Joseph and Eliza ~ est. 2024

Happy Wedding day to these two love birds!

I'm just going to give a quick recap of the day, might come back later to add more details. We left the Airbnb a little later than planned, and Corey took us to the Meridian Idaho Temple, then he went and hurried to drop off his car at Christian's Auto Repair nearby cause his car needs a new battery. We were grateful it started for us this morning. On our way with some kids - glad it didn't feel hot yet at 8am. 

At the temple - boys huddling around cousin Isaac and his phone ~

Girls all pretty in pink. 

We waited for Corey to get back, and Ethan and Bella (who followed Corey to the car shop and to bring him back after dropping it off) so we were a little later than the requested 8:30 arrival time, but it was ok - we still had time to spare in the marriage waiting room before the 9am sealing. The sealing was beautiful. I don't remember things that were said, but I do remember that Joseph and Eliza were staring each other down gazing into each others' eyes during the sealing ordinance. I can't look at someone that long without having to break it up every few seconds with a glance away, so they must REALLY be in love! Everyone waiting outside to receive the bride and groom ~

Peter can stare people down like Joseph and Eliza did to each other. Peter was having staring contests with everyone while we waited for our turn for pictures. He beat Uncle Jared solidly...

Uncle Neil was no contest... Peter telling him the rules "no cheating..." (Uncle Jared clapped to make Peter blink)

He beat cousin Mikey... (Mikey did have the wind blowing in his face)

And then Ethan took him on. Ethan was the only one who beat him, but it left him with his contacts all dried out! Ethan was grunting and screaming "How are you so good at this!?!? Ughh! I'm NOT going to lose to you!"

Almost time for photos for Wrides and Hibberts.

The pictures taken by the photographer will be better than what I got on my phone, but here's one of Joseph and Eliza with the Wride sisters - 

Then it was off to the luncheon. We hurried over to slice up lemons and get ice water ready. The caterer was there with the food, but the building was locked. We chatted for a few minutes and then Amanda had the keys and she was still doing pics at the temple, but she showed up soon enough. The caterer set all the food up for us, it looked amazing. Wes called while we were waiting for J & E, he had a question for his endoscopy and forgot that today was wedding day, so that was a fun surprise for him to be with us for a moment. Wes saying hi to Peter. 

We waited for a while for Joseph and Eliza to come. It seemed like everyone was really ready to eat when they finally did. 

We did very brief introductions and then we went one table at a time to eat. I really liked Whatever Works Catering. They brought in all the food, set it up on burners, lit the burners, and yeah there was a ton of food, it was great. On the lunch menu was:

• Entrees: Lemon chicken split with artichoke pesto pasta
• Sides: rice pilaf and rolls
• Salads: spinach bacon split with strawberry gouda
• Plus a fruit platter
• Desserts: brownies and cookies

Everything that was vegetarian or gluten free was labeled. I had bought 8 extra things of grapes last night at Costco, and those were well used, we didn't need the extra salads I got, we did use one of the rolls. Plates, napkins, and utensils were all provided by the caterer, we ended up being short a few plates (note to self - some kids probably took another plate on their second helping?) We brought cups and had lemon water and ice water in dispensers that I borrowed from my neighbor Barbara. So yeah, then we all ate and people gave speeches: Corey, Scott, Grandparents, and Joseph's best friends Scotty and Talmage, and also Eliza's friend Eliza. And Ethan spoke for a moment to represent the siblings. Eliza's dad's mom's mom stood and shared this Robert Browning quote which I've heard before, but a different line really stood out to me today - 

Grow old along with me! 

The best is yet to be, 

the last of life, 

for which the first was made. 

Our times are in his hand 

who saith, 'A whole I planned, 

youth shows but half; 

Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!

The last of life is what it's about! And the last of life is what the first was made for! Joseph and Eliza are just at the beginning the real part of life - exciting! Being young is fun tho, and I'm glad to believe that when we are resurrected we will be at the prime of our life. And as for babies and small children, I kinda feel like a huge part of those sweet and wonderful years when they are little are just a blessing for us, their parents, to enjoy, cause they don't remember any of it. (Babies are magic!) Eliza sang a song "Georgia" but changed the lyrics to say "Joseph" and "him", it was really beautiful. Joseph played a number on the saxophone, and that was the first time Eliza has ever heart him play!

After the lunch, we cleaned up food, moved around tables and chairs a bit (to make room for dancing at the reception) 

I think Katharine had the right idea... it's time for a nap!

Kids at the dessert bar, yum!

I'm taking notes for when we have the open house in Salt Lake next month... (Amanda let me borrow the cute signs she had made)

Joseph and Eliza cutting the cake, and shoving it in! (They didn't let it get too messy)

A highlight of the evening was when the Dahls showed up! They are our dear friends and they drove 7 hours to celebrate with us! They win!

They are on their way to Salt Lake to drop some kids off at FSY, so they worked it out with their schedule to be able to come, but we just thought that was so cool. We love the Dahls! Two visits with them in the same year, we're so lucky! After the cake, they did the "first dance" as husband and wife. I can't remember what song it was.

Wes called during that too (more endoscopy stuff), so lucky him to be able to experience the wedding with us!

Does he look sad? He's ok. I missed two weddings when I was on my mission too. He'll be ok. Then Eliza danced with her dad and I danced with Joseph, we danced to Stand by Me. Then the real dance party started. It was really fun. We tried to prepare better this time, so we had Napoleon Dynamite read, and also did a fair share of practicing a few Just Dance songs: Dynamite, YMCA, and That's What Makes You Beautiful. Of course Runaway was also a blast, here's a video that my mom took of it via Marco Polo for my siblings, I took a screen recording of it. It was really fun, we danced the whole time, it was a major party. We all sent off the newlyweds before sunset, and then cleaned up the clubhouse. Bella, Natalie, and Katharine playing.  

We sent kids back to the Airbnb in different shifts, Abi went back to the Stevens to swim, MALS all slept at Bella's house again, Corey and I had NODPK with us at the Airbnb along with Neil's family and my parents. We made it to back to the Airbnb by 11, Corey went straight to bed so he can make it on the ride tomorrow morning, I packed a bit so H and Mel can take stuff when they leave with Wayne at 4am tomorrow morning. We are getting up at 6 to leave at 6:30 to meet the Stevens at 7 for a bike ride. And now I'm finally done blogging this wonderful day (a week later!) I just had an outline and pictures to help me remember things, and I think we caught it all. It was a wonderful day and it all went perfectly! Eliza's parents did an amazing job.