If I don't start posting about some of the happenings from the past few weeks, they may get lost in the mix of current events. Again, this post will probably be a bit of a mishmash, but that's representative of how life is going around here lately, anyway.
After the New Year, after our guests had dispersed, and after Taylor and Lynnea had left for Las Vegas, I had one day to pack my bags and prepare to fly to SLC to help my sister, Jill, with her son Josh's wedding the following weekend. I had planned to fly there mid week, then Bill and the girls would drive out on Friday for the wedding festivities.
I arrived at the airport about an hour before my flight. I waited in a very long express line to check my bag as I watched the people in the non-express line fly through the check-in process. When it was finally my turn, I was told that my bag was late (most likely due to the 20 minutes I stood in the express line, ya think?), and that it would most likely not make my flight. Lucky for me, it could make the next flight to SLC. I felt the tears coming on as Bill rushed with me to security. Oh my. An eternal line again. Making a long story short(er), sweaty and panting at the gate, I was told that my seat had been given to a stand-by passenger, and I would need to wait for the following flight, an hour-and-a-half later. If that flight was full, I could continue to stand by all day, if necessary. I'll admit it, I shed a tear or two. As it turns out, my bag made the first flight, and I was lucky enough to nab a seat on the second flight. Seriously, things could only go up from there.
Finally in SLC, Britt and I went to the final fitting of her dress, then ran by the reception site to discuss set-up.
That evening these fine women (Aunt Angela, Aunt Robyn, and Grandma)
threw Britt a bridal shower.
(Austin's mom and sister)
It was fun to celebrate with family and friends in Utah. Living in CO for so long (going on 10 years next month), I hadn't seen some of our extended family for ages.
The next evening I attended a shower for my nephew's fiance Kayla, given by my SIL, Lia.
(Note: I was not a master picture taker at ANY of the events throughout the week -- I really should learn how to use my point-and-shoot better -- but at least I took pictures, regardless of their poor quality and lack of some important content.)
On Friday afternoon we headed to the reception site at the Kimball Home at This is the Place Heritage Park to help pre-set for the reception the following day.
(I'd bet you would never guess what was in this Thule if you saw it driving down the street)
Many hands make work light. And fun. Even if it's tedious work.
My family arrived later that day (except for Taylor and Lynnea, who were driving from Las Vegas that evening), and we met up at the JSMB for a dinner held in Josh and Kayla's honor.
(Bill giving my brother a kiss... Marty is such a good sport to put up with a BIL like Bill)
The morning of the wedding looked like this:
Taylor and Lynnea made it! Hooray!
(I forgot to bring a coat to UT, and Bill had kindly grabbed one for me at home before he left. Nice and big and green. But I was grateful.)
Austin and Britt. Just waiting for their big day.
Josh's two grandmas... cutest picture ever.
(Don't you love trying to shoot alongside the professional photographer and twenty other people??)
Jill, Josh, and Stan. Awwww.....
The groomsmen.
Those sassy bridesmaids.
Grandparents.
Bill's attempt to dip me. And he wonders why I think he might drop me on my head when he dips.
After carefully scrutiny of the following picture of my BIL's technique,
I believe leg placement makes all the difference. See Stan's broad stance? Bill and I will need to practice for Britt's wedding, since we plan to be as embarrassing as parents can possibly be. Anyone have a good choreographed dance we could learn in the next two weeks?? (And are dips appropriate on temple grounds?)
Sweet.
The Help.
(Yes, I DID crop myself out of this picture... the only picture of me in the kitchen, and who knows what the heck I was doing, but it wasn't pretty. Or even pleasant.)
Towards the end of the evening we took a kitchen break and visited with Bill's parents for a while. And ate chocolate kisses. Lots and lots of chocolate kisses.
Bill and I practiced our dance moves for Britt and Austin's wedding.
Tay and Nate performed their groomsmen duties well.
It was so fun to have Taylor and Josh get married close together.
Two full weeks of wedding madness (I couldn't have done it without my sister), but two weeks of happiness, love, family togetherness, excitement, and joy. We'll be back at it again in just a couple of weeks.
