Got your back.

I'm excited to share a special day with you.

It's mostly through pictures, but I have a few thoughts I'm going to throw out there too.

I have good friends.

Many times I stand back and wonder how?

I know why I love them so much, but I'm not sure why they love me back?

Maybe it doesn't matter.

Maybe just the fact that they do, and that they accept me even knowing all my faults is enough.

What a gift to have others who will make you laugh till it hurts.

Or to cry with when it hurts even more.

What a blessing to know someone has got your back.

No matter what.

I am blessed.

This day was lovely.

Can I share a few of my favorite things? 

*Watching Valoree.  She was a shining star.  A smiling, glowing beautiful star.

*Helping Val get her dress on, and helping each other primp. What fun!

 *Spending time side by side with my dear girlfriends.  ALL DAY!

*The limo ride with everyone in a friendly excited mood.

*Braving the cold & wind to take professional photos at the park

*Trying to pretend we weren't windblown and chilled while getting ready for the ceremony.

*Calming Val's nerves as we waited together to walk the aisle.

*Elise's prayer with just the 4 of us holding hands and wishing Val peace & joy.

My heart was warmed.

*Walking up the aisle with Ryan.  We had fun, and he helped me not trip!

*Watching Val & Chris exchange vows.

*Elise's awesome toast to the happy couple.  I promise...you rocked it!

*And lastly...eating CAKE!!!

And thank you Val for asking me to be a bridesmaid.

It was an honor and a joy.

First shot of the day.

What joy filled that room as we readied ourselves and Valoree for her big day.

The limo ride on the way to the park for photographs.

Oh, and to know Janelle is to know she is a joyful cut-up.

Val and Chris looked like this ALL day!

Just as they should.  It was beautiful.

Here are some of the bridal party.

What a FUN, great group of people.

And sorry you weren't in many shots Imelda,

I'm not sure where you disappeared to!

Oh yeah.  They looked like THIS most of the day too.

Do you think Heavenly Father blesses your lives with certain people?

I do.

Here are a couple of cute blessings.

Trev and Skoogles congratulating the Mr. and Mrs.

Okay, you can't disagree... Val is GLOWING.

Brought a tear to my eye more than once.

Working the reception.

In all honesty, here is a picture of 3 starving bridesmaids waiting for CAKE!

Here we are again with our beloved Coach.

Can you tell we love Rob?

I think it's okay to say he is another blessing.

We are lucky not only to be taught by him, but to know him.

And it's true that even at a wedding, we might talk tennis.

And even act like we are playing it.

It's okay.  Val & Chris met on the tennis court...

they would approve.

I just have to say it.

This was a special day.  It was just. . . sweet.

A strong spirit of love and sweetness.

The girls were in awe of the bride.

Skoogs was already planning her wedding.

Right down to what cake she would serve.

Loved it.

'

 Rocking the dresses & shoes.

You don't have to be a twenty something to rock it.

Right?

 Can you say tired feet?

Winding down.

Just a sweet little dance.

And there they go.

Walking through the bubbles on their way out.

Congratulations Valoree and Chris.

Happy day.

Unwrapped.

“When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives."

--Gordon B. Hinckley

"To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven."

--Thomas S. Monson 

"Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

--Thomas S. Monson

Dear sweet Trevor,

I have a wrapped present for you.  

It's been sitting here for a while.

Why do I let it sit?

I'm so sorry.  I want you to have it . . .

Thank you.

I am so grateful for you.

You are the sweetest man,

The best husband,

An amazing father.

You work so hard for all of us.

You make me laugh like no other.

I am lucky, you are so affectionate.

Thank you for all your "i miss u" texts.

I love them.

You promise adventure.

You smell heavenly.

When you hug me, I am instantly warm.

Thank you for holding my hand.

For always telling me how sexy I am.

For always looking me in the eye

before asking if I really do know how much you love me.

I do know.

And I'm not as good as you are at saying it,

But I love you.

You are the greatest blessing in my life.
 

And I would be ungrateful

if I didn't let you know.

Two Peas.

I love October for many reasons.

One of my favorites is this tennis tournament.

"For the Love of The Girls"

Breast Cancer Benefit.

Elece and I try to play together in it every year and it is SO fun!

Here is our 2010 team.  Elece thought of a great name for us.

"Two Peas In A Pod".

This team name has more than one meaning.

Think Elece and I...Think of the cause of the tournament.  Maybe you'll get it.

 

We are always goofy before we play.  Good energy!

Trev came to watch a little.  Sporting Al's pink hat for the cause.

 Most people take a gel pack or something for energy.  Not "Two Peas In A Pod".

 We go for it with good old fashioned whipped cream.

 Bring it.

 Oh, and cupcakes.

 Tiny little clip of a tiny little point.

 Action shot.

And we won first place!

Way to go Peas!

Milestones.

 Last time I went to my stylist, she tried something new.

It's called 'Ombre.

You leave the roots, and handpaint the rest to keep it lighter.

Like Drew...

I do not look like Drew in any way, but it's always fun to try something different, right?

So as these roots of mine have grown out longer than I've seen them for a while,

I made a new discovery!

I have hit a milestone in my 38 years of life.

My ponytail makes it hard to see.

SO, I made it easier for you.

I plucked these babies right out the top of my old 'Ombre head.

They stood out, bright and shiny.

Silver hair.

NOT gray, folks...silver. 

Yes you are now folks, because silver haired people might just say folks.

I'm torn.

While it's a bit of a reality check, I find myself smiling.

My dad has the most beautiful silver white hair.

And so does his mother.

Do I get to have it too?

I must confess I have always hoped to.

Good thing it doesn't happen all at once.

What a shocker that would be.

But if a silvery white head is in my future...

Then bring on the purple shampoo...

because I will still be one happy girl.

The last picks.

Just harvested pumpkins!

We grew some beauties!

Cutting the last vines of the season.

Tasty fall treat.

Dog kisses.

The sunset out our front door.