Reno Wedding Weekend

Yup. Yup. Yup. One MORE time… I'm going to do it and no one can stop me. Over the Fourth of July weekend, I went up to Reno, NV for my cousin’s wedding. Ashley is actually my dad’s cousin’s daughter… but I still just call her my cousin. Quite frankly, I know her and talk to her more than my a lot of my immediate cousins. She is amazing. I love her and am so excited for her new marriage (to a really awesome guy).

The reason I am putting this trip under the “Korea” category is because without her and her family, I may have never gone. That might be a stretch, but at least I probably wouldn't have ended up at the school I did. It all began my last year of university. I was accepted to teach at Oak Run Middle School in New Braunfels, TX. I was lucky enough to have relatives in the NB area… so, I moved in with them. They graciously hosted me for almost a year and a half. During that time, I expressed interest in going overseas and my aunt told me that my cousin had worked with a girl at Disney that was now working in Korea. My cousin got me and the girl (Brittney) in contact and sure enough there was an opening at their school. She got me an interview, and since the school loved Brittney so much, my new job was a done deal… I think I was only asked like 3 questions during the interview (thanks Joel! Haha…). Within a few months, I was off. Brittney took me under her wing and helped me tremendously my first couple of months in Korea.

During the wedding weekend, I got to see my beautiful cousin and the SLP famous Brittney… and make some new friends as well. It was all a dream come true… and it wasn’t even my wedding day!

When we first arrived, my parents and I spent a few days in South Lake Tahoe. It was stunning! We stayed at Harrah’s and loved the his and hers bathrooms in our hotel room.

Layover in Las Vegas. 

Yup, beer that tasted like watermelon... Yummy! Hell or High Watermelon. 

Blue Dog Pizza for dinner in Tahoe. 

Half 'Hair of the Dog' and half 'Walk the Dog'. 

Evening in Tahoe. 

Breakfast before our hike... biscuits and gravy, eggs, and sweet potato fries. 

Chili omelet and tater tots. 

Heavenly gondola ride up the mountain. 

Pretty fantastic views. 

Selfie stick fail.

Selfie stick success!

Hey there pretty lake.  

 

     

               I had no idea this was hiding under all the winter snow!  

Hike up after a ski lift ride. 

Our hike led to the Sky Express lift that was out of commision for the summer. 

Hike down... major sunburn.  

Summer concert series by the lake. 

The crowd grew later and some eclectic people danced for us... and the rain kept rolling across the lake. It was a fun evening! 

Last morning in Tahoe, paddleboarding! I got to teach Mom :) 

The water was freezing, but so clear and calm. Perfect weather. 

On our way to Reno, we had lunch at Burger Lounge. 

However, I didn't get a burger. 

Quick shot of Emerald Bay. It was brilliant, but we didn't stop because there was tons of congestion. 

Off to the rehearsal dinner. The National Bowling Stadium in downtown Reno. 

Dinner at Basque. 

Family love!

This picture looks ridiculous in so many ways... but hopefully it shows how much I admire Brittney ;)

The Biggest Little City in the World!

Happy evening. Great food, drinks, and conversation. 

Rock wall up the side of a hotel. Awesome!

Breakfast at Peg's Glorified Ham and Eggs. Mom and I split the Huevos Rancheros... 

... and a French Toast Monte Cristo. 

Before the wedding, we went to the National Automobile Museum. This car was featured in the Titanic. 

The most ridiculous looking car ever. 

Kiddy Mustang. 

Wedding time! The rain skirted us the entire time... and in the end there was a beautiful sunset! Hooray for good weather!  

Gary, Ashley, and Cindy... 

Love these people!

Family picture. 

The Asian influence always comes out. 

Dad's jenga block design for Ashley and Kyle. 

Brittney and Melissa! 

I had a blast with these girls! 

New and old friends.

I caught the bouquet once again... this makes my fourth? Catching these things isn't working... 

Mini cherry pies in mason jars with an American flag. It simply does NOT getting any more patriotic than this. 

After a night of celebrating... I had to say goodbye to Melissa and Brittney :( After a post wedding brunch, the family and I took a trip to Virginia City. 

Awesome drive. 

St. Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church. 

Inside St. Mary's. 

St. Paul's the Prospector Episcopal Church. 

According to the woman there, you used to have to pay for a seat in church. The priciest were next to the heater. 

Then, we rode a train!

Virginia & Truckee R.R. 

We got lots of glimpses of old mines. 

Virginia City Bonanza. 

Very cute old town!

That evening, I watched the women kick butt in the World Cup Final. Ate a burger at Red Robin's. And played corn hole and drank wine at my cousin's house. We flew out the next morning. It was a great trip!