On Tuesday, the last day of March, my parents and I took the girls out for an outing to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, as the weather is finally starting to warm up! It’s my Dad’s favorite local garden/park to go to, so it’s become a sort of annual tradition to visit a few times a year! He took a lot of photos, so I thought I’d share some here on the blog.
Grumpy-faced Mirei
Mio by the water.
Obaachan feeding Mirei snacks
Mio looking out at the geese from the interactive children’s garden
The girls with their grandparents
A video of the girls at the Interactive Children’s Garden area:
Look at those towering plants!
Mio loves this park too, and she was happily skipping and running all over the place!
Mio running ahead of my parents
Some videos from when we got to the gazebo:
The girls sitting in the gazebo. I love the plaque that reads, “We are all meant to shine.”
Such sweethearts.
Mio giving Mirei a hug! So adorable.
Sisters, but they look so different.
No more nice sister! Mio yanking the water bottle away from Mirei.
Taking a rest before heading back to the car.
I love this photo of a couple sitting by the pond, watching the geese. The gardens will be even more beautiful when all the flowers come into bloom!
My parents wanted to go see the peonies that were in bloom at Meadowlark Gardens, so we went on Friday morning to walk around the gardens and admire the flowers. Here are some snapshots I took on my phone!
Looking down at the fish and turtles at Meadowlark.
This time of year is gorgeous with all the beautiful fall foliage. Dan took some footage of Mio last weekend enjoying autumn, and created this sweet video! (Make sure to watch in HD!)
I love that Dan can create these beautiful videos that we can look back on when Mio is older to remember how she was in her younger years. I’m sure she’ll love to watch them, too! (If you missed the one he made this past spring, you can find it here.)
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. ♥
The weather was beautiful last Saturday, so we spent the afternoon at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. The park has become a favorite place for Mio to go, because my parents and I have taken her at least a half dozen times in the past six months. She loves seeing all the geese and koi fish around the pond, even in the cold winter months. We usually go during the weekdays while Dan is at work, though, so this was Dan’s first time going to Meadowlark. Spring has made it even more beautiful, as a lot of the flowers (especially the tulips!) are in bloom now.
Mio hanging out with the geese at Meadowlark Gardens
Walking hand in hand with Auntie Miwa.
She just melts my heart…
Taking a break at the gazebo and bridge overlooking the pond.
A family picture. 🙂
A picture with just the girls.
We saw some snapping turtles!
Mio loved seeing the geese, turtles, and fish in the pond. She kept pointing and naming them.
An exultant Mio.
Mio against a sea of tulips!
A picture with Mama… …on the condition that I let her try on my sunglasses. Planting a kiss on Auntie Miwa’s cheek. Giving Mama a kiss! She’s on a kissing spree! So sweet I think I’m going to get cavities just looking at this picture. Gorgeous tulips at Meadowlark Gardens A fountain surrounded by tulips.
Dan also took some great video clips from this past weekend, including some moments from this outing. We’ll post when he’s done editing it! 🙂 Â I love that the weather is getting warmer and we can have more outdoor outings!
