Kaitlyn + Kyle

Kaitlyn is a spitfire. She’s strong willed, poignant, and knows exactly what she wants. She’s equal parts sassy, fiery, and absolutely charming. She also has the sweetest and most wonderful way of winning others over. For life. Kyle, on the other hand, is laid back, relaxed, and unaffected by the nuances life may throw his way. Kyle is the butter to Kaitlyn’s bread while Kaitlyn is the salt to Kyle’s pepper. Thus making them both the Ying to one another’s Yang.

In his vows, Kyle told Kaitlyn that he was inspired by her drive to always be better. And as anyone who was present last Saturday would witness, together that’s exactly what they are. Better.

Kaitlyn and Kyle, your wedding was a joy to be part of. Your love and admiration for each other is undeniable and it’s obvious that you’ve each found your soul mate in one another. I’m so excited to watch you adventure through this new season of life and I cannot wait to come over for dinner the next time I’m in Seattle.

...And yes, I just invited myself over.

I love you both to the moon and could not be any more excited for you. Congrats on the start of forever!

Michelle

P.S. I hope you had the time of your lives in Kauai!!!

Kaitlyn and Kyle were married at the Aspen Lakes Golf Course in Sisters. Kaitlyn and her mother (Hi Maureen!) did an amazing job of planning such a beautiful day, all the while incorporating meaningful touches - like these photos memorializing the couple's grandfathers.

Kaitlyn, you are absolutely stunning.

Kyle, you're not too bad yourself.

This may be one of my all time favorite bridal party pictures. Ever.

Before long it was ceremony time - marked by two handsome little fisherman racing down the aisle!

And the first few kisses as husband and wife!

A few touching toasts...

...and then it was time to hit the dance floor!

To see more from Kaitlyn + Kyle's Aspen Lakes wedding, CLICK HERE!

The Island Breeze

Can you believe I just spent four days on a tropical island and failed to put my swimsuit on once?! Who AM I?! No need to judge, I'm already doing plenty of that myself for being completely lame and having royally messed up priorities. Instead of tanning this pale set of legs I did, however, spend a few ever so sweet evenings with these friends. Those evenings included, but were not limited to, drinking wine, enjoying good food, and laughing. Lots.

Oregon, and Hawaii, and then Oregon again were wonderful, but I don't think I've ever been more excited to be back. Just me, Cole, and Conway, enjoying our simple little life at home.

Happy Monday, Michelle

A Last Minute Purchase

SHUT UP!!! I answered Colton’s call with an extra obnoxious squeal through the telephone. It's been just a few days short of a month since I've seen my husband and his call marked the first time in just as long that I'd heard his voice. Unfortunately, because I’m in Hawaii for Saturday’s wedding I won’t be back to Southern California until late Monday evening - making the next few days of knowing Colton is back but not being able to see him absolutely brutal. This morning, after a series of texts and phone calls and I refuse to wait until Monday night to see you’s, we bought Colton a last minute ticket to Honolulu. His flight left forty five minutes later and as we speak he’s sitting in the San Francisco airport awaiting his flight to Oahu.

I'll admit it was a little indulgent and yes, he’ll hardly be on the island 48 hours before we leave. But they’re 48 hours we wouldn’t have otherwise had together. And with the year of training and deployment that lay ahead, those 48 hours of beach laying and frosty beverage drinking with a man I’m madly in love with? I wouldn’t trade those for the world.

People have asked how I’m doing with Colton deploying this year. Being completely honest I keep brushing the comments off because it seems a little early to be thinking about it - almost as if it's making his seven month trek into a fifteen month ordeal. But the truth of the matter is that it’s real and it’s our life. We like to think of it as just one of the many adventures, and twists and turns, that will create the stories we'll one day tell our grandchildren.

Aloha.

Michelle