it’s been over 20 years since i had seen my hanna cousins, kelly and mark.  the last time was at uncle dave’s funeral (their father) and to be honest i don’t remember anything of those days…  kelly and mark moved from nebraska when i was too young to remember, but i always hoped we would meet up again!  last summer kelly and buzz stopped through NE and met up with my parents, nick and uncle mike and arzanna.  so obviously after all these years i was really looking forward to flying down to san fran/san ramon for the wedding and reunion!

it’s hard to believe that this was my first trip to san fran.  the weather in SF was less than thrilling for the majority of the weekend… cloudy and cold but driving just 20 minutes east to san ramon, where kelly and buzz live and we had sunshine and warmer temps.  we spent thursday night playing pool and drinking coronas with the cousins and close friends at the lange mansion.  their amazing gated community was filled with pristine yards and huge houses.  kelly was eager to give all the design praise to her new hubby who picked out all their furniture.  she said buzz didn’t like all the clean modern style of her old house; he leaned more toward warm and earthy colors/textures with mediterranean inspiration.  someday i’ll be able to afford a house on the west coast… someday!  :) 

friday was spent browsing the shops in walnut creek (spending all my allowance at h&m, although once it opens in seattle this summer the inexpensive rarity will be gone) and we headed back for a quick nap before all the evening festivities.  the rehearsal gathering started with a train ride from the sunol depot, and we had dinner nearby.  too much fun and headed back to play pool again!  mom and i woke up early to head into SF and walk along the waterfront.  since we were shopped out from the day before, being a tourist was enough.  we drove by a hotel project we’ve been working on right off market street that is right in the middle of construction.  hopefully it will be done the next time i’m in town.  


  
  
  

the wedding… really needs only 1 word to describe: AMAZING!  the setting was the gorgous casa real at the ruby hill winery in pleasanton, CA.  i can’t believe the amount of thought kelly and buzz put into everything little detail.  surprises around every corner, like their dogs hewey and mackey bringing the rings down the aisle during the ceremony dressed in tuxes, salsa dancers during the dinner with the woman tearing off the man’s break-a-way pants, a photo booth for guests to take pics (that many didn’t realize the bride & groom would be getting copies!), kelly and buzz breaking into a formal reheared dance during their first dance, and the mini polka dot tiffany-colored cakes for all to take home.  :)  just spectacular - their photographer took incredible photos and put together this great slideshow.

 
 
 
 

sunday and monday we lounged around san ramon, took a road trip to napa, dropped nick off at the airport and took a short trip around the bay to salsalito and the golden gate bridge.  it’s such a beautiful area with the textural rolling hills, but not nearly as green as seattle in the spring… ;)

 
 

more photos.