Wedding Week

My Role This Week....

What a fun week ahead.....

Jeffrey and Alison's lucky day...Friday, June 13, their wedding day!

The wedding will take place in the Orlando LDS Temple with the

marriage sealing performed by my dad,

adding even more joy to the occasion.

My heart is full of joy and gratitude as I contemplate how perfect

Jeffrey and Alison are for each other.

As I was raising my boys, I would often think about their futures and

how I could prepare them to meet that "just perfect" spouse

and to also be that "just perfect spouse".

Curt and Jeffrey have both been blessed to find wonderful women

who are indeed, perfect for them.

It is a blessing and a miracle to see them make wonderful choices

that bring them to this point in their lives.

I am so excited to officially welcome Alison and her family to ours!

If I sound like a proud, grateful mom, it is because I am!

I can't promise this blog wont be on wedding photo overload next week!!!

Blogging will be light to non-existent this week as I am packing to leave

and enjoying a week of wedding festivities! Giveaway #3 will be posted June 16.

Almost Dumpster Diving

Jeffrey and Alison

No pressure... but the wedding is almost here!!!!

Four More Weeks....

I am certain no one is counting more than Jeffrey and Alison.

This week, I am hosting a Bridal Shower for Alison.

I am so excited! More than so excited...totally excited!!!!!

Whenever I prepare for an event...there are stories from behind the scenes....

This shower is proving to be no exception

I have a funny story about diving in one of those large bins at Wal Mart on Saturday while on the hunt for the perfect decoration supplies for Alison's shower. I don't want to spoil the surprise for Alison, so I will have to post the details of which candy I was specifically searching for. It was a certain kind and color of candy I was on the hunt for... Just picture me working my way to the bottom of one of those huge bins they put DVD's and Movie Candy Boxes in...yep, what I was after was on the very bottom... and I drew a crowd as I searched. First people talked to me like I was an employee there (never) and then they either looked at me like I was crazy or started to help me work my way to the bottom of the pile!!! Mission accomplished! I have my boxes of that certain candy with the certain color! They will look totally great!

This was my version of dumpster diving!!!!

I host lots of showers, parties, etc., but never get to do so for a family member!

I want this to be so special for Alison!!!!

Next weekend, I will report with pictures and details!!!!

This is one of Jeffrey and Alison's engagement photos. Their photographer, Devynn Bohn did an awesome job with their engagement photos. She took them all over the golf course in our back yard and got some amazing shots. To see all of the photos or to contact her for your own photo shoot, click HERE. I highly recommend her work!

Now.... here it is four weeks to go and I have NO CLUE what I, the mother of the groom, will wear to this exciting occasion. Yes, me, the plan-ahead-cover-every-detail queen. A serious day of dress/skirt shopping will pay dividends, I just have to find time for that serious day of shopping.

Speaking of shopping on Saturday... I was in Target, Wal Mart, Michaels, Costco, Barnes and Noble, Linens and Things, Circuit City, and Panera Bread...

all on the hunt for Bridal Shower Supplies...

Have you every shopped on the Saturday before Mother's Day???? Oh...My!!!

The stores are crawling with MEN shopping with CHILDREN. It is fun to watch them and listen to their conversations!!!!

A Packed Day

Tons Of Fun=Tons Of Photos=

Tons Of Memories

How Much Can Be Packed In To One Saturday?

Yesterday, we put it to the test....

The good news is....

The Wedding Is Still On!!!!!

After meeting us, Alison still has the approval from her mom to join our family!

Whewwwwww!

We spent Easter Weekend in Orlando at my parents house. On Saturday, Alison's mom, Lisa, brother, Garret, little sister, Leah, along with Jeff and Alison, came to visit for the day. It was great to meet Alison's family. We started with dying Easter Eggs.

Note the "Bunny S'Mores" made up in the pan. Leah, Katherine and Megan hit it off instantly and played at full throttle speed all day.

Alison, Garret, and Leah with her PINK Easter Egg. She is truly Princess Leah, Pink and all.

Ready for the Outside Easter Egg Hunt in Grandma and Grandpa's yard. Andrew and Jeffrey used great restraint by not joining in to hunt. This may have been the first Easter Egg/ Candy Hunt they have sat out. Sometimes Growing Up just stinks.

In all the hunting excitement, Megan tripped. Out fell all of her eggs and candy...right on top of an ant pile. We rescued what we could and she went on hunting without missing a beat.

The Hunt Must Go On!!!

At first, Leah only wanted to collect the Pink or Purple Eggs, so Katherine and Megan left them for her. Soon, Leah realized that all of the colors were good and her basket over flowed with goodies.

Once inside, the eggs were opened, the candy was sorted and organized and everyone was well on their way to a super sugar high!

Andrew is enjoying one of Grandma's Cinnamon Rolls. As he said, These are the best Cinnamon Rolls ever..not just because I have not had them in 2 years, but because they are THE BEST!!!!
Finally, Andrew and Alison met!!!!! (They actually met the evening before)
The night before, on Friday, Andrew and Ron went to Gainesville to watch the UFGators play an NCAA game. It was certainly a fast track welcome back to the world for Andrew.
After the hunt, we went to visit the Windemere Town Hall where Jeff and Alison's reception will be held after their wedding in June. It is so cute and will a fun place to decorate up and celebrate their marriage!

Alison and Garret are outside the main entrance to the Town Hall.Jeffrey and Garrett were practicing some Kung Fu moves for the Wedding Reception

Alison is still smiling. I know she enjoyed every minute with her family visiting.

I am sure she was smiling about being with family, not all the chocolate in front of her saying, please eat me!

In the late afternoon, we headed to the favorite eating spot...

The Big

Golden Corral....My girls still do not know or realize there is one here in West Palm Beach. They have only been to Golden Corral in Orlando with Grandpa and Grandma.

