the babyfood bomber?

Arizona bound!  FINALLY! 

I don't think I ever even mentioned that we did indeed end up getting flights to Arizona to attend my cousins wedding, after our initial flights were cancelled thanks to shady weather! 

It was a frazzled flight out to Arizona...Clara was a doll...but we ran into one TSA jerkface who attempted to confiscate ALL OF OUR BABYFOOD.  I thought the rule was 4oz and under...but I stand corrected...UNDER 4 oz only.  I brought sealed babyfoods in little 4 oz pouches.  I made somewhat of a mad crazy scene...like...we need to feed her at least three meals during this insanely long day of travel...and snacks!  and during plane assent and descent!  and any time she starts to freak or cry I'd like to shove one in her mouth to keep the peace on the plane!  I wanted to scream at the lady, "what the hell do you want me to feed my baby if you take all of our food you crazy b****!"  But I didn't.  Though I probably said it with my eyes.   

FAMILY!

They ended up taking half of our sealed babyfood pouches as they thought it was too much.  OK.  So TSA got to decide the quantity we were to feed Clara that day...  I was livid.  LIVID.  And felt so hopeless.  At the small airport we were at, there wasn't even a single item at their food stand I could feed Clara....no fresh fruit...no yogurt...nothing but pastries and bagels and coffee.  Anyway.  The rest of the day was fine...we go to Arizona...we made due with what I packed (apple slices, bananas, teething biscuits, peanut butter sandwiches for Tommy and me that we shared with Clara.)

goofy grandpa!

The TSA security people in Phoenix were much more friendly and understanding on our flight back to New York.  They tested our babyfood...but they didn't take it away.  I wanted to kiss them!  I have to note that Clara slept for 2 hours on one of the plane rides...it was bliss...she was nestled so peacefully in my arms...I just soaked it up.  Best flight ever.

And Arizona?  It was perfection.  Flagstaff....*sigh* is Heaven on Earth.  The family was so fun to see.  Clara got lots of kisses from her grandparents!  Tommy and I drove up to our wedding site...basically our favorite Flagstaff destination.  Had some of our fave local fare...doesn't get better than a Mike & Rhonda's breakfast.

snowbowl!

I will share some fun wedding tidbits later...with pics!

into the woods: our pictures

all of these gorgeous images are clearly OneLovePhoto

We stepped into the woods immediately after our ceremony.  So these are the first few shots of us as husband and wife - that's why we are glowing a little bit - we were on cloud nine.  Before we got married, I never anticipated decorating our every square inch of our home with our wedding pictures...I figured we would select one image that we loved the most.  Except...I think all of the images have to find their way into our home.  Right!?  They are so magical.

our venue's views

Was cleaning out my camera this weekend and found a handful of images from SnowBowl that I took earlier in the year. Tommy and I decided to make one last trek up the mountain to check out a couple things, hang with my fam, and spy on our venue. Remember my lil fit about them taking the big beautiful stone fireplace down??? Well, I wanted to see what the end result was.

And it looks fine - the space is bigger...and now the dancing will just have to be up in everyone's face. No big. And the lights stay...which kinda rocks on saving us set-up headache. *note:  you can see the rustic looking chair on the far left....they have been replace with "normal" chairs...which broke my heart a little bit.  And the intimate rustic tables that seat 6...they  have been replaced with modern wedding banquet tables...big round things that require tablecloths.  I didn't want to use tablecloths.  BUT - it will go on...it will still work...and it will still be lovely.  Just a lil different than we imagined.

We are not getting married here because we love the physical structure of Snowbowl...it's not really anything to get excited about architecturally...it's a simple and utilitarian ski lodge...not an extravagant resort.

But the views. Ohmygosh the views.

 PS:

Congratulations to Paula for winning the 50 Custom Greeting Cards from UPrinting!!

(PLEASE email me ASAP to get you hooked up with your cards!!)

 

victory #12: bigfoot bbq

Tommy and I made a quick trip up to Flagstaff earlier this year to check out the mad fab cuisine at Bigfoot BBQ for our "welcome dinner." Their prices are fantastic, and it's in a funky area of downtown Flagstaff that we thought could be perfecto to welcome our fam and friends to the area.

We were right.


The food was CRAZY YUM. Holy cow. We ordered one of everything on the menu to see what we like most for our big dinner. In the end, it doesn't matter. It all rocked. I've never been so full in my life. It was so good. Tommy had to roll me out of that place.

The only problem is - how many people we can fit in. They can't accommodate more than 50 people. SO. We might have to hold our breath for lovely weather and have the event catered outside at a park, or ask guests to stagger their attendance (can you do that? I'm not sure you can do that? anyway.) 

...attractive...I know...real attractive...

family + flagstaff + fireworks

here

We are in Flagstaff for the weekend! Nothin' like escaping the hot desert heat and trading it in for beautiful mountain views, tall strong pine trees, and the whistle of the train that rumbles through town.

We might dabble in wedding "stuff" but I have a sneaking suspicion we will be enjoying all that great 4th of July food and the loud boisterous company of my hysterical family.

I will hike among the trees. I will breathe deeply. I will be moved by the glorious fireworks just like I was when I was a kid. It happens every time. Enjoy your weekend friends.

saturday vacay

moominsean

Headed up to Flagstaff today. In need of some mountain air and a little greenery. Perhaps check out a venue or two? I have a couple in mind...

done and done

From a sweet collection of Route 66 postcards here

My Guy and I have (seriously!) decided to commit to a wedding location...Flagstaff!!

Bring on the aspens! The pine trees! Nature trails! The peaks! The tasty local brew (my fave: Railhouse Red from Beaver Street)! Upstairs at the Weatherford! Monte Vista! Late For The Train! Route 66! The Museum Club! The Arb! Old Main!

You will all learn about these fantastic Flagstaff wonders as the days go by. No doubt.

Words. Cannot. Express. My. Elation!