Jon & Mara = love.

We went to Vermont for a wedding and it did not disappoint.  Mara's grandparent's historic home in the hills outside of Stowe was nothing short of amazing.  All of the family and friends had fun getting to know one an another and celebrating the lovely couple.  The little cousins ran through the fields, picked blueberries, played in the epic tree fort, and got a years worth of candy to sit still for the pictures and ceremony.  And most importantly, two people who we adore and are so in love with each other, promised to love and cherish for the rest of their lives.  

vermont. wally edition.

rehearsal

vermont

A few favorite moments from the first half of our journey to Vermont:

~brothers racing.

 Fritz and Barry the Prairie Dog (also know as "Lips") @ the Alaska MVP lounge.

The 10th Mountain Division Infantry Soldier @ Stowe.

 A moment with mama.

 Up to ride the alpine slides.

 The green mountains.  

 Slowest chair ride in history of vintage ski lifts.

 Bungee trampoline is good fun.

 Fearless flier.

a surprise hike. the cynthia edition.

Back in the day (high school) my church group once got a new youth pastor.  Upon first meeting this young couple I honestly made a conscious decision to glom onto them and become their "favorite".  It's kind of embarrassing to think of it now!  They were late-twenties, they were cool, they had style, they had traveled, they were very compelling!  Some how my plan worked (not that I was their favorite but they did allow me to hang around a lot!) and I am lucky enough to still call them dear friends.  From the birthday girl, Cynthia, I learned many things about the "joie de vivre" (she is a francophile), good food, mothering, friendship, marriage, and not the least of these-photography.  The photos below came from her lens.  

a surprise birthday hike. instagram edition.

When my old friend Alan sent me a secret text to invite us to a surprise 50th birthday hike and picnic for his wife Cynthia...my response was "Yes!  Of course!".  And so it was that Wally, Fritz and I drove to Timberline lodge and jumped out of the car and walked right up to an unsuspecting Cynthia and asked "May we join you?"  

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I love the King-Guffey family!  They are fun, they know how to celebrate, they love surprises, and they are loyal friends.  As you can see, it also happened to be a gorgeous day on the mountain.  Lovely.

walter waiting

Fritzi has been working a bit this summer with a speech therapist.  Just to work on a few missing sounds and be proactive before he hits elementary school.  Walter comes with us each week and works on the ipad out on the front porch of the therapist's house.  Some times he also takes 500 photos in the span of an hour.