Happy Anniversary



I haven't posted in almost 7 months.  Three days after the picture above was taken (at Steph and Thomas' wedding), Barry's parents died, and since then I haven't really been able to come back to this blog. I used to blog for Doris mainly. My dad also enjoys the pictures, but she called after every posting to talk about the blog. After my last post, I got an e-mail from her on Monday morning. A few quick comments about the picture of Steph in her dress and how much Barry loved his girls. That was the last time I would ever hear from her.

 



Today is their 58th wedding anniversary. They are celebrating together in heaven.

Probably dancing, as my sister-in-law pointed out.

Since their deaths we've had a whole lot of joy happen in our lives. Which is all Doris really wanted for her kids.

Miss you two so much.  Happy Anniversary.

The Wedding Day (finally)!

As I write this, Barry and I are enjoying the nearly absolute quite of our little home, tired, but completely pleased with how Steph and Thomas's wedding turned out. I was able to elbow my way in front of the photographer to get a few photos before the wedding.

This was early in the day before the flowers had arrived. Steph loved the glittered letters above the dance floor. The glitter gave her a little bit of a "gypsy wedding" touch!

 

Steph, Leah, Ashley, and Holly waiting . . . Leah on the I-pad and the girls on their phones!





 

 

Leah got bored with the girls and decided to sit with GGPH and read the I-pad while he read his book.

Finally, it was her turn to get ready.

 

I was lucky to get this shot of Stephanie. She is so beautiful!

 

Here the girls were learning how to hold the flowers just right.

 

 

Later, the guys got their turn with the photographer. What a fun bunch of guys. Dakota, Tim, Tom, Thomas and Sean.

 

 

 

These two love their Opa!

 





 

And he loves them.

 

 

 

I have one of these "after" shots from every wedding.  Steph and Thomas were getting ready to leave, Kelly Marie was already in her jammies, Kelly Brooke was eating, while Ashley, Leah and Holly decided they would stay in their dresses just a bit longer.

 

Despite dancing to every song the DJ played, Steph still looked good!  He said they were the best couple he had ever played for because they really enjoyed the evening together.

 

 

Thomas was ready to go. Tim was driving.

 

 

This morning, while we were cleaning up and waiting for Steph and Thomas to arrive, I snapped a few pics of the flowers. Steph wanted beautiful flowers and she got what she asked for.

 

 

Our florist did an amazing job with all of the funky containers I gave her.



 

 

 

 

You can see how tiny this bottle is next to Sarah's shoes and her blinged out binky, but the florist didn't let that stop her from making an amazing arrangment.

 

 

Steph and Thomas did really well in the gift department!

 

Steph liked her musical figurine. Not sure how Thomas felt about it!

 

He did, however, LOVE the cookware set and he wasn't afraid to show it!

 

 

And Steph finally got her mixer . . . the color is "Raspberry Ice" . . . she's one happy bride!

 

Easter 2013

We took a short break from all the wedding prep to enjoy Easter with Sarah and Leah. Ashley and Leah made their first bunny cake and are now the official bunny cake-makers for the rest of time!  Sarah is old enough to enjoy coloring and finding eggs, as long as Leah is there to help her.

This month we have a wedding, a 30th birthday (Tom), a 2nd birthday (Sarah), and a new baby boy sometime around the 27th.

Never a dull moment around here!



Sarah loves donuts!

Auntie Steph had matching sippy cups for the girls.

The Easter bunny, at Leah's house, left matching daisy chain headbands for Leah and Sarah.

And very cool troll dolls!

Here's her first bunny cake.

Leah (and the dogs) helped Sarah find her basket.

Add caption

Sarah loves her books.

Then the egg hunt started.





 

Leah found something in the tree.

 

 


Then she found a pony for Sarah!

You can see the beginnings of the dance floor.

Ashley brought eggs for coloring and the girls took it all very seriously.

 

 

Steph's Bridal Shower

After months of preparation, everything is starting to come together. The wedding is two weeks away and, for the most part, we feel ready.

Steph is more than ready! 

Last night was her bridal shower.



The theme of the shower was "Hawaii". Can you tell?



All the girls: Holly, Kelly and Sarah, Kelly Marie, Steph, Ashley and Leah.

She's all grown up.

Ashley's belly has just popped out.

These are the cupcakes that Holly brought for the shower. Very cute. Too bad the picture isn't better. I need to get me one of those snappy I phones so that my pictures turn out better!

No, that is not alcohol in those drinks!

The baby bumps!