The Practice "Do"

Had fun getting pretty with my hairdresser Alex at Studio 89 for my practice hairdo and makeup. I loved everything she did. Of course, this was the practice only, so it looked even better on the actual wedding day, but you get the idea! Thanks Alex!

The final results after 2 hours of primping...

The flower hair pieces were made for me by my friend Jody Lindell especially for the wedding. They were exactly what I had imagined and looked perfect...Thanks Jody!

And the rear view... I named it the Challah Bread Twist!

Lipstick, eye makeup, and the works... Do you even recognize me?

Bay Area Bridal Shower

Well, with all the hectic times of wedding month, I've gotten a little behind with my pictures and posts. So, now we'll start the montage of wedding photos at the very beginning...my wedding shower in the Bay Area. On August 24th, Zeena and Noura Fakoury, my nextdoor neighbors from growing up in Piedmont and my second family threw me a wonderful shower at their home. The food was delicious and the ladies were great...it was so nice to get a chance to talk to people in a smaller, more relaxed setting, especially since I knew it would be hard to talk to so many people at the wedding. All in all, a great day. Thanks to Noura and Zeena and everyone who came.

Zeena, Katharine and Noura and the lovely spread of food.

Hanging out in the dining room with my second sister and second mother, just like the good old days!

Jean, Katharine, and Zeena...talk about a great reunion.

Zeena, Katharine, and Sara Davidson opening presents.

Mt. Lassen, Take 2!

We had such a good time last weekend that we decided to head back up to Mt. Lassen for more. Can you believe that we were arcing turns on July 18? Another bonus, Kellan Adams joined us as the requisite rookie of the trip. It turned out that quite a lot of snow had melted in the last week, and we had to do some treacherous rock traverses on foot to get to the good stuff, but it was worth it...there was definitely good snow to be had if you were willing to work for it. Good show gang!

We made camp time a bit more interesting this week with a mean game of Polish Horseshoes. Once I got my throwing glove, the Lange siblings were pretty much unstopable!

Kellan arrived just in time for a family battle, Langes vs. Adams. Lange's were victorious!

John and Josh demonstrating the rules of the game... try to throw your frisbee and knock down the other team's beer can and ski pole. Try to catch the frisbee and save your own beer can and ski pole. Keep beverage in hand at all times.

The crew was up and at 'em bright and early. And this week's bonus: the trail was open all the way to the summit!

Kellan and Josh charging the hike.

A victorious Josh smiling at the summit.

Kellan modeling our route down (well part of it, there was more snow higher up).

John scouting out a good route.

Katharine and Josh rejoicing at the summit.

Whoah, looks like Kellan found some large dong in the most unlikely of places..??

Yep, that's my well-hung man over there!

Enough joking around, its time to boot up and head out.

Josh and Kellan were all smiles after their glorious arcs.

Katharine and Josh modeling the mountain and route one last time.

Johnny wrapping up a hard day's work.

The Adam's Family.

Ryan, Kellan, and John cooling off and icing up in the river after another great adventure.

California Skiing in July??

We headed up to Mt. Lassen National Park for some sweet backcountry corn skiing. Usually we do this trip in June, but they didn't get the road open in the park until after 4th of July, so we went a month later. We assumed that since there was so much snow on the road, there would also be so much snow on the hill. Not so. Apparently they were just slow in plowing, while the snow was melting at the usual rate everywhere else. But, it was fine, we still got some awesome turns, great corn, and nice steep vertical, just had to do a little more rock climbing to get there. And we had a great group this year, with 4 Lassen virgins, including Josh, Liz, Lindsay, and Katie, and the old timers, me, John, and Ryan. Thanks for a great trip guys!

Liz, Katie, Lindsay, and Josh enjoying a hearty, pre-hike breakfast at camp.

Packing up the back packs at the summit parking lot.

Josh was the first one ready, and his heavy pack made him a little impatient!

John and Lindsay packed up and ready.

The whole gang looking forward to some great skiing!

They closed the dirt trail about half way up, so we had to stop and boot up for some boot packing in the snow.

All booted up and ready start up again. Cool views from up here too.

Josh kept the girls entertained on the death up the snow.

Ryan and Josh were charging strait up...it was steep and exhausting for all.

Yeah, we made it!

Cool views, nice ass, thanks Lizard!

Josh, Katie, and Lindsay recouping at the summit.

Katharine and Josh celebrating our hiking success.

Johnny and A-Train.

Time to head down the mountain, but we've hit our first dirt crossing.

Lindsay throwing down some sweet arcs!

The whole gang celebrating at the bottom of a sweet run!

Oops! Ryan took a digger into the rocks trying to jump a dirt patch and push past me on the ski out.

Icing our bodies and relaxing in the river after a great day. (BTW, do you see a theme here? I think Lizard Pants is trying to bring her infamous Back That Ass Up out of retirement!!)

4th of July with Josh and Zeena

We had a really fun 4th of July 2010. First off, it was my first 4th of July with Josh, and he got to be a part of all our fun Lake Tahoe play time. And second, one of my best friends Zeena came to visit. It was so great to have her all to myself for the first time in awhile. The many activities this year included waterskiing, wake surfing (Josh is picking this up quite nicely, which is good news for me since I love to do it!), bbq'ing, sailing, kayaking, and fun in the sun hang time.

Josh and Ellie swinging in the trees at our buddy Dan's house.

Setting up the sailboat with Sarah.

Zeena always loves a day of sun worshipping, which is usually a big part of July 4th.

Josh too, was caught here worshipping some sort of god...

Katharine in a strapless bikini?? Must be wedding season ;)

Squaw Valley Map