The Nuptials Part II

Friday morning.

We have one bathroom to get 8 people ready.

We.Are.Amazing!

Mindy picked up Luke and Splenda and they headed to the temple early.  I rode with Corb and Karalee while Tuffy, Montana and Chloee came up later.

The sealing was absolutely beautiful.  There is something to be said for seeing your child so, SO happy!  It was a great feeling to look around the room and see so many people that we love, adore and feel as close to as family.

Simply beautiful.

this one pretty much screams "them!"

Our besties the Bland's

The boys

new sisters

After their grand entrance

Mindy's aunt and uncle

my boys

Chloee practicing for when it will be her big day :)

Splenda's family

me and my BFF

My boys - they are so very handsome

my girls - the epitome of beauty

my and my Lukie

Now he is hers!

Lot's of pictures outside the temple and then we had a little bit of time before we needed to get to the restaurant for the luncheon.  Since Splenda's mom works right there in the Family History center, we walked over and took a little tour of her office.  Lot's of cool things happening there.

The restaurant was right over at the Gateway, and I'll tell you right now, if you are looking for a reasonable place to host a wedding luncheon or something along those lines.  They.Were.Stellar!
Tucano's took exceptional care of us.  We had a room with glass doors that closed and a projector screen for our video.  It's a Brazilian steakhouse with an all you can eat salad/pasta/whatever bar and then servers coming around with various meats on skewers.  It was so delicious!

Some of Mindy's family

Jody, me and Deb's

I also worked with Debbie over at Swirly Girl Bakery and had a little cake bite decorated and placed at each place setting.  My friend Jody provided the flower centerpieces and Splenda did the video.  That's it folks.  Simply sit down, enjoy and eat!  Easy peasy.......seriously - a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend you check out both links.  On point with their service and product!

After the luncheon, we came home with the intent of getting a little rest.  Que the overslept panic that hit all of us when we woke up at about the time we were supposed to be at the reception center!  GAH!!

Their reception was held at Le Jardin in Sandy and it's one of my all time favorite places.  It's a greenhouse so there's no decorating necessary.  They took care of everything.  We did some family photo shoots and then the bride and groom stood in a receiving area to greet their guests.  I hung out and just walked up and down the line chatting and greeting friends and neighbors.

I think having just the two of them and not a formal reception line made things go much faster.  Plus no awkward having to shake hands with someone you don't know.  Besides, it was their party!

They cut the cake, had the traditional dances and then Chloee was exhausted.  She climbed in my lap, we snuggled down and I held her for the rest of the night.  I didn't even get up to see what damage had been done to the car.  I figured it was probably best that way.  Every naughty thing Luke did to his buddies cars when they got married came right back at him.

There are a couple of kids left in this group to still get married - I can only shake my head at what lies in store for them.

The kids changed clothes and off they went!  We gave them a night at the Anniversary Inn and then they spent the week in Park City.

I just couldn't be happier for them!  What a great couple.  So much love, happiness, fun, goofiness, compatibility......just perfect for each other.  That makes a momma content.

Thankfully, the reception center doesn't need to be cleaned up.  We loaded everything and then created a stack of presents in the kitchen for the kids to come back to.

Of course, with Corb and Kar here only another day, I went to bed that night with a house full of kids spending time together and catching up.  Best.thing.ever.  Felt like old times.  Food, laughing, and the constant hum of chatter.

Happy. Happy. Happy.

*next up - the video
** clearly, I have no professional pics yet