Kaiya's first trip and Laura loves!

So, I returned home yesterday from my wonderful trip out to California from my friend, Laura's wedding! It was such a great trip! I have to first say that although I was really nervous about flying for the first time with Kaiya, she was such an absolute champ!! She slept through all the flying and there were really no big hiccups! Except that my driver's license had expired and I had no idea until I got up to the ticket counter to check in for my flight. But after some additional screening, they let me through, thank goodness! So, a word of advice, since I know most people never even look at it, check your expiration date on your license!! Anyway, the trip was so fun and I'm sooo happy that we were able to go out there! Aaron and Debbie and their boys were able to meet baby Kaiya for the first time, we were able to have lots of fun playing with my cute nephews (who grow and change so much every time I see them), and do lots of fun wedding stuff! We sure wished that daddy could have come, though, cause Kaiya and I missed Chris like crazy!! (And Chase too!)

A few of my cute, cute nephews! I love these boys!

Thursday night was the rehearsal dinner and it was a lot of fun to see old friends and meet so many other wonderful people who have influenced Mark and Laura's lives.

Laura (the bride), Wendy, me and Kaiya
Then Friday it was off to Huntington/Laguna Beach for the weekend and the wedding. I had to leave baby Kaiya for the first time and I had no idea it would be so hard! Luckily she was in some of the best and most expereinced hands (thanks soooo much, Deb and Aaron) and I know she had a blast with her little cousins! But still, mom's heart was aching to hold her the entire time I was gone! I missed her soooo, sooooo bad! Friday night Laura's family had a big dinner celebration and it was so awesome! They did a lot of really cool cultural traditions (Laura is Arabic) and it was a lot of fun hanging out with her fun family! Just to back up a bit, Laura's family was like my second family growing up! We were best friends through so many important years and I love Laura and I love her family like they were my own! It was really special for me to be able to share in this special time with all of them!

Lots of dancing
And painting the bride's hand with henna

Then Saturday was the wedding. It was beyond beautiful, because of the setting, because of the occasion, and because of Laura! The ceremony was on this beautiful terrace that overlooked the ocean and the weather was so nice! Laura looked so amazing and I think she would agree that she got her perfect day! I am so hapy for she and Mark to start their new lives together!! I was also sooo thrilled to see one of my other best friends, Wendy, who was at the weddding as well. Wendy, Laura, and I were completely inseperable growing up and I have so, so many special memories with both of them! I am so thankful that we could all be reunited for a few short days! It was a blast!

Isn't this place incredible?!
Laura and her dad coming down the aisle -- she looked so beautiful!
Laura and Mark eat their first dinner together as hubby and wife...with a bit of an interruption from me!
My girls...and I love 'em!

CONGRATS, LAURA! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!