weekend update: #eastersleepoverweekend

whew. it's taken me til THURSDAY to post my weekend update. it's been a busy week at work, and tonight my sister Galina flies into town. I've tried to keep it real chill this week gearing up for another full weekend! really happy to have some family coming to town.

ok- last weekend, of course, was Easter. Hunter was out of town (not that I would have spent Easter with him anyway) but in passing I mentioned I didn't really have Easter plans, and that's when Andrea took me in.

Saturday she had planned a surprise birthday party for her mom that I was invited to anyway; add in the family fish fry on Friday, and I had to stay the weekend. I didn't have a choice!

Friday: Andrea & her family made a big deal out of this traditional Nicaraguan meal, and I couldn't figure out why. until I got my fish. she said, "they're no Parish fish-sticks." uh, agreed! also- how great is Mr. Mario in his fish fry outfit? the food was spectacular. 

Saturday: we headed to Arrington Vineyards for Andrea's mom, Tania, 's carefully orchestrated surprise birthday party. I had never been before, but I absolutely loved it! like, so much that I want to take Galina back this weekend.

it was THE most beautiful day, and we got to spend it all outside. here's what our view looked like!

Andrea did an amazing job hauling everything (secretly!) to the vineyard. 

how cute is she and her mom & dad? Tania promised us she really was surprised. 

and I got to hang with the most adorable Latino babies so I was really happy. check out that bracelet one of them made for me!

the little one in the pink [Kiara] came up to me speaking Spanish, and I had to be suuuuper white and say "uhhh, sorry. what?"

the little one that I'm holding [Mia] who we hung out with all weekend told everyone, "Priya speaks really good Spanish." so I'm thinking, take that! then Tania asked, "oh yeah, what does she say in good Spanish?" Mia says, "Mia! it's a Spanish word." thanks, gurl.

Sunday: Easter! started off with Easter Mass, a totally new experience for me.

Katya, Andrea's super awesome Russian friend from work, brought these eggs with decals on them. btw- Russia like, invented Easter eggs. anyway, I made her cut the egg out of mine so I could keep the decal, because they were so pretty! as was the table set-up for lunch.

my girl & I in our Easter's best! happy to have a new-ish, great friend like her!

this was my contribution to Easter lunch. guys, they make WHITE chocolate Reese's eggs. mind. blown.

the Robleto's are the best. what fun, vibrant company. I can't say how thankful I am to have family-like friends away from my family. thank you Robletos for letting me stay the weekend!!


oh- did I mention they are hilarious? since I laughed pretty dang hard a few times this weekend, I jotted down a few quotes to enjoy later, as I do sometimes. enjoy with me:

[discussing ways to leave the house for the surprise party]
Mario: "you can go do some Pi Delta stuff...or whatever it is you girls do."

[concerning a friend who had to leave "early" on Friday night]
Ethan: "why did they have to leave?"
Andrea: "Because Carlos is going to Japan in the morning."

[a conversation with Tania about all the cell phones she's had]
Tania: "ooooh, that phone was my favorite!"
Me: "You just said the 'Chocolate' was your favorite."
Tania: "no."

[Luis greeting us on Sunday]
Luis: "everyone is looking nice! Ethan, you are looking very fresh."
Ethan: "Iiiiii wore this yesterday."
Luis: "no, you are looking fresh!"

[Mario's thoughts post-Mass]
"Father Mark is the bomb."


three cheers for friendship! on that note, Galina touches down in a few hours. I'll be back with more tales from the weekend soon. have a great one, friends!