The wedding.

      We just got back from Sarah's wedding in La Jolla, CA. It was Anthony's wedding too but, let's be honest, the groom doesn't carry as much weight. It's always a special thing when a sibling gets married, and it was extra special to see John's sister marry a guy we are all super excited about, in a place we were excited to visit.

Destination weddings for family? Yes, please. 

Here are a few snapshots of the weekend. Well, really  a few snapshots of Abigail with John thrown in for good measure. Ninety percent of the time I see a good photo op it has disappeared in the seconds it takes my camera to turn on and present itself as ready....and if I leave it on, the battery dies in 4.5 minutes flat.

We had lots of long walks along the beach. Abigail (and us) loved the waves (although we never went swimming. Too cold.....like days in the 60's cold. I know. Coming back to Bama was a shock to my system), chasing the squirrels, the pigeons, and the seals.

The seals were a huge hit.  They stank, they hit each other in the face with their fins, and, occasionally, they'd even go swimming.

and the sand.....never, never forget the entertainment value of dirt and sand. 

She found lots to keep her and us entertained, and consented to sport the most adorable pigtails several days in a row. 

The rehearsal gave me the opportunity to show off the dress for Abigail that I finished the day before we left; culminating three months of work.....I'm much wiser now ( I hope) about setting timelines. But I liked how it turned out and she liked wearing it. A win-win. 

Plus, it's apparently climbing-approved.

Directing traffic in fine form.

We had so much fun hanging out with family and I'm disappointed I didn't capture many any of those quiet moments on camera.

But, the wedding was beautiful 

She even walked all the way up the aisle holding her flower ball. I couldn't believe it.

Sarah looked gorgeous. Although something about her that day scared Abigail. It was hilarious. She wouldn't go near Sarah.

John's mom looked gorgeous too. Beautiful and like she had a lot of fun. Which she did. :o)

and the party afterwards was much fun 

Uncle Matt knows how to win friends....

( with a 5-course dinner! This is what Abigail thought of the dinner)

Actually, we were so far off schedule all weekend that this is what she thought of many meals. She was a trooper though and loved being in the middle of everything. 

Of Radishes and Roses

Have I mentioned lately that I'm thankful for flowers? One of my favorite parts of our yard is the three rose bushes that were already planted in the back corner. Add two more to the mix ( from my wonderful friend Becca, who gave me many other perennials, most of which I've killed) and we've got a decent rose garden. Enough, in fact, that Abigail and I go out there almost every day to pick some. Her picking consists of pulling all the petals off every rose she can reach, but she's good at it.

She's also good at eating hummus. As long as good is defined as "wiping it everywhere after we tire of eating".

You could also blame her daddy, since she was distracted watching him. I get distracted watching him as well. So I can understand the forgetful, contemplative state. 

 Speaking of lawn mowing, this is our garden.

Right there, I promise, underneath the mounds of hay.

Which I realized gives me a headache any time I spend a lot of time in it.

Live and learn. :o) There are actually beans and peas and corn and tomatoes and a couple of other vegetables growing among the hay (which was scattered to help with weeds and moisture but the debate is still raging in our household as to the actual effect).

This is the first produce picked. It was, well, radishey. 

 

I'm hoping for better things later.

So is Abigail.
Who, by the way, has discovered a passion for flower arranging.
She 'helps' to bring them in with her wagon

Then carefully pulls off all the petals

and chooses just the right spot in the bowl to place them. Three guesses about which bowl was hers. 

Then she helps clean up by wiping everything off onto the floor. It's a huge success. Every time.

Almost as much fun as washable markers. Almost.

Four out of thirty-four

Happy Birthday my Love, 

It's hard for me to believe that I've only known you for five years, 

and only know you well enough to celebrate four of those with you.

For you have filled up my heart and my memories, 

making it seem impossible to have had so far only five years together. 

Sometimes I get distracted by how much we both have yet to learn about marriage;

but when I stop to think about who you are, as opposed to aren't, 

and all that you do 

I am thankful, overwhelmed, and turned on ( though not speechless).

You are a fun playmate, yet a good leader,

An incredibly thoughtful husband,

 

An unselfish father 

(you melt my heart when I watch you with Abigail. Listening to her laugh with delight as you both brush your teeth in the mornings is a sound I'll never forget)

A tender and passionate lover,

I am blessed among women to call you my own....

 and I can hardly wait until you come home tonight. 

Happy 34th Birthday my Love!

PS-  I think this is one of the very first pictures I have of you. It catches one of my favorite views....... (you were right, my hair was really short.

 At least I know you can love me through thick and thin.....or, well, definitely short and long)