It’s DC’s most beautiful time of the year… sakura season! †On Saturday, we went out to DC with my parents, my brother and my sister-in-law to go see the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin in DC. I’ve gone every year since returning to DC, but last year we went a little late and missed the peak bloom. We had better luck this year, though, and were able to catch the blossoms in full bloom, just in time for the main Sakura Matsuri weekend event during the National Cherry Blossom Festival! Mio was so excited to go from the moment we told her we were going the night before, and she kept exclaiming, “We’re going to see the cherry blossoms! My name means ‘beautiful cherry blossom!’ We’re going to go see them!!!'” I love that she loves the meaning of her name, and can get so excited about the flower that is her namesake.
Mio on the Metro to DC Saturday morning on the Metro with the girls Mio eating some onigiri that my mom made for the outing Family outing to see the cherry blossoms!
Blossoms surrounding the Washington Monument Our family with the Washington Monument Mirei and Mio riding in the stroller
Ted & Elisa under the blossoms My parents under the sakura Love our girls ♥ Mio playing with Mirei in the stroller Mirei loves when Mio plays with her! M&M being silly Mio was in such a great mood to be with everyone… especially when Uncle Ted pushed them in the stroller!
Mio giggling her way through the cherry blossoms:
Arriving at the MLK Memorial Yet another family photo ruined by a photobombing by Ted Ted & Elisa at the Tidal Basin photo by my Dad
Some of the pinkest blossoms we found Catching the end of the cherry blossom parade
After seeing the cherry blossoms, we had lunch in DC together (we wanted to eat at Daikaya, but we ended up going to Full Kee instead because the wait was two hours!), and then took the Metro back home in the afternoon. DC was so crowded and we got a lot of walking in, so we were exhausted! All of us took a nap when we got home. We’re so glad we could see the cherry blossoms together with almost the whole family this year!
Yesterday was a very special day for our family, as my younger brother Ted got married to his girlfriend of four years, Elisa! Their wedding was at beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in the wedding, and it was great being a part of the lovely celebration of the happy couple’s love!
Mio and I before the wedding. It rained a little in the afternoon, but the sun came out just in time for the ceremony! Mio sharing a moment with her favorite uncle before the wedding. Oh the excitement! The ceremony begins with the mothers lighting the unity candle. The groom Ted enters with his groomsmen. Processional of the bridesmaids led by myself. Here comes the bride! Ted and Elisa at the altar Reading their vows together… they had each other in tears. (A rarity since I haven’t seen Ted cry since he was a child!) Exchange of rings Officially husband and wife! Happy groom! Happy bride! Cupcake tower at the wedding! Loved their cake topper! Mio got to sneak a mini cupcake before the reception began! Entrance of the bride and groom at the reception Mr. & Mrs. Ted & Elisa Yokoyama The couple sharing their first dance. …which then turned into the Harlem Shake! The couple coming around to our table. Mio gets some love from Uncle Ted! Congratulations Ted & Elisa! Love this picture! The bride & groom with our parents. “Bottoms up!” This picture of Mio cracks me up. Another gem of Mio… take note of her expression.
They even had goodie bags prepared for the kids at the wedding!
The cake-cutting!
Mio had so much fun on the dance floor!
Glowsticks in hand. …and in her hair. Mio and Mama dancing. “Congratulations Uncle Ted!” Mio loves her uncle. 🙂
The whole wedding was a beautiful celebration that reflected Ted and Elisa very well. We wish them the best in their new life together as husband and wife. Welcome to the family, Elisa! Congratulations to the couple on this wonderful start to their happily ever after. ♥
My soon-to-be sister-in-law Elisa’s birthday is on Valentine’s Day, and we had a birthday dinner at our house for her on Friday! My mom prepared a delicious sashimi dinner while I was tasked with making the cake! Elisa is one of the girliest girls I know and loves pink, so I wanted to make a very princess-y cake that would befit the birthday girl!
I have wanted to try a ruffle frosting technique that I’d seen on Pinterest a while back, and I thought that this was the perfect opportunity! I stacked ombre layers of the cake on the inside, and frosted light pink ruffles all around the cake. I was pretty happy with the result!
Ruffle cake for Elisa’s birthday
Top view of ruffle cake
Ruffling detail on the sides
Happy birthday Elisa! ⤠The birthday girl loved it – Mission accomplished!
The ombre pink layers turned out pretty well, too!
