My family's visit to Cali.

A week before the big move to Oregon my family drove down for a little visit.

My dad, Sophia, and Emerson would be down for 4 days and my mom and the three littles would stay and help with all the packing and then drive with us to Oregon and help us get situated there.

But more on that in another post.

I was ecstatic to have my family visit.

Mostly because I could hardly wait for the many trips to Tutti Frutti, and of course a few visits to our favorite place, the beach!

The apartment was a bit crowded since there were like 3 mattresses spread across our living room floor but it was so fun to have everyone there. 

(Of course we missed Ryan who couldn't get off work.)

We went to the mall and shopped.

I found the cutest dress for Olivia at Janie and Jack and a few things for myself.

Olivia was in heaven watching the turtles and fish in the pond all while getting 24/7 attention.

We went to Tuttie Frutti just a few times.

It really is not possible to get enough of that stuff.

I can't even explain how sad I am that we don't have one here in Salem.

We also went to Santa Monica Beach 2 times.

Ate on the pier, did some tanning, played with the crabs and of course enjoyed the waves on our boogie boards.

We spent one evening driving around Hollywood and Beverly Hills which was interesting.

Some of those houses are unbelievably huge and it was so fun to see all the designer stores.

We had the most amazing time together and it was really hard to say goodbye.

Luckily we are all serious beach lovers so it won't be too long until we're back!  

Here are a few pictures mostly of our beach fun!

Olivia getting spoiled with constant attention!

I love her in those sunglasses.

Looking at the "pinches"

She was obsessed with them.

Her favorite thing to do was to sit in the sand with the "tits"(twins) and "mama"(grandma) and catch the crabs, put them in a bucket and then take them down to water and let them go.

She would scream "pinch" and then point down to the water and say, "home, home."

It was really cute.

Watching the family play in the waves.

She loved watching "mama" catch all the waves and would get so excited when she would ride one into shore to see her.

Throwing sand on me.

Yay!

Sharing a mango with aunti "phoph"

At the end of the pier.

She was a little hesitant about going in the water but uncle "sa sas" (Emerson) made her feel safe.

I love her little arm around his neck.

Isn't this the cutest?

My cute parents.

Making sure we get a good enough tan to get us through the winter!

More posts to come about the move and our first week in Salem!

Ryan & Sophia's wedding part 1.

Two months later I am finally posting about Ryan and Sophia's wedding. 

There will be 2 posts with lots and lots of pictures! 

So get ready.

I flew in Monday June 18th with Olivia.

My mom and the littles picked us up.

Olivia literally screamed with excitement when she saw them.

That night we went to Sophia's last bridal shower for both sides of the family.

Even though I had only been gone for 2 months it was still so fun to see everyone.

The week was full of hilarious craziness.

We had my aunt Hilary from San Francisco stay with us as well as my aunt Tiffany.

And if you know them you know there was never a dull moment.

I loved spending time with them, Sophia, and my mom and Olivia loved the CONSTANT attention she got from the 3 littles.

She was completely spoiled.

I got my snow cone like I planned and it was amazing.

And thanks to my aunt Tiffany's find, we enjoyed many fresh strawberry shakes.

And when I say fresh I mean fresh.

I don't even really like strawberry shakes but after trying these ones I've changed my mind.

They can be found at the local Taco Amigo (yes the creepy beat looking shack) right by Purple Turtle.

Apparently they are seasonal so I'd go check them out a.s.a.p.

Oh and the peach ones are apparently just as good.

Thank you aunt Tiffany for having the courage to order a shake from that shack because I honestly would have never stopped by.

But it's been a good lesson for me to learn food wise.

In the future I will not be so hesitant to try different items from the beat up shacks.

I may end up finding the very best things!

We spent 3 straight days baking.

Thank goodness for the help I had.

Tiffany was incredible and Hilary found out that she had a natural talent for frosting.

She was pro.

We baked and frosted over 360 sugar cookies and 360 cupcakes.

Homemade everything.

We did have some burning problems and larger than life sticky messes but we did it and they turned out perfect.

Looks and taste wise! 

Oh and I was able to frost my very first wedding cake.

It was definitely time consuming and I really thought I might lose my hand but I also am proud of the way it turned out.

After all it was my first time!

 (The pictures will be on the part 2 post.)

The temple ceremony was beautiful.

I enjoyed every second of it and was so grateful to be a part of it.

The reception was of course gorgeous.

And it was so fun to see everyone.

You will see a few pictures of the flowers and of course Sophia's bouquet.

And I just wanted to make it known that my very best friend Leslie did them.

Yes she was the florist and the flowers were stunning.

I'm so proud to call her my best friend:)

Enjoy all the pictures and stay tuned for 1 more post.

(I won't ramble as much in that one.)

 So excited to finally be with her aunts and uncle!

She screamed and squeeled the whole way home.

The shower.

 Olivia admiring beautiful baby Abigail. (Annabelle's youngest)

 Olivia and grandma watching Sophia open presents!

 Me and Soph.

 Loving my raspberry snow cone with cream.

 So glad I was able to be there when Sophia received her endowments!

So proud of her.

We had an amazing time at the temple.

Of course!

And then enjoyed some yummy desserts with Ryan and his parents at Applebees.

June 23, 2012

Ryan and Sophia's wedding day.

Isn't she precious.

They are married!

Olivia congratulating aunti "roph" and uncle "yaya".

She did not want to let go.

The bridesmaids.

Family and close friends right after the sealing.

The Farr/Brown sides of the family.

Our family.

(Minus Winston who was greatly missed, but we are so proud of him!)

All the kids.

Thinking of Winston!

(We each did the sign in sign language for each letter in Winston's name. 

Michael ended with the I love you sign!

After pictures and that fun stuff the prince and princess drove away in their carriage with Mcdonalds in hand to the Farr home.

(My mom surprised them)

The Reception.

Olivia jumping on the tramp with all the cousins.

Don't you just die over those little cowboy boots!

Sophia with all her bridesmaids.

Lucky Ryan!

The bridesmaids and the groomsmen.

The Farr girls:)

I love this picture.

Oh and I am not sure if I mentioned this but I was her matron of honor:)

It was so fun to call myself that!

Sophia and her brothers.

The family.

Part 2 coming very soon!