Sisters of the Bride

A closer, more fruity look at my bridesmaids :)

Found this in the depths of my email inbox, maybe we should request a repeat performance at the wedding!

What do you think??

- Tessa & Seth

Kissing in the Sequoias

Seth and I went to Sequoia Park on our most recent trip to Humboldt County with our families to check out this potential ceremony venue and see if it was up to par. As we found out, it most definitely is! The tall Sequoia Redwoods make amazing backdrops, in fact there were almost too many potential sites to consider for the ceremony! 

These trees are out in the front of the park near the gazebo.

These are also right in front of the gazebo area. There would be plenty of room for chairs and guests.

And what's a perfect venue without huge slides?

This may be difficult in a dress.... :)

You can see in this picture, right behind the main park area is a larger forest area that is a lot more wooded.

Momma and Aiden

Sarajane showing off a pretty stump.

These trees looked absolutely breathtaking. I love how they are so symmetrical, tall and pretty. 

We decided that the only possible problem with these beautiful trees, is that we will look very small in comparison.

Trial photo... it's looking pretty good!

And here are some more beautiful trees and potential backdrops if we choose to have the ceremony here!

Isn't Humboldt County wonderful? We love that we're getting married at home, and we're counting down the years until we can move back up here :)

- Tessa & Seth

New Family, New Traditions

Kate and Tess - Christmas 1993

One of the many reasons Seth and I are so excited to get married is that we will finally be our own little micro-family! Especially since as a new family, we get to start creating our own goals, dreams and traditions.

I’ve been thinking a lot about new (and old) traditions lately especially since it is the Christmas season! Mostly I have been trying to think of ways that Seth and I can start off our first Christmas (next Christmas!) focusing less on gifts and presents, and more of the spirit and joy I feel Christmas really symbolizes in my heart. Of course, it is very hard, growing up in such a consumerist culture and in homes where my parents were very generous (sometimes maybe too generous!) in their gift giving. I know that I have been engrained to want that, to almost need that on Christmas morning. But along with the presents come other feelings we all know of, including guilt of overspending (or underspending), stress of finances, disappointment if presents aren’t what you expected, and jealousy of others in your family, or even of other families. Choosing to go anti-consumerism on the largest consumerist holiday of the year though is very challenging and I know I have a lot of mixed feelings this venture. I’m hoping though that by focusing on those happy aspects, the joy and love that the symbol of Christmas was founded on, we can celebrate Christmas year after year maximizing the good feelings, minimizing the negative emotions and trying to stay out of debt.

On a brighter note, there are lots of Christmas traditions that whether they include gift giving or not, are fun, happy ways to spread love and cheer to loved ones Christmas morning.

At my mom’s house, everyone gets to open one present Christmas Eve. We don’t get to pick the present, it’s already picked out for us, and it’s always the same: a new pair of pajamas! 

 Joselyn, Kate and I Christmas Morning in our new Pajamas

They are always so comfy to go to bed in at night and to wake up in the next morning! At my dad's house we have started baking and decorating cookies on Christmas Eve! 

It's a super fun and delicious way to hang out with family, plus afterwards we usually play a board game or two :)

What are some of your favorite family traditions? Anything you think Seth and I should try out next year for our first?

Lots of Love,

-Seth & Tessa

p.s. Anyone can comment, even without a username on all the posts :)

It's Only Natural

Seth and I love adventuring in the outdoors! We love hiking, camping, swimming and running, and you name it we either have done it and love it or would die to try it! (This however does not include skiing and snowboarding because neither of us like being cold! It is possible that we just did not have the proper gear to stay warm, but I blame the California weather for keeping us at such reasonable temperatures!) Anyways, we love to be outside, so it's only natural that today we decided to go in and register at our favorite store: REI.

If you know me well at all, you will know that I go about ga-ga over everything in that store. It was hard for me to choose just ONE sleeping bag, but obviously I don't need a million so, the votes have been cast! :)

Feel free to check it out if you want, (REI Gift Registry)I know the wedding is super far away (less than 10 months! eee!), but Seth and I had a lot of fun making a list so that guests who would like to, can celebrate with us with gifts! (that we will love love love!)

Here are some pictures of past adventures!

Tessa on a trip up Nevada Falls in Yosemite!

Machu Picchu, Perú

Hiking in Point Reyes National Park

Point Reyes - Seth and Diana striking some beautiful poses :)

Seth at the top of Mount Tamalpais!

Diana and Tessa backpacking Henry Coe State Park

(If you can't tell, Diana is our adventure buddy!)

Family Trip around Pinecrest Lake near Yosemite

Being goofballs, we did move the rock though!! ;)

My beautiful twin and I hiking around the lake!

Sunrise at Angel Island

Thanks for visiting! Seth and I are always up for an adventure, give us a call if you want to go out with us sometime! Do you have any favorite adventuring spots? 

- Seth & Tessa