One of the best parts of this trip was just getting to spend so much time with family. Em was in heaven being surrounded by so many people who love her!
Sunday was one of the most perfect days. My dad really wanted our family to have a little barbecue on the beach and he and Josh really pulled together a great little evening.
Look at those smiles!
My parents didn't wear swimsuits because they didn't intend to get in. But when Emma's in charge, you don't have a choice!!
Running from waves!
haha he got a little wet ;)
Em got a little chilly as the sun went down. Since Texas is still blazing and this kid is growing like a weed, we haven't bought her any sweaters or jackets yet. Good thing Grandma's jacket is a perfect fit!
It really bugged her that this umbrella wasn't straight up and down. OCD much?
I just wanted to share this lovely pic of Hans and my uncle Hyun cramming their faces.
And then Em got in on the action. I didn't even think she'd eat a hot dog, but those were some dang good hot dogs!
My dad scored this awesome firepit off amazon... it was perfect!
Oh, just cuddling fireside with her best friend.
Then we made s'mores.... yummy!
It was the perfect night. And we had so much fun on all the other days, too!
Stealing grandma's sweater... again.
Cheesin' hard while out to dinner at PF Changs. She loves those horses!
It was a little dark for this pic, but she loved reading books with them each night.
And she totally loved cuddling up with Uncle Hyun to watch her favorite, Mary Poppins.
One night, almost everyone was at bridal showers or bachelor parties, so Bapa took Em on a little date! Of course there was ice cream. No wonder he's her favorite.
My baby brother is married. I can't believe it. And I am so, so SO excited to have Jenna as a sister. These two have the cutest story. Jenna's mom and our mom have known each other and been close friends since college - they were roommates!
When my mom immigrated to this country, Jenna's grandmother kind of took my mom under her wing, welcoming her into the family. The moms have stayed very close through the years and our two families have been taking trips and spending holidays together for years. So you can imagine that it came as quite a shock when AJ and Jenna started dating last year. At first the moms were nervous because they thought a break up would lead to potential awkwardness. I'm pretty sure these two considered that and just didn't see the relationship ending. And they were right.
So this was truly a huge celebration, two families that were pretty much already family becoming one family "officially."
The sealing was absolutely amazing. I ended up sitting directly behind Jenna at the altar so I had a straight on view of AJ's face through the sealing and jeez. The way they look at each other... I just could not stop crying. They are so in love and the spirit in the room was incredible. My dad kept looking at me like "Get it together!" and I just couldn't. It was too sweet.
Formal pictures were a little rough. There were a record 27 weddings at the San Diego temple that day and the grounds were so busy you could hardly walk. Not to mention it was the hottest day San Diego has had all year and it was sooooo sunny and hot for pictures at 1 p.m. Forgive all the squinting. (Credit for the gorgeous photos goes to the amazing John Fahrnkopf)
Emma absolutely adores her new Aunt Jenna (and her uncle AJ of course).
This pic totally cracks me up. "I... I don't know what to do with my hands..."
Ah, but he's got his muscles. That's true love.
My cute grandmother (who just celebrated her 80th birthday!) drove all the way from Utah for the wedding.
Oh, Jenna. You realize what you married into, right?
Seriously. Look at that look.
This truly captures them.
By the time we got to the reception, we were all ready to cut loose. My parents hosted this wedding and it was completely beautiful and perfect. Jenna's mom did all the flowers (aren't they gorgeous? She is so talented) and a family friend did the Ah-Mazing cake. I am not even going to tell you how much of that cake I ate (spoiler alert: it was a ton). And we danced all. night. long.
Watching their first dance really drives home just how perfect these two are for each other.
She pretty much stuck by grandma's side all night.
Oh, my crazy brothers.
This group knows how to party.
We got my whole family - my grandma carol, all my aunts and uncles, my mom, my brothers, even Hans! - out on the dance floor in a big circle around Em. She absolutely loved it.
I mean... seriously.
Congratulations to the beautiful couple! We couldn't be happier for you and loved being there to celebrate with you.
I'm back from my self-imposed blogging hiatus because I just have to share the most amazing trip we just had. Last week, my youngest brother married his sweetheart in the San Diego Temple (more on that later!) and we took the opportunity to have a wonderful little family vacation!
We got into San Diego Wednesday night, but my dad had plans for us Thursday morning! We met up with my aunt (his sister Lisa) and her family to go paddle boarding on Mission Bay. I've never been paddle boarding before, but really enjoyed it! I definitely want to do it again. It was a good work out and a lot of fun.
When my dad first told me about his plan, I was pretty skeptical about letting my toddler ride on a board with him. But with her beloved puddle jumper, this kid had no fear and it would have been nearly impossible to keep her off. She made herself queen of every single person's board.
At first, she wasn't having it. She didn't like the sand touching her haha
But she got used to it! Doesn't she look like she belongs on the beach??
