Back to Reality

After the short vacation I had from my problems being a mom of 3, it was straight back to the real world. 

I came home to Ryan having diarrhea and crying over what seemed like cutting teeth.  {He wasn't eating well and kept rubbing his mouth and chewing on his binky.}  After trying Tylenol and Orajel and still seeing no relief, I noticed his tongue was white and sore.  THRUSH!  It's a good thing we had an extra bottle of Nystatin, so we started that right away.  He seems to be on the mend, AND this gave us a good excuse to have him give up his binky for good.  Ryan has now been binky free at naptime AND bedtime for 5 days. 

I also had the privilege of helping Kyle give ANOTHER talk in primary.  This time it was on agency.  He did an amazing job and has grown so much since his first talk last year.  It's fun to see him learning and growing and wanting to share his testimony.

We got back into cooking, cleaning, {finally} writing thank-you cards, and just the ins and outs of daily life.

It also doesn't hurt to get right back into laughing and enjoying some of the funny things, too.  Kyle came home with a handout from his primary class at church.  I'm guessing they were learning about families because it's what appears to be a drawing of our family.  Kyle's drawing is on the back, and I'm guessing he conned asked his teacher into doing his work for him helping him make his family picture.  I'll let you have a look at it and make your own first impressions before I share mine:
 

Okay.  Is it just me, or did Kyle's teacher ACTUALLY draw Evan humping the dog?????  Seriously?  It's a good thing Kyle is learning about agency and choosing the right at home because I'm not sure about what they're teaching him behind closed doors!!! 

The Reception

We finished decorating with just a few minutes to spare to get dressed and ready for photos.  I snapped a few pictures in between trying to get ready and take care of Evan.  {Also, the rain had turned to snow, so it was a beautiful, wintery backdrop for the reception.}

The bride and Mom

Three generations

Uncle Brandon and Evan

Uncle Brandon, Aunt Melinda, and Evan

Aunt Lacie and Paisley

Uncle Matt and Aunt Nicole

A Paisley sandwich!!!

Granna and Paisley

SISTERS!!!!

Dee and her daughters

Then the festivities began.  I waited in line to greet the couple and used my allotted time to take a picture.  {The gorgeous quilt in the background was made by Jeff's mom!}

I spent most of my time just chatting with family and snacking on the yummy food.  {LOVED that cream cheese dip, guys!}  It was nice having so many helping hands with Evan.  I felt like I was on vacation with only one baby to care for--and he was often being held by other people! 

Lots of family and friends came to join in the celebration. 

Brandon and Melinda got to spend time with nieces from her side, too.  It was fun to see how much they're grown!  {I just noticed in this picture that my cousin's baby is climbing a column!!!}

Look at those eyes!!!!

Before we knew it, cake cutting time was upon us.  Jules opted for 3 small cakes, since they had TONS of mini cheesecakes. 

They were both so nice--no messes!

We had a little dancing, a little more visiting, Jules sang a medley of love songs--I was trying to get Evan to sleep during that point and didn't get any pictures *sad face*--Jeff and his buds from Comedy Sports did an improv routine using the cards of advice people had hung on the tree--again, no pics--and it was time to send the couple off!  We blew bubbles and cheered them off into the snow, where they embraced in a kiss {sexy leg!} that blew the snow drifts off the roof and made the sound effects of fireworks! 

And Mike/Dad/Gramps couldn't be happier to have the whole thing over with--his last kid is FINALLY married!!!  Free at last, free at last.....

It was a beautiful wedding, and I am SO glad I was able to be there to share in the joy. 

Setting Up

After a quick lunch, many of us headed over to the Provo library to help decorate for the reception.  The theme was trees and the colors were red, black, and cream.

Grama Sue and Jeff's mom, Diane, bonded while putting together some centerpieces.

Here's one of the show-stoppers and something Jeff and Jules REALLY wanted at the reception: a huge tree!

They used it for hanging pieces of advice for the new couple. 

Emmalee and Auntie Deb got all the tables set up as well as decorated areas all around the ballroom.    Lacie made some signs and set up the awesome sign in book she made.  Bryan got to hang some lights and toile in between the columns around the dance floor.  Matt got the job of putting together a canopy for over the cakes.

I got to do the picture table, my favorite part!

I think the whole thing came together beautifully!  My sister is very talented!  

