September Trip to Utah Part One: Shannon's Wedding

We had a quick trip to Utah for our friend Shannon's wedding.  But first... a little tennis lesson...

Eating my face?

No, giving me a kiss.

Playing at Dallas Love Field Airport.  It's pretty great since being remodeled!

Now that she's old enough that she has to have her own seat, I let her have the window seat.

Max and Peter sat behind us which meant we were on man-to-man defense.

She's really into pretending to be a doctor lately

Woo - - look at those gorgeous mountains!

They didn't sleep on the plane, but they slept in the rental car once we got to SLC.

When we got to my Aunt Tammy's, Maxwell went out with Maryn to pick some tomatoes.

Maryn came with us to the store in the morning.  The kids were really excited to see her.

We dropped the kids off at the zoo with Aunt Aja during the wedding.

Shannon and her groom Colt got married in the same little chapel up at Fort Douglas that Peter and I got married in 13 years ago.  We hadn't been back since the day we were married.  They have switched the room around.  The back of the room now was the front of the room then.

We have a picture in front of these stained glass windows.  They were one of the reasons that I loved this chapel.

Pretending to ring the chapel bell that we ran 13 years ago.

It was fun to revisit so many of those memories from 13 years ago while celebrating a dear friend starting on her own journey in the same place.

The kids were having a great time at the zoo with Aja and her family so we spent a little more kid-free time enjoying some Cafe Rio and then drove up into the canyon to look at the fall colors.

Look at those colors!

I've been working to lose weight for about 5 months and I went shopping to find a dress for this wedding that I would feel good wearing.  I love it!

The kids had an amazing time with Aja and she sure spoiled them.

Maxwell and Korben got along great

Korben, Maxwell, Emmalyn, Ken, and Harleigh

Emmalyn took a few minutes to warm up (she was upset when we didn't go into the zoo with them) but then she was okay.

Cotton Candy, Ice cream, Pizza, oh my!!

They loved riding the train

Love that sweet profile and those baby fingers

Since it was a short trip where we got to see very little family, it was really nice that Aja was able to help watch the kids during the wedding so that they got some time together.

After the zoo we took the kids to the wedding reception with us

My cute family all dressed up and enjoying this fun night.

Maxwell was super happy to see Shannon

Family pic

Sibling pic

Maxwell was waiting all evening to get some time with Shannon.  It was super sweet.  We love her and are excited for her and Colt!

July 4th Celebrations and Wedding Fun

We started the holiday celebrations a day early and went to watch a big firework show on July 3rd.

My adorable red/white/and blue kids

We got to see some little stunt planes

It was warm but not unbearable (thank goodness!)

Emmalyn trying on the headphones we got to protect her little ears

After we walked around some of the festivities, we went back to the grass behind Peter's work.  His office has the building fenced off and only employees can watch from there.

Aunt Kimi's plane landed just in time for her to join us!  It's so great to be able to spend holidays with both my sisters.  :)  We missed having Uncle Joe there but he had to work.

Getting tired but not sleeping because of all the excitement

Cool planes with fireworks coming off their wings

We were suckered into buying a light up saber/sword for Maxwell from one of the vendors.  I guess we are normal parents now.  :)

The fireworks were great even though a little portion was blocked by the apartment building.

...and...she's out!  Sweet sleeping baby.

Because of the great location of Peter's work, we were able to get out after the fireworks and on the freeway before the crowds were able to.  PERFECT!

Our flags are out for July 4th

Trying to get the perfect shot of my patriotic pair...

...put your shirt down, Emmalyn

Stand still, Emmalyn.

(It's nearly impossible to have them both looking, standing still, and smiling at the same time)

Britt and her family came over to hang out and grill in the afternoon.  The kids played in water.

Joe working his magic on the grill

Mr. Grumpy Pants

The kids table :)

I tried a new dessert - - mini, individual german pancakes topped with Nutella and strawberries.  It was good but I don't think I'll make it again.

That night we were invited to the wedding of one of my close friends from work, Laura.  She invited the whole family.  It was a fun, beautiful wedding that we were happy to attend.  (They've been together as long as Peter and I have...  one of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when they read "love notes" they had written each other in high school.  It was funny and touching at the same time.  I'm sure my kids will die laughing someday when they read the silliness Peter and I wrote each other.)

My crew all dressed up

Maxwell had the best time dancing with another one of my friends from work - Michelle.  She just was moved into the role that I report to so now she's my boss.  I found it funny that Maxwell was charming my boss and totally stealing her attention away from her boyfriend.  :)  These two had an awesome time together.

Emmalyn wanted to dance too

She looked so pretty in her dress (yet not so pretty that she was mistaken for the flower girl)

Love!

This pic is so sweet to me - - such love between these two

Keeping entertained while everyone was eating

They had a photobooth.  We had to drag Maxwell in there.  He wasn't quite sure about it.

However, I look over later and Maxwell is totally all about going in there with Michelle.  Such a little charmer/flirt.  :)

Max now a pro and have much more fun with it

(Cutest thing - - when we got home, he wanted to put the picture of him and Michelle up on the fridge of his toy kitchen and then when I was talking to Michelle later the next week she said that she had put it up on her fridge.  So both of them had the picture up on their fridge.)

Video - Maxwell was rockin' some pretty great dance moves.  He was a big hit on the dance floor.

Video - I tried to capture Emmalyn dancing too but a certain little stinker didn't want to share the limelight...

It was the funnest time I've had in a long time at a wedding and a fun way to spend our holiday!