A Mind Like an Elephant...

Or a gnat. Or whatever it is that forgets stuff all the time and everyone thinks it is OK. I was about to publish the Christmas pictures that I took of Avery, when I realized that I hadn't yet shared the family pictures I took of Avery + Alan & Sam. So, with a 3 month delay, and the whole delayed gratification is better thing, here are their pictures. :) She is SO. Dang. GROWN. UP! I look at this picture and can see her as a teenager... it scares the living daylights out of me.

And that headband!? I die. 

Chocolate face and everything. This kid likes sweets more than any other kid I know. 

Adorb family. 

Warning: I was clearly loving the coordinating bright pants color thing happening in these photos. So when you ask what happened to their heads I just say: "THE PANTS Y'ALL!"

I am obsessed with Avery's face in this one. Love that little peanut's mischievous personality for days. 

So there ya have it-- my second ever family shoot for friends. It is pretty cool that I can feel myself improving every day that I pick up the camera. I am so grateful that I finally just dived in and bought the camera and got to shooting in manual. Knowing I can adequately capture something is just plain awesome.

Best Man Speech

Andy is more than a best man to Lawren. He is LB and I's best friend. He is our family. He knows that if he needed us, we would be there no matter what. No questions asked. We know that he would do the same for us. The three of us text on a daily basis and we all manage to get phone calls in with each other regularly. I love Andy very much and sharing his speech below is one of the more personal things that I have done on this blog because he and Esther (and Katie, Sam, Ashley, Avery, Belle, Peek, Adam, Stacey, Finley, Jackson, Sarah, Madeline ... ok pretty much everyone that was at our wedding) are sacred to me. This blog has been able to catalogue quite a few Andy gems. From being here when I was sworn in, to moving into our house, to all sorts of music conversations, to surprise visits in Austin, to more eating adventures, to hiking adventures. Andy has been with us through it all.

So, here's a Best Man speech from my second favorite guy: Sandy.

Good evening everyone. First of all, what a beautiful ceremony (what I forgot to say was what a wonderful job Chris did and that the fake British accent was a great touch but he can drop it now). The bridesmaids all look wonderful and Treana is breathtaking.

I promise to keep this brief because I know you are all anxious to see Lawren hit the dance floor...

For those of you that I have not met, my name is Andy and I met Lawren back in 2002 when he moved to Phoenix. We formed a bond fairly quick over basketball and the understanding of the key ingredients that make for a great rock song.

Traditionally this speech dictates that I share some embarrassing about Lawren, but I did promise to keep this brief and a majority of the content would be deemed inappropriate for our younger guests. Besides it was to difficult to narrow the field to a select few.

Now after spending the past couple of days with Lawren's best friends as he was growing up...there was a recurring theme as we shared stories and that was LOYALTY. You see Lawren is the kind of person you call up to ask a favor and his only questions are "when and where?"

Also, many of you have come to know and appreciate Lawren's sense of humor that was masterfully handed down by Max. His ability to add humor to any situation is remarkable.

Another unique quality is that you always know where you stand with Lawren. That is why I'm honored to be standing right here. Probably his best quality is how wise he has become over the years. Some of you might be snickering but he was wise enough to grab a hold of Treana and hang on for the ride....Smart.

Treana, I adore you and love your sense of adventure and the way you handle Lawren when he is being a tad bit difficult, and of course the eloquent way in which you curse.

You two truly make each other better. I have admired how much you have accomplished since you have been together. A testament to your relationship is all the people who came from all over the country and the world to share this day with you.

On that note, I would like you all to raise a glass and make a toast to two of my best friends...

To Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After.