Shi and Kody's big day.

I am anxious to get this posted, even though I only have access to the pictures Bill and I snapped on our phones at the moment. I think I'll roll with it. I can always add more (from Austin, Jason & Lex, AND the photographer) as they trickle in. (I linked to Lex's blog at the bottom of this post, but wanted to link here, too... see the professional pics here!)

Bright and early on the 21st, Lo and I hopped into our packed vehicle to head to the Draper Temple (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). The few days prior had been fairly mild, as far as temperatures go, but we knew THIS day was forecasted to be quite cold, with a high temp of 27 degrees. I was surprised at the accuracy of the forecast, since I remember from years long past those UT forecasts were pretty unreliable. Hah, I guess improved technology helps in many areas ;-)

Bill sent us off with a happy dance in Britt and Austin's driveway.

There were a couple of hiccups that morning, although minor. We had to park quite far away from the temple (it was busy!), and Lo had forgotten to bring her temple clothes in from the car. I dutifully (and carefully) made the long trek back to the car to retrieve them for her. Once she was ready to change into her temple dress, she discovered that it had {so unfortunately} been saturated in the flood that had occurred in her and Kody's basement apartment that Monday due to a water heater breaking. Her dress, which she had purchased new just a month earlier for this special day, was super wrinkly, musty, and damp. Those sweet temple ladies were so helpful as we quickly picked out a dress from their collection (which consisted of all the SAME dress in varying sizes). It was a bit short on Shi's arms, and was a bit short in length, but she didn't let it phase her.

*Note: another not-so-pleasant event that happened that week was that Shilo's car was towed from her college apartment, as she was parked in the visitor's section due to another vehicle being her her paid spot. Let it be known that the towing company in Provo cares nothing for your situation, and you will only get you car back once you have paid the $175 fine. When she had returned to her apartment later that same day, the same car was still in her spot, even though she had requested the towing company come take it away, so she had to deal with calling them yet again and wasting more of her time. So frustrating. But Shilo handled it like a champ (after only a few tears).

There was no stopping this wedding, though.

Shi and Kody both made it, and it was a lovely sealing ceremony.

 It was as cold and blustery as it looks.

We had brought hand and feet warmers for everyone, but those attending the temple sealing couldn't wait to get into their cars and head over to the luncheon. I hung out with Lo and Ko, their photographer and videographer (thank you, Hailey Hawton!), and froze my hiney off with them.

It. Was. So. Cold.

After pictures, I headed over to the luncheon, which was at the same venue the reception would be that evening. I love this place!

This was an England London Mission table :-)

Some of Shi and Kody's companions, and Kody's first mission President and his wife, the Jordans. (Shilo was the first batch of missionaries to get to the mission after the change to President and Sister Stevens.)

I think these next two pics of Lo and Ko going through the buffet line are funny.

Im not sure what was said... there's a story there somewhere haha.

It was a lovely luncheon.

Afterwards, my little band and I started in on the reception prep.

I have to thank those who gave so much time {and emotional support} to help me pull it all off:

Billy-my-hero

Britt and Mar

my mum and dad

my sister Jill

my nieces Hannah and Rachael

my nephew Sam

my FIL Big Billy

Mic and Todd
Hailey

I hope I'm not forgetting anyone, but these peeps did NOT let me down.

I couldn't have done it without them!

Sorry I don't have many pics of the actual reception... I couldn't find my phone for most of the evening haha.

The reception was lovely. LOVELY.

It was so fun to catch up with some old old UT friends, some not-so-old Parker friends, and I am always amazed at everyone who comes to celebrate and support. Thank you!

Mar and Tay sang/played for the first dance.

Mar had been sick and wasn't sure if she could pull it off, but she did.

Thank you, my beautiful people.

It was a fantastic day.
More pictures to come, I'm sure.
The phone pics are a bit limited in scope, scale, and professionalism.
But when I need a moment to remember, they will do.

Post post: Lex posted over on her blog the professional pics from this lovely day. Check them out!

