Dancing Man

Okay, here are two videos of Brent dancing at Brittany and Josh's wedding.

For those who have enjoyed Brent's dancing before, you may be disappointed as this is not his best, but it is one of the rare occasions that it has been caught on video.

Brent's "dancing partner" is his friend Sean Viney. Sean has more of a stationary style, while Brent really likes to explore the space.

Brittany and Josh's Wedding

Yesterday Brent and I attended that last wedding of the "season" for us. Brittany and I work together at Lindamood-Bell. There was a large crew present for the big event; we definitely stole the dancing!! Below is: Sean, Dan, Josh & Brittany, Allegra, Shannon, Amber, me, Tracy, Jackie and Angela. It was really fun. We had a blast taking photos and watching these crazy boys dance!

Here comes the bride!

Mr. and Mrs. Hollar!!

Here is a classic picture of the Vineys! It seemed a bit strange to us but this is how they greeted us as we arrived at the wedding...

A good time was had by ALL! And now Brittany is off on her honeymoon!

More news...

This morning I drove my usual route to work, coming over the hills into Newport. Usually I can see all of Newport and Costa Mesa and many days I can see the ocean from the top of the hill on the 73 toll road. Even yesterday I could still see pretty far. This morning was the worst. Not only could I not see ANY of Newport or Costa Mesa but I could barely see the homes right off the freeway. It was so sad. The smoke is much worse today and more school districts are closed because of it. I am still at work, feeling like I live in a campfire, smelling like a campfire, but ultimately, thankfully, not in any danger from these fires. I hope and pray that they will be stopped soon.

This is what the sky looks like all the time, the sun is so weird trying to shine through all the nastiness.

At some point on Wednesday this week they completely shut down both the North and South bound sides of the 5 freeway near Camp Pendleton. Eery! I wonder if there are any long term effects from breathing this in??

Fires in SoCal

It is a really weird time around here. The sky is brown all day and the talk everywhere we go revolves around the fires. Fires in Malibu, fires in San Diego, fire in Irvine! Irvine, of all places. So far none of our family or friends being threatened by these fires have had to evacuate. Lindamood-Bell in Del Mar has been closed since Monday, none of the schools are open in Vista. My cousins living in Vista have not had to leave their homes but they remain on alert. My friends living in ElCajon area, watching the flames burn on the mountains from their front lawn, are also still on alert. The fire started in Irvine is still 12-15 miles from our home in Ladera Ranch and it is not estimated to make it there. With each newsflash about speading fire and new flames it becomes more real. Kids in the Orange County can't play outside because the air quality is so poor. Smoke fills the sky and you can see ash on the ground and on cars that have been parked. Its eery. The sun trying to break through the nasty brown cloud of smoke casts a bright orange glow all over the buildings here at my office. And still the estimated high for today is 90 degrees. It is suposed to cool down later this week, but not that much. Here are a few photos I found on the internet to show how serious this is...

I read that these fire fighters were trapped somewhere near Lake Forest and had to get in these fireproof bags to keep from burning.

Blogging withdrawls...

So we don't have any wedding or big events to blog about but I wanted to post something new. I always love seeing baby pictures of people so I thought I would post a few more of ours. Some are baby and some are little kid. It's so funny to look at them this way, to see all the decorations that our parents thought were really great (of course it was in style then) and to see our faces in those little ones. Enjoy!

San Clemente still looks this... I can tell exactly where they are. Brent and I watched the fireworks on the Fourth of July together for the first time not far from where they are in this picture.

Already trying to be like daddy!

This was my cat Samantha. She was a great cat. She would always purr around me while I watched Saturday morning cartoons. I loved her. Sadly, a coyote got her in the end.

Brent's parents still have this little rocking chair in their family room, it's so small. I think it was Ted's first when he was a wee small child.

Ahhh the Porsche! Brent's dad bought this car when he was out of college, he loved the bright orange. When Brent got to be 16 they gave it to him to drive. He had it painted blue because the orange was no longer cool. I went on my first date with Brent in this car. And I was with Brent the night that it died, the electricity completely stopped working, there were no lights on inside and only one headlight would pop up. Now... it sits in his parents driveway, driving my mother in law mad! Ted has dreams of fixing it up. I really hope he does!

Apparently I did not want to go inside!

He loves the "Open Mouth" face, or he just loves screaming!

I love these two photos... we are both so proud. Me in my favorite pink dress that my mom tells me I wanted to wear EVERY day and she bought it for $5 at some discount store. And Brent proud standing near Tommy Trojan on USC's campus, being prepped for graduation there someday!

Apparently our parents both thought Olan Mills was the way to go at this age. We are probably both around 6.

Kate & Pat...

