All the small things...: August 2012

It isn't a successful summer without a good road trip and a good wedding. A couple weeks ago we enjoyed both. We packed up the car and said goodbye to the cat, and drove to Oregon for the weekend. Our dear friend Jenny, commonly known as Renner, was tying the knot, and we wouldn't have missed it for the world!

When we arrived in Renner's hometown, we had a long afternoon to entertain the kids. We called Renner and asked what the hot entertainment in the area was, and she said there wasn't much! She told us about a cool park, and decided to check it out.

The park was totally cool, and we were the only ones there! The whole family played hard and had so much fun! It was a lot like a ropes course, and had balance beams and a midevil castle theme. It was a great way to kick off our fun filled weekend.

After the park we checked into our hotel, and were joined by Tony's brother Shane and his family. Both Shane's girlfriend Kassi and I were in Renner's line, so the wedding weekend doubled as fabulous family fun time together.

The kids had so much fun hanging out with little Kash. Cousins staying at Cousin's Country Inn!

That night, we left the boys at the hotel and the girls went to the rehearsal, and following dinner.

Addi came along and sat quietly at the church while we had rehearsal, and was so excited to hang out with her best buddy Jr. I went over to remind her to be quiet and good, as she sat in a pew with Jr. Jr put his arm around her and said, "Don't worry about her. I can be in charge of her."

When we got back to the hotel the boys were sound asleep. :o)

The next morning was the BIG day. We let the boys go out to a nice breakfast before we ditched them and left them with the kids for the day. When they got back we left and joined the Bride at the salon for mimosas while she got her hair done.

After our awesome girl time, we had to head back to the hotel to get ready. Wouldn't you know it was Rodeo weekend and a parade was in progress, making it rather difficult to get across town.

All the bridesmaids met up at the church to help the Bride get ready. Here are Renner's beautiful little sisters, Melissa and Vicki. Melissa is using a buck knife to cut off the hanger ribbon things that hang out of a dress. Now that is trust! :o)

How many bridesmaids does it take?

~Beautiful Bride~

Her flowers and garter(s). One was for her dog. :o)

Jenny had her dream wedding. For as long as I have known her, she has always talked about the Catholic Church she grew up in, and how she was going to have a big wedding there someday. When I first saw her standing in that church, at the rehearsal, looking so happy and beautiful, I started crying and couldn't stop. It was just such a BIG moment, one she wanted so BAD, and I was so HAPPY that it was all coming true for her. The ceremony was beautiful, and included mass and communion, and was in both English and Spanish. It was my first time ever in a Catholic Church so I had to go with the flow during it all and was thankful to be sitting next to a Catholic who knew what she was doing!

The happy couple.

Such a gorgeous Bride!

Tony did such a good job taking care of the kids while I was busy with the wedding. He got the kids ready and to the church (just in the nick of time I might add), and I didn't hear a peep out of them during the long ceremony. It helped that Kaden fell asleep during, but hey, that works for me!

Our little fam, all dressed up!

Hanging out with Daddy!

The Reception was at a breath taking venue called the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center. It is a beautiful museum overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. It was absolutely beautiful, completely classy and over the top awesome.