The summer started off slowly and with a break-up and a failed test. My solution to avoid depression is surrounding myself with family, friends, and beautiful places. I've been fortunate to travel to visit the people I love. I went back to the Pittsburgh region for two of my dear friends' weddings. These two events were my first "friend" weddings and they were so much fun. Gia's was a combination of Italian and Cuban traditions with lots of salsa dancing! You'd never believe that stereotypes an Italian family as portrayed in the movies could be true until you are in a room full of them and you're Irish. Megan's was sponsored and decorated by Vera Bradley. It was elegant and long fun hours of dancing that carried over to the hotel's bar. Both brides looked gorgeous and beaming with happiness.
After all this excitement from weddings, finally it was Ryan's turn. He and Kirby were to tie the knot in Montana, where they now live and where they first met. This is very special to me because 1. Ryan is my big brother and I look up to him in every sense of the word 2. I was living with Ryan and Kirby when he bought the ring and proposed 3. Kirby has become a best friend. She is a laugh, a hug, listens to me vent, offers great advice, and has as much trouble with word find as me 4. I get to be a bridesmaid and have the best view to watch the couple commit their lives to each other.
My favorite part of the ceremony was watching my brother say his vows to his wife. As he held her hands and looked into her eyes, he spoke calmly and sincerely. He believed every word he was saying with tearful eyes as if he was looking into her soul and pouring all of his love into it. He may not have been crying, but I was at that moment and throughout the entire ceremony. It was so personal and unique to Ryan and Kirby, that I felt an extreme amount of humbleness to be a witness to their love and commitment to each other. Another elegant touch was when Kirby walked down the staircase to meet her father. It was a wonderful night in a fun atmosphere, with great people, live music, and delicious food.
This weekend is my cousin Drew's wedding in Vancouver, Canada. It will be a first for me to need my passport to attend a wedding. Then, I will be back in DC for my cousin Kerry's wedding, in which I am a bridesmaid.
The best part of traveling is enjoying the unexpected, cherishing the little things, and making the most of the destination. Instead of flying home from Montana, my parents, Hunter, and I drove back. Our road trip took us through Yellow Stone park, the Grand Tetons, Steamboat Springs, CO and Iowa. I stayed for a few days in Iowa with the Covills. I didn't make the most of my time with Bridget and unfortunately, I left on a sour note. My Aunt Molly got me a buddy pass to fly home earlier than I planned. On my second flight, I got bumped up to business class. The perks: pre-flight drink, personal tv, reclining chair, snacks, endless flow of white wine, and a personal bottle to take with me. I have to say it was a pleasantly unexpected way to fly home.
Yellow Stone Park
Choco waiting for Old Faithful
Grand Tetons
Waterfall at the Tetons
After all this excitement from weddings, finally it was Ryan's turn. He and Kirby were to tie the knot in Montana, where they now live and where they first met. This is very special to me because 1. Ryan is my big brother and I look up to him in every sense of the word 2. I was living with Ryan and Kirby when he bought the ring and proposed 3. Kirby has become a best friend. She is a laugh, a hug, listens to me vent, offers great advice, and has as much trouble with word find as me 4. I get to be a bridesmaid and have the best view to watch the couple commit their lives to each other.
On Monday, she went to the midwife who did a minor medical procedure that might induce labor over the next 12 hours. I will not go into details. Although I was anxious to meet this beautiful baby boy or girl, I was still enjoying feeling the baby kick and watching Bridget's stomach make waves as the baby rolled inside her. It was so wild to see and feel the movement of life inside Bridget. That night we went to Cold Stone's for Cookie Don't Ya Want Some, a favorable craving of hers during this pregnancy. She started feeling some contractions and timing them at 5-7 minutes apart. But not close or painful enough to go to the hospital. The next morning she awoke to tell us that she thinks this is it. The midwife confirmed this, but allowed a few hours before it was necessary to be admitted to the hospital. 
Some fun memories I keep with me... Taking Yankee for a walk was one challenging endeavor. Rather, it's Yankee taking me for a sprint! He's a strong yellow lab who has not yet grown out of his puppy stage. Then, chasing Yankee around the dinner table trying to get a sock, stuffed animal, or slimy dollar bill out of his mouth. He's just a dumb lovable dog. And I really enjoyed the days when Hunter would come to me and ask, "Nanee, do you want to play with me?" We would bike ride to investigate tunnels, play on parks, or to explore new paths. Occasionally, we would take breaks since Hunter's "muscles were getting tired because of working so hard." If it's a play day inside, then we play dragons. Hunter had given me the job of being the voices of five different dragons. Oh this is going to be good: 1. a righteous sufer dude with two heads 2. a 1920s newspaper writer 3. a ghetto guy with attitude 4. a stuck up girl 5. a slow old folk. Hunter played the normal one. I think I had more fun with the characters and Bridg got a kick out of listening to my creative enthusiasm. But if Hunter and Bridget were taking naps, I got to play tummy time with Kinley or rock her to sleep. I even learned the lyrics to Hush Little Baby and it worked! And Bridget and I just got to have fun with each other and be sisters. Might I add we are hilarious!