Mr. & Mrs. Blake

On Saturday morning, we headed over to the LDS Mount Timpanogos Temple to witness the sealing of Jeff and Julianna for time and all eternity.  I love seeing a young{ish} couple in love, with that happy twinkle in their eyes for their wedding day.  {Jules, you're young, but it's hard for me to say Jeff is young, since he's a few months older than I am!}  Some of my favorite moments where how nervous Jules was with the rings, even laughing through saying, "I don't know what I'm doing!"  Oh, and how there was a several second pause before Jeff answered when asked about the whole marriage thing.  I think there was happy nervousness all around.

With the wedding over, we waited for the couple to come outside.  It was still pouring rain, but we managed to get a few photos under the ledge.  Gone was the nervousness.  The newlyweds were glowing with joy, through the storms.  It's good luck to have rain on your wedding day, right?      

Beautiful Bride

 On Saturday morning, after a few lovely days of blue skies and sunshine, Heavenly Father, with all of His sense of humor, gave us rain for the wedding day.  The show must go on, though.  It didn't take long for the bride to go from this:  

To this:

And on with the wedding!

Rehearsal Dinner

 Carraba's was the place to be on Friday evening, as we celebrated the next day's marriage of Jules and Jeff with a rehearsal dinner in their honor.  Evan had fun being passed from person to person. 

 We had fun chatting and laughing while we waited for our food.  Our table was the best!  I'm sure our bursts of laughter caused quite the raised eyebrow....{What are they drinking????}

 Some photos of the other tables......

The favorite story of the night was Grama Sue not getting her meal with the others.  She waited and waited and waited.  {This reminded many of Baba, her mom, who always seemed to get her meals later than everyone else, too.}  We joked that she should've ordered her steak "medium" like everyone else....that's what she gets for not conforming {Heil Hitler!}....Matt just took whatever plate was given to him, and if she would've done the same, she could be eating about now......that we would share with her, but she had to use the tiny bread plate....that's all she got.....and that she needed a tiny little cup to go along with it {enter Evan's bottle cap}....you must eat your greens {2 peas}....surely you've had enough to eat, Grama Sue, so just box up the meal when it does come......etc.  We were cracking up!
 

 Then it was speech time. 

Jeff's mom spoke.  I liked what she said about the musical talent skipping a generation and how she now has three beautiful daughters-in-law who all play the piano. 

Jeff and Jules spoke.  My favorite parts were Jeff mentioning how they've known each other for about 14 1/2 months now....but who's counting?....3 days....7 hours....23 minutes....and  hearing that Jeff knew Julianna was the girl for him when they were eating at Village Inn, and she returned to the table from the restroom, doing "the robot."  And Jules knew Jeff was the guy for her when they went to pick up some keys somewhere on BYU campus and Jeff grabbed them, pretended to load a silencer onto his fake gun and take out students on campus who could be enemy spies out to stop their mission.  I also liked Jeff talking about how he and Jules probably only talk to each other in their "normal voices," and not accents, about 20% of the time.  {Maybe it was less...correct me, if I'm wrong.}

Here's Jeff, giving a menacing pose.

Evan slept through most of the evening.  Apparently somebody DOES put baby in the corner.

We watched the movie Jeff made for Jules when he proposed to her.  {Loved it!}

Anyone who wanted to was invited to say a few words, share some stories, etc. about the couple...nothing embarrassing!  Matt talked about how Julianna always asked his opinion about the guys she dated, and Jeff was the only one that he said, "Meh?" on. 

 Jeff's brothers both spoke about their baby brother and how they have always known he's talented and a performer and they are so grateful that he found Jules...how warm and loving she is and how she can make everyone feel so comfortable and like they've known her forever.  Also, how talented she is.  

 Dad spoke {among advice and fatherly stuff} about this being the 4th Boulter wedding in a year and a half, and how he had nearly convinced Jules to not have a reception, but Jeff talked her into it....and that he would have to start rebuilding that relationship with Jeff as soon as this whole mess was over. 
 

 Mom sang a song for Jeff {I forget which one!} and a Carpenters one {Sweet. Sweet Smile} for Jules.

 Jeff thanked my parents and talked about how kind they've been and how he's enjoyed many, many dinners with them.  {He gave my dad a big bear hug....a start to the rebuilding of their relationship???}

 Then it was dessert time!  Grama Sue had a tiny chocolate dessert because she was *so full* from dinner!

Here's my date, Emmalee!  We were both husband-less this weekend, but had fun keeping each other company and getting to spend some much-needed sister time.

It was then time to go home and {try to} get some sleep before the big day!