Psychadelic Fur Coat

So what's the story with the fur coat? Well, Aunt Cathy had this fur coat that Chelsea borrowed and wore to an over-the-hill birthday party for our friend Stacy a few years ago (we were all dressed up like old ladies). We're over at Aunt Cathy's for dinner Thursday night and she said she's getting rid of the coat and asks Chels if she wants it--she says no, so Cathy is going to donate it. Cousin Megan looks interested, so Aunt Cathy gives it to her, and so it begins...

Meg brings the coat to the lodge (she's visiting from CA, what else is she going to do with it? I'm surprised Uncle Brian and Aunt Laura didn't "accidentally" leave it behind at the Seattle hotel...) and then at the reception the fur coat makes an appearance. Well, it turned into quite the show-stopper! Everyone and their mother (literally) got a picture with it and here's the proof:


The new couple trying it on for size


Big-pimpin (Dan, where's your fedora?)

One of the photographers

Chels and I (not sure what that face is I'm making)

Uncle Sandy and Aunt Cathy, too cool

Matt and cousin Miranda

Cousin Claire and Sean

Andrew and Rachel, always the sophisticated couple

Cousin Laura

Cousin Tiffany

Cousin Candy

Cousin Jill, cheers!

Cousin Megan, owner and distributor of the coat

Auntie Laura

Uncle Brian

Barry--which Toby brother wears it best?

Cindy and Barry

Cousin Joe & Mary

Cousin Jake & Jazmin

And Uncle John is the grand finale!

Oh Meg, what would we do (with a fur coat) without you?

Steph & Dan's Wedding

The big day has finally arrived! Boo's wedding day, yay! :) Boo is one of Steph's many nicknames, but that's a story for another time...

Cindy, Chels, and I went to Steph's hotel room to help her get ready on her big day. We met her two best friends Sarah and Angela there, toasted the bride, and the dressing process began!


Here's Steph with her beautiful wedding gown


Mom and Sis helping Steph get into her gown


Lacing up the ribbon


Smiles from the bride throughout the process!


Cindy and Chelsea with Steph's bouquet



Chelsea, Stephanie, and Cindy


Andrew played the processional and end of ceremony music


Dan & Steph's sweet nephews Lucas and Dillon


View of the ceremony site


Steph and parents Barry & Cindy walking her up the aisle


We all cried! I was crying and trying to silently rustle through my purse for a tissue pretty much right after the ceremony began and I asked Chelsea if she needed one (she didn't). Then about a second later, Dan gets a little choked up and Chels looks at me and says "Okay, I need one now!" :) She never cries! It was a very sweet ceremony.


The happy new husband & wife, and the gorgeous view!






Look at the beautiful waterfall (Snoqualmie Falls)


Andrew and Rachel at the reception


Cousin Claire and her boyfriend Sean. They were in our wedding party--we love them!


So cute!


Cousin Miranda and her boyfriend Matt, precious!


First dance





Father & daughter dance


The parents dance


Barry and Steph


Cousin-time! Me, Jillian, Laura, Steph, Tiffany, and Chelsea

Stay tuned, the fur coat pictures are next!

Wedding Weekend!

Well, the wedding has come and gone, and we had a blast! Here's what we did:

Friday morning Chels, cousin Megan, and I went to Portage Bay Cafe for breakfast, http://www.portagebaycafe.com/, yum! Her parents Uncle Brian & Aunt Laura and her sister Jillian got into Seattle that afternoon, so after we dropped her off to meet them we went to the airport to pick up Chelsea's brother Andrew & his girlfriend Rachel. And then we headed to the East Side for the fun wedding weekend to begin! Chelsea's parents rented a house in Issaquah that "us kids" all stayed at for the weekend with them.

Andrew is chipping off the deck

Rachel, Cindy, me, and Barry enjoying a glass of wine and the view

Chels setting up yard games--my little instruction reader! :) Everytime we get on an airplane, Chelsea takes out the safety placard and follows along with the flight attendants when they review the safety instructions. She's so funny!

Andrew was first up to bat

Rachel was the pitcher

Chels and Barry in outfield

Barry is next up to bat

Andrew and Chelsea waiting for Barry to hit a home-run

Barry found his calling as pitcher

Chels up to bat, looks like a pro!

We had a great time relaxing, playing games, catching up, and preparing for the big day! Pictures of the wedding to follow, stay tuned :)