Sunday, August 31, 2008

Breckenridge - Blue Lakes Hike

Aunt Ellen, Joan and I went for a short hike in Breckenridge. It was a bit rocky, then very steep, hence the "short" hike. Covering the rocks was somewhat like an obstacle course. Click on the picture of rocks...if you look closely you can see the trail.

We then stopped by an Art Festival in Breck. This artist caught my eye.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Eileen and Shawn's Wedding

Eileen and Shawn are in their own private room at the reception location, the Carlyle House, celebrating the successful completion of the ceremony.






The proud parents with the bride.

















Shawn removing the garter - he did look like he was enjoying this.



Cousin Jenny, Suzanne, Aunt Karen and me and the reception.




Posing with Eileen's bouquet.
Suzanne and I both said something for the toast. Mine was meant to be quick and light and Suzanne's brought everyone to tears. Since we were both a bit emotional - here's what we meant to say whether or not we got all the words out...
I'm Michelle, although if you have hung around Eileen you may know me as Shelley. When I was little one of my favorite things to play with were Legos. I had lego city complete with bicycle shop, houses, coast guard, hospital and cars and even roads connecting it all. Whenever Eileen joined me - it was always the same story. She would create some sort of accident and then use the ambulance and rescue helicopter (complete with stretchers) to gather all the lego people and bring them to the hospital. It got to the point where I tore down something else in order to invest the Lego pieces in building an extra wing on the hospital for all of Eileen's 'patients'. From an early age, it seems Eileen's career was meant to be. In May I visited Eileen and Shawn in Charlotte. It was only for a weekend, but no matter where we went...they had a story for nearly every place...even Blockbuster. I thought that it was amazing how they created so many memories in such a short time and valued all the time they spent together - even if it was just picking out a movie. Eileen had once again found something in her life that was meant to be - Shawn. I am excited to finally have a brother. Eileen I love you and I am so happy for you. Congratulations.
Suzanne's turn:
As Eileen's older sister, I have seen a lot through the years...as the baby in the family, Eileen was often the center of attention growing up. In home videos of our family, Eileen would frequently ask the question to whomever had the video camera, "Are you getting me? Am I on? Am I on?". She was always on. And she always had a way of keeping our attention. Eileen excels naturally at almost everything she does and if something doesn't come quickly, she is hardworking and determined. She lives her life by the phrase, "To whom much is given, much is required.". Throughout medical school Eileen volunteered at a local Children's shelter giving kids time, attention and love that they otherwise would never get. Now as an emergency room doctor, she is in a position to save lives and care for people every day. She is always working to make a difference. With such a busy schedule, it is no surprise that Eileen did not have much time to date in medical school. So I remember when Eileen first started talking about Shawn. It was on a family vacation out in California right after her graduation. She had only been on match.com for a month or two and pulled up Shawn's picture online there in front of me and said, "I'm going to meet this guy when I move to Charlotte." A few weeks later, I met Shawn. I remember Eileen talking about her first date with Shawn. They talked for 6 hours at Dean & Deluca until a police officer came by to tell them the shopping center had closed and it was time to go home. In writing this speech, I could not think of a better way to sum up Eileen and Shawn than by sharing something Eileen had written herself. Last summer, shortly after Eileen and Shawn started dating, Eileen wrote the following in an email to me... "Shawn and I had a cute conversation last night. We were trying to decide why we like each other so much. We discussed the obvious things like smile, voice, personality, goals, chemistry, etc. But then we thought, but that's not everything...so we were kind of staring at the wall in deep thought -- and then we just laughed and decided there wasn't a word for it...that it's just a feeling. And Shawn said, 'I just know." There are some things in life you just know. I know that I am lucky to have you as my sister. And now there is someone else who is as lucky as we are to love you. Shawn, welcome to our family. And now if you will all raise your glasses...to Eileen and Shawn. Congratulations!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Day Before the Wedding

The guests arrived to the hotel and took advantage of the well-stocked hospitality sweet.
The rehearsal dinner took place at Ippolito's. The food was excellent and very filling.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Eileen's Bachelorette Party

Suzanne and I threw Eileen a bachelorette party at One Midtown Kitchen. In attendance: Aunt Ellen, cousin Erica, friend Brooke and groom's sisters Kristen and Tracy. Suzanne had already purchased a very classy and tasteful "Bachelorette" sash for Eileen to wear as well as a special martini glass, but I decided we needed something else to liven it up. Check out Eileen's face opening this gift...

I guess you could call it a sexy costume. Eileen eventually warmed up to the idea and before long we had her wearing the bunny ears that came with it.

At the restaurant, there was a happy hour going on for some organization. Ellen got Suzanne to go to talk to the group - it was the Junior Chamber International. Several of the members came over to congratulate Eileen. But after the bunny gift was opened - that peaked their interest and we got some funny pics.












After dinner we grabbed a few drinks. We also ran into a Bachelor party group and had Eileen take a picture with them.




Here we are at the outdoor bar, Shout. It had awesome views of the city as well as very comfortable seating. Suzanne and Tracy.










Eileen and Kristen - Eileen found it humorous that she was apparently having such a serious conversation with her ridiculous bunny ears on.