Oregon for a Wedding!

This past Thursday I picked up Kyle early from work and we headed to LAX so we could fly to Oregon for his sister Amber's wedding. The traffic was awful (obviously, it's LA) and it really put Kyle in a bad mood. We're talking really bad mood. By the time we got to the car park, I was ready to smack him. Then he went to the bathroom and was totally cheery, which made me want to smack him even more. I got over it quickly though and we didn't have any problems at the airport, so my anxiety lowered a lot. Before we could take off, they had to check something on the plane, so we didn't take off on time. Luckily they held our connecting flight for us and we made it to Oregon within a reasonable time for what time we were supposed to. 

Friday I went with Maria and 3 of Kyle's aunts (Tricia Gaye, Tami, and Gigi) to get pedicures and manicures and out to lunch. It was relaxing and fun to get to spend time with them. Once we got back to the house, Amber's roommate and I got to work on the cake. Maria had already put on the crumb layer, so it was up to us to decorate it. I have seen my mom do cakes many times, but it is different when you are in charge! 

Not up to my mom's standards, but not too shabby!

Amber's fiance (now husband), Nate and his family came over for dinner and Father's blessings later that night. I really like that tradition. It sets such a nice tone for everything. Nate is the second to youngest, so he has older siblings like me and they were fun to be around. We did some last minute things (like tying bows on chairs) and then went to bed.

The next morning we ate breakfast, made sure the kitchen was clean for the caterers, picked up flowers, and headed to the Temple. The sealing was really nice. Nate's grandpa got to do it and he was so cute and personable. When we got out, we grabbed the cookies and water Maria had sent with us (which was MUCH needed in the 100 degree weather) to give out before pictures. Pictures were kind of stressful because everyone was so hot, but we got them done. Kyle and I took the girls back to the house where everyone was gathering for the luncheon. The food was SO good and they had a nice program so we could get to know Nate and Amber a little better. Funny story: Jordan was Nate's mission companion, so he knows both of them very well. So obviously he was supposed to say something at the luncheon. Well, he forgot and somehow thought it was a good idea for him, Jensen, and Uncle Warren to go play tennis for a bit. That obviously did not go over well. Warren said he's never seen anyone run so fast as when Davis went up and reminded them/told them to come back immediately!

After that it was go time. Amber and Nate went and took a nap while we all set up for the reception. The reception was really beautiful. Maria really went above and beyond! There were so many great details, but Maria was the only one who really had a vision of what it was all supposed to be like, so it was very stressful for her. True to form, I just started doing things I could tell needed to be done and ordering people around. They definitely saw the bossy side of me. But things got done, so I'm okay with that. 

Homemade Maria Dowdle cakes

I talked to a few people at the reception, but mostly just relaxed for a little bit. After Amber and Nate left, we started cleaning things up. Adalyn was sitting at one of the tables so I went over to talk to her and she told me she was just sad Amber was gone, so we went and changed her into pajamas to cheer her up. When we got back, pretty much everything was taken down so we had a dance party to cheer the two girlies up. It was SO much fun! We got quite a few of the aunts, uncles, and cousins into it. I loved seeing everyone loosening up and having a good time. And man does that Adalyn have some moves!

By the end of the night I was completely exhausted! The next morning we packed up and headed home. It was too short and very tiring, but it was a great weekend!

Derrick's Wedding

Derrick and Mary got married on June 10th. It was a long day, but really beautiful. Unfortunately, Kyle had already gone to California for his internship, so I was flying solo. 

A couple nights before Amy and I went over to Hiller's (along with Mary and her friends) to help with the flowers again. I wouldn't say I'm very good at it, but I really enjoyed the floral design lessons from Debbie.

Will and Lyla

From Top Left: Will and Dad, Addy, Max, Mandi and Porter

Cute Flower Girls, Lyla and Abby

Max and Dax

Me with Abby and Lyla

Connor was having a really rough day

Max and Dax, the  best of friends!

Will

Will needed his Momma

Addy. This girl was an angel the whole day!

Max, Will, and Dax

They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. The sealing was beautiful and they were so cute with each other! It was really hot outside, so the kids were having a tough time in there for a while. Connor in particular was not pleased. We entertained them with food and taking pictures while we waited for the couple to come out.

