{My view this morning}

I just got home from Lake Tahoe, and am already ready to go back. Tony had to work, so I reverted back to childhood and flew solo with my parents and canine siblings, Rigel and Rosie, for a long weekend in the mountains. I packed my white pants, ready to kick off summer and spend the weekend reading wedding magazines with a bottle of champagne by the lake, but Mother Nature had other plans. It hailed and poured rain for the majority of the trip, so instead I sat inside the house in sweatpants and passed the time snacking (another one of my favorite activities). We’re desperately in need of some rain in California (and, perhaps, a rain plan for our wedding), and it was still a beautiful, relaxing weekend. (Although I’m not sure my parents would categorize our 3-hour marathon planning sesh with the florist and wedding planner “relaxing.” I, however, loved every minute.)

Tony and I have been engaged for so long, it’s hard to believe the wedding is actually almost here (a little over two months away, to be exact). We have most of the big decisions out of the way, so now it’s just the fun details to figure out, like whether or not to put cherries on the mini milkshakes, or how long to run on the treadmill in order to fit into my dress. It made me overwhelmingly happy, walking around the house I love so much, deciding where to say our vows, where to put the cake, where to put the Porta Potties. I’m feeling rejuvenated and so very lucky that we’ll be getting married there. Here are 25 examples of why this place is my favorite in the world…

{Kicked off the weekend taking my childhood bestie/co-MOH Jax’s spin class}

{First thing we did in Tahoe: EAT. Highly recommend Moe’s Original BBQ. Especially the fried green tomatoes.}

{Hiking in a hail storm}

{My mom’s self-proclaimed “favorite daughter” Rosie covered in hail}

{Puppy parkour}

{The River Wild remake, with dogs instead of Meryl Streep}

{Almost had a heart attack when this stick turned out to be a snake}

{Wedding research with my assistant/”brother” Rigel}

{Stained glass window at the Big House}

{That dirt patch is where a tree fell down in a storm recently, and where Tony and I will be getting married}

{happy place}

{Freshly painted dock, freshly painted toes}

{I’ve suffered an uncountable number of injuries on this swing since childhood. Really curious how this one is going to play out at the wedding…}

{Tahoe-size pine cone}

{Spring florals}

{Our sophisticated security system}

{A leftover bouquet from a wedding at our favorite restaurant in Tahoe, the West Shore Cafe}

{Poseurs}

{Intense wedding planning. Our welcome party will be just over my mom’s shoulder, on the lawn.}

{Dreaming of our blue moon wedding}

{Missing the love(s) of my life}

{Clear skies}

{One last swim}

{Not enough room for all of us kids in the back seat, so Rigel rode in my lap. Homesick for Tahoe already. August 1 can’t come soon enough!}