They're Married!

The day finally came when David Lustig made Tiffany his wife... seven years we have waited for this guy to make it official!  We love Tiff, and David too and they are a match made in heaven.   We are so happy for them and we loved getting to celebrate with them this weekend.  Like other weddings, it was a mini family reunion - we got to see ALL the family and had a delightful time!

 Heading to the beautiful meadow in the mountains for the ceremony.  Mattie and Cash decided to be a couple for the whole night. They were inseparable.  She must like a cowboy. 

Getting to hang with her Cousin Gwenna... They are only a couple months apart.  It is freaky to see genetics at work with these three - they are so similar!

Bridger String Quartet played music as we arrived and as Tiff walked down the isle.  SO beautiful.

Our clan arriving.

 I LOVE this family!  Seriously, when you marry you marry the family too. I hit the jackpot. I can't imagine picking cooler people to spend time with.   And they are all so beautiful (in and out) and have picked some pretty fantastic boyfriends and girlfriends.

Nana Jo and her little Cash-Man.

Gorgeous day, gorgeous setting ....

Handsome Eric and his pink shirt.  He and Peter went shopping before the wedding ... Cute huh?

The Groomsmen!  All the Lustig boys are SO handsome!

(David, Ben, Jake, Rick, Mystery Friend, Danny and Kurt)

Bucky Leaper (the wiener dog) and the flower girls and 12 bridesmaids!

Pretty Mary and Gwenna - another fabulous cousin!

Tiff was gorgeous.  I was speechless, as I know David was too.

The bubbles were a hit and were props for all sorts of fun all evening.

Jhett trying to eat an entire piece of pizza in one bite.

 It was a great wedding - casual and pretty.  Pizza was served for dinner (Tiff's favorite) and a doughnut cake for the cake (again, her favorite).   10 Foot Tall and 80 Proof (my FAVORITE local band) played live music for hours!

Family Portrait... Only one we've had in a while.

Loni and her love, Justin.

The scene

Mattie loved the doughnut cake.

First Dance

Tiff and David's first Dance was one of the sweetest I had ever seen.  David was a big pile of mush and was teary eyed (first we had ever seen).  Tiff was so in love and so beautiful.  As they danced (and I cried), Mattie and Cash took their first dance and you will see in this video BOTH couples being adorable. Please see the moment when  as Cash walks across the dance floor to dance with Mattie....



After the first dance, Mattie and Cash immediately went into couples dance mode and continued to emulate every move they saw on the dance floor.  When I tried dancing with Matine at one point, Cash even tapped me on the leg and 'cut in' to dance with her more.  They twirled, two stepped, did some spins and hops.  It was precious.

This is Mattie's solo performance. This went on for hours.

Cousin Tara and friend Jake

My favorite gals - Lone and Marni Waters ... I wish I had sisters just like them.  I guess I kind of do!

Ben and Amy (both siblings of the groom) tearing up the floor!

More bubbly love and of course, Mattie's favorite- her Marni.

The world's BEST sister-in-law!   I love Amy!

Girl Friends

I LOVE MY GIRLFRIENDS!  After about 8 friends in 24 hours mentioned how much they wanted (needed) a girls night (drinks without children) I figured I better organize something.  I sent a text out and within about 2 minutes I had about 10 responses of  "YES! When? See you there!"  

We had a gorgeous Montana evening to sit outside on the patio at the Park Place Tavern and margaritas,champagne, laughter and discussion flowed freely.   I am always left amazed at the beautiful, strong, interesting mix of ladies that I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by.   Seriously, these women are all extraordinary in every possible way.  I'd be lost without them.  Cheers Ladies! My cheeks (on my face) still hurt. 

Megan and Regina

Raluca, Megan, Regina, Aga, Levia and Madeleine

Kyra, me, Debbie, and Janell

Where's the Pig?

We don't miss the Annual Baldner/Rogers Birthday bash each summer.  Mike Rogers and Theresa Baldner have birthdays within days of each other and they always throw a fun shindig up at the Baldner's beautiful property just outside of the City Limits.  This year: pig roast, beer, lots of kids, potluck sides, and terrific friends.

Mattie overheard people talking about "the pig" and naturally assumed there was a little pink Wilbur running around.  She asked about every 15 minutes "Momma, I want to see the pig.   I want to hold it?"  I don't want to deceive her but also understand that the concept of eating our four legged friends is pretty horrific and difficult to even grasp at 27 months, so I very carefully showed her the BBQ'ed pig and said that is pig meat in the grill.  She looked at it with no reaction and then went about playing.  She clearly (thank goodness) couldn't make that connection and just kept asking when she could see the pig ... Crisis averted (for now)... we still have a meat eater.

The kids played and frolicked.  It was a perfect night.  Perfect weather.  A great mix of music blaring (a perk to having no neighbors), and as always, I just want to cry to see all our friends - they are so wonderful.  I drank a few too many beers and we eventually left around 9:30 - when our party girl FINALLY showed signs of slowing down.  

Another wonderful summer memory for the scrapbook!

every party needs a little picnic blanket cribbage game!

the demise of Wilbur

Matine obsessed with Christy's dog ... of course.  "I hold it."

Henry and Finn - always adorable.

THE Rob Bankston!

My beautiful friends and their beautiful babies.

Megan and Elias - after a brief move to Boulder, CO - they are BACK for good!

My favorite shots of the night.  The girls playing in the flowers.

Having so much fun.

The fire was a HIT!  AND, all the kids stayed behind the green hose line like good boys and girls.

Me and Tony chatting - Peter said I looked like I was wearing a maternity dress. So much for trying to be fashionable in a maxi dress!  Ugh....

celebrate, celebrate

We had to show Mom a good ol' Montana float night for her birthday!  She has only floated the Yellowstone on a whitewater trip, and while that is LOTS of fun, there is nothing like a crisp Montana evening when all is quiet but the birds and a few river-side deer lapping up their last bits of water for the day to make you take a deep breath and say, "I live in the best place on the PLANET!"  It was a gorgeous evening and I think a good time was had by all. 

Helping Dad row the boat.

I am pretty sure this was here letting us know about a "whale" sighting.

Thanks to Peter for rowing our tails down the River AFTER already putting in a full days work rowing clients down another River.  It was worth it to see my mom's smiles and to hear Matine's squeals as she was CERTAIN she saw "whales" in the Yellowstone River.   She even convinced herself (after we told her) that some splashes in the River were the "whales" and she immediately says to us (with great certainty), "I need to hold him."  Good stuff.

Happy JimPa

Love that fried chicken.

Mi Mama!

Best seat in the House.

Fried chicken, cupcakes, and beer = $20.00.  Time with your family on the Yellowstone River = Priceless!

What does summer look like?

In a few pictures, I hope you can see, smell and hear our summer ... Life is so good.

Friends, snow cones, dancing and sun ... Farmers Market every Wednesday

Backyard play with our favorite friends (aka, momma's get to visit while the kids play)

Sweetest girls ever and Camille is my GOD DAUGHTER - so proud!

I am really trying for pig tails.  Here she is "fishing"

MUST walk the dogs on a leash whenever possible... Oh, and wear her helmet even though she isn't even on her bike anymore!

Summer = beautiful babies!  I heart Brody Davidson!

Mattie LOVES babies, and has, has, has to feed and hold them... Oh so gently with lots of kisses in between.

Summer means HIGH water!   This is the Yellowstone at about 36,000 CFS!  Gaucho doesn't seem to care.