Flying Porta-Potties and Scandinavian Things

I hope that title got your attention because "Solvang with Mom, Dad, Cassie, and Calvin" is kinda boring.

The tots adorbs newlywed Cass and Cal were in California this weekend. And whether the aebleskiver pan was calling their name, or just a little adventure, I don't know. But squished in the back seat of my parent's sedan we were on our way to Solvang (see my brief mention here). To be quite honest, I think we were hoping for some cooler, breezier temperatures closer to the coast as well.



It was bright and sunny and a great day to hang out. Mom has always wanted to eat in Solvang, to see how aebleskiver straight from the source (well, so to speak) taste. We ate at the Red Viking, in a bit of an awkward squished table next to some annoying foodies from LA (well, they thought they were foodies- really they just ate food and were snobby). The food was honestly disappointing, and we all agreed that Dad's aebleskiver are the best there are (now I sound like the snob!).



We walked around a bit. I found an aebleskiver cookbook for dad, if he decides he wants to get fancy. We of course had to walk by in famous wooden shoe. Our family always had to take a picture by the shoe, Cass being the youngest would always sit in the shoe. She's just a little too big now but you still gotta get that pic!

Mom and dad bought us some pastries to share. I love this picture- how do you begin to get at something of that creamy magnitude?!



I had to make sure to snag a few of these while I was there. I haven't been able to find raspberry danish dessert anywhere else (okay, okay, if I got desperate I could turn to the internet).



I almost closed off this post without mentioning the flying porta-potty! Well we were on our way to Solvang when we see a helicopter over the beach with a long rope-type cord hauling something. We were all mystified wondering what was happening and if everyone was okay. Then when we drove past we looked behind us to see the Unidentified helicopter-aided-Flying Object was... a porta potty. Definitely was not expecting to see that at the end of the line.



To break up the longish drive home we stopped at Refugio beach. The ranger at the pay station was super awkward and asked my dad, "Will I be charging you the $7 fee or $8 fee?" Luckily my dad was totally on it and politely joked with the ranger that, yes, he just might make the senior citizen discount. Everyone else in the car was totally lost. Like you really have to be that awkward over a $1 difference? Pretty sure my dad would've given it to you had you just asked.



The campground at the beach was teeming with unkempt urchin children running wild, RVs, trailers, and tents. We had the right idea though and walked straight through to the beach.



Always a good time for some photo ops. I love this picture. My mom hates pictures so you have to sucker her into them while she is in her happy place.



Mom's happy place = anywhere the beach is!

The Cass & Cal Wedding

My sister is getting married! All week long I have blogged about wedding preparations.

And now the day is here. As you might expect, we got started early. I volunteered for bouquet duty. Lorna made the bouquet and we afraid it was too delicate but we blasted the AC and kept ice packs around it and it was great!



The perk of bouquet duty is getting to smell and stare at this breathtaking bouquet! Absolutely stunning.

Cassie wanted bowties for the guys and regular ties for the dads and grandpas.

 Mom made the boutonnieres and corsages. They look so nice.

Trying to figure out bowties and pocket squares. 

Waiting for the new wife and husband to come out.

There they are! What a special moment. <3 p="">

 Of course, pictures, pictures, pictures! 

Dr. Pepper, endorsed by this bride -wedding day fuel.

Later at the reception we got this awesome photo of the John/ Widdison side of the family. It was so cool that so many cousins could make it! 

It was a great day and everything went incredibly smooth. I am so happy for Cassie and Calvin as they start their new life together.

Congratulations you two! 

  

Wedding Week- Temple Day

When words fail, use pictures.

Thursday of Wedding Week was Temple Day- an absolutely beautiful day. 

Rissa, where are you when this was being taken?! I am so grateful that I can be with these beautiful people now and forever and ever. 

In keeping in line with tradition we ate at Junior's Deli nearby. It's technically now Lenny's, but will always be Junior's. 

Wedding in 2 days!

Up Themed Bridal Shower

I recently posted a crafting update about some projects I was working on for a bridal shower for my little sister.

Well the time has come and let me tell you,

"I love it when a plan comes together!" 

Pretty much this was me as I was setting up/ admiring my handiwork.



Okay, enough A-Team. Time to get bridal shower cutesy!

Here is an quick summary of the event.

But since so much time and effort went into this event, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite photos as well.

Inside we had the dinning table with so. many. snacks! I know it looks full in this picture but the food kept multiplying. Mom went nuts at Costco and Winco, but don't think for one second I am complaning! Haha.



And a close up of the display for the favors.



The beautiful backyard, all set up and ready for guests.



It was amazing to have such a beautiful and large area for so many guest to be able to sit and visit comfortably.

Outdoors we had more food. My mom makes this delicious "California chicken salad" that we had with croissants.



