Oregon Wedding

It's been pretty quiet here on the blog. I guess I was just having too much fun on our week-long vacation to Oregon. And then of course there were bags to unpack, laundry to do, and oh yeah, 500 pictures to sort through. Maybe I got a little trigger happy with my camera's shutter button.

We stopped at Multnoma Falls, and had my brother snap a family shot.


We had to dip Elaina's toes in the cold water. She didn't mind for the first few seconds.


Then we got ready for Johanna's wedding. My mom graciously offered to do the flowers again, and I helped her as much as I could with two babies to keep an eye on. Bryan was out in the heat helping set up tables. Then the day of the wedding, I got to do the hair for all of the bridemaids.

The Ewers' backyard makes for a beautiful location for a wedding.

Andrew and Johanna.


Tim and Leah, who got married in the same place two years ago.


My dashing hunk of a husband.


My brother Isaiah entertaining Elaina.


Another attempt at a family photo. It wasn't going to happen.


My best friend's son Josiah isn't exactly afraid of cute little girls.


One of the bridesmaid's bouquet I helped put together.


The cake, waiting to be cut, under the archway that my mom covered in flowers.


The first dance.


We were so glad we made the drive to Oregon to be a part of the celebration. It is always so good to see all of the Ewers (and former Ewers). Especially Shannon. I love that our kids are so close in age, and wish we could see each other more than once a year. There was talk of getting together sometime after Christmas for a "Thanksgiving in March." I really hope we can all make that happen.

Babe and Kabe's Wedding

Because Jessie is the baby, she gets called "Babe" more often than not. So when Kaleb entered the scene last year, it only seemed natural to refer to them as "Babe and Kabe." And so, Bryan's baby sister got married on the 14th. I was a bridesmaid, Bryan was a groomsman, and Chloë was the flower girl.

Getting ready before rushing out the door for the busy day.


It was a beautiful day, and the pictures were taken at the U of I Admin Building, where Bryan and I got married and had our pictures taken 5 1/2 years ago.

I was so glad Bryan had his handy dandy iPhone and got some good pictures. I didn't bother bringing my camera.














After the pictures were taken, I changed Chloë into normal clothes, and she fell asleep in the car during our 12 minute drive to Living Faith Fellowship, where the ceremony took place. We had a little lunch, and then touched up our hair and makeup in a Sunday School room. I got both of the girls re-dressed and in clean diapers, and 20 minutes before the ceremony was due to start, I picked up Elaina to nurse her one last time before passing her off to my mom for a few hours.

I felt a splash of something hit my foot.

My arms extended to hold Elaina away from my body. I looked down and saw neon orange baby poo all over my foot. Nooo. This can't be happening.

I must have made some sort of squawking distress call, because within two seconds, Laura was at my attention and asking what she could do. She grabbed a baby blanket, and I set Elaina down, hoping there wasn't orange poo all over everyone.

I only had a little drip of the stuff near the hem of my dress, and it wiped right off. My foot probably should have been disinfected, but we didn't have time. After I got myself all cleaned up, I turned to Elaina, who was happily cooing and rolling around on the blanket we had set her on.

There was only a smudge of orange stuff on the lining of Elaina's pretty silver dress. It wiped right off. As I was changing her diaper, I could not understand how on earth the semi-liquid poo had escaped her diaper in such a tidy manner. When the diaper fails to do its job of containment, stuff always get everywhere. But not this time. 95% of the mess landed neatly on my foot. I was so grateful that I hadn't been passing her off to Jessie the moment that transpired.

God is so gracious, even in the little silly things.

By the time everything was taken care of, the candle lighters were on stage. Barefoot, with heels in hand, I dashed out of the classroom to catch up with the other bridesmaids. I had to run back for my bouquet, and was practically hopping down the hallway trying to buckle my shoes. I had about 30 seconds to compose myself before it was my turn to walk down the aisle.

And then Jessie and Kaleb got married.




It was beautiful and wonderful, and we are all so very happy. Jessie and Kaleb are both exceptional individuals, and we are so excited that God saw fit to give them to each other.

Jessie's Bridal Shower

Christa put together a fabulous not-so-little Bridal Shower for Jessie out at the ol' Alpaca Farm on Saturday. We estimated about 70 ladies showed up.  We had a great introduction hearing a brief version of Jessie and Kaleb's romance.  There was lots of food and fellowship, and of course lots and lots of presents.

 

 

Thanksgiving

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving week and weekend. My whole family was in town, and all of the Ewers (and former Ewers) came from Oregon and California. I hadn't seen my best friend Shannon in almost a year, and our babies have since grown into toddlers, and had a lot of fun playing together.

Wednesday evening, Josiah and Chloë getting acquainted.

Between our house and my parents' next door, we managed to find a place for everyone to sleep. It was great having everyone together again. Having a Botkin and Ewers Thanksgiving hadn't happened in four years, and it was long overdue.

Josiah and Chloë enjoying breakfast together on Thanksgiving morning.



We had a spread of appetizers while we waited for dinner to start at 2.


The menu was divided up so that everyone brought, cooked, baked, or contributed something. We did a lot of the preparation the morning of, and with two kitchens, it worked really well.

Tim made the mashed potatoes.


Leah sauteed mushrooms.


Dad carved the turkey.

We had Thanksgiving Dinner next door at Mom and Dad's house. They have a big dining room, and we cleared out the living room and set up more tables, so all 21 of us had a place to sit.


Clockwise from left: Joseph Ewers, Isaiah, Katie, Louis Diconti, Mom, Dad, Tom Ewers, Donna Ewers, Leah Olson, and Tim Olson.


Clockwise from far left: Josiah Harlin, Shannon Harlin, Andy Harlin, Laura Ewers, Johanna Ewers, Samuel, Sophie Voisard, Daniel, Bryan, my empty chair, and Chloë.


The toddlers enjoying their dinner.


Josiah wanted to share.


Three generations! Donna, Shannon, me and Mom, and Josiah and Chloë. What a great history of friendship we have.


My fabulous little family.

After everyone's dinner settled a bit, we brought out the pies. (Bottom left is a cherry raspberry pie made from the berries I'd frozen last summer.)


Chloë thought pumpkin pie was just about the best thing ever. Here she is eating her second piece.

One of her first sentences: "I love pie!"

Donna tried to finish the pies, but couldn't quite manage.

And then for the strangest Thanksgiving tradition: Watching "The Fugitive"!

There was a good game of Pictionary.

The next day we had a fun game of Settlers of Catan.


With my daughter, my best friend, and her son. Good times.

Chloë having some "giddyup" time with Tom. We actually have a home video of Tom doing this to me when I just a little bit older.



The kids' favorite toy: the iPhone.


"What do you mean you need your phone back?"

Fun time with the dads.



Getting ready for bed.


Saturday morning.


These two got along so well.


Chloë's last snuggles with Aunt Shannon.

It was a great few days. I really hope we don't have to wait four more years before we can do it again.