I have been holding off blogging about this event because there are mixed emotions behind it. But in the words of Chelsey, it happened, so why not write about it!
On September 11th, we went to the airport bright and early, two kids, two carseats, one bag and loads of toys, blankeys, and goodies for the plane. We flew to Minneapolis (which was a short one hour flight) then had a brief layover before we headed to Spokane. The kids did GREAT! Zachary even snuggled with mommy and took a nap. Josh and I were a well orchestrated team handling bottles and diapers and polly pockets. I was so proud!
--getting ready to leave Des Moines--
Once we got to Spokane, we thought it would be wonderful if we could get the kids to take a nap....yeah right. They were so wound up that they were having none of that! As if that weren't enough I forgot to pack Josh's iphone charger, which he needed for work. So, he went on a journey with Zachary to track one down, and I went to help my mom with the food prep for the wedding the next day.
--he may not have wanted a nap, but he was loving the big beds!--
My mom and I finished making food. I was in charge of brushetta. I must have cut 20 garden ripe tomatoes into itty bitty pieces with the dullest knife on the face of the earth. But sis, you were worth it :) My mom had been slaving away over the past weeks planning not only a catering menu for 100-ish guests, but also enough food for a luncheon for both sides of the family! I must say, my mom says she can't cook, but everything turned out yummy!
The rest of Friday was spent eating pizza with Tim and his family, a short swimming session with daddy and kenna, and trying to get kids to bed at 6:30pm (keep in mind that is 8:30pm our time!)
Saturday we woke up fairly early, again impressed that we all somehow slept in the same room! The kids played for a little while and we gathered all of our wedding gear together to take to the seminary building where Tim's kids were playing. We loaded up the car and drove to the seminary building and the kids played while Chelsey and Brandon were getting married in the temple. Later, we got dressed and met up with the rest of the family to take pictures.
--kids entertaining themselves in the hotel room--
--Andrew and Kenna playing on the bench--
--Great Grandma Watson--
--Grandma and Grandpa Rue with Andrew and Anna--
--Auntie Chelsey with the kids (isn't she gorgeous?) --
--with Tim's kids--
--my favorite pic of the whole weekend--
--some of the fam--
--some of the watson clan--
We went from taking pictures at the temple to the luncheon. We ate there and hurried back to the hotel to try and get the kids to take a nap. When that failed we decided to go swimming instead. Kenna LOVES the water :)
--her silly self--
Later that evening we headed to the reception. Zachary had had enough. He was not happy. The reception started at 6pm (8pm our time....bedtime!) So, daddy drove around with him until he fell asleep, then snuck him in the back of the room where he slept most the night. I helped with food, cake cutting and other sisterly duties. Meanwhile, McKenna somehow ate like 4 mozzarella sticks, cake, sugary punch and imagine that...had a tummy ache. Chelsey and Brandon danced, we reinacted thriller, and watched their slide show. It was very beautiful, and we had a really fun time!
The next morning we got up at 4 to be on a 6am flight back home. Again the kids did great! We have quite the little travelers!
--Zachary ready to go!--
A few days after we got back, I heard that the Kennewick reception had been canceled. I thought maybe they decided there weren't enough people to have one or something. After calling my mom, I learned that Brandon and Chelsey had decided to call it off. I am sure it was a really hard decision, but will probably be better for them both in the long run! I only want what is best for my sister, and if he isn't it, then I am sure it was the right choice! Regardless, it was a fun trip, and great to see my family!
--they have a ton of animals to pet and feed--
--then the kids reenacted the story of the three little pigs--
--they played in the "corn" pool--
--jumped on the big balloon--
--group photo--
