What a fun-filled week! Monday, we had a few appointments and prepared for our trip to PA. Walt did some physical service and got pretty worn out. Tuesday was a physical day for both of us. We went to the Ranch and helped them get ready for some company. I have been “bragging” about my organizational skills, so Becky was ready for me to show her what I have. Hopefully she was pleased with the results. We worked on organizing most of the kitchen and I helped where I could on the pantry. Walt’s jobs were all outside and it was pretty hot out there. We were both pretty tired by the time we got home.
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| Hard Working Cowboy!! |
Wednesday started the real adventures. The original plan was to drive to Ft Collins, where Walt had a dermatologist appointment. This was the closest place that would take our insurance. We were really grateful that we could get an appointment on the same day that we were flying out of Denver. Our flight was scheduled for 5:15 pm- arriving in Baltimore at 10:45 pm. Everything was going great until we got a text that our flight was delayed until 8:30 pm. To make this story very short - after 3 more delays and 2 gate changes, we ended up leaving at 11:20 pm and got in around 5 am (Thursday). I never slept till Thursday evening, and Walt tried to sleep a little here and there. It made for a very interesting Thursday. We did get to see the family earlier, but at times, our brains just were not functioning.
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| Sunrise taken on the road out of Baltimore. |
Thursday, was preparation day. It did start with pancakes for the grandchildren. It is tradition for Grand mommy to fix pancakes for breakfast. Those kids can put down some pancakes. We spent the rest of the day with food to finalize, an arch to build, additional supplies to be purchased, etc. Those of you who have done wedding receptions before know exactly what I am talking about. My mom (mema) arrived by bus that evening. Bill and Sue arrived just after dinner. They had a long drive from the beach. Robert, Nick, Jenna, and Mike and his family arrived on Friday. It was so very nice to see everyone. We really appreciated all the travel they were willing to endure to be here. My dad is having health issues and wasn’t able to come but was there in spirit. Most of us were up pretty late getting wrinkles out of the tablecloths.
Friday - the big day! The ladies did the cooking, Walt and several children helped with the decorating. The hall turned out so beautiful!! I am trying to remember details, but it seems all a blur. The whole day was spent getting things decorated, cooked and ready. Pictures started at 5:30 pm, starting with ones where the children were involved. They have a short attention span. Our photographer and his wife are from our ward (church) here and did a fantastic job. It was a lot cooler than when we did pictures in Utah and we were able to stand in the shade this time. We had a nice old barn for the back drop.
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| Emma Posing. Helped us get ready |
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| Beth and Emma helping get ready |
The reception started pretty close to 6:30 as planned. There was a ceremony. The flower girls started (4 of them) with the boys ( 4 of them) behind. Then the bridesmaids (4 of them too). Then our beautiful bride accompanied by Cash. It was the perfect choice since Walt was officiator of the ceremony. It was a tender moment. Walt started with the marriage words from “Princess Bride”. He did the same at Michelle’s wedding. He is so funny. Then he made some wonderful comments about the importance of marriage and how a couple should put their marriage before everything except God. He did a really good job. Then Kate and Drake expressed their love for one another in some very sweet and sometimes funny words. Then they exchanged rings (again). It was a very nice ceremony. Just for those not familiar with our religion - the temple ceremony is the official one, but often a ring ceremony of sorts is done for those who cannot attend the one in the temple. So vows aren’t really said at the non-temple one.
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| Walt officiating |
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| Sharing thoughts and feelings |
Now it was time for the food. It was street tacos, fixings, and sides dishes. The options filled the two long tables. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. There was plenty, but not too overly so. The leftovers weren’t too many. Then the real fun started - the dancing and such. Our newlyweds started with their first dance. It was really sweet. Then the dance floor was open to all. The children were dancing the whole night. More adults danced to slow songs, of course. Later on, there was the daddy-daughter dance. My girls pick out their song to dance with Walt to for their wedding years before they get married. Kate’s pick was “I loved her first” (country song). Michelle’s was “Butterfly kisses”. Beth’s was “Stealing Cinderella.” I think this one was extra bittersweet because Kate is the last one. A few other fun things that happened were “The Shoe game” and throwing of the garter. Emma commented before the shoe game, “This is going to be hilarious.” The only bachelors for the garter throwing were boys 13 and younger. We have a great video of the scramble and wrestling that occurred. Bryce was the winner!! What was even better than the wrestling match was Bryce’s face when Kate explained what the winner was entitled to- being the next one to get married. Oh my!!
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| First Dance |
The cake cutting went well. Drake asked me prior what level of smashing he should do on a scale of 1-10. I said 5. It went well. Abe made the cake and it was beautiful, as well as, delicious. The first layer was red velvet, and the other two were Rice Krispie treats (covered with icing). Pretty good idea. We are all enjoying those now. Then there were two round cakes for serving - one red velvet and the other vanilla. Red velvet was the favorite - hands down. The party ended with more dancing. It was really a good time! Clean up wasn’t too long with everyone helping. We were done by 10:30, but everyone was exhausted. Well worth it in the end.
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All the Grandchildren
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Saturday was another day of partying. Emma’s birthday is August 10th, but Beth thought it would be really nice to have her party early so we could attend. Grandma and Grandad Vann, and Mama were there as well. They best part of having a birthday in August is water fun. Boy - did those children (and Drake) have a blast with the sprinkler, water guns, water balloon, etc. We enjoyed yummy pizza, cupcakes, and root beer floats. It was a wonderful party. So glad we got to do it early.
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| Emma's party |
Sunday is a day of rest - thank goodness. Church is at 9 am. Thank goodness for “rest time” as well. The kids stay in their room and do something quiet, and most of the adults take a nap after church. I went to see Michelle’s grave. I wasn’t able to visit in May when we were here before due to constant rain. I stopped by her garden first. As anticipated, she has a few volunteer tomatoes. The tradition lives on. I walked through thinking about how much she loved her garden and all the joy it brought her. She loved making things grow. I picked a few flowers and tied them together with a long blade of grass and then took them to her grave. Beth has done a good job keeping it looking nice. The cemetery is in such a peaceful place, the view of the mountains is just amazing. It’s a pretty place. I think a lot family really missed her this week. It’s the kind of thing, where she should just be there, as part of it all.
We leave tomorrow afternoon to come back. It has all seemed to go so fast. We have loved, so loved seeing everyone. It’s so good to be around our family - if even briefly. Cash commented after just a few hours, “Grand mommy, it’s like old times!” I have hugged them all every chance I can. It’s crazy to think we have another year left of our mission. The first 6 months have gone by so fast. I miss being with our family, but also miss my family in Wyoming. It will be hard when we’re done.
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Last picture of matching family - after church
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Mae and Grandaddy
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We wouldn’t trade our opportunity to be on a mission for anything. We have been so blessed by our experiences and the friends we have made. We love Wyoming and the people. What we love the most is sharing our testimonies of the Savior and Heavenly Father. It is because of them that we have such joy in our lives. It’s time to get back to sharing that testimony with others.
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| Me and Kate dancing to "Browned Eyed Girl". She played that song just for me. |
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