snow day.

Winter storm warnings. Schools are closed. It's WHITE outside. We're stuck inside. It's a snow day!


I've gotten to spend the past two weekends in St. Louis. It's extraordinary to get to date my best friend. I enjoy him so much and we truly bring out the best qualities in each other.

The first weekend I was in Missouri, we went canoe camping. We floated down the Courtois River and camped on a river bank. It was my first "real" camping experience, and I loved it!

as close to a gondola ride as i'll get...

This past weekend we took a little trip to Evansville, IN. Marty's friend got married in his dad's backyard. It was an... interesting wedding.

Itinerary...

I'm in St. Louis with the Marty Man!

We're having a date night.
We're canoe camping.
We're cooking dinner.
We're going to his dad's choir concert.
We're enjoying time together.

How did I get so lucky?

sweet sixteen

...days, that is...

This little gal is a cute kid! Nora has been here for 16 days. Oma and Grandpa (my parents) are out visiting... I can't wait for my turn to meet her!

a little pick me up...

Literally.

Every other week either Marty or I fly... across Kansas... to spend the weekend together. We're blessed with the fact that we get to fly so much.

Last Thursday Marty flew in... he was supposed to be in at 8:10, but his flight was late, so I waited...

...and waited...

...and waited...

While I was waiting, I ran into a guy I went to high school with. He was in the terminal at DIA working on a journalism project about love... he was taking pictures and interviewing people who were waiting for their loved ones. He got some pictures of us when Marty showed up (they're blurry, but it's fun to have them!)

waiting... with butterflies...

at this point, marty was asking me about the random guy taking pictures of us... i told him not to worry about it... :)

A sweet wedding at Camp...

My best friend Jill and I both worked at Camp Timberline last summer. Before heading up in May, we went to the Gap to get a few things for our time up in Estes Park. The cashier at the store asked what we were doing for the summer and after we told her about being camp counselors, she said "oh... I met my husband at camp! Maybe you will, too!" Jill, being the non-dater that she was, quickly responded "no.... not me...."

Well, a year and a few months later and she married the man she met at Camp Timberline.

And they had a really sweet Camp T-style wedding weekend... complete with the zip line and baked oatmeal.


Jill and Zach are so in love. It was so sweet to stand up with Jill as her almost-husband wept through his vows. It was sweet to pray for them as they took communion together. It was special to watch my best friend kiss her new husband for the first time as a married lady.

After the ceremony, the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and the newlyweds got in a huddle and said "Holy Matrimony on three... one... two... three... Hold Matrimony!" Then we ran inside to warm up... it was about 35 degrees during the ceremony and yes, we were outside.

The reception was very "Zach and Jill-ish"... burgers and fries for dinner, cupcakes for dessert, fun dancing, and fires in the lodge to warm our cold fingers. It even started snowing during the party. The Griffins left to us throwing birdseed at them... apparently Zach found some later that night in his ear.

What a great time! I loved having Marty as my date. Spending the weekend with him up at Camp was a neat experience for me. It was relaxing, fun, and an adventure (I expect nothing less from that man...). My parents were at the wedding and stayed the night in Estes, so the four of us walked around a snowy lake the next morning.

Jill is married. That's still weird to say! But I'm so happy for her as she begins this journey with Zach.

:: the weekend ::

we hiked with my cousin beth, who is attending ravencrest bible college in estes.

cute table decorations

getting ready in our cabin!

:: the wedding ::

oh hello, twin sisters...

steepest aisle... ever....

jill's bridesmaids

her groom was coming to get her

the griffins!

:: the reception ::

the lodge looked great!

cupcakes... mmm...

jill and her mom made the bouquets





my hot date :)

college roommates!

so happy together


:: sunday morning hike ::




i feel so blessed that i get to date this man...

Ten Days Old...

Nora has been around for ten days now... everyone is doing really well! I just bought my plane ticket to meet her. Her Aunt Nettie is ITCHING to hold that little one...

oh boy oh boy!

This weekend has been long awaited... my very best friend Jill is getting married! She met Zach at Camp Timberline last summer, so they're tying the knot up there on Saturday afternoon.

She's super excited. She looks stunning.

The guest list is great.

Our bridesmaids dresses are smokin'.

The trees in Estes are changing. Ahhh.

My Marty will be my date!

Marty flies in tonight... we're excited to spend the weekend up at Camp. The air will be crisp, but I think 9400 feet is a beautiful place to get married!

Pictures and stories to come...