This is my beautiful cousin Kate and her new husband Pat! This last weekend I spent 3 days celebrating their wedding. Jen, Laura, Paige (5 weeks old), and I headed down to Vista on Friday morning early. We arrived at the nail salon for manicures and pedicures and all the bridesmaids were there. Kate got two large suites at a hotel near the wedding site so we went there after to check in and get ready for the rehearsal and dinner. There are pics from the wedding site, which was AMAZING. It was a private residence in Escondido...

They were married in front of this gazebo on the island in the pond. It was really different and cool.
Cole and Caroline had a GOOD time playing during the rehearsal. Caroline was a little dancer. So precious!!

Jen and I got to spend lots of time together, it was really great to be with her. We enjoyed being with Laura and Aaron and Paige also. Paige was certainly a highlight for all the family. She was sooo good, resting quietly most of the time! She is so sweet.
THE GIRLS!! These were the bridesmaids: Loretta, me, Jen, Angie, Heidi, Laura, Annjanette, and of course, the bride - KATIE!
Cousins!

Pat and Kate practicing their exit!

Cole and Caroline were another highlight. They are so much fun and such good kids. Ben and Annjanette are really great parents and these two are so happy!! Just look at these photos of Caroline. Ooooo... she is so sweet!

These are the kids that got to be a part of the wedding: Cole, Caroline, and 3 neices of Pats

Here is little Paige all bundled up on the morning of the wedding while her mommy was getting her hair and makeup done!

Kate's eyes were amazing! And her hair, stunning! We woke up at 5am on the morning of the wedding to get ready. 8 girls had to get their hair and makeup done. It was a mad dash, but in the end everyone was gorgeous!!

After hair and makeup at the hotel for 5 1/2 hours we headed to the wedding site to finish getting ready. We all waited to get our dresses on until we were there.

Aunt Chris, Heidi and Annjanette helped Kate into her dress. She looked amazing in it. What a beautiful dress and so perfect for her.

Cole got to wear the exact same tux at "Big Pat!" And he took his job as the "Ring Boy" very seriously. He did everything just right and kept all the girls in line!

Caroline said she was a princess in her dress. Nana had to help her get her shoes on... they had little heels!

Finally dressed!!

Uncle Nick came in to the bridal room before the ceremony started and gave Kate a beautiful pearl bracelet to match all her pearl jewlery. She also got pearl earrings from Pat that morning, sent through messenger Cole!

Caroline was SOO excited about seeing Titi in her dress... she couldn't stand it!

Garter time!

Beautiful Kate!

Right before the ceremony we got a pic with just the cousins... how pretty is Kate?

All lined up and ready for the bride!

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are married! They kissed and then walked across the bridge into their new life!!

Caroline was a flower girl and did such a god job coming down the aisle (even though she lost her headband on the way down)!!

Her mommy was very proud!

Little Paige was an angel, sitting with her daddy while her mommy was being a bridesmaid. She was adorable in her little green dress and pink bow!

Kim and Mom

I loved that Todd came in for the big event... it was great to see him and Brent got to spend LOTS of time with him, which they loved.

My husband was really hot in his outfit!

I couldn't stop with the pics of little Caroline, she is too cute!

Bridal Party!

Cousins! (From left) Todd, Brady, Drew, Jen, Leeann (behind Pat), Brent, me, Aaron, Laura, Cory, (in front) Katie, Pat, AJ, Ben, Cole and Caroline

The Schopeck clan!! WOW... we are SO big!

The reception...

More flowers and the beautiful cake! Kate loves the Fleur de Lis!

I love this one... look at those dramatic eyes on Laura. Ow!!

Ben and Annjannette

Grandma Rosalyn, Aunt Marilyn and Mom... just a mother and her twins!

It was really fun to spend some time with Drew and his girlfriend, Ellen. They seem really happy together. And Drew looked awesome in his dapper outfit (that's the only work I can use to describe).

It was also really great to talk with Brady. He is a neat guy. He also looked quite nice in the clothes he borrowed from his most fashionable brother, Taylor. Sadly, Taylor was not able to come. He just started college at Oregon State and needed to be there. I hope we get to see him before next October at the family reunion... next year PORTLAND (my dad will love that).

Kim and Dad... my dad is looking great these days!

Cory brought his girlfriend, Jillian out for the wedding. It was really fun to get to know her some more. They too seem really happy. It was great to see them together. Cory has told me so many wonderful things about her, it was great to see in person why he loves this girl.

Center pieces were ingenius. I loved it... so creative!

After the wedding the fam went to the Elephant Bar near the hotel to hang out and relax. Kate and Pat left the wedding in a rented Bently and headed for the beach for romantic photos. They showed up later at ther restaurant... Kate still in her beautiful dress.

Some really nice twinning was taking place at the Elephant Bar and Brent captured it on film. Matching glasses again. They busted those out because they were both trying to figure out something wrong with the camera. It was awesome.

Wonderful day and weekend. I loved seeing my whole family and getting to spend time chatting. It was great to see little Paige again, I got lots of holding time in. I always love time with my family and I am so proud to be part of such and big and loving family. Thanks be to God!!