Wedding Week- Decorating Day

Wedding week would not be complete without numerous hours of decorating and a couple dozen people helping. At least, that's how the Mormons roll.

Wednesday we went to Lowes to pick up some live greenery for the reception. Fortunately we had a car big enough to haul them home. Unfortunately that vehicle has no AC. I volunteered to sit in the back (since there were no seats) and the plants probably needed a little more support. It was a close call though, because I'm pretty sure I was seconds away to blacking out. So much hotness.

Now that that ... uncomfortable... photo is out of the way, I can populate this post with FLOWERS. So much flowers. 

We are lucky enough to have the most amazing, talented, kind and beautiful woman ever attending our church. She is THE SOURCE for all things floral (she did my amazing bouquet as well!). Jen and I were lucky enough to accompany her down to LA to the flower market to pick up supplies for the bouquet and centerpiece.

Good morning LA!

... and good morning Flower Market! 

Going to the flower market was quite the treat, especially because Jen and I had never been before. Lorna is a seasoned veteran and it was fun to see her process, how she navigates and decides.

I hope I wasn't too annoying,oo-ing and ahhh-ing at the stalls and stalls teeming with beautiful bouquets. 

I want to in this giant, beautiful, fragrant warehouse! 

Jen volunteered to be the flower sherpa. And she is a cute one too!

After our arms were full of flowers we headed back to Palmdale to continue decorating at the church.





We took a break for pizza. Pretty much my new favorite pizza place in all of the Antelope Valley. It was amazing.

Then back to it! The hall looks amazing. The family is really getting good at wedding decorating. 

Thanks for sharing the pictures Riss! 

We are just about ready for the wedding now. And good thing because...

Wedding is in 1 day! 

Wedding Week- Girls Night

If you were to say, "Girls Night!" I can almost promise you that the first people you'd think of would not be the women in my family. I don't mean that in a bad way. But you can count the combined number of mani/pedis for this group on about 2 fingers. We aren't pampered people.

So of course I thought pampering would be the perfect way to bond and hang out as girls in the midst of wedding preparations.



Italian sodas.

Engagement ring donuts (thanks for the help Silhouette).



Foot soaks and nail polish.

Movies and facials. I blocked out a certain someone because although I think she is the most beautiful human ever, I would hate for her to be displeased. :) 

It was a chill night and fun to hang while the guys had fun at the movies. 

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!

Wedding Week- Frisbee Golf

IT IS OFFICIALLY WEDDING WEEK. My sister is getting married Saturday, so family is slowly trickling in to town. Since I am a professional ride-moocher, I asked Ryan and Jen if they could give me a ride out to Palmdale once they arrived. And since they are way nice (and understand the pains of sharing a single car) they happily agreed. 

I know Jen was particularly excited to come check out my apartment and town. With the Petersens you have to strike while the iron is hot because you never know when we might move. 

It's been pretty hot lately, but we decided to brave the great outdoors (aka tempt fate?) and check out this new disc golf "park." 

Poor, poor California. About 12 brand new baskets, and a hell-on-earth-wasteland of a park. 

That didn't stop us from throwing around some discs.

 And getting every so slightly sun burnt. 

We followed up with some ice cream! Thrifty ice cream is the best ice cream.

Jen's first experience with Thrifty's. It was a good one. 

And before too long we were off to Palmdale!

Wedding in 5 days!

I Want to Drink Olive Oil

I maybe should have titled this post something normal like, "Lavender Festival," but who would want to do that? As you can tell from the randomness of this blog, I am always poking around for fun things to do in the area. Having grown up more familiar with the Los Angeles area, this is all still brand-new territory for the both of us. I saw this event advertised online and it looked pretty fun and popular. We thought we would give it a try.

The event spans two weekends and is at a fancy resort in Cherry Valley. It was just under a half hour drive. Very close!

There were a couple fields of lavender, and about a billion more people taking selfies. The bees were particularly enjoying all the blossoms. 

The farm produces a variety of lavender products and there were lots of other vendors there too. Arts, crafts, food. The lavender cheesecake and lavender lemonade sounded pretty interesting.

I honestly have no idea where I found the courage to NOT walk about with a huge bottle of this-makes-your-skin-the-softest-skin-ever lotion, bath bombs, and olive oil. 

The olive oil was particularly delicious. They prepared samples on little pieces of bread. I don't mean to be disgusting, but I was tempted to drink it. Yes! OLIVE OIL. What in the world is wrong with me? 

Since the vendors were all artsy and hipster we decided to follow suit and take pictures in a field that wasn't quite as violaceous (no, I don't know if that works. yes, I looked up synonyms for 'lavender'). 

Also, this busted up cart wheel? Very popular with 'photographers' at the event. They also had a little petting zoo and this crazy fluffy angora rabbit!

The rabbit was actually by a yarn vendor but I decided it was a petting zoo annex because how can you resist something that insanely fluffy?



Me: Ross, go peek out from behind those pots of lavender.
Roos: *just goes with it*

Omg, stawwwp, we are so cute. 

After the event we stopped by this place we always see on our way out to places like Joshua Tree and Palm Springs (and Idylwild and Niland). 

For as many times as we passed it and as much comfort food it appeared, it didn't quite live up to expectations. We tried to redeem the meal by getting a slice of pie to go, probably shouldn't have.

But anyways, it was a fun (and sunny) day and always fun to try new things.

Til Surgery Do Us Part

I can't help but be incredibly pessimistic at times about medical school and it's discontents (me). There are times when things are just really tough. For both of us. Ross is currently in his surgery rotations. His last rotations of his 3rd year of school.

Remember this post? Here's the update.
The core rotations for the 3rd year are:

Internal Medicine

Family Medicine

OB/GYN

Pediatrics

Psychiatry

Surgery

OB/GYN had some pretty entertaining stories. But not to be outdone by psychiatry.

But now it is all about surgery rotations. Surgery is in general famous for it's egotistical doctors and early hours and long days. It has been tough. Ross keeps thinking that the next surgery rotation will bring a more reasonable schedule. But I learned long ago that you never get your hopes up, no matter what Ross's best intentions and hopes are. It works out nicely that I'm the cynical one.

But I love that kid and it made me laugh/ cry when I saw our calendar.



Never has Ross been one to cross off days on a calendar. But in the surgery rotation- it's a must. Because every day is a victory.

Although surgery is maybe making him taking things too seriously. Like going full MD on this tiny splinter I had. You NEVER GO FULL MD!



Medical School means that life will never be normal. Amazon, please stop with the USMLE prep book recommendations. Please continue with the cookbooks.



Selfies without breaking the sterile field. Good luck.



All I know, is that in medical school it is not likely that death will separate a marriage. But surgery rotation just might.

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)!