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!