So when Katrina Ryan, owner of Sugarland contacted me earlier this week about her “Animal House” cake…of course I couldn’t wait to see the finished product.  This cake was so cool.  I actually arrived a few minutes early and they were still working on the finishing touches so it was great to see them in do what they do best.

And if you haven’t been to Sugarland, you are missing out!  They have amazing cupcakes (love the buttercream), yummy gelato, frozen martinis and so much more.  Enjoy!

The other important people who made this possible:

Flowers – TreBella
Cake – Cinda’s Creative Cakes
Photobooth – Shutterbooth
Officiant – Robin Renteria
Hair & Makeup – Margo with Belloviso

Had to start the party with a pre-party bed jump! (the irony is that we painted her room the very next day, it’s now a very girly shade of purple).

And here’s her slideshow….enjoy!

This little guy was very special to me, as I know his mom and dad really well.  I’ve known them for a few years now, so finding out they were expecting and then to be able to document their new little boy, I can’t thank them enough.  Please enjoy!

We had great weather for their wedding, while still warm, it was the perfect day for an outdoor ceremony.  Sugarland provided the beautiful cake and gelato bar, Robin Renteria was the officiant and the beautiful bride’s dress was by J. Crew.  Please enjoy!

And of course, don’t forget to view their slideshow (after you see the photos below).  Thank you again!  

Madi is truly an amazing young girl.  She is, without question, one of the most loving people I know.  She loves with her whole heart, and sometimes that heart gets hurt.  She wears all her emotions on her sleeve, you know if she’s having a good day or a bad day.  I love so much of this about her.  I love her compassion.  She’s always been a ridiculously compassionate child since she was very young.  She gives so much of herself and she never gives up.  This summer she has tackled so many projects that have eluded her and she never quits, she never gives up and she gives more than 100% of herself at any time.  She inspires me to do more, be more and try more.

Madi is just one of those people you want to be around.  I will always love our trip to NYC about 18 months ago.  Without a doubt, that was one of the most special times she and I have had together.  She still talks about that trip on almost a daily basis…and I’m so thankful for those times with her.

It amazes me that she’s about to start first grade….it seems as though it was just yesterday that she came into this world, that we so cautiously put her into her car seat and drove slower than we have ever driven on the DC Beltway…that trip seemed to take forever.  We have so many amazing memories with her and I can’t wait to see the girl that she becomes.

Happy Birthday to our truly amazing little girl….love you so very, very much!

(and while I haven’t had a chance to take their official birthday pics yet, I do love this one of her)…it was actually just before her 1st birthday, we had just moved here days before and celebrated 4th of July.

(and be sure to check out Tarrah’s reaction on the bouquet toss – love it!!)   

Of course, we must start with the details…the beautiful florals by Fleurtations.

While the recovery and the actual procedure wasn’t particularly fun…it has all been incredibly worth it.  I’m completely off all medication except for the occasional meds I need for a headache, I just feel like a new person.

Yes, I do still have a migraine from time-to-time.  But for me, going from 2-4 a week to probably 2 a month, well, that’s beyond my expectations.  I have recently discovered that I’m getting a few more headaches with a combination of heat and working out (running in particular) but they are pretty manageable – and summers were always my very, very worst time.

So far, so good…I’m so incredibly optimistic about my future…and for those of you who are still battling migraines and trying to get them under control, know that I will always listen and sympathize…

Thank you both again for everything.  I can’t even begin to ever express my gratitude.   

Fourteen years ago today, I married my husband.  This past weekend we celebrated being together 17 years.  We met at the end of our freshman year in college – I still remember they exact moment when I saw him.  He was coming down the stairs in a dorm and a bunch of us were going out to the movies.  The funny thing is that he was kind of dating a friend of mine at the time and I subsequently started kind of dating a friend of his (I say kind of because it was the whole long distance thing – it didn’t work out – good for me)!  I’m not going to bore you with the details…but the rest, as they say, is history.

My husband.

I’m not a big user of the whole “husband” “wife” “Mr.” “Mrs.” thing.  Most people know that when I talk about my husband, I refer to him as “Steve”.  But really, he’s the very best husband.

I could never ask for a better father to our girls.  Our girls love their daddy so much – we’ve gone through these various spells (as I’m sure any parent will tell  you) – where the girls have wanted nothing to do with me and only want to be with their daddy.  And I love that.  I love that he’ll drop everything and just be with them.  He gives them his whole heart and I can see it.   I love that he’s taught them to fly rockets, fly planes and give them opportunities that they will truly never understand how lucky they are.

My husband.

He loves and he gives.  I don’t honestly know if in 17 years he’s ever told me the word no.  And that doesn’t mean I get my way all the time.  But he tries to make things work…and he never, ever gives up.  He balances a lot between work, the girls, studying, he’s constantly doing something…he’s definitely not a “dust settle under his feet” kind of guy.  I love that he’s an all-in or all-out kind of guy.  He has an incredible work ethic and I love that about him.

My husband.

What I appreciate and love about him so much is that I’m the person I should be when I’m with him.  He’s so positive and so encouraging and well, just proud.  And god….I’m just lucky.  I get to be and do the things that I want, and he supports everything about me.  I’ve come up with some wacky ideas over time and not once did he tell me it was foolish or didn’t support it 100%.   He has been there for me through my very darkest moments and also seen me achieve great accomplishments.  He never once questioned the hundreds of migraines I’ve had over the years – he’s a very good man for standing with me through all of this as things got really bad.  And now, we are enjoying my “new life” so to speak…and he’s right by my side.

My husband.

I love thinking about my future with him.  I love knowing that as a team, we are incredibly strong and we can accomplish anything together.  I love thinking about the next 5, 10, 15, 20 years with him.  I know we give and take and it literally is the perfect combination.  I love thinking that some day, he’s going to walk 2 little girls down the aisle and dance with them at their weddings.

There is so much more I could say…but life gets in the way.
Thank you to my amazing husband…I know you’ll read this….so a dumpster still works for me

Here’s just my initial few favorites…so many more to share.