4th of July Wedding/Reunion

It seems like we barely got back from Maren and Grey's wedding (Memorial Day Weekend in Portland (no pics causeI forgot my camera!) and then it was time to head up to Carden and Kelly's wedding (4th of July Weekend in the Seattle Temple). Gabe or McKenzie - anything happening on Labor Day Weekend?

15 hr drive in a rental van that took those mountains much better than Old Rusty would have. One missed turn when Brett was admiring condominiums in Portland - which took us back to the Portland Temple - where we decided to get out and have a break and take some pictures. And then promptly chase the spirit away by yelling when our kids started playing in the reflection pool. What a great memory of the temple our children will have.

All of my sibling were there except for Maren. 31 of 38 grandkids were there. This year Uncle Chip said it was a "record" year with 64 people staying at his home. He made room for everyone - from the garage with cots set up, to the storage room, to his own little bunk in the carport attic. I think he was trying to find some peace and quiet for himself :)

The first few days were reception mode - gearing up for the big day. Kelly's parents were not happy about the marriage and thus did not participate in the planning and we didn't even know if they were coming until the day before. That was stressful for Kelly, but it all turned out much better than we expected. Carden sang to Kelly at the reception and the day turned out beautiful - even the clouds and rain lifted and the sun came out. We only had to move on tikki torch that almost caught Kelly's hair on fire.

Sunday we went to church and filled the 3 back rows. Of all the testimonies shared that day, I think only 3 or 4 were not in our family. (Good thing we were there right? It might have been a very quiet meeting - haha.) Claire and Eliza bore their testimonies twice. (They were sitting with family members on the other side of the pews so don't blame me!)

Lots of fun hanging out with family, two new babies - Charly and Eve - who were also blessed on Sunday. Saw cousin Rachel/Zane and their four children (up from Texas), cousin Claire/Brad and their two kids (Seattle) and also cousin Michael . Aunt Gretchen and Uncle Jerry were also their along with their son Tom and his family.

It was a great trip - lots of catching up and playing. Even a soccer tournament, which I must say - America and I held our own very nicely. We defeated many defending champions with ease (Marty/Truman, Luke/Ethan, Carden/Olivia)

As we pulled out to go home Wednesday morning, Luke says, "Can we go back to Uncle Chip's house?" Sorry kid, you get to be in this van for a long drive home instead. We made it and they did fine. Even without a dvd player - unbelievable!