The San Diego Zoo

We finally made a Bucket List. Well, a hypothetical bucket list. One that sits in the back of our minds, asleep, until a long weekend, or an average weekend, or just a few spare minutes come around. The San Diego Zoo has been topping that list since its inauguration and a few weeks back we were finally able to check it off as completed. Hypothetically. Here are a few quick pictures from our Saturday afternoon adventure. My only must-sees were the giraffes and the tigers. And the lions. And the polar bears. But I think we did a pretty good job at seeing, well, everything.

Maturity really just seems to seep from our skin. Like in this photo, for which I made that sweet girl to my left wait to have her picture taken!!!

And a few last shots from our gondola ride in the sky.

Here’s to hoping your Labor Day is light on the labor. Michelle

A Back to School Feature

I’ve always loved Labor Day weekend. It’s most likely because I was the kid that really loved going to school. And in the town I grew up in school always began the Wednesday after Labor Day. For twelve years I spent my holiday weekend in desperate anticipation of the year that lay ahead. Yesterday, as Colton and I drove past ‘back to school’ signs in the Grocer’s parking lot, he confessed that never in his life was he excited to start the school year. He never begged his mom to go school supply shopping. Never got excited to buy fun groceries for his lunch. Never planned his outfit the night before… And there I sat, stunned at the realization of just how wildly different people we were. I cried a small tear before telling Colton it would be best if our children followed after me and not him.

I joke, Internet. I joke.

And on an entirely different and completely unrelated note, the sweet editor, Ami, at Elizabeth Anne Designs has featured Lindsey & Jeremy’s wedding on her blog today. When I found out Ami wanted to feature this wedding I couldn’t stop smiling. All day. It’s truly an honor and all the credit goes to Lindsey, Jeremy, and their wonderful families for throwing such an amazing party with such stellar vendors. For real. Their day was a dream to shoot.

To view the post simply click on the image below or CLICK HERE

Vendors Venue: Faith, Hope, & Charity Event Center Florals: Sara Carson at Blue Daffodil Rentals: Melissa at Set In Your Way Caterer: Tate & Tate Catering DJ: Brock Sound

Kelsi + Matt

Kelsi had dated boys before. And being completely honest, none of them were all that bad. Some were kind, some funny, and most quite handsome. But there was always something missing. None of them were entirely, well, Kelsi. And everybody knew it. So last April, when Colton's sister came home from a two week vacation in the Bahamas (<< who does that?!), we rolled our eyes and only halfway listened when she told us she had met The One. And still, a week later when she flew to Miami to meet Matt before he left for his home in England, we were skeptical. And maybe a bit protective. After all, a Love this inconvenient would surely blow over.

But that’s the beauty of Love, isn’t it? Despite the ocean that separated them, Kelsi and Matt made the next year of their lives the best they’d ever known. And through many an expensive plane ticket they remained just as giddy and excited and zealous for life as they were on that island in the Caribbean.

Matt, I like you. A lot. And I really, really like who you make Kelsi - or rather, who you let her be. Thank you for crossing oceans to join our family. And loving Kelsi. And being from England. And looking like the lead singer of Muse. You and Kelsi just fit. You’re one another’s equal and I’m quite certain your hearts have been matched together since the beginning of time. And the best part about this whole situation? This time, everybody knows it.

Kelsi. Beautiful, beautiful, Kelsi...

...And Matt. Handsomely, handsome, Matt.

I'm kinda wild about these next two pictures. Kelsi and Matt, your adorableness is overwhelming.

In the year they've been together Kelsi and Matt met in the Bahamas, lived in London, and are now staying in the U.S. before moving to Australia next month. Thus making them a totally awesome and incredibly cool couple.

Kelsi's bling, direct from Matt's home in Wales.

To see more from Kelsi + Matt's engagement session, CLICK HERE.

There really aren't words to express how excited I am for you two. Congrats just doesn't seem to do it. It's more than just being happy that you two are getting married. It's being thrilled to know that for the rest of our lives we get to spend Thanksgivings and Christmases and baby's births (hard to imagine, but true) together. We get to go on adventures and play pick up soccer and spend evenings watching Mystery Science Theater marathons. So thank you, Kels, for choosing Matt. Because, just like you, he's totally and completely great.

I loveLOVElove you both, Michelle