Our wild week began last Friday. I document it here so I will not forget. Dad ran the "airport shuttle" as guests started arriving. First Mark, whom we had never met in person, then Aunt Sissy, Lauren & Jordann, and Maid of Honor Sarah. I made pizza for supper and the good times began!
On Saturday, Grandma & Grandpa & Will were trying to get home from their mission trip to New Mexico. Meanwhile, we went to Glen Rose to the Dinosaur Valley State Park. We saw some dino tracks, a few people went for a swim & we had a picnic.
By Saturday night, more were coming back together and we had Mexican food at our house for supper - Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Sissy, Uncle Bubba & Aunt Wee, Me & Dad, Mark & Lauren, Andy & Ashton, Will, Jordann, Jesse, David, Elizabeth & Rebekah and Sarah.
Sunday some ladies from Grandma's church hosted a gift card shower for Lauren. It was lovely.
We had grilled hot dogs at Uncle Bubba & Aunt Wee's house. Good times.
On Monday, Mark & Lauren got their marriage license & we had a massive trip to Wal-Mart. I was getting food for the week and Sissy was getting the food for the bridesmaids' brunch, lunches at the church while decorating, and wedding reception. Some of the bunch went to Chick-fil-a for a missions fundraiser. The rest ate a meal cooked by Aunt Sissy at our house.
Tuesday we started cooking reception food - meatballs, German chocolate icing, cupcakes were delayed because we didn't have the cupcake liners yet. Uncle Glenn (father of the bride) arrived by car about mid-afternoon with all the wedding decorations, dresses, cupcake liners! and some furniture for us! Another bridesmaid flew in from Canada. (that was Tuesday, right?) Aunt Wee cooked lasagna & we ate at our house. I finished the flowers that night while Sissy & Glenn went to meet Mark's parents who flew in from Canada.
Wednesday morning, Lauren & Sarah prepared a lovely brunch for the bridesmaids, mothers & grandmas (and me & Elizabeth). The rest of the bridesmaids arrived from California. David ate his PB sandwich in the office & played lego.com games while the ladies ate, visited, and Lauren passed out gifts. Here's the girl cousins:
Wednesday afternoon, the ladies beautifully decorated the sanctuary with green tulle and black & white photos of Lauren & Mark.
Elizabeth practiced walking down the aisle with the two bigger flower girls. She loved all the attention!
The rehearsal dinner for now 35 people from Texas, California and Canada was at our house. I was a little busy & didn't get any pictures. We had amazing BBQ, cooked by a firefighting co-worker of Dad's. Wow. Finished off with Blue Bell Groom's Cake. It was a wonderful night. The guys headed to Uncle Bubba's house for a Halo Killin' Party and the girls stayed here for a Toenail Painting Party.
Thursday morning, was spent getting the fellowship hall ready for the reception. Again, it was beautiful. Lauren had so many unique ideas and it played together beautifully - bamboo & floating candles on each table, a cupcake tier, a candy bar, a well-wishes tree instead of a guest book.
Thursday afternoon Mark was ready to get the show on the road.
Others waited in the sanctuary.
(photo by Uncle Bubba)
Elizabeth made it down the aisle... crying with Aunt Wee helping her. She settled into the pew with her plug, blanket & coloring book and was fine for the rest of the ceremony.
David made his walk down the aisle as ring bearer... but didn't stop. He walked across the front of the church and back up the other aisle! Aunt Wee caught him at the back & then he fell asleep on the back pew!
The wedding was beautiful, moving and humorous. It was perfect.
(photo by Uncle Bubba)
(photo by Grandpa)
(photo by Uncle Bubba)
On Fridays, Rachel Anne invites the gals over for coffee. I've never participated before, but this week she asked us to bring our favorite Christmas photos so I had to join in! I made coffee, tea, and hot chocolate gifts for Christmas, so I brought those along, too:
My favorite photos of the kids both happen to be by the Christmas tree. I love how the soft lighting of the tree casts a warm glow on my babies. David's photo was on Christmas Eve, wearing the new PJ's he just got for his Christmas Eve present.
Elizabeth's was earlier in December as she was enchanted by the lights & ornaments on the tree.
Of course, I didn't get any wonderful pictures of Dad & me together. Did anyone else in our families get any?
Rachel Anne got a great shot with her hubby. You should go see how sweet they are!
