Morgan and Stefan’s Dude Ranch Wedding

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While in Colorado recently, I connected with a colleague – Morgan – over our love of weddings, blogging (she’s at mountaingirls.wordpress.com) and pretty pictures. She showed me shots of her  wedding and I fell in love. You guys- she got married at a dude ranch!

Morgan and her husband Stefan met and fell in love at a real life dude ranch called FH Bar Ranch in Wyoming where they both worked one summer. When it came time to choose their wedding venue, they decided to bring their friends and family back to where it all started and the result is one of the most unique, charming, rustic and memorable weddings I’ve ever seen!

I love her yellow and green bouquet (those were the same colors I chose!).

Eyelet wedding dress and cowboy boots? It doesn’t get more adorable than that.

After they said “I Do” horses were set to run free behind the ceremony site. What a special moment!

This next shot is my favorite. It seriously belongs in a museum.

The lovely couple.


Again, I adore the green and yellow touches. Lemons were such a great decor idea Morgan!

Morgan told me her husband hand painted the cake toppers to look like them. What a sweet guy!

 

I also heard this bouquet toss got a little out of control. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say dresses were torn. :)

Little did the girls know, but she threw a “decoy” bouquet that actually split into six bouquets so more of her friends could “catch” it. I bet many boyfriends were sweating that night!

 

Morgan, you guys did such an amazing job planning a truly memorable wedding. I’m positive seeing these pictures that all your guest fell in love with the ranch the way you two did that summer.

Click the following links to find out more about the FH Bar Ranch, Morgan’s photographer Cheryl Ungar (based out of Denver) and Morgan and Stefan’s wedding on The Knot.

I’m an Extroverted Feeler with Intuition

Posted in Liz's Life by

This week I was in Dillion, CO for a work retreat with about 20 of my online marketing colleagues at Vail Resorts. We stayed in a big 20 bedroom house and spent time getting to know each other better.

While there, I also got to know myself a little better too when we each took a Myers-Briggs personality test. MB assesses you in four areas to help determine which of the 16 possible personality types you are. Those four areas are:

1. Extraversion or Introversion. You get energized by being around people or do you get energy from being alone.

2. Sensing or Intuition. Basically if you’re interested in what exists in the present or if you relate to ideas and concepts.

3. Thinking or Feeling. Do you base decisions on objective analysis and logic or on values and people-centered concerns.

4. Judging or Perceiving. You either like to have things planned out and organized or like to be spontaneous and flexible.

I think most people who know me won’t be surprised that I rated far on the extraversion side. :) In total, I came out an ENFJ or an extraverted, intuitive, feeling, judger. The short description that went with my profile was:

“Warm, empathetic, responsive and responsible. You are highly attuned to the emotions, needs and motivations of others. You find potential in everyone, and want to help others fulfill their potential. You’re sociable and facilitate others in a group, providing inspiring leadership.”

I definitely liked my description and can only hope that embodies my personality! It was a big eye opener to see what my colleauges’ personalities were and how we aligned and differed. Many of the people I work directly with were on the exact opposite scale as I was, which made me more aware of how we might approach a challenge differently.

The team who facilitated our MB tests and results also said that in many cases, spouses will rate on the opposite end of the spectrum. This is definitely true with Luke and me. He is an INTJ – introverted, intuitive, thinking, judger. So he is quiet while I’m loud, he likes facts and tangible realities, where I like concepts, he makes decisions based on facts while I make them based on values and how it will effect people around me.

Somehow the differing personalities come together in harmony though. :)

You can take your Myers-Briggs personality test here.  Leave a comment and let me know what type you are!

I’m Going to Be a Double Auntie!

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I’m so happy I can finally share some exciting news – I’m going to be an aunt x2! My sister Amy (on the left) and my best friend Julia (on the right) are both pregnant!

Aren’t they both adorable?! I can’t get over how cute they are with their bumps.

Amy is having a GIRL due in November and Julia is having a BOY due in October! While I would have been over joyed with any combination of boys/girls, I am really excited to have one of each. Baby shower shopping should be a blast!

Congrats Amy and Julia! You’re both going to be amazing mothers and I can’t wait to spoil the heck out of each of your babes.

10 Reasons Americans Rock

Posted in Liz's Life by

I love the fourth of July! Between the hot dogs, fireworks, parades and bbq’s, this holiday represents everything that is amazing about America. In honor of our great country, I’ve created a list of MY top 10 reasons why being an American rocks (in no particular order).

1. We root for the underdog. Sit with a group of American’s during the NCAA tournament and you’ll likely find 75% are rooting for that no-name college team who is on a hot streak beating top ranked dynasties.

2. We get to live in an absolutely beautiful country. A drive across the US will show you dry desert, rocky mountains, flat plains, sky scrapers and beaches. Just in Tahoe alone we have lake, forest, desert and mountains.

Source: http://www.annexation.ca

3. We dominate in sports. Let me rephrase. We dominate “real” sports. I’m sorry, but it’s true. My British friend once tried to argue that England beats us in rugby. My response was – “well if you took all our Football players and had them play Rugby, you wouldn’t stand a chance.” He didn’t have much to say. :)

4. We believe in “The American Dream” Even in tough economic times, the American Dream still lives on. Personally, I love that I live in a place where the opportunity to “make it big” isn’t perceived as impossible.

5. We have pride in ourselves. From New York City to small midwest towns, people in America have so much pride for their communities. It’s amazing. Just watch this video the city of Grand Rapids, MI made after being named “a dying city” by Newsweek. 3.4 million views on YouTube later, I think Newsweek may have to reconsider!

6. We’re allowed to say what we want. While I completely disagree with the actions of groups like the Westboro Baptist Church, I am happy that we live in a country where freedom of speech is respected and protected to ensure we never stifle public debate.

7. We like beautiful things. Okay, so this one is a little shallow, but you have to admit American’s like to look at beautiful people doing beautiful things, and I think that’s just fine. There might be one thing we enjoy more, and that’s beautiful people doing something ridiculous. Oh Britney…

8. We stand up for what we believe in. If we feel in our hearts that something is right, we’ll go to great lengths to defend our beliefs. We don’t always agree with each other, but you have to admire people’s dedication to their principles.

Source: gretchendrewphotography.com

9. We aren’t perfect, but we’re forgiving. We’ve seen our fair share of mess ups from people who are supposed to be leading our country, but we always find a way to give them a shot at redemption and ultimately forgiveness. I guess I like that about us. :)

Source: Washington Post

10. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. There certainly is no shortage of slightly embarassing American stereotypes, but we don’t let that get us down. In true patriotic form, we take those stereotypes, have fun with them and end up starting international fads. The Situation loves him some America!

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com

So in honor of all that is great in America, I hope you eat too many brats, crack a cold one and celebrate decked out in red, white and blue with the people you love the most.

What do you love about Americans?