You can also see the "Paradise Falls" jar of money from the movie, and travel posters with the same theme.

The party was so fun. We had a great turn out and it was fun to just visit and chat.



We played a couple games to keep things interesting and of course opened presents.



Lots and lots of presents.

Did I mention lots?! My grandma loves to put gift bows in your hair as you open gifts. Ashlynn of course dutifully recording gifts. 

I had to include this adorable picture of my aunt and her grandson. 

We all worked so hard to pull it off, we had to chill afterwards. 

Including Synge, who loves the new patio chair cushions. 

Next stop for the family is .... WEDDING DAY (in 14 days)! 

Concert time: USANA Style

There have been many activities that I have been plotting planning before I even stepped on this blessed American soil. I love going to concerts and I was hoping that Ross and I would be able to go to one or two this summer. In my searching for a suitable concert, I found an amazing line-up!

Plain White T's

Daughtry

Goo Goo Dolls

Whhaaa?! All bands that I had heard of? In an outdoor amphitheater at dusk? And... the best of them all... affordable? I couldn't believe it. But the real shock came when Ross gave me the "Hell no." look. I thought maaaybe he would do it for me.



Growing up, sharing a room with my older sister has shaped me in the best possible way. People often are surprised to hear I know of and enjoy bands far before my prime. But that is because I shared a stereo with my sister and I happily stole all of her cds to listen to (sorry Tarzan soundtrack, you just aren't that hip). So after Ross's "look" I went running to my sister. I knew for sure she would be up for it. The tickets were soon purchased and we hatched a plan to make my mom and two other sisters come to the concert with us.



In the end not all were able to come, and ironically enough Ross came.We had an absolutely amazing time.

The Usana amphitheater was a lot of fun. Rissa had been there before, so she knew what was up. The seats are just a matter of preference/ poison. You get to decide if you prefer the alcoholics in the seated section, or the stoners on the lawn section. We were fortunate enough to be far enough back in the seat section that we didn't get alcohol spilled on us, but were able to enjoy some second hand baking from the lawn section.

Perfection. Almost. The most perfect part of the evening was still to come. 

I was a bit shocked and appalled that Plain White T's were the opening act. But I was still so beyond my teenage-girl-dreams pleased to be seeing them live that I was okay with it. 

I remember finding them when I was in junior high, on a site called Pure Volume. This webiste was my goldmine for finding new bands and listening to cool music. Like Myspace and a 2000s version of Spotify. That was my most visited site, and I remember falling in love with The Plain White T's, and following them. You can imagine my betrayal when "Hey There Delilah" was such a huge hit. 

Way back in those days when tiny little Kristen could only dream about going to a live concert, I thought it would be simply brilliant to wear a plain white t-shirt to the concert. Because, get it?!?! Yeah I was weird even back then. I had a huge crush on the lead singer, Tom. 

The performance was amazing, and I almost got weepy during Delilah, but the pre-teens who incorrectly thought that song was for them were getting on my nerves and I couldn't show my weak side. After their set I went to check out their merch table (although, c'mon, I already HAD my plain white tee band shirt). I saw some creepers hovering by the back gate to the stage. Poking through the cracks. 

Pfffttttttttt!!!!!!!! What a bunch of wierdos right? Until Tom briefly poked out to say hello. 

HOLY FAN GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I totally lost my cool in the most epic fashion. Not in a flipping out going nuts fashion, at least not outwardly. I totally froze. I couldn't move my limbs and my face got flushed. 

Ross urged me to go over and say hi. I'm not even kidding, ^ that was me. I found some ounce of gumption somewhere in my body and went over. My mind was racing. I couldn't think straight. What would I say to him?! That I had followed him since purevolume.com, pre-Hey There Delilah days!? Sign my shirt? Be my best friend? Shake my hand?! HUG ME!??!?

My face flushed and I couldn't breathe. Right before he was going to sneak back away forever I asked if I could get a picture with him and in a hot sweaty beautiful mess of a side embrace, Ross aka best husband in the world, took this picture for me. 

One of the most insane moments of my life. I was so overcome with joy. I am 90% sure I am happier in this photo than all of my wedding photos, or maybe any photo ever taken of me ever. 

I think that is all I actually said to him. My heart was racing and I couldn't think.

That ladies and gentlemen is how you fangirl so hard. I still can't decide if I am mortified about it or just over-the-moon about it all. 

I'm pretty sure ^that is how I looked when I was walking up to him. I spend the rest of the night trying to recover from that glorious event. Daughtry isn't my favorite but it was a fun set. Goo Goo Dolls were amazing. He puts on a great live show, all the chatter between each song was fantastic. I love when you get to see the comical side of musicians. It was epic hearing "Iris" live.

Can summer please last forever?