Wedding Weekend, Day 2

Our first wedding of the weekend was at Los Willows in Fallbrook. 
 
Gorgeous venue, with large green lawns, 
 
outdoor bar, a pond with walking paths 
 
and flowers everywhere.

Addy and Leia had plenty of room to burn off energy while waiting for the ceremony to begin, and had even more fun once cousin Anna joined them.
  
The wedding was beautiful, very traditional and elegant. The little girls thought the bride was a princess come-to-life and followed her everywhere, staying as close as they could get. 
 
And who knew that Leanne was such a dancing fool? 
 
She walked in the door, kicked off her shoes and boogied to every song. Definitely the life of the party!
 
It was great to have most of the family 
 
together for the evening.
 
And the weekend was only beginning . . . .

Wedding Weekend, Day 1

This weekend was back-to-back weddings, with nephew Keith in San Diego-adjacent Friday evening, and son Matt in Oak View Saturday afternoon. 
  
Thursday morning we picked up Addy and her parents at LAX and headed south. We stopped for lunch in Irvine, giving the little girls time to stretch their legs and play a little hide-and-seek.
  
Then on to Temecula and the hotel swimming pool both girls had been eagerly awaiting. 
  
Friday morning we hit the beach in Oceanside, at Addy's special request. 
 
Every time she comes out from Colorado, we try to make time for her to dip her toes in the ocean. 
 
This time, both girls dipped most of themselves in the water, 
 
coming back to the car soaked, sandy and very happy. 
 
Grandma decided her princesses needed new dresses, to which neither girl objected, so back in the van we went for another short drive south. (We got a pink princess dress for Leanne.)
 
A quick lunch, a carousel ride, 
 
and it was time to head for wedding #1.

Done!

Mary's wedding shawl is done! 
 
And not a minute too soon, since Saturday is the big day. 
 
Beading the fringe, 
 
then trimming each strand and adding a dot of insurance with fray block, took for-freaking-ever.
 
But it was definitely worth it. In my opinion, anyway.   
Can't wait to see the party shots on Saturday!

Bead Time

Beading, beading, beading my time away.
 
Each bead takes about a minute to attach and knot. 530 beads total means 9 HOURS of beading in my future. And that doesn't count trimming and dotting each end with glue to make sure it doesn't come apart.
 
Hubby's idea of beading only half the strands is starting to sound better all the time.

Getting There . . .

Only 12 days until the wedding and the bride's shawl is growing . . .
 
growing . . . .
 
growing.
 
Only two rows to go, and then I can start adding fringe and the beads that Mary picked out yesterday. Planning to have this done by the weekend. Crossing fingers . . . .  

And . . . found my wedding ensemble today - at the first store I went to, on sale, and with an extra 40% off. I love the outfit and I love the price even more!

Wedding Pix

These pictures were taken by the wedding chapel's photographer. I'm hoping there are others out there (Rachel?? Bre???) especially of the reception. 
Flower Girl Addy. She was upset because she forgot to drop the flower petals on her way down the aisle. Think we could get a do-over?
Miss Leanne. She stole the show with her grin and baby steps.
Proud Dad, giving the bride away.
Rachel and Addison.
 "I do."

First toast.

 Parents with newlyweds.

 My favorite shot of the day. Leanne has learned how to steal the show, every time a camera turns her way.

 

Wedding Blues

Marie's big day is approaching and the little girls are getting all spiffed up. Addy has a new dress - and Leanne has a dress, hair band and white dressy shoes. Going to be quite a party! (please excuse the crummy cell phone pix. Couldn't resist posting these.)

Showers

Younger daughter is getting married in May and older daughter flew out from Colorado this weekend to host a bridal shower for her. 
 
Today's party was sandwiched between a trip to ER (Rachel fell in the parking lot at Target and thought she broke her ankle. Turned out to be just a bad sprain) and a leaky roof in my craft room when that other kind of shower became surprisingly heavy. 

But the afternoon was a lot of fun. We had fancy (and delicious) cake - 
 
and finger food - 
 
with family - 
 
 
and friends.

We played games, including one Rachel devised called "Dress the Bride" 
 
that involved a craft kit, tissue paper and whatever the individual teams had in their purses. 
 
Marie had to pick a winner based on which one looked most like her. Lots of laughter and ingenuity. 

I may have to stock up on those kits, to have them on hand for the next family party. 
Marie's little helper arrived in time to help open the last few gifts  
and star in a nice round of "Pass the Baby".

Congrats to Marie and Scott. Now it's on to Vegas!