Big ol' Barn Wedding

A while ago Brooks was asked to be a groomsman at his friend's (from medical school) wedding. He has never BEEN one nor knew what to do. The fact that the wedding was 6 hours away didn't help Brooks actually want to do it. But he and this friend were good buddies and I frankly just said, WE.ARE.GOING!!!

I was just excited to go because I've never BEEN to a non-LDS ("Mormon" weddings are in a temple. Small attendance, short ceremony and a sacred experience) but I had seen many movies when they go all out on the decorations, food, etc.

My sweet friend kept all my kids for the two days. Another friend texted because she didn't actually believe I would leave the kids and go away with Brooks for a while, so I sent her this selfie of us in the car driving.

CLEARLY I'm pretty excited....and Brooks still refuses to do selfies.

Brooks went to the rehearsal and I worked out and chilled in the hotel. It was amazing. Then we both went to our very first ever rehearsal dinner. But even BETTER, I got to meet the lovely bride-to-be, Charlotte. She was pretty awesome.

ANOTHER first for me would be trying the famous Southern-cuisine of Fried Chicken and Waffles......of course with a side of fried okra

It was actually pretty good.

It was ALSO fun sitting by old medical school friends.

These are Matt's (the groom) parents. It was wonderful seeing them again and apparently since they "always talk about us", it was exciting for them to see Brooks too. She reminded me how after medical school graduation seven years ago, we invited them over to our house for rootbeer floats with the four kids to celebrate. Man, we sure DO know how to par-tay! I had forgotten that memory. We just love them.

We went to a prayer meeting the next morning, then Brooks went shooting with all the Groomsmen while I napped, exercised and watched HGTV. It was pretty sweet.

Then it was time for the actual wedding.

But while they were setting up Brooks had to follow his nose and go talk to the BBQ man...and by "talk" I mean, ask-the-poor-man-a-gazillion-questions-about-what-he's-doing.

But this guy actually KNOWS his BBQ. He goes to cook-offs with his meat and won 5th in the nation! It WAS quite tasty.

My friend's three year old was asked to be the ring-bearer. He was SO tired of waiting and wouldn't hold still (ummm, totally normal behavior. I can't blame him). Then all of a sudden he was sitting still forever....thanks to my sweet husband. He sat there and kept little Cole entertained before their turn to walk up the aisle.

 

The wedding was sweet (and LONG.....apparently a long sermon is normal?)

Then after the groomsmen escorted the bride's maids back down the aisle. Here is Brooks' grin at me as he walks by. During the rehearsal he was paired with a young lady a good head taller then him so I had my camera all ready to capture it. Then they changed it up so he got someone closer to his size. Darn. I would've LOVED to have see him with the tall girl.haha

Poor little Cole never ended up walking down the aisle and refused to do it. His mom I think was embarrassed but I couldn't help but grin thinking at how many smiles this kid brought to all their faces. After the wedding Brooks kept entertaining Cole. (Cole wanted NOTHING to do with me) His parents were so grateful. He's magic like that.

All the Groomsmen

This is actually one of my FAVORITE picture from the whole thing with all men (some forgot their's I guess) with their beers in their holders and Brooks with his water bottle. Another thing we learned at these weddings.....there is a LOT of drinking and a LOT of food.

Instead of wedding cake they hired a Donut Truck to come make homemade doughnuts. But of course, Brooks had to talk with her before and ask her a gazillion questions.

We had the most wonderful time together and the wedding was beautiful. Marriage truly is an institution set up by Heavenly Father for the betterment of each individual. Grateful for this man of mine.....



June is over!

Other activities in June included 

a LOT of golf and swimming

Hanging with some new families here to practice our Spanish (since they don't speak English)....yes, the girls even wear swim suits when people come over. I at LEAST made Aleeya put some shorts on. Nothing says "BIENVENIDO" like girls in swimsuits and shaved ice.

Camden, Emerson, Aleeya and Iris were all invited by our neighbors to go to a Vacation Bible School at their Baptist church. We decided to let them go because I think it shocked them when my kids told them we read the Bible every night (trying to finish the New Testament). I think they thought we just read the Book of Mormon.....which happens to be ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ since it compliments the Bible perfectly. 

The theme of the VBS was something to do with science so they did experiments. This is Iris showing me her cool blue water experiment when she got home.

The last day they had a big presentation where they sang all the songs they've been practicing. Camden told me he was NOT going to go the last day because he didn't want to sing and do the many  (MANY) actions that went with the songs. I told the kids I wouldn't MISS it. (Baptist songs tends to be more energetic then our church's so I knew I was in for a show)

I was just bummed I couldn't see them very well while they were performing since they stayed in their seats.

I spy Aleeya.........

 Emerson was the one kid in class who asked the preacher if he believed in the Trinity. When the pastor said he did Emerson said, "Then who was he praying to in the Garden or talking to on the cross? HIMSELF?" Emerson came home and said their pastor has a REAL big imagination. Oh gosh, leave it to Emerson to call ANYONE out.
Emerson is the last (short) one on the left in the gray shirt.

Emerson was all making fun of the songs beforehand so imagine my SHOCK when during every song he was probably the MOST into it. I could've watched him all day. I couldn't stop giggling inside at him jamming out to these Baptist songs. link

Aleeya took her singing VERY seriously. Iris on the front row decided not to sing that song so she was the only one sitting down. Anyway, this video is a minute long. I included it mostly for family
link



Bronson is old enough to be in Boy Scouts now and has been excited for his Monday-Saturday camp ever since he turned 12! They were waking up at 4 in the morning to leave and Bronson didn't want to forget anything. I thought it was cute how he left the note on the fridge reminding him to  get his water bottle out of the freezer.

Here are the 3 twelve year olds from our ward. They were meeting up with another ward with 10 or 12 boys to make up their troop. This is right after Brooks dropped them off. Seriously, Bronson was SO excited.

This was his first time really spending the night away from us, but for some reason I knew he wouldn't have ANY issues with it. I started feeling sad for missing my boy and then I couldn't help but get all excited about it too since I knew he would be having a blast.

He came back looking 2 years older!!!

I guess all those adventures involving bull frogs, giant spiders, fishing, water blobs, pranks and cleaning bathrooms will do that do you!

(He already can't wait until next year)