The Immediate Fam

What better time to get family photos then at a wedding right?!

My family will soon be spread out ALL over the nation, so it's time like these that make you soak up every moment together.  

My brother just got his MBA and graduated from Cox School of Business at SMU (where I got my undergrad), and this new degree has given him an amazing opportunity to take his family to Atlanta.  With my parents in Dallas, us in Seattle, and now Jordan and Arrie moving to Atlanta ... we will be very spread out.

I cannot wait for their adventure ahead, and thank goodness for FaceTime so I can continue to see them and my precious niece and nephew.

I think there are a lot of positives with establishing yourself in a new city and figuring out things as one.  I still love that Gabe and I did that in Seattle!  So, I'm especially excited for their adventure to do the same, except I know it will be harder for them leaving both sets of parents.

Garen's Bridal Luncheon

My family pulled out of my parents driveway in Dallas at 4am, which my sleepy self was not accustomed to as my body clock recognized it as 2am Seattle time ... But, it was well worth the early trip to Midland, TX just in time for Garen's bridal luncheon and kick-off the wedding festivities.

Hubs was a happy camper 

to sneak in Chick-Fil-A breakfast along the way.

nom.nom.nom.

There were 20 or so gals/women and I there was a huge surprise for us to see Garen wearing Granny Gayle's wedding gown.  She wore it 60 years ago, and my Great Grandmother Vera sewed it for my grandmother using material Paw Paw brought back from Japan after the war.  We were all in tears hearing the sentimental story behind the dress, so special!!

My momma put together this "frame" on posted it on Facebook.  

I'm very impressed and now I need to figure out how to make one!

My dear sweet eldest cousin is super ready for her wedding day ...

Now that's a GLOW if I've ever seen one!

Where we met

I was looking for the picture in front of this stone of the day we met 7 years ago, but it's on my other computer.  So, for now, I will just share the current one from our most recent visit.

Gabe and I just got back in town from my cousins wedding, and a highlight of the trip was flying to Dallas and then driving out to good ole' West Texas to Abilene Christian where Gabe and I met.  The campus has improved dramatically since we were there with a huge new Wellness Center, and I think it will be a big draw for future students.

ACU is an extremely special place for my extended family as all the grandkids went here except for Garen's husband, who we just celebrated their wedding this past weekend in Midland, TX.  

I guess we will claim him anyways, hehe!!

CONGRATS Garen and Barrett.  More wedding pics to come.

Club Sammamish

Our friends are absolutely geniuses and have been brainstorming since earlier this year the best way to get a mass number of people on the water to soak up the Seattle sun all in one place.  

After multiple trips and planning, the project starts.

Rob was the mastermind behind it all, and with the help of some friends they made things happen and built "Club Sammamish" from scratch.

AND, the end product equates to 40+ people all in one place for a dance party and grillin' food.  Since it's technically a "flotation device" like a raft, it was prepped for a police visit and had all the necessary items like lifejackets, fire extinguisher, whistle, etc.  - HA!

Pulling "her" home ...

Thank goodness for creative minds making summer memorable!

Bacon basket

I am a lover of crispy, crispy, crispy bacon!

And that is exactly how I order it at a restaurant.

If it's soft/flimsy/fatty bacon .... Gabe's name is all over it.

A friend posted this bacon basket, and I am tempted to try it to see if I can get the consistency I like, and how fun would it be to serve a salad in this at a dinner party?!  I think it would be a hit, and a high protein addition.

Drinks4Drinks '12

Drinks4Drinks at Eastlake Community Church was ABSOLUTELY incredible!

As a community, we raised over 700k for nations overseas to develop wells for them to make clean water.  to I was in awe of the acquaintances I stumbled into at the event that I didn't know went to Eastlake, let alone were Christians.  Just love finding other people who love Jesus and surrounding yourself in a place like this that believe it the better good to help others.

Herding Cats - a Kirkland favorite cover band

Besties - Kendra, Channah, Jenay, Stephanie, and Jessie

Hunted Jess down in the crowd of thousands!

the besties other halves :)

Check out this video summarizing all the greatness,
I make a quick guest appearance in it!!

   

"Greater things are yet to come .... 
Greater things are still to be done, in this city!!" 

FAV lyrics of Chris Tomlin's song God of This City.

 

CharityWater

A year ago I posted here about a young 9 year old girl from my church who tragically died in a car crash.  She had a wish to raise money through CharityWater, which flourished into millions getting clean water in honor of her donations overseas.

Check out this quick 4 minute and 56 second clip to watch her family visit the wells in Ethiopia.  It brings tears to my eyes as what a difference one person can make, and the joy the family gets to see it all in person.

 

My church, Eastlake Community Church, is hosting their annual Drinks for Drinks concert to raise money for wells in Cambodia.  It was amazing two years ago, and I can't wait to meet all our friends there Friday!

You can purchase tickets here, will I see any Seattle bloggers there?