The last few weeks my head has been spinning!  Why are we so busy??  I swear I don’t sit down from the time I wake up ’til the time Stevie goes to bed.  Then, and only then, can I finally watch my long lost best friend — the television.

It’s all good things.  And fun things.  But last night, when we got home from a quick trip to Utah, our heads hit the pillow at 10pm and we all slept solid for the next ten and a half hours.  I think it’s safe to say we just needed to do that.

As I mentioned, our trip to Utah was quick – we were there for only 36 total hours – but worth it.  My brother got married on Friday and they threw a Renaissance themed wedding.  Of course, upon hearing that, I thought “OMG how nerdy… and fun!” but it wasn’t really nerdy at all.  Except for the part where all their friends who brought swords got to chop up pool noodles — it was actually quite incredible.

Friday morning, I happily helped set the tables with edible centerpieces of grapes and bread and cheese, accented with oil lamps and wine bottles.  My mom’s backyard is gorgeous as it is, but decorated with string lights and hanging lamps in the trees, it was transformed into a really perfect wedding scene.  Brought back memories of my own wedding!  My now sister-in-law painted a huge mural of our family tree on a back wall, with an homage to Nene and Luke, our niece and nephew who have passed away.  It was truly breathtaking.

The height of the hundred degree heat made it’s debut right as the ceremony started, so people gathered into shade and some people braved the sun as the bridal party made their way down the aisle.  The bride and groom wore leather armor (handmade themselves!!)  I sat in my flower crown with Stevie on my lap as they exchanged vows, promises of good intentions, even in a world of hurt, and I couldn’t help but well up a bit.  Stevie yelled out “Stevie wanna get married!” during the binding ceremony and everyone giggled a little.  He always knows how to get a room.

The night ended with food and dancing and the newlyweds driving off, as the crowd waved scarves in the air.  I know it sounds like a cool medieval tradition, but we actually just forgot to get anything for the big send-off and had to improvise.  It was a great night, and you could just feel the happiness all around.

The next morning, I got up excited and ready to throw my sister a bridal shower.  Yes, you are reading this right.  My little brother got married in mom’s backyard on May 13th and my little sister is getting married just down on the street from there on June 18th.  I didn’t see any other time to throw her a shower, so we got it all done in one weekend.  Boom.

Breakfast at Tifiny’s was the place I decided on for the location.  It’s a crêperie and they have a “secret garden” that was blooming with amazing flowers and smells to match.  It was ideal!  And the food was great. I brought in some extra decorations (thanks so much to Tati Lara!) just to give it that little flair, and everything went off without a hitch. Great time with family and friends, celebrating the bride to be.  Phew!

We spent a couple hours back at my mom’s house for a quick visit with the left over relatives, while Stevie wailed on his cousins with left over pool noodles.  And then we started the drive home.  Utah gave us the prettiest skies as a send off.  And you know what happened 7 hours later…  Best. Sleep. Ever.

But if you ask Stevie the best part of the whole weekend? It was that we parked on the rocks in front of Mummi’s house. 

On to the next!