Wedding Week!

Sept. 13, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

We had such a great week!! Everything about the wedding and all the events surrounding it went beautifully and it was so much fun. Sean and Blair looked so happy. I sent a couple pics, but still haven't seen very many from Fabiana, so as soon as I do, I'll send them your way. It was fun being with them for the First Look photo shoot and to have Marcela there was extra special. It was a lot of work, remember? hauling everything around,etc but so worth it. The pics I saw from her camera looked amazing and of course she had a few of them all ready for the reception. 

On the wedding day we were able to get a few things done in the morning like decorating Noah's, running errands, etc since the sealing wasn't until 4pm. It was funny because on the way to the temple (we were supposed to be there by 3:30) and when we were just about there, we saw Sean in his car right in front of us. He was supposed to be there a half hour earlier, so we knew he was running late to his own wedding so I called him and said to just pull up in front of the temple and we would park his car for him. He thought that was a good idea. I'm sure Blair was starting to wonder. haha But it all worked out just fine and the ceremony was wonderful. We took pics outside with the whole group. The ones who came to the temple with us were Steve, Carolina, Dakota, Axel, Kassie, Marc, Allen, Lisa, G&G Thompson, Charmaine, Kirk, Sarah, Alex, Savannah. 

Addie, of course, looked so cute with her hair in pigtails and little bows. Leah and Nikki loved that they got to take care of her while we were in the temple. She runs around so much now, it's a much harder job.

Here's a pic of us girls tonight. We watched home videos together and we're all wearing our lounging pants. I bought a pair of these for each of us girls at the beach house and we all loved them so much, so I bought a pair for Marcela too. She's been wearing them each night to lounge in. Too fun.

The reception at Noahs was absolutely gorgeous. Debbie Williams really knows how to decorate. It was a lot of work, but boy it was worth it. I can't wait to get pictures from Fabiana to share with you. The dinner was catered by a restaurant that both Sean and Blair love called Spitz. It was Mediterranean food and everyone said how much they liked it. I wasn't sure if it would be a good choice for a reception, but it really was delicious. I was so busy talking with people that night though and sure wish I could just sit down and have some more of that food now. :)

At the reception Jodie and Mel surprised us by showing up. It was so fun seeing her again and we had them sit at the table with us. And Doug and Robyn Ellis who used to live in Hilton Head also showed up. I loved it. Tani and his family also came and Paula and I talked for quite a while. She's really struggling with Tani and has a hard time (very similar concerns as mine with Leah). so Paula has asked me to call her so we can talk more. I could tell she was feeling a lot of stress about things, so this week I will be calling her. I just put my arms around her and told her to hang in there, that I knew how she felt and that I was there for her. I'm going to make it a point to keep in better contact with her.

This is a pic I posted on Instagram the night of the big BSU/BYU game. Nikki helped Marcela make empanadas for us. They were so delicious. Tanner Mangum pulled out another miraculous last minute win for BYU and he's becoming somewhat of a hero at the school. You'd be proud of him. Leah was not very happy about the BSU loss though.  Marcela sent a picture of the empanadas to Sean on his honeymoon and he asked her to set some aside for him when he comes into town this week. haha Blair said he was drooling. Sounds like they are having a good time and are now in Jackson Hole. They will be here this Wednesday to get ready for the open house this Friday.

I've been having fun with Marcela here in town. We've been shopping, eating, playing and eating some more. Her friend is picking her up from Mtn Home  to take her back to Utah and then she's leaving for Argentina on Wednesday. So we'll spend a little more time in  the morning then I'll drive her to Mtn Home. We'll visit dad while we're there since he will be working. I'll miss her.

So how was your week? I went with Marcela tonight to visit a man that was an elder back in the early 80's when she was 11 yrs old and she saw on Facebook that he lived in Eagle, ID, so I told her we knew them, the Sparrows in the 6th ward. He totally remembered her and her family  and it was so fun to hear them tell stories. Marcela pretty much has grown up having missionaries in her home all the time. When we were talking with him, he was saying how much he loves having the sister missionaries in their ward now. He said they are such good missionaries compared to the elders, haha

Marcela sends her love!! She said the family prayer tonight and started crying when she mentioned how much she loved all of us and how much we meant to her. Of course I was crying too. She's a great sister. I will miss her.

Here are a couple more pics from last week:

Dakota helping the girls get ready for the wedding

The girls made this fun hair jewelry. It turned out beautiful.

Cute Addie at the wedding

Tani with the girls

We all lit sparklers as a send off for Sean and Blair

Eating at Slab Pizza before we leave Provo

And we always have to stop by Addie's on our way out of town to spend time with her. She loves books!!

Well, I hope all these pictures don't make you too homesick. We are back at home now and back in school, work, etc and just plugging along. We missed you at the wedding. Leah said she really missed you but she was more happy that you were out on a mission. That made me happy. Your service truly blesses all of us too. I spoke with our missionaries today and they've been asked to teach the third lesson to as many members as they can, so I asked them to please call me and set up an appointment. I love having them in our home, such a great spirit they bring and I don't think they even realize it. Keep spreading that awesome spirit wherever you go.

I love sooooo much!!! Can't wait to hear from you.

Mom

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo