Before the Wedding Ceremony…

Dear and ellen b. before we melted away in the heat.

My brother Tim who was a huge help before, during and after the wedding!

Everyone finding a spot in the shade to watch the ceremony.

Our sons, Dan and Josh.

Our son-in-law Andrew, Dan, Josh and Adam. One of Dan’s groomsmen was unable to attend because his wife was about to give birth at anytime and the father being six hours away was not an option!

Our views on the drive to the wedding. (photo credit to Annie and Jenna)

My next post will be on the ceremony and then one for the reception and dancing.

We are finally getting a wee cool down here in the Pacific Northwest, in the 80’s today instead of the 90’s. What’s happening in your world?

Lift, Pinch, Swipe, Nick…

…is what this post is all about. The following photo collages from Dan and Jamie’s wedding day were nicked from my sister, nieces, or whoever shared them on Facebook!

Thank you Melissa!

Thank you Lana!

Thank you Michelle!

Our family on the top and our nieces on Dear’s side in the bottom shot, too.

My brothers and sisters.

I will be sharing more individual shots from the wedding that I managed to take on another day. We are still celebrating here at this old house with family. It’s still really hot! Yesterday a few of us went canoeing on Lake Washington. Fifteen of us enjoyed Tequila Tuesday at Dear and my Mexican haunt. We came home to watch the U.S.A. women win their World Cup Game against Germany and then despite the heat lit a fire so the kids could make s’mores! The fun continues…

Trickling In…

It was the calm before the storm as our wedding guests trickled in from New York, Texas, California, and Western Washington.

We drove to Eastern Washington on Wednesday before the wedding picking up my brother Tim at the Spokane Airport. We enjoyed a few quiet meals supporting the local businesses in Chewelah before more of our guests arrived. Flowery Trail Coffee Shop was a nice spot for one of our breakfasts.

We had the most delicious hamburgers at Sporty’s in Chewelah.

Main Street Chewelah was lined with beautiful full flower baskets all along the way.

This was our rustic cabin during our time surrounding the wedding. It worked out well since we had our own kitchen to prepare some of the food for the rehearsal dinner and wedding.

On Thursday more of our family and guests arrived so we met at the local Mexican Restaurant to enjoy dinner together. These are 2 of our nieces on Dear’s side of the family along with our Josh and Laura. What a joy it was to see these two. Jenna lives in New York and Annie lives in Southern California. Their sister Kacie was not able to come.

My heart was full to have this bunch together! There were a total of 15 of us for dinner at El Ranchito in Chewelah. The staff kept us laughing all night, meow meow!

After dinner we stopped at Dan’s home so our guests could check out the lay of his land!

A little calm relaxation before we all started working hard on Friday!

I managed to take a few photos at the rehearsal dinner where the majority of the guests from out of town arrived and enjoyed a casual meal. It was fun to see each family pop in as they arrived from Spokane or from a 6 hour drive from the Seattle area.

Three of my brothers.

Our kids and my sister Vera’s son and daughter-in-law.

Our sister-in-law Mandy with our new nephew Andrew and grand nephew Jack!

Dear getting to know Dan and Jamie’s pastor and his wife. My cousin Jim and his wife Jeanie are in the background.

Jenna and Mandy at the buffet table.

Our beautiful nieces.

My brother gathered up the wedding party and ran through some things they should know for the main event and then they gathered in a circle for my brother to pray for the wedding and for Dan and Jamie. The best way to end our evening! On the way home we were blessed with a gorgeous sunset!

We were so glad we rented the Senior Hub in Colville for the rehearsal dinner. It’s new and air conditioned and had the perfect amount of space for our group. As usual my family and friends helped with all the prep work and setting up and tearing down the tables and chairs. The temps kept rising and rising as we counted down to the wedding. We were headed for temps over 100!

I’m beginning to feel a little more like myself at this old house. We are down to 6 guests at our home. My brother Tim and niece Melissa flew home last night. My brother Leonard’s family is still here and they are staying at my sister Lana’s house that is walking distance from us. My brother Steve has been making breakfast for the crew each morning. Yesterday it was Blueberry Pancakes with the fresh blueberries from our bushes. Today is making omelettes. Last night my brother and sister-in-law barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs at my sister’s house for the crew. It’s nice to have guests that serve you when you are spent and exhausted!

Hope all is well in your corner of the world!

Hot Stuff!

We are back home from a wonderful time celebrating the marriage of Dan and Jamie. I have lots to share but no brain power to put it all together yet.

Thank you for your prayers and good wishes. Everything went so well!

Helpful Views…

Views like these are helping us to find some quiet relaxing moments amidst all the hustle and bustle of getting everything ready for the wedding. Since they are predicting very high temps, over 100 degrees, we are trying to keep our cool. It’s been fun for my extended family to be able to see the area that Dan lives in and to enjoy the acres that he owns. On Thursday some more guests arrive and then on Friday most of our friends and family who can travel here will arrive. We are hosting a very casual dinner on Friday evening. It’s time to put my new memory card in my camera!

Thanks so much for all your prayers and good thoughts on my previous post.

Wedding Countdown!

This is wedding week and we are in the midst of all the last minute preparations leading up to the main event on Saturday! If you come by here in the meantime send a little prayer to our gracious Father for His blessing on all the events and travel involved. Thank you very much!

She Said Yes to the Dress!

Just a quick update on my whirlwind trip to Spokane on Saturday. Thank you for your prayers. The wedding dress shopping couldn’t have been less stressful. We arrived to the wedding dress shop before it opened at 10:00 AM for the appointment and the dress was picked and purchased by 11:20! We all agreed with the bride on her choice of gown. No ordering delays either. She picks up the dress next week and then will make appointments for alterations. Granny even had time to buy her dress for the wedding! After the appointment we went out for lunch to celebrate. The bottom right photo are the mom’s with the bride. So thankful for a very good weekend!

All Alone…

Dear will be on his own on Saturday to continue on Phase 4 of our yard project. Soon I’ll be able to show all the before and afters.

We are close to finishing what we want to do for now.

I am excited to be heading to Spokane on a short plane hop and shopping with our future daughter in law for her wedding gown. There will be a fun entourage joining in the adventure. I do hope and pray it will be successful and if you are a praying person I’d love it if you joined me in praying that the right dress will be found with as little stress as possible! I return on Sunday morning to see Dear’s progress…

What are you doing this weekend?

Len and Kathy ~ August 17, 1974

Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary to my sister Kathy and her hubby Len. This was the third wedding in 1974 in our extended family.

My dear little maternal grandmother and my sister Vera helping Kathy with some final touches.

Mom and Pop ready for the day.

My brother Steve, Dear, and brothers Fred and Tim

Leonard and Lana my youngest siblings.

My and Dear’s wedding would be at the same church in December of 1974.

Sisters!

The after wedding opening gifts party at my parents home.

Thanking God today for Kathy and Len and their faithfulness to each other and to their family. May God continue to bless you.

Showers of Blessings

Dear and I were up very early on Saturday morning to drive about 3 hours to Nate and Abbie’s wedding at Bridal Veil Lakes in Corbett, Oregon. The setting is east of Portland close to the Columbia River. Umbrellas were a needed accessory for the day. The bride and groom were not bothered by the rain or if they were their faces never showed any concern.

A Beautiful tree canopy led the way to the wedding venue.

Guests were reminded that the wedding venue was outdoors and that because it was in the Pacific Northwest rain was very possible and to be prepared.

This is the mother of the groom, Heidi, with her daughter Nicole. Heidi and I were best buddies in my college years and into our early married years. When Nicole and her brother Nathan were very little they lived across the street from us. This next photo is of Heidi, Nicole, and Nate back in 1984 in Huntington Beach, California where we all lived.

The walkway to the wedding ceremony site. The wedding was at eleven a.m. with a brunch reception following the ceremony.

The setting was so beautiful and peaceful.

The showers would come and go throughout the duration of the wedding and reception.

My cousins arrived via a shuttle bus from the hotel where most of the wedding party and guests were staying. These are two of the couples that we are sharing 40th wedding anniversary celebrations with this year!

Time for the groom, Nathan, to escort his mom and dad to their seats.

Nate’s sister Nicole is due with her and Jason’s 2nd little boy in a month.

Here comes the ring bearer in the wagon with his dad, Jason. Little E. is Jason and Nicole’s firstborn. He was looking dapper in his little suit. Wonder how he’ll react to his baby brother coming soon?

Here comes the beautiful bride, Abigail.

The groom.

The bride’s grandfather and father performed the ceremony.

Parents of the groom trying to stay dry eyed.

Man and Wife

At the reception we were seated with my cousins and their spouses.

Dear was sporting one of his father Rex’s Bolo ties. Fun memories. Maybe he’ll start a new trend.

The wedding cake was actually wedding doughnuts that were provided by a well known shop in the Portland area.

As we were leaving I caught the groom rowing his bride away.

One thing was true for this day, rain or shine Nate and Abbie would be married and start their new life together. They were showered with blessings and we pray that God will shower their marriage with love and stability and longevity!

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Category Archives: Wedding