One Down, Four To Go

Announcing: Mr. and Mrs. Blake!

One of the hottest newlywed couples of Summer 2014!

Just barely over a year ago, Annie Holt and I were paired together as counselor roommates at BYU sports camp. That week she had her first date with Conner Blake. He was one of a few dates for her that week, but he was the only one she was really twitter-pated about. Little did we know, he would soon be the lucky guy to receive her eternal love! 

Yesterday, they sealed the deal.

We gals have really stuck together over the last year. It didn't take much time for our friendships to develop into something very special. Despite our different personalities and backgrounds, our love and bond is so strong and so real!

When Annie asked us to be bridesmaids at her wedding... there were girl tears all over the place. It was hilarious and pathetic and beyond amazing. Yesterday, we fulfilled our bridesmaid duties and enjoyed a wonderful day with two incredible families as they became one!

One down, four to go! :)

I may consider myself a bestie of the bride, but that doesn't mean I don't have bonding moments with the groom too... even if he's oblivious hahaha.

I LOVE MY PEOPLE.

Dysfunction (x4) until finally a payoff picture hahaha.

And wow I touch my hair too much.

Hey-oh, shout out to Mr. Bradley Nilsen for being our photographer for much of yesterday!

Our own little Karli becomes Mrs. Nilsen in just 23 days! I don't know yet if I can make it to Vegas to support this #sportscampsuccess, and my heart breaks just thinking about missing out on what is bound to be another great wedding day. I love both these peeps. We'll soon be saying two down, three to go!

And then there was a luncheon with delicious fancy food to fill our famished bellies. Weirdness and food baby comas (especially on Dez's part haha) quickly followed.

And then there was Target. Where Desiree found the perfect spot to fill the post-luncheon/pre-reception time.

Speaking of the reception, I have almost zero pictures of that part of the day! 

However, there was no way could we have passed up the chance to pose for cheesy prom pics.

And finally, ladies and gentleman:

My wedding date was one incredibly sexy man.

The Family Looks Good In Blue

This is my family.

I kind of like them.

We haven't all been together in one place at one time for several years, in which time the family has just continued to grow in wonderful ways. Last time we took a family photo, it didn't turn out so hot... basically everyone looked like they were on the verge of death. SO it was pretty exciting to be reunited once again and to be able to take some new pictures that turned out awesome, thanks to Uncle Vince!! 

Enjoy! 

I am so lucky to be tied to these folks for eternity!

The Scott and Karen Perry clan, est. 1980.

I'd say the friendships and fun only continue to improve with the years :)

The Tyler and Kirstin Kenealey clan, est. 2000.

The Kevin and Carli Perry clan, est. 2007.

The Rob and Diane Perry clan, est. 2011.

Jannette and Matt, the dating couple who just had some cute pictures taken :)

Mom and dad with all their grandbabies... many of whom are not so much babies anymore! Its been 12 years since a little boy joined this family. Brayden needs a guy cousin!

And then there was that attempt to get me with all my favorite kiddos. Can you say struggle? It was time to give up and just say, "okay, everyone cry as hard as you can!"

This was feeling a little too boring for me (the only sib left without a spouse), so sue me for needing to mix it up a bit. 

I happen to really enjoy my brothers and sister. I also happen to really enjoy what happens when the four of us pose for pictures together.

Sadly missing the Nettleton fam and a couple from the Summerhays fam, but grandma couldn't pass up the chance to snag a photo with those of us who were there: many of her grandkids and all but one of her great-grandkids!

 AND THEN... there was dancing.

And Amelia candids, which no one could ever possibly get sick of.

This is my family.

I kind of LOVE them!

My Family Belongs In A Zoo

What is it that makes sneaking pictures of sleeping people so satisfying?

Well friends, in the last year i've traveled home to Seattle six times I think... and four of those trips were made by car. Can you say yikes? Well, this last weekend I made the trip on wheels yet again. But this time, my cute boy came with me!! We were supposed to leave on Friday mid-morning, but Matt surprised me last minute on Thursday afternoon by telling me that he got work off on Friday and we could leave that evening, so we did! We drove all through Thursday night and made it home early enough of Friday to join everyone else for a fun family trip to the zoo!

Mmmm, nice fresh salmon anyone?

Little Quinny was more interested in her nap than in some of the animals. Valid, I suppose, for a baby.

What the animals see... yes monkey, you're right, it IS a zoo out there.

Paige trying hard to communicate with a goat haha.

Little miss blue eyes! Can never get enough of her!!

We decided (slash it just sort of happened) to recreate some old favorites from trips to the zoo!

I love my Rae Rae always and forever ♥ Think she'll let me hold her like this when she's a teenager?

With our WHOLE family reunited (meaning mom and dad, their four children, their three children-in-law, and all eight of their grandchildren) for the first time in seriously forever, mom and dad's house was a zoo enough with everyone squeezing under one roof and planning activities for so many people! But the weekend was a fantastic one. Along with our trip to the zoo, we packed in family pictures, playing at the park, playing LOTS of card/board games, movie watching, running on the Burke-Gilman, church, and a Seattle trip all in just a few days. 

In other words, stay tuned for more picture-filled posts about how happy my family makes me and how fun it was to show Matty around our beautiful city :)