enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

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This past weekend, Paul, Ellerie and I headed to Catalina Island to celebrate a wedding. We had never been to Catalina. In fact, before Megan started planning her wedding, my only knowledge of it was a reference in Arrested Development. Turns out it's a gorgeous little island and well worth the ferry ride to get there.

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We were fortunate that my parents were able to make a weekend trip out of it as well. This meant we got to see them and perhaps more importantly, they got to see Ellerie. It also meant Ellerie, Paul and I could hang out in the mornings, but my parents could baby-sit during the afternoon and evenings while we were at wedding events.

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The main touristy part of Catalina is called Avalon. It's walkable and filled with restaurants, bars, little shops and ice cream stands. For the most part, everyone drives golf carts. We hopped off the ferry and walked right to our hotel. All weekend we walked everywhere. It was too easy and awesome to not have to worry about carseats or cab fares.

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My friend, Megan, nailed it on the wedding details. I often think about how lucky I am that I got married before Pinterest. There are just way too many ideas out there now, I can imagine how easy it is to get overwhelmed. But wow, Megan picked the best of the best with this wedding; it was perfect.

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Such cute details, right? And don't get me started on the joys of having a photobooth at a weddding. I wish I had access to a photobooth every single day (and not the phone app).

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And, oh, it was so good to see my girlfriends and have a night out with Paul. We're nearly four months into this parenthood thing and I feel like we've turned yet another corner. It no longer feels like we're playing house or just trying to get through the day. It just feels like we're parents and it's awesome. 

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But we're also Paul and Elise. Best friends forever and husband and wife. This wedding was special reminder of that. I spent the weekend completely blissed out. Check plus and three cheers to this new life season.

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20 responses to “catalina island.”

  1. Vicki Avatar
    Vicki

    Elise the bottom photo is so beautiful, I can feel your happiness radiating off the page!

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  2. Heather Avatar

    Oh my goodness, I love this! Love watching your parenthood journey blossom, makes me just a teensy less nervous about having my own kids in a few years.

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  3. melissa Avatar

    Cheers to a great weekend!

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  4. Amanda Avatar

    I am loving the photos in this post, but especially that last one! It just kills me (in the best way)!

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  5. lee Avatar

    What a delightful weekend getaway!! I haven’t visited Catalina since high school, but it will always be a place I think of dearly. =)

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  6. Bekah Avatar

    So sweet. I often wonder about the transition to parenthood and how it will affect my husband and me being silly BFFs. Hopefully not very much. 🙂

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  7. Laura Avatar

    Hah, when I read your post title, my first thought was “Arrested Development!!” too. It does look like a really lovely place though!

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  8. btsoi Avatar

    “completely blissed out” that sounds like an awesome place to be.

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  9. Carrie Avatar

    I love the array of photos. You always manage to tell the whole story of a trip instead of focusing solely on the reason for being there. Love that.

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  10. christa Avatar

    I almost asked a new Mom friend of mine recently if it felt like ‘playing house’ the first few months after a first baby. But I wasn’t sure if it would offend her or not.
    My husband and I don’t have children yet, but are planning to, and I’ve started imaging how our days would be different. It seems that at first it would feel like you’re playing house! So I’m glad you described it that way. And I’m glad you had such an awesome weekend, looks like a blast. 🙂

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  11. liz Avatar
    liz

    that beer cozy is one of the best wedding favors i’ve seen!

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  12. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    I really dig the phrase “blissed out”

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  13. elise blaha Avatar

    I say with full sincerity…it makes it BETTER. 🙂

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  14. Janel Avatar

    ahhhh that last picture is fantastic! My husband and I have a similar one of us at my sisters wedding and it’s my all time favorite picture of us!

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  15. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    My goddaughter recently got married. For some reason she did not want a photo booth. Her mother and I were bad and arranged for one to be there anyway. It was a risk but paid off big time. Everyone had so much fun and she is so glad she has those pics. I have photo booth pics that date back to the early 70s. Love them!!

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  16. Ali Avatar

    what a beautiful post. I love the last part where you are starting to feel like parents. beautiful Elise!

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  17. amy Avatar
    amy

    Can I bother you with a question – where the bridesmaid dresses are from? I’ve been looking for some in the same color for my bridesmaids! Thanks for the wonderful post 🙂

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  18. Neroli F. Avatar
    Neroli F.

    You look beautiful in the pics – so happy! It is nice to feel as though you are emerging from the haze that is new motherhood. Hold onto those “couple moments”, they are few and far between (post-kids) and REALLY to be treasured – looks like that’s exactly what you did!

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  19. Nicol Avatar

    What a great weekend! Thanks for sharing these lovely moments with us. 🙂

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  20. Jenny Avatar

    We were on Catalina the weekend before you were there! When I saw your first instagram pic I was like “hey we were just there”!
    That place holds a special place in my heart since I lived there for 6 years (!) that’s where I started my USA adventure (originally from Australia) and where I met my husband. You should try to make it a place to visit in the summer time … it’s a crazy place but A LOT of fun! 🙂

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