Emily in California & Maile & Scott's Wedding

The reason I flew back to California instead of driving with Adam to DC was because my good friend Maile was getting married!! Her wedding was in San Diego and I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids! Adam's DC adventures will be posted shortly!

From the moment I landed, I was having a great time. Maybe it was the welcoming party that picked us up! Thanks Ray & Mitch!! And it could have also been stuffing myself full of samosas, naan and curry at India Cookhouse.

In case I forgot what Mitch and Ray looked like

Renee and Mitch at dinner

The next morning I was off to San Diego. Before I left, I had a chance to see Don Stigar (just for a few minutes) which was really nice. Don is the Maintenance Supervisor in Mesa Court and he is good people. I had an awesome drive down the 5 freeway and killed some time at the Carlsbad Outlets and Target before I met up with Maile and her family. We spent the afternoon putting together wedding favors and programs, and making sure that other details for the big day were in order.

Maile and her grandmother with the wedding favors

Maile is allergic to macadamia nuts, but her wedding favors had macadamia nut cookies and macadamia nut Kisses in them. Too funny! Her grandmother made me eat all the broken cookies too... she really had to twist my arm... ;)

The bubbles that were tied around the programs

Friday felt like one of the craziest days ever, probably moreso for the bride-to-be! From getting our nails done, finishing up wedding programs, picking up the dress and suit, getting wedding rentals, preparing for the rehearsal & dinner, meeting up with friends- we got a lot done!

The Takaharas and Sanders were meeting for the first time at the rehearsal!!

Maile's little brothers bonding

The cute ring bearer and flower girl getting their pix taken

The next morning started off bright and early for hair & makeup. I took hundreds of photos, but here are just a few. The wedding was absolutely beautiful, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. Maile was a little concerned that it might rain, but it was a sunny day in La Jolla! I am soooo happy for Maile. Her and Scott have been together for a long time and it was so nice to see them tie the knot. And of course, I cried. Ha ha.

The bride getting all done up!

Traci getting her makeup done

Maile's turn!

Me in my dress with the beautiful bride!

It's official! It's Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Maile Sanders!



Filling Maile & Scott's getaway car with balloons

Always the multi-tasker

Sami tying the noisy cans to the car

Traci & I approve!

Details of the wedding- I love all the little things that make a wedding come together. Maile and Scott had different Japanese and Hawaiian elements to their weddings, including a lei ceremony where they gave each other's families leis, the flowers (tons of orchids), the music, and of course the 1001 cranes put together into an amazing mural. I was impressed and happy that I was able to contribute a few cranes to the final product.

At the end of the night, it was time to drive home. When I walked into Jennifer's house, she was shocked because...I was wearing a dress! And had my hair done! And my nails done! And had a little bit of make up done! I then proceed to keep her up all night talking about the wedding, etc. until she kicked me out because she was exhausted from work.

The next morning we had brunch/lunch with Renee and John. It was so good to see John. I hadn't seen him since just after he had been diagnosed with cancer. He had been accepted to do some experimental treatments at UCLA and was in the hospital for three weeks and had just gotten back home. He was looking and sounding great. It was really good to see him and to see both him and Renee in such positive spirits.

They let me into their new car! I took my shoes off first, though!

John, me and Renee

I have no idea what we did that afternoon. Maybe errands? I just remember Jennifer saying "Let's do whatever you want to do" and I would respond with "Whatever!" Eventually, though, we made it to Disneyland where we met up with Tim and watched the terrible new Disneyland parade. The Parade of Dreams ("Welcome to our family") is much better than this new block party thing they are doing. That entire evening, though, was full of ridiculousness and laughter. I am not sure I laughed that hard in some time.

Last ever butter pecan ice cream in California's Adventure?

This photo makes me laugh. We didn't mean to cross legs. We were just doing the Tim Trevan thing (imagine us yelling "Let's do it!")