was a moment when we couldn't find the champagne for mimosas, so that was kind of stressful... (ha!)

My mom helped get my dress just right, and I love this moment with my Schmal.

I love this picture of Evan. He is so handsome!

My friend Kayli made these for us. Evan and I picked the cotton ourselves!  We met in Lubbock, so it was only right that we included cotton in our wedding.

My nephew Parker made for the most dashing little ring bearer I've ever seen. I love this picture of him.

The difference between girls photos, and the guys.  We never knew before, but Brett is a spider monkey.

Our ceremony set-up makes me so happy.  The arch was originally going to be very minimal, with only a few flowers and natural branches showing.  However, the wedding the day before had similar colors, and used those white sheets.  I surprised myself by loving it, and our florist offered to leave it for us.  I love how it turned out!

Evan and I both lost our grandparents early on.  We left four chairs open for them and put their wedding photos on them so they could be a part of our ceremony.  Seeing them there makes me smile.

This photo of Evan's parents is just priceless. 

I tried so hard not to "ugly cry" down the aisle, and uh... failed.  I barely made it down the steps.  Our guitarist (a family friend) played a slowed-down version of "Wave on Wave" by Pat Green.  For the longest time, I couldn't decide what song I wanted. One day in our kitchen, that song came on and Evan said, that's the one.  I cried then, and I cried in the moment. It was perfect.  

 My favorite photo of our vows. 

And my favorite photo immediately following.  We were so stupidly happy!  We walked back up the aisle to "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder.

Then it was time to party!  I kept decor at the reception simple. 

My dad made all of the stump candleholders from a tree that fell at our lake house, and I hand painted all the mason jars... because $20/vintage blue jar was a little much for as many as I wanted. 

My dad also made all the wood slabs for the cake table, also from the tree that fell at the lake house. That monogrammed one was our cake topper -- somehow it never made it onto the cake, but oh well. Those pictures are of our parents on their wedding days. Both married 30+ years! We have great examples set!

I love this picture of my parents walking into the reception.  Carolyn is ready to party!

My favorite picture of our first dance.  We danced to "You are the Best Thing" by Ray Lamontagne.  I think he says it all in that song.

My dad and I danced to "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac, one of his favorite bands. 

Evan and Mary danced to "Better Together" by Jack Johnson. She looked great on that dance floor!

Gordon and Mary's dance was a tearjerker, for sure.  They danced to "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton.  No illness or wheelchair can keep him down, and I love that. 

My parents danced to "What Do You Say to That" by George Strait. They look great, and I love this picture -- the grandkids couldn't help but want to join them.  Too cute.

We served "hometown" brews -- Shiner for Texas, and Coors Light for Colorado.  The Jalapeno Margarita was an instant hit (Austin specialty!) and our wine all came from Lubbock wineries.  I now know our friends are tequila and Shiner people -- we nearly ran out! 'Atta friends.

Koozies, courtesy of our friend Sean.

After everyone left, we stayed the night at the venue. The staff put together an ice bucket full of beer and champagne -- we sat on the porch with our cat friend and re-hashed every detail of the day.

Our biggest regret I would say, was that it was just too short.  We wish we could've kept the party going all night long! Alas, it was still perfect. And the next morning... we enjoyed breakfast (nearly) in bed...

 ...then it was off to Isla Mujeres! 

Happy 6-months, Ev. Let the honeymoon never end!

(Is it too much to ask to do it again every year?  Sign me up!)

August I Do's

To be honest with you, I'm not quite sure where our summer went.  I blinked, and now it's October -- which is a good thing, because this is my favorite time of year.  But it also means that I need to rehash our very busy August, which included a wedding every weekend.  Holy matrimony! (Ha.)

August 3rd, Lee K and Kristen became Mr. and Mrs. Howard in Lexington, KY.  We weren't able to go, but celebrated from afar. They're another couple that met at KAMC/KLBK back in the day. Who knew a TV station could be so romantic?

August 9th, Brian and Allison made it official in Lubbock.  They had a perfect, intimate ceremony at the courthouse, then hosted the reception in their backyard.  They are our best friends here in Lubbock and we were so, so happy to be a part of every moment.  Below are a few of my favorite moments!

Walking to the courthouse!

How perfect is this bouquet?

Saying vows.

My favorite picture. So deliriously happy!

Lovebirds during pictures.

Cake cutting. Hilarious.

August 17th, Kaci and Brad's turn! Kaci is my dearest friend from childhood.  We did everything from girl scouts to church to school dances, and I was so honored to stand by her side as she did for me on my wedding day.

Getting ready before the wedding!

The third part of our trio... even Jenn forgets she didn't go to our high school.

Sassy bride. Does she not look like she walked out of a magazine?

Just because you have to on your wedding day. Tri Deltas! (Jenn & I, OU. Kaci, Baylor.)

And the Bridesmaids at the rehearsal.

And to finish off the month of weddings, Rob and Heidi tied the knot on August 24th in Duluth, MN.  Evan went to this one solo, so I told him to take lots of pictures for the blog.  Aaaand, he forgot. That's okay... I'll just share this awesome moment from our wedding in April.  Can't help but love this couple!

Mr. and Mrs. Crow

So like I said, August was the month of I do's... and now it's October.  Two more weddings this month!  I love this chapter in our lives, all of our friends getting married.  Can't wait to celebrate anniversaries!

Where have the "dog days" gone?

The summer of 2013 has been so good to us so far.  Not a weekend has gone unplanned, and we wouldn't have it any other way -- although, we do look forward to sleeping in again at some point. Ha!

To keep up with all the friends we've seen, the family we've loved, and the memories we've made -- I present the following series of highlights. 

End of May:

Evan served as commencement speaker for New Deal HS graduation!

The principal told him his speech was the best he'd ever heard. #proudwife

Andy came to visit... we of course had to pay homage to his new sweet gig on CNN.

Some "boy time" at the pool.

COD nerds reunited.

June:

Allison's bridal shower/bachelorette party!

Cutest cake ever.

The beautiful bachelorette.

So glad we got some lake time in.

Schmal getting some float time in on Lake Alan Henry.

Lake Baby.

And some wake surfing makes all well with your soul.

Road trip to Clovis for Kristen's shower!

Me, Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Hirth... and Geoffrey.

July:

4th of July concert outside the Lubbock County Courthouse -- Josh Abbott Band!

Sister-in-law came into town!

Colin & Christy taking in some Texas country and two-stepping... I think they're naturals.

Breaking in the awesome wedding gifts Colin & Christy made for us!

Evan models the Mizzou side.

Kaci's Bachelorette Party at the Gaylord Texan.

My favorite picture. 

Somewhere in all of this, our stations launched HD.  

My favorite team!

He looks even better in HD... is that possible? 

Mid-July, my brother's family came to visit... loved the time with my favorite niece and nephew.

Meaghan and Parker approve of the new look!

John & Kelly: busted. 

Didn't take them long to move right in to our seats!

Parker & Paige hit it off.  I'll save this photo for their wedding slideshow. ;)

Fun evening of sidewalk barbeque!

Cattle Baron's Ball 2013!

And oh yeah, at some point Evan found time to design & build this outdoor table. The middle section holds ice!

That's all for now! Even as I write this, I have more to post. But that gets me caught up. Next up: weddings! We have 6 on our calendar... two down, 4 to go. Love all the love!

UPDATE: I don't know how I could forget, but I have to make mention of the birth of Danielle and Cody's sweet baby girl Ella Marchesa.  She's such a big deal, even E!News is covering her daily routine.