Bridals.

Shilo and Kody had scheduled to take their bridals on December 4th. Because there had not been a lot of snow around that time, and things looked pretty dead and brown, their photographer suggested they take indoor pictures at the Utah State Capitol. Shilo and Kody got ready for the indoor shoot, only to find out last minute that President Trump was at the State Capitol that day (seriously?? THAT EXACT DAY?), so they would need to change their location. They ended up back in the area they took their engagement photos, and it was blanketed with a beautiful layer of fresh snow.

It would have been perfect, had Ko and Lo (how's that for name-shortening nicknames?? I like it!) been prepared for the winter weather. They did, however, push through the frigid temps, wet feet, freezing body parts, and yes, even some falling snow... and it was totally worth it (says the person who didn't have to endure it and was most likely warm and cozy at the time haha).

Here are a few of my favorites:

None of my other children did bridal pictures. I think it wasn't so much of a "thing" at the time. I did bridals, but back in the 80's they were quite literally "bridals." I'm not quite sure what you do with them AFTER the wedding. I think my mom has this hanging somewhere...

Circa 1988

Such a better idea to have both the bride and groom in the pictures, wouldn't you agree?
Shilo and Kody were featured here.
I truly appreciate a photographer who will endure the elements as well to snap such fantastic pics!

Next up, Lo and Ko's big day :-)

Mauri catch up.

Gosh, I've got a lot to catch up on. I was hoping have more time to work on git'n 'er done today, but decided to take down Christmas trees/lights/decorations instead. Of course, after everything was carefully taken down and neatly tucked away, Taylor spotted {at least} 3 Christmas items we had missed. AAAUUUGGGHHH. It happens every time. 

Before I jump into Lo's wedding and our Christmas/New Year's festivities, I thought I would catch up a little on Mar. She started the swim season with the CV/DC Co-op team, and, in the few meets she has participated in, has done quite well. She, however, has not necessarily LOVED it, and still deals with some anxiety over competition (she says she likes the practices, though).

 (She's in lane 6 on the right in all pics)

Mar is super close to an A League time in her 50 and 100 Free, so we hope her coach will let her swim them a few more times before the season is over. I am proud of her pushing through and sticking with it.

As part of Christmas for Mar, I purchased tickets to go see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She has never seen a live performance of it, and I thought it would be something she would really like (since we wore out the soundtrack on countless road trips to CA when she was a wee babe). 

 We both LOVED it. Neither of us could stop smiling during the intermission, we were enjoying it so much. It was at a smaller theater over an hour away (with traffic) from our home, but it was stadium seating, and on the 4th row, we felt like the actors were literally right in front of us. It was so fun to see so much of the details that get missed in a large theater, and to see the acting skills of the performers... since we were up close and personal.

Bill is taking her to The King and I for her birthday next week. She's super excited for that, too.

A big thank you to my friend Marci for recommending "experiences" over "things" for Christmas.

One of Mar's choirs (she's in THREE) got to ride the light rail downtown to participate in a chorus in the pit of a production of The Nutcracker. Bill kindly volunteered to chaperone, so he snapped a couple pics of their warmup. She had a few pictures, too, but has yet to share them with me ;-)

Aaaaannnnd she still spends a lot o' time with (or texting) her boyfriend, Gavin.
They even occasionally work together. How nice.

Goodness, we've had so many discussions about to boyfriend or not to boyfriend, but for now, she's boyfriending it. They are quite the serious couple, which leads to a constant stream of conversations about guidelines, boundaries, and rules. (So stressful for the mamas and the papas.) I'm grateful she's willing to be open about things, and that she's a pretty darn good girl. I still have to warn her about being youngdumb on occasion, though.

I missed Mar's Christmas concert because I was in UT, but Billy-my-hero kindly recorded it for me.
Here's a couple of the songs she performed:

(Mar is on the top, second from the right)

That's about it for now.

Mar's a busy girl who is almost SEVENTEEN. Wow.

I love her and think she is talented and amazing. That's all.