Jeff, Alison, and Garret were ready to attack the buffet.

Katherine and Leah in one of many many photos they will be in together over the years. Can you imagine when they are both aunts? They just love each other along with Megan.

Katherine also was excited to note that "Alison's Brother is a TEENAGER!!!" pitter pat pitter pat went her heart!!! Later when I told her that we may play games later and the adults would be separate from the children, she was quick to determine that Garret would be with the children.This is the crew at Golden Corral. Andrew's first buffet in 2 years. I keep waiting for him to get sick or have something not agree with his tummy, but so far.... all is well.

This will go down as one of my favorite funny photos.

It just makes me LAUGH.

They were loading the car to return to Gainesville on Saturday night. Jeffrey had to ride in the back of the van because the back seat had been removed to bring some of Alison's things down from Texas. It was the safest place for him to ride in the car.

I just laugh because it looks like Lisa is putting him in his "crate" and he had better behave!!!!

As with every family gathering, there has to be a casualty. Megan hurt her foot and Grandpa had just the remedy. He wrapped her foot and ankle so she could get a good night's rest. Today she is hobbling around getting her "mileage" out of having her foot wrapped in an ace bandage. My Grandpa Hogie (my dad's dad) always knew the best remedy to help me when I got a cut, scrape, or bump. When I was very young, I was certain he was a Doctor. When I post the Easter photos, there is a photo of Megan hobbling in to Church with Katherine has her "crutch".
This is the way we end every day when we are gathered together....

PHASE 10!!!!!

Welcome Home, Andrew! Phase 10 has not been the same without you! The reality is....not much was the same without YOU!!!! It was great to meet you, LISA, GARRET, and LEAH!!!! It was great to spend time with my MOM and DAD, and JEFF and ALISON!!!!

Wii

What More Do You Need?

It has been comfirmed, there is absolutely no doubt....Jeff and Alison are completely ready to get married and set up a household. They recently purchased a Nintendo Wii. With a Wii and their new Lap Top Computer, seriously, they have everything they need...what more could they possibly need or want as they get married and set up a house?

Can you even imagine being in the same room as Jeffrey introduces Andrew to Wii? Oh my!

Saying Good Bye

Jeff And Alison

We enjoyed a long weekend visit with Jeff and Alison. They were not able to be here for Christmas Day, so having them come home was exciting for us.

Ron took this entire week off ( a first in many years) and we have been in very low gear. Just as all good things end, so did this great visit and it was time to say Good Bye.....

Here are a few phases of the Good-Byes.....

Riley was giving the best Good-Bye loving to Jeffrey.

I think these are my two favorite photos of Riley so far. He is 5 months old tomorrow and still such a lover, as you can see. Generally, Wheaten Terriers are very hyper, but he is mellow and just loves to be loved and give love.
Katherine did not want Alison ("Alican" as her name is spelled on the Wii game) to leave.

A final photo on their way out of town.

Ron was on our front porch talking to Curt as Jeffrey and Alison were headed out.

Curt heads to Ann Arbor this week to start his new job and prepare for MBA work at University of Michigan. Trading snow for MORE snow!!!!

Jeffrey and Alison

Jeffrey and Alison on Temple Square In Salt Lake City

Alison and Jeffrey at the doors of the Salt Lake Temple... Practicing...
At The Joseph Smith Memorial Building. This is a bronze statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in the lobby of the Legacy Theater. We viewed the movie, "Joseph Smith: Prophet of The Restoration" Very powerful. I love the line.... "You don't have to meet him to know he is a Prophet" So very true.
Jeffrey and Alison had the opportunity to see President Gordon B Hinkley at the Joseph Smith Building right after we saw the movie**See story below.
More practicing for Wedding Day Photos at the Salt Lake Temple. This is a difficult little cubby to step in to as a bride wearing a full dress with a train and high heels, etc. I have never seen a bride slip or fall when entering this cubby, but I hold my breath every time.

At The Seagull Monument. It was drained and being cleaned prior to the arrival of General Conference Visitors.

At the Handcart Monument on Temple Square.

**During our visit to the Joseph Smith Building we viewed the Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration film and ate lunch (an awesome lunch!!) at the new Nauvoo Cafe in the lobby of the Joseph Smith Building. Wonderful sandwiches, soups, salads, and, of course, home made cookies and breads. It is easy to eat my way through Utah.

Shortly after lunch, Jeffrey, Alison, Carmen, and Curt headed up to the roof floor of the building for the spectacular view of the Salt Lake Temple and surrounding area.

Jeffrey was coming out of the restroom when Curt told him to turn around and look. As Jeffrey turned and looked, there was President Hinkley. Jeffrey was so excited and said, "Hello, President" and then took off to find Alison. In his excitement, Jeffrey entered the *Ladies Room to retrieve Alison. He got her out in time to see President Hinkley. All the General Authorities were at a Pre-General Conference Luncheon. Ron and I arrived in time to see President Monson and others. Being in the presence of these men, even in a casual, unplanned setting, is a powerful experience.

*This is just one more Ladies' Restroom story I have centered around Jeffrey. I am waiting for just the right time to post about the others.

It Is Official!

Announcing....
Jeffrey and Alison are officially engaged. Read all about it here. No wedding date yet. The one certain detail is the wedding will take place in the Washington DC LDS Temple. We are thrilled to be adding another awesome Daughter-in-law to our family. We will celebrate their engagement when we are all together (minus Andrew) for Labor Day Weekend.

Between this blog and Jeffrey's, details will follow!This is the actual ring he gave Alison....well at least, the engagement ring for now.

Weekend Fun

Alison and Jeffrey arrived Friday afternoon! The fun is just beginning!

A friendly "Chicken Fight" was part of the fun!