Since visiting Dutch Wonderland for the first time nearly two years ago, Mio has been continuing to rave about how much fun she had and how much she wants to go again. They say kids have such a short-term memory, but I was impressed that the theme park had made such a huge impression on Mio that she was still talking about it two years later! We couldn’t go last year because Mirei had just been born and required so much attention, but we really wanted to take both of them this summer! Mio’s wish came true when we took a day trip up to Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Sunday, July 19th to revisit Dutch Wonderland!
Mirei’s first time at Dutch Wonderland!
In line for the Turtle Whirl ride with Daddy
Mio & Mirei on the Sky Fighter ride together
Mio and I are astronauts!
Dan and Mio as astronauts!
M&M on the Wonder Whip together. They loved it!
You can hear Mio screaming in delight in the video below!
Cooling down at Duke’s Lagoon water park at Dutch Wonderland
Mio loves the water park!
Our little princess in the castle tower!
Enjoying Rita’s Italian ice
On the Dragon’s Lair log boat – one of Mio’s favorites!
Mio and I in line for the Sky Ride. Mirei couldn’t go on because she was too small.
Mio and I riding the Sky Ride
Mio and I on the Joust Family Coaster. Mio is such a thrillseeker – she loved it, while I was more scared! lol
Riding the rollercoaster with Daddy this time
Leapin’ Frogs ride
The girls on the Duke’s Dozers ride
Mio on the Balloon Chase ride with me
Knight and Princess!
Mio was so brave, she wanted to ride this Kite Flight ride with me.
Mio’s absolute favorite ride is the merry-go-round!
Going for round two with Daddy
Look at that content smile! I think her bucket is filled!
Sweet 18 month old Mirei
Mirei waving at the camera
For our last ride, we went on the Wonderland Special train ride!
Saying goodbye to Dutch Wonderland
Thanks for another wonderful time, Dutch Wonderland! We’ll be back next year!
Saturday, June 20th was Dan’s company’s annual family picnic, and there were lots of rides and activities for kids and we had a great time again this year!
Mio and I on a spinning ride together
Mio got her face painted Frozen-style!
Enjoying some free frozen treats
Mirei staring intensely at her surroundings (as she tends to do)
We spent a Sunday afternoon at Lake Accotink Park with my girlfriends that I used to attend Japanese Saturday school with, and all of our kids! We’ve known each other since we were first grade and attended nine years of HoshÅ«kÅ together, and now we’re all moms with children. It was great catching up, although it was a little difficult at times with five little ones running around!
Mirei and Lilly going down the slide together.
Mio REALLY wanted to ride the carousel, and she finally got to after we played at the playground for a while.
Mirei got to ride the carousel, too!
Can’t believe we’re all mommies now! This is the “messy” photo of us trying to get the kids to pose before taking a group photo.
Group photo with Marie and Erri and all of our babies! The kids look so enthused…
Mio was exhausted and fell asleep on the way home…
Mirei playing in the backyard later that afternoon…
Patriotic Mio waving the American flag, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance
Here are some unrelated but cute videos we took of Mirei recently, too!
Mirei waving from the window when I came back from work
Mirei giggling hysterically over grapes. I love how she finds humor on the simplest of things sometimes. 🙂
Our friends Angel and Brandon got married on June 6, and Mio was asked to be a flower girl at their beautiful wedding at Zion Springs Bed & Breakfast in Hamilton, Virginia! It was a laid-back but gorgeous wedding full of lovely DIY details, and was full of fun, just like the couple! Thank you Angel and Brandon for letting us be a part of your big day!
The wedding festivities started with the rehearsal dinner on Friday night. It was Mio’s second time being a flower girl in the span of two weeks!
Angel and I have been friends since middle school, so we’ve known each other for two decades! I couldn’t wait to see her walk down the aisle as a gorgeous bride.
Saturday was the wedding day, and it was a beautifully sunny day, perfect for an outdoor ceremony and reception at the tranquil bed & breakfast venue.Â
Photos from Angel’s and Brandon’s childhoods Flower girl reporting for duty! Flower girl and ringbearer Dan & I waiting for the ceremony to begin Mio running down as the flower girl. She stopped for a few seconds, dismayed that some flowers fell out of her flower ball, but eventually came down. Angel being walked down by her father. It was a gorgeous wedding ceremony! Mirei the lush. (No worries, bottle was empty.)
There were so many lovely details at the wedding, as you’ll see from the photos…
Menu written on the window
Angel’s sister Virginia made this adorable Totoro cake topper out of fondant!
Dessert table!
There were some lawn games that Angel had created herself, which kept the guests busy and entertained throughout the night. 16 month old Mirei on the steps of the bed & breakfast, taking in the scene.
The happy couple listening to the toasts The cake-cutting Guests dancing the night away
Mio wasn’t afraid to kick off her heels and join in the dancing!
Enjoying the food, dancing, and libations.
As it got dark, the pathway down the lawn to leave the wedding was lit with candles on either side. It was breathtaking!
Thank you Angel & Brandon for letting us be a part of one of the most memorable days of your lives! It was such a fun and classy celebration, and we were thrilled to be there. 🙂
