AMAZING.... ELEGANT... GORGEOUS...

are just a few words I can say about this wedding we did yesterday. Blooming Elegance is getting back to where we left off when our old neighbors (the owner) moved to Indiana. Lori was able to showcase her talent at the January Bridal Fair thus receiving several bookings which means I get to start helping at the weddings again. She is so talented and creative!!
The crew.... (Lori surprised us with new shirts with some "bling, bling" on them.)

This wedding was located at the Montelucia in Paradise Valley (where Obama stayed when he was here a few weeks ago). Nice place!! We started unloading the trucks at 10:00am and had to have everything done by 3:00 when the photographer was going to be coming in to take pictures. Not just any photographer, this one was taking pictures featuring the resort for 2 different bride magazines and Blooming Elegance will be listed as the florist. One of the magazines will have it on the front cover! The events coordinator chose this wedding to be featured. She said the chapel had never looked that good and really praised Lori for her work. While we were setting up, a traveling writer just happened to stop by and also took pictures. Isn't that cool?! Look at that huge mirror that the bride and groom stand in front of for the ceremony and those chandeliers. After setting up the ceremony site.....





it was off to the cocktail site... (not a bad view, huh?)

and then to the reception.


The manzanita centerpieces all had to be designed on site because the were heavy and bulky. There were little lights down in the stones at the bottom of each vase, orchids floating in the water and in the actual trees. Oh, and the "bling" hanging from the branches. Very unique! We completed everything in time for the pictures then after the shoot, we had to bring in all the flowers from the cocktail site (so the flowers wouldn't wilt) only to take them back out while the ceremony was going on. Then it was back over to the ceremony site and start moving all the flowers and candles to the reception area while the guest were having cocktails. By the time we finished, it was 7:00 and we all went to dinner (this being the first time sitting down for the day). My work was done but Mike and Lori still had to hang around until midnight to tear down and pick up all the rentals. All this to say it was a long day (especially for my feet) but it was all worth it when we saw the bride at the back of the room in tears and throwing kisses thanking us for making her special day beautiful. WOW!!

Spring Break Trip

Spring break started out a little rough, full of doctors appointments, a tetanus shot and another shot of cortisone in my foot. Ouch!! Finally, on Thursday we were off on a camping trip to Camp Verde with my sister and my parents, hoping for some cooler weather and some relaxation. Well, the first day wasn't very cool but I was able to turn the a/c on in the trailer and get a nap in. Dad and Bobby went on a jeep ride on Friday. (See Bobby's blog for pics on this excursion.) On Saturday, Chris, Bill, Stephanie, Rod, Kyle and Ashley joined us for a day at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park. This is the park that Kyle and Ashley did their project on.
First, we boarded the bus for the Serengeti Safari Tour where we came up close to the animals.



Bobby was a little too friendly with one of the giraffes!




Then we were off to the snake show. I hate snakes so I didn't watch this one. Look at my children! Did I mention I don't like snakes? Scarey!!



At this park, you can get really close to the animals. This tiger walked up to the fence, turned around, lifted his tail and sprayed a little boy that was standing by the fence. Yuk!!
It's off to the tiger splash!



and then the bear show.

Everyone then came back to the campground for dinner and to celebrate Stephanie's birthday. Some enjoyed a nap in the shade before heading back home. Rod didn't even know when we all went in and left him outside.

This was Miley's first camping trip and she did really good but boy was she dirty! I gave her a bath when we got home and she has been sleeping all afternoon on her pink pillow!

Birthday Girl

Look who's turning another year older!

Happy Birthday, Steph!!

Back to the neighborhood

Sunday we went back to the old neighborhood to visit with the Porter's.

Here is our old house.

We re-landscaped the front yard when we lived there because it was all rock and I like GREEN! The people that bought the house never kept the bushes and trees trimmed so whenever we would drive by it looked awful. Last night was the best that we have seen it since we moved out. We found out that they have someone come out and take care of it for them now. Wow! Check out our Sissou tree in the front yard. When we planted it, it was just a stick!

We were greeted at the door by Mykal Bailey who was wearing make-up and braces. She has grown up and Tiffany is not far behind her! Yikes!! We had a delicious dinner, a great visit and played a little rock band.




It was good to see our friends again.

Oh no, she doesn't!!

This is what I've been saying for 6 months now but in an effort to get more sleep, Miley has moved upstairs to our room to sleep for the night. All we can figure out is that when our neighbor leaves at 3:30 in the morning he wakes up Lil' Miss Miley. Why else would she wake up at the same time each morning? We check the sprinkler timer, pool timer and can't think of anything else. Sunday morning she slept in until 7:00 so I guess this will work ,but let's just get this clear, she is NO WAY sleeping in our bed!!

This is what she looks like with a bed head!

Hot Dogs, Anyone?

We were sitting at Panda Express today and look what rolled in.

I guess the girls driving this rig were sick of hot dogs and needed a change.