Happy Birthday Griffin!

Happy Friday, and Happy 18th Birthday {!} tomorrow to this sweetest, coolest, kindest guy.  Griffin - you're the absolute best and I cannot believe you're officially an adult!  Enjoy the summer as a high school grad, buddy - I'm so proud of you!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Retirement Mom!

Last Thursday, since Mom & Dad were already heading over to Wenatchee on their drive down to AZ, Dad asked Christian and I to drive over and surprise her so we could have a family retirement celebration for this legend.  C and I got over the pass early in the afternoon and finished up work on brother's new patio on a perfectly sunny summer day with Ruby there to help us out.  We played with the boys and Lily and thoroughly surprised Mom when they finally drove in a little bit later.  We celebrated with pizza, cake and presents, and you could tell the boys loved having their Tata and Grandpa there to play with them.  It was such a fun way to surprise mom for her retirement and a chance to get the whole family together.  Congrats Mom - enjoy your retirement!!

henry really wanted to help c with his work

checking the motor on the tractor with grandpa

helping tata open her presents

chasing chickens

you can tell these two love hanging out with each other

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Happy 43rd Anniversary to my amazing parents, who are celebrating down in the HEAT at their new place in Arizona!  I'm so lucky to have these two as amazing role models and I can't wait to watch their new adventures together as retirees traveling the world.  I'm jealous!  Love you guys!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Wedding Food Tasting

Saturday afternoon we headed up to the valley to do what has now become my favorite part of wedding planning - food tasting {was there ever any doubt?}.  Max Dale's is catering our wedding, which is fitting because that is where we would go for every special occasion growing up.  Walking into the restaurant felt like a blast from the past - the place hasn't changed at all since I was little, with its dimly lit dining room and high private booths.  We had given some suggestions to the restaurant based off of their menu on what we wanted to try, and we were spoiled rotten with platter after platter of different courses of really delicious food.  I'm not going to tell you what we picked just yet, but know that I cannot wait for our wedding dinner - I think we made some pretty yummy choices and the chef did an excellent job with all of our random requests.  Yay for crossing another thing off the never-ending wedding to do list!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{walking to pick up friday night dinner}

{breakfast}

{picking up the mail at mom & dad's}

{can you spot the hummingbird?}

{breakfast with some yummy leftover bread}

{trying to become not the same color as my wedding dress}

{my honey making me dinner}

{sunset on another great weekend}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, and happy officially Summer!!  I can't believe summer is here - the time is just flying and since I know it's going to be such a busy one I want to embrace and enjoy it as much as possible.  We have a busy weekend ahead but there's always time for a little fun as well, right?  Cheers to summer - let's make it a great one!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

George Strait, Chris Stapleton, & Little Big Town

Saturday evening we finally cashed in on Christmas presents, early Father's Day presents, and a fun night out to go see Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton, and George Strait at Lumen Field.  It was surprisingly freezing at our seats up high at the arena, but we packed semi-decently with layers and blankets and didn't let that stop us from having the best time at the show.  We were in the stadium for almost 7 hours watching each of the bands play pretty much full concerts, and we spent the time singing and dancing along to hit after hit while trying to stay warm.  Chris Stapleton was absolutely amazing - his voice and guitar playing are both so mesmerizing - and George Strait is of course a legend who played so many familiar and great hits.  Though it was a late night for all of us, we all left on a high having had such a fun time watching some of our faves live.  Thanks for the tickets Mom & Dad - we had a blast!

xoxo,

stephanie marie