Derek & Leah's Wedding

Who: Derek & Leah
What: A wedding
When: July 24th - 3pm
Where: The Valleroy Backyard Garden
why: To Tie the Knot!

Mike and I were happy to witness two longtime friends get hitched this past weekend. This couple is what you would call "made for each other". They had been dating for many years (like me and Mike) and finally made it down the isle. What made it ever more special was that it was so personal. The wedding and reception was thrown in the Groom's parent's backyard and it was beautiful! Friends and family all helped make their day perfect by lending a helping hand in almost all areas. Mike played classical guitar for the ceremony, which consisted of both classics and beatles songs. He was wonderful, of course.
My part was getting to the house early and prepping the bride! Luckily that just entailed hair and make-up! The bridal party did most of the work arranging and providing the much needed bloody mary's.
The ceremony was heartfelt and the couple's vows were perfectly personal. I had a great time and feel so happy to have been a part of the beginning of their new life together as a married couple.
Here are a few pictures of the Derek and Leah and the best man, Taylor. (Also, one of our best friends).
Congratulations to Derek & Leah Valleroy!

Alpha Bike Bash

This was the first work Bike Bash I have been able to attend and we had a great time. Mike went with me and met many of my coworkers and clients! The annual Bike Bash is put on by my agency every summer to both raise money and get us all together for a BBQ. Outdoors For All was there as per usual to lend all types of bikes for our clients to ride, thus promoting an active lifestyle. There was dancing (on National Dance Day), food, and lots of mingling.
I have a few great photos but can only post certain ones due to privacy issues. But, here are a few great ones to best represent the fun that was the 2010 BIKE BASH!

Inception

Mike and I were finally able to get out and see this 2.5 hour movie at the theaters this past week and really enjoyed it! It's a refreshing change from the mostly dull summer movie line-up. It was unique, visually appealing and actually made you think. I like having to keep my brain working on hyper speed for a change. There are so many "easy" movies out there. Movies that allow you to sit back and laugh or go along for the ride without really making you analyze anything. Don't get me wrong, I like an "easy" movie as much as the next person, but my favorite movies are always the ones that push the envelope a bit and force you to either strain to understand or consider something you hadn't before.

When I look back at movies that really caught my attention at some point in time, I realize that the ones that made an impact were the ones that broke the mold so to speak. This could be with the plot/storyline, visual effects, or simply evoked a strong emotional reaction.

Some of the movies I deem as being worthy of a special nod are listed below.






These are just a few of the movies that popped into my head as impressive. And one cannot forget LOST, as the first TV show to give me a headache (in a good way)!

To close, I want to also give a thumbs up to an underdog called
"Remember Me".

I had my doubts about this movie since it didn't garner the best reviews and I was hesitant to see how Robert Pattinson did. But, I was pleasantly surprised! It had some decent acting and a twist at the end that you don't expect. I always love a good twist. In fact, I almost prefer when you don't get a fairytale ending. There are so many movies out there that do what is expected so as not to let down the viewer. I prefer movies to occasionally reflect real life and life does not always have a picture perfect ending. That may be why I liked Titanic, The Upside of Anger, Pans Labryth, Man on Fire, Romeo and Juliet, A walk to Remember, Blood Diamond, and Lucky Number Sleven. So if you don't like to feel a bit uncomfortable or sad, you probably don't like these movies. Hopefully there are more films like Inception and Remember Me waiting in the theater wings!

Engagement Bliss

I was finally able to take some photos at Gas Works Park in Seattle. I have been meaning to come here for a session for quite a while, but hate trying to venture into the city. Luckily, my sis-in-law wanted a few more Engagement photos taken of her and William and they offered to drive! That made all the difference to me! It turned out to be a nice evening and we found enough sweet spots, that we didn't feel the need to go anywhere else. Here are a few of my favorites!

Congrats again to Amy and William! May you live in wedded bliss for all your days to come!

4 Years Old!

My doggie turned 4 yesterday and I wanted to create a post just for him! A big Happy Birthday to my little Charlie Brown. Chupa is the best and we are so lucky to have him!
Kisses!

Treats!

Day 116 - Sweets Strike!

Last Wednesday was 4 months and going strong on my sweets strike. So tomorrow, Saturday the 17th, I will have my cheat day. Just in time for my Brother-in-law's birthday! Happy Birthday Philip!!! (Well it was technically today, the 16th). I already have plans on how to spend this day and it includes a cupcake from the new cupcake shop that opened off Front Street and a piece of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.

In thinking about my surprisingly strong will on this journey, I also began thinking about treats. Go figure! The other day I was talking to Michael about how I wanted to learn to bake pies. I love baking deserts, but in light of the fact that I am always on some diet or another, I rarely actually do it. I was thinking that I had baked bread, cake, muffins and cookies but never really baked a pie. I want to try to make it from scratch too. Starting with a Blackberry pie!


Since I have never done this, I went out and bought a cookbook of deserts and printed directions for making the perfect crust. Not sure how it will turn out or when i will tackle this challenge but I am determined. Assuming I only get my one cheat day a month, it will be hard to actually make the pie on that cheat day, so I may have to give myself one extra day and treat myself to the finished product. The rest I can give away or make my hubby eat I suppose.

If I really enjoy this new "thing", you may be in luck to find yourself with one of my creations. After the Blackberry pie, comes Peanut Butter pie! Watch out waist line!

Love for my Netbook!

I finally got my little Asus Netbook! I had really been wanting something to take with me to work when i needed to check e-mail (on the go) and also for vacations. The one I ended up with is super cute and was a pretty good deal if I do say so. It's the typical 10" screen and weighs just under 3 lbs. I chose white to avoid the finger prints and the larger hard drive. I still need to upgrade my RAM but its not a priority just yet.
The best thing about this little laptop is that I lucked out and got a free Kindle application included, which means I can download and read my books on the computer if I want instead of bringing them separately. How cool is that?
The smaller keyboard will take a little while to get used to, but it's perfect for websurfing so I think I am set!
yay for me!