Happy Birthday America, You're No Longer Number One

For the 4th of July weekend Fernando and I (and the puppies) took a trip up to Grand Lake to visit our friend Lauren. I've known Lauren since I was 11, she was 16 and my swim team coach, now she lives out here in Colorado working as a law enforcement officer for the forest service. We had a ton of fun and so did the dogs! It was nice to get away from the city for a bit, even with all the rich tourists in Grand Lake (luckily we stayed in Lauren's cabin nowhere near them).

For America's birthday Mexico was nice enough to take over the fattest country in the world spot! Fernando doesn't think this is as amusing as I do...

Anyway here are some pictures from our trip:

The dogs loved Grand Lake!

I'm scared for our future children...

Fernando bet me I couldn't climb this rock, clearly he lost.

I'll be posting more recipes here in the next week, I've had a lot requested recently!

Gwen Graduates High School!

So I officially feel old... my youngest sister, Gwen, has graduated high school. Gwen and Abby are not my biological sisters, or by marriage, but I've been spending a good amount of time with them since I was 8 years old. By this point we just consider each other sisters. I can't believe she'll be 19 years old tomorrow, it seems like just yesterday she was the cutest two year old ever. And now I sound like a sappy mom. Is sappy sister better? Slightly?

Congrats Gwen!!

So I Got Married

As anyone who keeps in contact with us knows, we got married on May 25th! Our wedding was back in Ohio at The Oaks Restaurant on Chippewa Lake. Although literally everything went wrong the day of, it was still the best day of my life! (you'll have to ask Fernando for his opinion on that one :) ). We did not go on a honeymoon right after due to our job schedules, but we're planning a trip to Madrid for next May. I'm now officially a Ceron!


And here are some of my favorite photos!

My mom and me at the salon

No one knew how to tie the bow!

Maid of honor, Nicole Blum, putting on my veil! 

Walking down to do out "first look"

First look

Most adorable little flower girls!

Ceremony

It was a little windy on the lake :)

Eco confetti poppers!

In-Laws! (Father in law was in Mexico at the time)

Fernando and his mother Maria

Abby, Me, Connie, and Gwen

Sisters. Bridesmaids.

Lily and Ella had so much fun!

My Dad and Mom

Dylan kept stealing my seat at the head table!

So I threw the cake at the best man, he still doesn't realize it in this photo :)

First Dance

First Dance

Sunset on Chippewa Lake!

(not so little) Brother and me 

These little girls wore me out with all their dancing!

Bouquet toss

So my matron of honor, Kelsey, is pregnant... and that's her husband...

One of my favorites!

Candid by Nicole

Cutting the cake

Bridal party!

Lily, Ella, and Cliff

I was so happy that my college roommate, Bethany, made it!

Reunited: Maid of honor Nicole came from New Orleans, I live in Colorado Springs, and Amanda came from California! 

Maybe I'm Just a Hippie

Maybe I'm growing up (doubtful), or maybe I'm just tired (likely), but I can't handle social media anymore. I'm not sure if I'm outgrowing it, or I'm just old enough to remember how much easier life was without it (granted I was 15/16, everything was easier). So tonight I'll be deleting my Facebook and Twitter. Everyone says I'll be back, which I guess is possible, there's a reason these sites are so popular, it's fun to keep up with everyone's lives. But are we really supposed to keep in contact with everyone we've ever known forever? I don't think we are. People come in and out of our lives for different reasons and I think that's how it's supposed to be, why should I be able to (or want to) read about the lives of people I haven't spoken to in years? Maybe it was our wedding that brought on this realization, it was wonderful and we had many great friends and family there, but there was an equal number of people who couldn't or wouldn't come. It brought forward the few people who truly care about both Fernando and me, I want to give those people my time and energy. I want to call them and have actual conversations instead of just "liking" their picture on Facebook. This whole social media age has me worried. I can sit down and write a blog in twenty minutes, close my computer and be done, but in the age of smart phones I can constantly check my Twitter and Facebook, constantly check in on what others are doing, all while missing what is right in front of me. I want to be present in the real world, instead of a virtual one. I don't want to muddle through the day upset about others opinions, I want to live.

But maybe I'm just a hippie.