So much going on!

This past week was crazy for us! It began with Jack and I heading downtown to the LA flower mart to pick up the flowers for Brandon's and Kari's wedding on Wednesday morning. Jack was so good and didn't fuss at all. I think he actually enjoyed it, he had so much to look at down there. I made the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres and the flower girl's kissing ball for the wedding, so I started working on those as soon as we got home from Los Angeles. My grandparents came into town Wednesday evening and I made my easy carnitas tacos for them, which they loved (recipe to follow).

Thursday morning my grandparents came over again and helped me make the boutonnieres, (which I had 10 to make) while I finished the bridesmaids bouquets(6) as well as the toss bouquet, corsages(4) and the kissing ball. I threw together the green bean casserole that I was bringing and he headed out to our first Thanksgiving feast. There were about 50 people there from our family, Kari's family and her sister's in laws. Kari's older sister Karla and her hubby Vince hosted it and did an amazing job. Everything came together well and everyone enjoyed each others company.

The Matron of Honor's Bouquet

Our huge Family

Our Little Family

Chatting with Each Other

Next we headed off to Tom's family's Thanksgiving. It was a nice surprise that his Uncle and cousin from northern California made it down since we weren't expecting them. We ate massive amounts of food and ended the evening chatting while the boys went outside and smoked their pipes. We got home around 11:30 and I got straight back to work on the flowers. I finished wrapping the bouquets in the ribbon, which takes so much longer than people realize. Then, I made the groom's boutonniere and the bride's bouquet. Everything came out just the way I had hoped it would. We went to bed at 3 and got as much sleep as we could before the big day.

Jack and his cousin Joey

Tom and Jack with Uncle Lance and Evan

Friday morning we got up and ready to be at my Dad's house for the girl's pictures. Kari loved the bouquets and so did the bridesmaids. After the girls finished their pictures, we all headed over to the church. The ceremony was gorgeous and of course I cried. It's my baby brother getting married, so it's understandable right? The couple looked stunning as always. The reception was at my Dad's house and we had cake and champagne with everyone and later in the evening dinner with the family. They had a table of cupcakes as their cake and while I was in the bedroom nursing Jack, somebody (I won't say who) knocked over the table with the cake on it and they all went crashing to the floor. Brandon and Kari took it with grace though and laughed it off. My stepdad saved the day and went to Vons and got them a couple cakes so they could at least have their wedding cake tradition.

The Gorgeous Couple Relaxing at the Reception

The Siblings

My Beautiful Sisters! ...Note their bouquets :)

Kari and Savannah

Me with my Mom and Jack

The Ladies

They're SO Excited!! :)

Saturday my family all came over here and we had the whole day to hang out and visit with them. It was really nice to not have any plans and just enjoy the day and the time together. Sadly, my out of town family had to leave Sunday morning so after we had breakfast with them at their hotel we said our goodbyes.

Carnitas Recipe:
Pork shoulder (last time I got 3 lbs)
Jar of green salsa (whatever spicyness level you prefer)
6 cloves of garlic
water
1. Put pork shoulder in crock pot
2. Empty jar of salsa over meat
3. Place whole, peeled cloves of garlic on meat
4. Cover with water
5. Cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 6-8 hours
6. Take out meat and shred to remove fat
7. Serve with tortillas, guacamole, salsa, chips and whatever toppings you prefer
ENJOY!!