Saturday, July 9: WEDDING DAY!

Oh my goodness, I have so many pictures. It was so hard to narrow them down. I've split the Saturday post into wedding today and then reception tomorrow.

Once again, Eric and Caroline are so laid back. They just wanted everyone to arrive a few minutes before the ceremony was to begin at 4. The bartender was already serving up drinks for guests and everyone was mingling in the beautiful California sunshine.

The kids and I changed clothes at the venue, The Smog Shoppe. I arrived in this t-shirt as a special tribute to my brother and my brother's fraternity.


Long story short, when Eric was at Carolina, he and his buddies started a fraternity. Yes, started a fraternity. With mixers, and semiformals, and t-shirts. The fraternity was called Zappa Wamma Gamma. I know for a fact that several wedding attendees have ZWG tattoos. :-) The t-shirt says "We got your mom on speed dial." Not something a mother of two AND a California deputy should be wearing so I quickly waved at Eric and then changed into more suitable wedding clothes. :-)

I have to say that my family cleans up pretty well. :-)

Every family has a Pookie...

And I sure do love mine. :-)

The most beautiful family member of the day...

[The professional pics throughout this blog post are courtesy of Hazelnut Photography. Visit her blog here to see the full post with multiple pictures.]

Then it was time to take our places! After a few last minute details, we were ready to begin.

There was no procession of the wedding party, so we officially began when Caroline and her dad, Randy, made their entrance.

The wedding ceremony went great (if I do say so myself). I held it together for the most part but the very beginning and very end were a bit shaky. I mean, it's my baby brother for gosh sake! We incorporated several traditional elements including the unity candle, vows, exchange of rings, and a short message reflection on Eric and Caroline as a couple and marriage in general. Something Eric and Caroline wanted to do was to pass around their rings tied to a tiny silk pillow. They wanted each guest to hold the rings and bless them. So, as they passed the rings, we read scripture and did the Unity Candle.

We laughed, we cried, we ate well. All in all, a perfect day. :-)

And two more cute professional pics from Hazelnut Photography.

Friday, July 8: El Ensayo Cena

Friday the 8th was day before wedding day, which traditionally means rehearsal and rehearsal dinner day! But, being the low-key, relaxed couple Eric and Caroline are, they did not plan a rehearsal. Hey, if you don't have a plan, then the plan cannot go wrong. :-)


We did go by their apartment that morning to talk through the service and iron out a few details (for my Type A brain's sake). Brooklyn dressed up Caroline and took pictures with my phone (and because I love my new sister I will not be sharing those), while Jake admired Furbaby, the kitty, from afar and watched Yo Gabba Gabba on Netflix.



After a few hours at the Hollywood Hotel pool that afternoon, we all showered and dressed up for the "rehearsal" dinner at Malo Cantina.

Malo was unlike any Mexican restaurant we have ever been to. It was pure authentic Mexican cuisine. Their specialty- and one of Eric and Caroline's favorites- is the Pickle and Beef Taco. Even Chad, the non-pickle eater, said it was awesome. Unfortunately, due to some personal issues that day and evening I was unable to partake in the dinner, but everything looked and smelled sooooo good. Everyone was raving over the food and all had a great time! Thanks, Mom & Dad, for hosting a fun night!

[Cheers with Opa]

[The happy couple]
[Dessert table]
[Me and my little bro- the GROOM!]
[Caroline with her mom and grandmother]

[The groomsmen catching up.]

[Grandparents of the groom]

[Best bud-in-laws]

[Me and my NEW SISTER]

[The kids were soooo good with all these "adult meals.]

Thursday, July 7: A Deputy and a Celebrity

On Thursday, July 7th, I did something that not too many people can say that they have done.

I became a Deputy Commissioner for the State of California.


At 11:40am, I was sworn in as a Deputy and thus given permission to legally marry Eric and Caroline. Basically, I get to sign their marriage license and then officially say, "By the power vested in me by the State of California as a Deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriages I pronounce you as husband and wife." What power! Ha ha!


My mom watched my two precious ones, and they decided to spend time riding rides outside the local Rite Aid. It's the little things that thrill them to death!


After I took the oath and signed the papers, Chad and I drove northeast to Pasadena where we met our friend, Brendan, for lunch. It was soooooo great to spend a few hours with Brendan and catch up (and laugh about college days).

Brendan showed us around Pasadena, including a drive by the Rose Bowl.

We really saw some beautiful California land in our driving that day. We ended the night at the yummy Souplantation with the whole family.

And a special happy birthday to my sweet hubby today! (And actually, cooincidentally, Brendan, too.) Happy Birthday, Chad! I love you so much!!

Wednesday, July 6: Griffith Park Observatory & Bachelorette Night

The pictures are reversed so here is how my evening ended...

A raspberry cake shot....probably my first shot in about 7 years. And my only shot for the night. :-) No one else had two babies sleeping off jet lag at home so I made it an early night and headed home after dinner with my mom.

The girls out to dinner at BoHo on Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles. I was 5 minutes from passing by Nick Jonas in the building.

Caroline and her beautiful sisters.

These girls know my style!

I mean, seriously, only in LA! This was the first bachelorette party I have ever attended located beside where they film the American Idol Season finales!

Earlier that day, we saw a magnificant view of the city from the Griffith Park Observatory.

What an awesome way to kick off our vacation on the west coast!

Our Sweet Callie Girl

While Chad and I were up way early packing the van and heading to the airport Tuesday morning, my precious in-laws were saying goodbye to our family dog, Callie. I say "our" dog because really Callie was the only pet that Brooklyn and Jake ever really knew well. Not being "pet people," Chad and I decided early on that cats and dogs were not in our future as a family, but we could always depend on this sweet golden retriever to give my kids a taste of what having a family dog is all about. Callie was the sweetest, most patient, quiet, loving dog ever, and both kids loved her sooooo much.

Brooklyn was a bit apprehensive when she was younger, but my in-laws were so great about letting her be a part of the "Callie chores." Brooklyn loved feeding her dinner and then watching her eat it all gone.
And Jake had just committed himself to being the official "Callie treat giver." He walks into the house every Sunday afternoon saying, "Callie- treat- Callie- treat."

Brooklyn took the news of Callie's passing really well, but Jake is still asking about Callie and treats. It will take a while, but for now, we told him that Callie is not home.

Rest in peace, sweet Callie girl. You warmed my cold, non-pet loving heart when you showed my babies that special kind of doggie love.

Happy Fourth of July/Vacation Eve!

I'm back after a wonderful 9 day vacation on the west coast. No computer was available while I was gone, and I could not stand to try and blog on my iPhone, so I hope to get you all updated over the next several days. I'll try to stay in order of adventures. :-)

We left the house at 4:15am on Tuesday morning so our July 4th celebrations were very low key.

Impossible to get pics of the 2 kids together these days...

Mood Swings

So, vacation started for me today! And though many of my days over the next few weeks will be spent flying, driving, sleeping, recovering from jet lag, perfoming the marriage ceremony of my brother and Caroline, and gambling- just to name a few- I took a moment this morning when we didn't have to rush out of the house to take out the real camera and shoot a short video for ya'll.

Jake's sporting his sweet new hair cut and showing what he learned this week.