Fall Happenings

With things calming down we were finally able to get Emily to the DMV where she passed her drivers tests with fling colors - hurray!  I never went without a driver.

The big day finally arrived - Kate and I loaded all her stuff in my car and hit the road Thursday morning.  We got to Rexburg around 3:30 and were met by Becca, Kelli and Sam who made the unloading so much easier.  We got all her stuff unpacked but had to stop for dinner. 

We picked up Abby and tried out a BBQ place.

Abby then guided us through Walmart where we got fresh food and so tools for hanging stuff up in her room.  Then Abby helped us get all her stuff hung up.

We took Abby home and got a tour of her lego filled room before I took Kate back to her place and we had a tear filled goodbye before I headed to my hotel in Pocatello.  I arrived around 12:30am and slipped into bed.  I will miss my Katers but she is ready for new things - you'll do awesome!

The next morning I woke early to get to Ontario by 12:00pm for Kelly's retirement luncheon.  Laura was in town for that so we got to spend a lot of the weekend with her.  Friday night we caught Luke's football game.

And Saturday we caught Jared's soccer game then went out to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa.

Our Fridays this year start with 9:30 piano followed by voice lessons in Eagle.  So we have decided that we need to take more Friday field trips.  First one was to the Birds of Prey Center.  

We loved seeing the bits, learning from the volunteers, reliving childhood by dressing up in the wings, but most of all the falconry show where we got to watch a red tailed-hawk in action.

Idaho Open House

The last few weeks in August Greg and I had been spending. a lot of time getting the yard looking good before Natali's open house on September 6th.  I don't think our yard has ever looked better.  The Friday before and day of the girls and I cleaned the house and got everything ready.  

Natali arrived with Migel and his family a few hours before and helped us with the final touches.  Of course I didn't take pictures of everything but we moved most of the furniture out of the family room and kitchen to make room for people to talk inside.  

We took this picture before putting in the mango ginger ale - yummy.  

I also failed to take a picture of gift table/Jenga guest book.

I hired Amelia Walker to decorate the counter then I filled it with all the treats I had been making and freezing over the last three weeks.  We also had fruit and chocolate covered pretzels.

It turned out pretty nice, yet simple and we had a steady stream of guests.  It was lovely to chat comfortably in our house and just enjoy our friends and family.

And then all the wedding stuff was over...what a wonderful but crazy wedding filled summer.

Natali and Miguel - Wedding #2

Miguel's sister-in-law, Karly, took their engagement photos and some bridals up in the mountains so they could print some pics out for the reception.

Then morning of the wedding Natali was up super early to get her hair and makeup done before early morning but the pictures turned out great.

Miguel's family hosted a luncheon for the extended families.  It was nice to sit and chat with my family, Greg's family, and get to meet Miguel's family.

From there Natali, Miguel and I headed to the temple.  I got to help Natali prepare to go to the sealing room.  It felt unreal that we were actually there; special day to be a mom.

The temple worker leading us through the temple was probably only 4'9 - Natali looked like a giant walking behind her.

After the sealing I helped Natali get into her wedding dress and then joined the others waiting for the happy couple to exit the temple.  There was a bit a hiccup getting the flowers organized but they finally exited to excited cheers and clapping.

The photographer was super quick grabbing pictures before everyone was too hot.

It was fun to hang out with my sisters some of the nieces.  Laura and Myra stayed for all the pictures then took Andrew, Kate, Emily and Lily to Swig for drinks.  She and Myra had to try one of the famous Utah mixed soda shops and my kids were thrilled to join.

We had a lovely time at the reception chatting with everyone and eating yummy tacos and Krispy Kreme donuts.

On Friday when Natali when to Costco to pick up the cheesecake for the cake cutting there were 10, 10" cheesecakes with Maico and Natali on them.  

I had this text exchange...

Thankfully they didn't make her buy all of them and the they were able to cut the cake and play the shoe game before the dance party began.

We were all nervous about the dancing but Jared started us off with his famous "worm" and soon everyone was dancing.

Even Greg and I joined the party 😂.

Sweaty and hot we all lined up outside with sparklers for the happy couple's exit (sadly no pictures).  It was such a fun night enjoying family, eating good food, laughing, dancing, and celebrating Natali and Miguel.