{and the wedding festivities begin!}

wow, sorry for my prolonged absence! it's been a busy week!

i spend much of my free time getting invites together for my sister's
bridal shower (so sad i forgot to take photos -- they came out really lovely)
and making a thorough list of everything that needs to be done before the shower.
and i have to say, i am a bit overwhelmed, especially when you
mix in a jewelry deal i have coming up on a blog {more on that later}, other
shop-related things and being asked to work more hours at the day job, with production
just around the corner. right now, i am wondering how i am going to get everything
done. especially with a week-long vacation thrown in (yes, i said week-long vacation).
but i am so thankful that joel are going to be able to take an extended trip,
just the two of us, and i am determined to make it work.

i was able to squeeze some time in with friends this week,
and it was so refreshing and energizing.
i need to make sure i make that a priority these next couple of months,
no matter how busy things get. it is so much easier said than done.

anyway, i never got a chance to share photos of my weekend in grand rapids with
my sister and all her bridesmaids. it.was.a.blast.  there were ridiculous amounts
of laughter & girl talk. such a perfect way to kick off my sister's wedding season :)
it is coming so fast (october 8)!!!!

we started the weekend off with a picnic in the park :)

that's my beautiful sister in the middle. i think every picture i took of her she's playing with her hair (or, as in this photo, in the process of doing so). we are definitely sisters. (i play with my hair all the time too. just ask my co-workers.)

yay, we got the self-timer on my camera to work! my sister has some really great bridesmaids (and a really awesome MOH ;))

another group shot before dinner.

peeking into the house my sister and her fiance will be living in come fall. it is SO cute!! can't wait to visit :D