Life's Celebrations

I am off to Colorado tomorrow for an MBA Career Services conference in Keystone, a family reunion with my Mom's amazing siblings (except Auntie P who I will see in July) in Glenwood Springs and Denver, and (hopefully) a trip to Omaha to see my brother and root on the 'Hoos at the College World Series.

This weekend was full of life's celebrations including Molly and Chris's rehearsal dinner and wedding, both my parents birthdays, Father's Day (see previous post), spending time watching baseball with Evan and Meggie ('Hoos over Cal  4-1), and meeting Kate and Shane's daughter, Grace Elizabeth.

We met Molly and Chris in April '09 when they visited Charlottesville for Darden Days when Molly was deciding where to get to her MBA. We instantly connected to them, spent a wonderful evening chatting, and have been friends ever since. It may have been the beautiful scenery in Crozet or the delicious wine at King Family Vineyards that convinced them to pack up their Boston apartments and move to Charlottesville; but I believe it was the welcome wagon named "The Armstrongs" that really sealed the deal. Joking aside, we joined together for family dinners, Polo matches, and an annual Darden Days "anniversary" toast. This weekend we were fortunate enough to be invited to both their rehearsal dinner at Horse & Hound and wedding at Keswick Vineyards where the view and the bride were absolutely breathtaking. It was joyous and classy without being overdone; and their favors were homegrown Sanborn Farms Maple Syrup (courtesy of Chris's family) and Seattle Chocolates (for Molly's family). Congratulations and we will miss you when you move to Minneapolis. Don't forget that we will be calling about that Best Buy discount...

In other news, our best friends in Charlottesville, Kate and Shane, welcomed their beautiful daughter to the world on Wednesday, June 15. She was 9 days late and took her sweet time saying hello to her folks, but she is absolutely gorgeous. Blake and I met her yesterday and after holding her little hand and kissing her cheek, she has us hooked for life. It was a beautiful reminder that life is a miracle.

It was a full weekend and we could not be happier for those who make life truly joyous!