Goodbye, Gigi

I got a call from my Mama this morning that our dear Gigi went to be with Jesus. I found this really old picture of us and it makes my heart happy.

Weekend Update

This is what I did for most of the weekend...

But first, last week we had a small birthday party for a friend. I love impromptu get-togethers.

We had a shower last week for a colleague at school who is getting married.

It was so fun to celebrate.

This past weekend we had a baby shower for Michelle! Here we are getting ready.

Oh it looked adorable. Allison did such a great job with the decorations!

All the food! All the color!

Michelle gave us a bottle of wine as a hostess gift.

Here we are at the party.

Me & Malart {& Reagan}!

Wish I had a garden so I could just go pick some peonies.

Whew. Ok, so most of my weekend was spent with sweet Gigi! So many of our family members drove in to sit with her as she waits for heaven.

Even though it is agonizing watching our dear Gigi like this, it was good to be with my sisters, Mama, aunts & others.

We found this in her Bible. What a wonderful morning resolve.

Life lately

Oh my. I can't believe it's already Sunday night. These weekends go by too fast.

Last weekend I went to a student's birthday party at a strawberry farm.

So fun (and a bit strange) to see students outside of school. They loved picking strawberries.

Last week we went to visit sweet Gigi. It felt so good to sit next to her and hold her hand.

Becca & Brian came this weekend. So great to have them here! Becca and I went to Cocktail Club on Friday night and I introduced her as "my friend since we were 3 years old". There are few people you can say that about. :)

I've been wanting to do something with this space in our apartment, and preferably have something that can double as a buffet table for appetizers, etc. A couple weeks ago I found this table at Sleepy Poet and hauled it home after weeks of looking for something. Maybe I'll get the energy to paint it this summer, or just wait til we move into a place where we can paint the walls so there's not so much white/cream going on.

Have a great week!

I'm an AUNT!!!

to a kitty!!!

That's right, Lucy got a dittlewittlekitty. Her name is Phoebe.

Last night Lucy and her friend came over for dinner after a quick trip to Ikea and Trader Joe's. It was so great having her here. {Ginna, sorry your "invitation" got lost in the mail.}

It's the most happiest day ever. I love to travel to different cities {and countries} but there's nothing like a Saturday at home.

Weekend Update

We left Japan Friday morning.

We stopped to get lunch.

On the way home it went so much faster than our trip to Japan. We flew over Alaska! It was breathtaking!

We came back to Oak Ridge to help Lucy Goosey move into her new apartment, then we went to see Gigi before heading back to the QC. Andrew read her the Easter story.

I loved making this unconventional Easter basket for Andrew. Why buy a chocolate bunny if he wouldn't eat it?

Easter dinner was my favorite. I made deviled eggs and after church we went to our friend's house along with about 5 other families for a feast. It was so relaxing and there were like 16 kids running around in their sweet, smocked outfits. We sat outside and as one friend put it, it was a taste of heaven.

Last day in Tokyo

So yesterday was "my day" to plan. I decided that I wanted some alone time wandering around our hotel in the morning. Someone recommended Mister Donut to me before I left the States, so I knew I had to try it out. I first ordered this pink one but it didn't taste good, so then I went back and got an original glazed. You can't go wrong with those.

We went to the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo. I love going to art museums as art is appreciated worldwide.

There was a Jackson Pollock exhibit.

Then we went to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building to the top observation view of the city.

Endless sprawl. Seriously, so many buildings/houses.

Andrew reading the map and leading the way! I would be lost without him.

Meiji Shrine!

Made our way to Yoyogi Park and enjoyed sitting on a bench while people watching.

Then we went to the two-story Starbucks to overlook the view of Shibuya Crossing. After walking all over the city, it was nice to enjoy a cold drink.

Before.

After.

A moment at Shibuya Crossing.

Last night we met up with our friends, the Nowaks, and went to kaitzenzushi where small plates of sushi goes around a conveyor belt and you can take your pick.

City lights.

We're about to head to the airport! Here's to traveling halfway around the world! xo

We're tourists

Prepare for photo overload!

We took the train yesterday to Waseda, Andrew's old campus.

Yes, let's.

They have these vending machines everywhere. Although I never see anyone use them.

Loved finding this!

Going down into the subway.

Our luggage! Our luggage! It was like Christmas!!

We went to look at temples yesterday.

A really short door.

We found this quaint little street fair.

Last night we met one of Andrew's old friends for dinner and then coffee. Before we left I had planned to wander around Trader Joe's looking for things to bring to his Japanese friends. I finally decided in Target that brownie mixes travel well and might be well received. Yoshi told us his wife will be excited to make them.

Today (Thursday) is MY DAY!!! We've got a full day planned here on our last day in Tokyo. Now, I need to go get ready for our hotel's continental breakfast which includes things like: miso soup, bowls of rice, fried noodles, and rice balls.