Wedding Bells...

Almost a year ago exactly, I got a call on my cell phone from an Utah number.  I answered cautiously (not knowing who the person was).  The caller stated his name and we chatted for a little bit.  I was busy when the call came in and I couldn't quite hear who the caller was when he said his name.  Rather than asking for direct clarification I just bumped along in the conversation.  It was awkward.  Finally, the caller said he was hoping "UNCLE Will" would have a summer job opening for him and all of the puzzle pieces came falling into place.  It was my nephew, Keaton, who we had gone out to see when he came home from his mission the November before.  He was finished with a year of college and looking for a summer job.  Will had offered summer employment if Keaton was ever interested and Keaton was calling to cash in.  I felt like a fool for not figuring it out sooner...shame on me.  

Will and Keaton connected and Keaton worked for Complete Solar that summer in Southern California.  He worked as a site tech up on roof tops...in Southern California...in the summer...crazy hot and uncomfortable.  Apparently, he met a darling woman while working and they hit it off.  They got engaged and their wedding was today!  Our family made the drive south for the reception and celebration this weekend.  

I was really looking forward to seeing a lot of family this time around.  Per the usual we stayed with my Aunt Colleen and Uncle Richard.  My brother (the groom's father) and his wife were there...naturally.  BUT, my oldest sister, Jennifer, and her daughter were out too.  They moved from Maine to Utah in February and this was the first time I got to see her since the move.  It was great!

The temple sealing was in the morning and just Keaton and Liz attended that event, no guests.  Jennifer and I brought our girls to the temple so they could see the couple come out of the temple.  

 

While the little girls and I were at the temple, Lorien stayed home at Aunt Colleen's house in bed.  She has been sick since getting back from her orchestra trip.  I think it is just a virus, she feels crummy and I feel bad for dragging her away from home again.  Will took the boys out on a few activities while we were at the temple and Lorien was resting.  The boys went to Uncle Richard's shop where they got to drive a fork lift AND Will took them to the beach!  That is extra amazing if you've read any of my other posts about the beach you know Will is not a beach guy.  It was a big deal.  We all had fun at our respective events (except for Lorien..).

Liz and Keaton had a ring ceremony and reception later in the evening.  We all enjoyed watching the couple express their commitment to each other.  We also had a blast at the reception, eating and dancing!

We are so happy for Keaton and Liz.  We loved seeing them so happy and wish them all the best on their life adventures!

Oh, before the wedding...like way before...like 5 am...Will got up with the Colter and took him to the doughnuts and dragsters event.  Uncle Richard has a couple of classic cars and every Saturday he takes his car to the doughnut place along with a bunch of other people to show off, eat doughnuts and hang out.  Colter was in heaven...even if it was at the butt crack of dawn.

Uncle Richard made breakfast every morning, pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage.  It was delicious.  This morning my cousin, Tom, brought his two boys over, Nicky and Rusty, for breakfast and playing.  Rusty and Colter are a month apart.  Rusty was a little shy at first but Nicky jumped right in with our kids.  Soon they were all playing in the back yard and having a blast.  They repeated the fun times at the reception, dancing together and running around together.  It was so fun to see the next generation of family happy to be together too.