I decided to split the California adventure into four different parts. It just so happens that the first two parts are the first two days. The second day was Josh and Hayley's open house for their wedding. It was at my parents house and they have been preparing for a long time. Last summer they renovated the entire landscaping. They contracted all the concrete and such and my dad has spent many a Saturday (and the last several Friday's that he took off work so it would be ready in time) working on everything from the front door, flowers, lighting, BBQ, etc. I thought it was a great open house. I am stealing the pictures in this post from my parents blog.
The theme was Hawaii, as was the wedding. That center piece there was very heavy. Under it is my dad's new BBQ, and my dad built a simple wood table to hold the piece so the BBQ wouldn't be damaged. There was so much food, and my mom was giving it away left and right toward the end.
Josh and Hayley had a reception line, which was nice.
There were tiki lamps lining the driveway. There were a lot of people there. It was good.
It was really good to see a lot of old friends. By old I don't mean age although some are getting some serious gray hairs, or losing them altogether.
As the darkness of night came, the tiki lamps really began to take effect. They were a really nice effect.
If you want to hear more about the open house go to my dad's post on it.
We went to Southern California to visit family, attend my brothers open house for his wedding, and go with Jen's family to Palm Springs. We were there for almost two weeks and had a blast. The first day we were there, we went to the beach. Is there really any other thing to do when starved of the beach for so long? We were excited though because, although Katelynn has been to the beach once before, she was not nearly this active or mobile.
Katelynn loves kids, and especially her cousins Ethan and Annalise. They both were much more excited now that Katelynn is more playful.
Cute picture of Annalise.
The day we left, Jen decided that we needed to get a new car seat for Katelynn. We faced it forward with her so close to her birthday and it would make the trip a little easier with interaction from us. As you can see, she loves it.
When we arrived at the beach, I saw smoke floating with the breeze. When we got out of the car, we didn't smell any smoke so we decided it was safe to go out with the kids and it must be just the marine layer or something. It was the most bizarre thing any of us have ever seen at the beach. I don't think this picture even begins to explain how weird it really was.
Josh and Hayley met up with us at the beach. It was fun to see them there. And no they didn't use the boogyboardthe because the water and weather was too cold.
There were two other families there at the beach that live in the same complex as Nichole. The lady, Heidi, in the back of this picture used to babysit me ages ago. Anyway, Katelynn had a blast. She was a little upset/frustrated with the unevenness of the ground because she had a hard time walking on it.
There were a bunch of kids there, which pleased Katelynn.
Katelynn had tons of fun playing in the sand. As you can see. It was a blast even with the crazy weather.
Yesterday Dave, Jen's cousin, was married in the Salt Lake Temple and we were able to be there. It was a stark contrast from my brother's wedding last Saturday. It was rainy, windy, and cold. And by cold, I thought it was winter cold. I think everyone was a little miserable outside. The sealing and reception was great though. The Luncheon at the Lion House was great too. Here is Jen's Uncle Layne, Aunt Teresa (Mother of the Groom), Grandma Barnes, Uncle Randy, and Dad Greg.
The sealing was great. I usually think a lot about my own marriage during the ceremony but I focused a lot more on the symbolism of the ordinance and I learned a great deal. This is Dave and Patty. I am shocked I got any clear pictures because I was shaking so bad.
Like I said it was raining, windy and it was cold.
And if you are new here at our blog, there is never a post without Katelynn, being she is the center of our lives right now. I thought this one was cute.
"Let me in, I want to get married here one day!"
Because it was raining, we were smart and went to the top of the stairs to get some shelter. The only downside is that we won't have any proof we were at the wedding except for the pictures we took. This is the view I had at the top. (Note that I had the camera a good deal above my head to take this picture so I think only our foreheads would be showing in Dave and Patty's pictures.)
Jen and me. Look how cute we are.
Afterwards, we went to the Edwards home and relaxed and had some pasta salad, rolls, and Jen's favorite, watermelon. A little while later, Dave and Patty graced us with their presence.
Now weddings are great and all, but I think the highlight of the day is --- Katelynn walked. Like not just a step or two like she has been doing or the five consecutive steps that she took once before on Tuesday (that only covered a foot or so). This was real walking. Like independent walking, or I-am-my-own-person walking, or Don't-carry-me-I-can-walk walking.
Dan was impressed.
Kristen and Cory were also there showing off Ellie. She is a cutie. She is three months now. Kristen is a trooper. She flew alone with all three kids, one being three months.
Katelynn loved playing with Blake and Rachel which made us really happy and made us think that this might be a good precursor of next week with her two cousins that are both about the same age. The whole time I was taking pictures, Katelynn was trying to play with the car seat and Blake and Rachel didn't want her to. Katelynn loves car seats and plays with them every chance she can get. She is mesmerized by them. I think Rachel was a little protective, maybe of her sister's things, and didn't want Katelynn playing with it. I think Blake was trying the best he could to be the peacemaker and neutralize the situation. If that is the case, Blake has a lot to learn about getting between two fighting women. Don't do it.
Rachel was cute and was helping Katelynn walk along here.
Rachel loves kissing and Katelynn loves biting. That made for some interesting outcomes.
Those kids were just so cute together.
Now I guess Dan has a pretty mean high five. I think he gave his mom whiplash on this one.
The reception was at a greenhouse. It was so pretty. I loved the green plants and the gorgeous flowers. I don't think most people know but I love plants and growing things. I have never been great at it, but I still love it.
Kristen and Cory posed with their family here. Don't they look like a great family.
The theme was Hawaii, as was the wedding. That center piece there was very heavy. Under it is my dad's new BBQ, and my dad built a simple wood table to hold the piece so the BBQ wouldn't be damaged. There was so much food, and my mom was giving it away left and right toward the end.
Josh and Hayley had a reception line, which was nice.
There were tiki lamps lining the driveway. There were a lot of people there. It was good.
It was really good to see a lot of old friends. By old I don't mean age although some are getting some serious gray hairs, or losing them altogether.
As the darkness of night came, the tiki lamps really began to take effect. They were a really nice effect.
If you want to hear more about the open house go to my dad's post on it.
