Catching up to Summer

So I've had a bit of a "slack-attack" (yes, I coined that phrase myself) as of lately, especially when it has come to blogging. That hasn't been the only thing, though. The fridge and cupboards are empty because I haven't been grocery shopping in ages, my house is a mess, plus plenty of other things that I can't think of specifically right this minute. At least I (I should say we, Kevin has helped me out a lot) have the laundry under control as of now. In short, I've been just falling behind. It's okay, it happens to the best of us.

I have started to work at couple of days a week at my "sometimes" job, which has really taken it's toll on me. I sound like a total wimp. I only work 2 days a week, but at the end of those days, I'm exhausted. I forgot how physically draining sitting at a desk behind a computer 8 hours a day can be. Not to mention, for the past two weeks I have been battling this cold-turned-worst sinus infection of my life. Add chasing after a two-year-old in between everything else, it takes a lot out of me.

So, long, self-pitiful story short, I haven't felt much like blogging, so Ive got some catching up to do. Luckily I've been pretty diligent at taking pictures so, here goes (deep breath).

May:

Most of the month of May was focused on Lisa (sis-in-law) and Austin's wedding. I volunteered to help Kevin's mom out because, I had the time and knew that she needed the help since two weeks before the wedding, she was going to Japan to pick up her father.

Some of our bigger undertakings were creating centerpieces for the tables and flower arrangements to decorate throughout.

Here's what we did for centerpieces.



And here's one of the arrangements we made for the backdrop.


I got the topiary idea online and we basically just copied the flowers from the arrangement that my mom did for my backdrop. We also made some smaller flower arrangements is little galvanized buckets, but I didn't get pictures of those.

A few days before the wedding, Kevin's grandpa came to visit from Japan. It took Abi a few hours to warm up to him, but soon she was his best friend.

See how his "best friend" is struggling to get off his lap? No, really, she loved him, she just didn't want her picture taken here.

Then it was time for the wedding, which was fun and beautiful, as weddings are.



At the temple, there's a lot of sitting and waiting, which is understandably hard for little kids. So, my dad took Abi for a stroll around the temple grounds.


And Gigi helped keep Savannah out of trouble.


The reception was really nice as well, though I couldn't get my husband to stop socializing ong enough to get a single picture of the festivities. Nope, not one. Although there were so many people there, her probably wouldn't have been able to get a picture of much anyway. Seriously, there were so many people there. It was crazy.

After the wedding was wrapped up and done with, we could all relax and enjoy some time with Kevin's grandpa, who doesn't speak any English. I understand some Japanese, so that has helped, but there were a couple of times when Gigi would ask me something, or tell me something expecting a response, and I don't have any idea what to say. Here's one example:

Kevin's mom went out to dinner with some friends one night. She had made curry, which was a safe dish since we all like it, and Gigi liked it too (he does not eat American food). I had fixed myself a plate and had set it on the counter while I buckled Abi into her high chair. By then Gigi had was walked over to the stove where we were dishing up plates, pointed to my plate and said something to me. I don't know exactly what he said, but I knew he was asking if the plate I had just fixed was for him. I just didn't know if he was teasing me or not. (He likes to joke around) I didn't know what to say, so I looked at Kevin's dad, who is fluent in Japanese, for some kind of help, but he just stared at me. I said, "you can have it if you want," but, from the look on Gigi's face I guessed I still wasn't getting it. Finally, Kevin's dad pipes up and tells Gigi that he's fixing a plate for him now. It all got straightened out eventually, but not without some embarrassment. I really wasn't a big deal, but I did feel kind of dumb.

Then there was that time last year when he walked in on me while I was in the bathroom, but that's not really a language thing, it's more of a he's-an-old-man-and-is-hard-of-hearing thing.

Anyway, we really enjoyed having him here. Abi was sad to see him go.





Popsicles make everything better.


June:

My youngest sister Sarah graduated from High School this year, so Abi and I went to see her commencement ceremony.






I even got creative and made Sarah a cake. Okay, what really happened was I found this cool, easy recipe for marshmallow fondant and needed an excuse to make a cake to try it.




p.s. This was my first time using fondant. Ever. It's kind of fun.

The weather has got warmer, so Abi has been outside more.




It's even been warm enough for Abi to take a dip in the backyard in her little pool.





And draw with sidewalk chalk.



Whew. Well, I think that about does it for the catching up. Hopefully, I won't be such a slacker in the future, but I won't make any promises.