Biltmore or Bust!

In keeping with tradition, this year's Memorial Day weekend jaunt with Kara was to Biltmore, North Carolina. The largest house in America, it didn't disappoint. It was stunning! Adding to the fun was an exhibit they had throughout the house of costumes and wedding dresses used in period movies, and an exhibit in their museum of the Vanderbilt weddings. The grounds were massive, and designed by the same landscape architect who did Central Park. I may have enjoyed the rose garden the best, but there were many different types of gardens to enjoy and the weather was perfect.

My favorite-smelling rose in the rose garden

the kitchen

You know they're planning to stay awhile when George Vanderbilt monogrammed his house in stone!

Staying in Asheville, we also enjoyed the food scene there for dinner, and took some time on Sunday to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway. They had a concert for Memorial Day weekend at their visitor's center, and we took a short hike to Craggy Gardens and enjoyed the rhododendrons. 

Craggy Gardens

Craggy Gardens

Craggy Gardens

Dining in downtown Asheville

Even the drive back was picturesque!

These poppies were a great reminder of Memorial Day

Cousin Weddings and Side Trips

When the girl cousins gathered to do the flowers for Hayley's wedding in 2014, we had so much fun we decided we'd do it again for the other kids. At the time, I don't think I realized how quickly my cousins' kids would find their sweethearts, but in rapid succession I had the chance to return to Utah to see family and help with flowers. A few of those involved some fantastic side trips.

It started with Makenna and Zander's wedding in December, 2015 on my way home for Christmas.

Makenna's bouquet

Taking a break at Taste with Beccy and Celeste

Makenna's reception

And continued that spring with Hannah, Nathan, and Anna's weddings. Before Hannah and Bob's wedding in Logan, I was able to visit a DC friend and stay in their hotel in McCammon, Idaho. They've transformed a historic brick building into The Harkness Hotel, and it was so cool to see their dreams become a reality--not to mention soaking in the nearby Lava Hot Springs under a clear night sky.

Chillin' in The Harkness Hotel's lobby

Congrats, Hannah and Bob!

Cake flowers

Hannah's reception

Bride's bouquet from Nate and Michele's wedding

Less than a month later, I was back for Anna and Chandler's wedding. This time, the side trip started in Arizona with a bucket list: the Grand Canyon. I grew up in southern California, minored in Geology at BYU, and yet somehow never manged to make it there. The National Park Service Centennial was the perfect excuse, and with a pair of friends from Vienna and DC it didn't disappoint. Our first day was spent hiking along the South Rim, and my friends were great sports as I geeked out on the geology ("it's the the Vishnu Schist!"). The sunset was gorgeous on the red rocks as condors soared on the uplifts. The next day was the big hike. We didn't have time to hike to the bottom, but still managed to hike over a thousand feet down the South Kaibab trail to Cedar Ridge. Looking up to the rim, it felt like quite an accomplishment, but even from this viewpoint the canyon floor was far below. Taking our time and having the proper gear, I was surprised I didn't feel exhausted by the time we finished, and enjoyed the rest of the day as we visited the Village and made it out to the Desert Watchtower in time to experience a powerful thunderstorm. Driving north the next day continued to give a sense of its scale, and hopefully this won't be the last time I visit.

View from the South Rim with Jen and Amy

sunset on the South Rim

view from Cedar Ridge on the South Kaibab trail

Our hotel was near the Grand Canyon Railway

Pre-wedding pedicures

Working on bridesmaids bouquets for Anna's wedding

Visiting the new Provo City Center temple

Each wedding was exhausting and wonderful, a great time to see family and to celebrate it growing. And after so many visits, it was odd to leave not knowing when I'd visit Utah again.