Just Married

I absolutely loved the vinyl lettering that Heather

surprised us with for the newlyweds car.

It was perfect!

The father-of-the-bride - doesn't he look happy!

I particularly like the bride's maid's bouquet :)

Very happy grandfather-of-the-bride as well!

A little blurry - but one of the few pictures I actually took that day.

They make a beautiful couple - most importantly they are

so good to and for each other!

The temple sealer reminded them (and all of us) that love is a choice.

What a powerful reminder regarding all of our relationships!

Something Blue - The Shawl Story

Photos by Camilla Binks - amazing!

Dress by Melissa Blackburn (and Alicia) also amazing!

Anticipating a cold January wedding, Alicia asked if I would make her a lacy shawl that she could wear. She chose ice-blue as the color and I started looking at yarns and patterns. I was excited that she asked - we have joked about knitting or weaving a wedding dress for years. I finally settled on a beautiful lace pattern - just what I love to knit. I had finished about 5 inches when I had the stroke - although physically I recovered quickly I was left unable to concentrate on anything for very long (reading, knitting, everyday normal stuff). When I was able to force myself to knit, I repeatedly made mistakes and I found myself starting over again and again.

About the point where I was ready to give up - I found a simple stitch pattern - the same 3 stitches over and over and over again. I was disappointed that it wouldn't be what I had originally planned - but accepted that at least it was something I could finish and I started over for the last time.

Two things ended up happening. First, about half-way through knitting the shawl - towards the end of December, I realized that the simple 3-stitch pattern was too easy and was becoming boring. I realized that my ability to concentrate was increasing. I have never been so happy to be so bored! Second, as soon as I saw the shawl with the dress I realized that the more complicated pattern I had hoped to knit would have clashed with the lace of the dress - the simple pattern I ended up choosing seemed perfect.


True to form I was binding off and steam pressing the shawl in the hotel the night before the wedding. Some things never change!

Details

These Button Boutonnieres were perhaps one of my favorite details from the wedding. Alicia saw them highlighted in a Wedding Magazine - and knew that she "had to have them"! An etsy crafter in Baltimore took her colors and made it happen. I loved that they were easy to put on because they have badge-pins on the back (I'm horrible at pinning on boutonnieres and corsages). I also loved that they are a great take-home remembrance of the day.

Photo Booth vs Candy Buffet

I'm not sure which one would have won if guests were allowed to vote - needless to say, both were very popular. So many people helped with the Candy Buffet - Heather McD designed and made the vinyl lettering with her amazing vinyl cutting machine. Tam designed and printed the insert cards that went into the little bags. Cristin lent some of her apothecary jars. Shauna manned the buffet ALL NIGHT :) filling and refilling the jars and chasing down run-away sixlets. Definitely a group effort - oh and my dad graciously offered to taste test all of the candy for quality before the reception started!

Sweet Sixteen

She's an amazing young woman, with a beautiful smile, an engaging personality,

smart and talented, sensitive and kind

and now sixteen!

(Happy Birthday!)

What does the W stand for?

Lots of W's in my mind during the last few days!
Wonderful
Week
Wishes
Whirlwind

...and in the all-knowing words of my young niece trying to explain
the embroidered W on a set of pretty hand towels...
"Duh, it is for Wedding!
(Also Williams!)

Alicia's ability to plan, organize and dream all came

together in a beautiful way.

My Weekend Highlights:


Dinner for Family and Friends
Salt Lake Temple
Amazing Wedding Dress
(hidden sentimental touch)
Darling Button Boutonnieres - very Alicia
The Point
Candy Buffet
Suprise Mini-Cooper Groom's Cake
Photo Booth
Family and Friends


We left the photography to the professionals - but I will try to post a few!

Just Put One Foot In Front of the Other (Frosty T. Snowman)

You don't get very far - distance-wise - when you take steps on an elliptical trainer. However I traveled quite a ways today.

It was my first foray into the gym since having a stroke there in November. I had to sit in my car to gather my courage for a couple of minutes before going in... I think my heart rate was up before I even got started :)

Great welcome from my personal trainer when I walked in the door - she squealed in surprise and ran to give me a hug. I had just finished working out with her when the stroke began. Possibly scared her as much as it scared me. It felt much better feeling walking out to my car when I was finished - as opposed to being wheeled out to a waiting ambulance on a gurney.

Still feel so fortunate and so blessed.

Glad to be back working out - I've actually missed it

Glad to be conquering my fear of returning

and

Glad to be moving forward

(not literally of course -

what with the elliptical trainer

being stationary and all)!

Added Later: Love that if you look really closely you can still see a smidgen of red dust from our summer hikes in Zion's!

Beginnings

Isn't it interesting how endings are always followed by beginnings?

It has been quite a year

- on so many fronts -

personally

as a family

(nationally and internationally as well)

As 2010 ends and 2011 begins, I feel so blessed and am grateful to be looking forward. I know that it will not be challenge free -- but along with the challenges there will also be joy and opportunities for growth.

And so it begins...