Mary coming out of the temple

With the grandkids: Connor, Abby, Will, Lyla, Mary, Henry, Porter, Derrick, Addy, Max, and Dax

Me, Shan, Mom, Amy, Mandi, and Alicia

Our family: Alicia, Spencer, Me, Dad, Mary, Derrick, Mom, Shan, and Nate

Derrick and Mom

Derrick and his groomsman: Greg Whipple, Cory Petersen, Jordan Pitt, Derrick, Brian Messer, Ryan Perkins, and Spencer Loock. These are honestly some of the greatest people I know.

After a few pictures, we went over to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Mary has quite a bit of family that couldn't be in the temple, so they also had a ring ceremony. It was a little difficult to keep the kids happy, but it was a nice ceremony. 

At the ring ceremony

We then headed up to the luncheon. My dad was so cute as he ran everything. One of my favorite things he said was that the Keddington weddings started with a groom with a beard and ended with a groom with a beard. Fitting, eh?

Lyla at the luncheon

Connor sleeping

My parents and I helped moved stuff to the reception room before going back to their house for a couple hours. The kids were already there so they could take naps. Amy, Alicia, Mom, and I went to get snow cones and drinks before we headed back to Salt Lake for the reception.

Our cake thieves. They were so funny!

Mom and Derrick's dance was interrupted by Lyla and Dax

First Dance

The reception was really fun! As great as it was to see everyone at my reception, it didn't allow much room for talking to people. I had a nice time chatting with so many people. The kids had a great time dancing throughout the reception. But especially at the end. Everyone got really into the dancing and we convinced every one of my family members to dance with us at some point. It was really fun!

We all love Mary and are beyond grateful that Derrick found her. They are now in North Carolina, which is sad for us, but they are having a grand adventure! 

Hiking

A few weeks ago, Nate, Mandi, Dax, Jeff, Shannon, Alicia, Peter, and Will decided to go camping. They invited us to go along, but we decided instead that we would join them for a hike the next morning to Stewart Falls. It was really fun and beautiful. We all like hiking, but it was made easier by the fact we only had three little ones, two of which were easily held the whole time. The hike isn't too difficult and we had fun playing in the water. 

Cute Will!

Mandi and Porter

Nate and Dax

After we finished we went to the dry creek bed and had a nice lunch. Plus, Dax put on a show for us on the stage of the amphitheater, obviously. Dax loved having the stage (and our whole family's attention) all to himself.

Family Time

I love going home. Lucky for me I've gotten to spend quite a bit of time with my family the past few weeks. Over the 4th of July I went home and spent a couple of days with my family since our whole building got the day off work on Friday (Thank you Tom Holmoe!). Early Friday morning, I was sleeping on the couch and woke up to Spencer bringing the kids in while he took their car in to the shop. Immediately they all wanted to lay down by me on the couch, so we switched to Grandma and Grandpa's bed.

Obviously they all had to be right next to me

Of course that didn't actually last very long (for some odd reason they didn't want to go back to sleep. Weird.). Daxton came just a few minutes later, too. So we got up and our day was full of fun times playing with all "the cousins". Since Weeshies and Peeta had the day off too, we decided we should take them all (minus Connor) to the park for a picnic. It was quite the hit. At first we were going to walk, but Alicia was the voice of reason and reminded us that they were not going to be fun to walk home with when they were hot and tired. She's so smart.

Me and Weeshies

After we ate we played on the swings and playground for a while before making our way to the stream for some good old fashion wading in the freezing cold water. (Dax fell of the swings and was inconsolable, so Shannon took him home. So unfortunately he wasn't with us for the stream adventure.)

Playing in the Stream

Abby and Alicia

Max and Me. I love this picture (and this adorable boy).

We dried off a bit by playing follow the leader (Abby and Lyla are quite the creative children) and then made our way home so the little ones could take naps. And so we could give little Connor some undivided attention.

Also love this cute Conman!

Saturday Derrick, Shannon, and I helped Mom and Dad move furniture, clean, and decorate the house. It was some excellent bonding time for all of us. Especially when Derrick, Shan, and I watched "Mighty Ducks" and teased each other while forming our bet. . .(Unfortunately, I think Shannon is going to win. Bummer.) One thing is certain after Saturday, we think we're pretty funny around these parts.