Be fore-warned that this post may be lengthy and loaded with photos...but oh so good. Obvi.
Over Easter weekend, we had much to celebrate as my brother wed his fiance back in Arizona. Celebrating our first vacation off the island. Celebrating our new sister and aunt. Celebrating Easter. Jonah meeting certain family members for the first time. Meeting Baby Elise for the first time. Seeing old friends. Making new ones.
SO MUCH to celebrate!
It started with a red eye flight back to the desert late Tuesday night.
Looking a little tired, but very excited as we wait to take off....around 11 p.m.
It didn't take long and the big boys were out! I believe Caleb fell asleep before we were all buckled in and Noah before we reached 10,000ft. Jonah, on the other hand, was ready for a party. The child was over stimulated with new things to touch and people to look at. It took a bit, but he finally gave in.
Once we arrived early in Phoenix around 6:40 in the morning (3:40 a.m. at home) we were surrounded by familiarity. We took our time enjoying some breakfast in Starbucks. By the time we made it down to baggage claim, ours were the only bags left. Easy enough.
My sister and her family happened to arrive a few minutes behind us from the mid-west. So fun to make quite the scene, with our seven little ones reuniting in the airport. After many hours spent staring at each other and performing for each other on Skype, actually being together in person was the best!
So much time was spent lounging around, catching up on everyone's lives and just enjoying the chaos. The Ohler's finally arrived after an emergency landing in NM and the chaos grew! One might not believe that it could get any crazier or more fun.....and that was when the limo arrived. A stretch limo for the kiddos to head to pick up T and Megs from school.
Here we are spilling onto campus.
I had the privilege of carting around the adults during this time.
That's quite the crew in the back of my minivan.
After a LONG morning of travels for so many of us, the Sugar Bowl in Old Town Scottsdale was just what we needed to keep us going.
Time was also spent swimming in the COLD pool, hiking in the mountains surrounding Uncle Dave and Aunt Nikki's house, and touring the local fire station. All of which I failed to take pictures of. Shocking.
Thursday evening after the rehearsal, we headed to dinner with the families for an intimate celebration of the bride and groom. Good times were had, nice things were said, and much good food and drinks were consumed.
Eric managed to capture at least one picture of me and my sisters....and our halo. :)
Dad golfed with all the boys on Friday before the wedding. So many terrible pictures to choose from...but this one makes me smile.
On Friday, the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Surprisingly, we managed to get a picture of all five of us together in one place...all looking rather dashing, I might add.
While the wedding party snapped pics before the ceremony, we tried to remain grass stain free!
The setting was as perfect as the weather. This shot doesn't capture the copious amount of flowers and the array of bright colors that surrounded the seating area.
Here is a peek into the chaos that was happening up front.
Noah and Caleb snuck in a picture with the groom. Easily, one of my favorites from the weekend. These boys sure do miss their Uncle Dave.
And this is the gorgeous family.
ALL the kiddos were very patient and well behaved during the onslaught of photos.
Mi familia....looking good.
My momma. She sure was a beautiful mother of the groom. I started to get really emotional at this point. And oddly enough, it was because I just kept thinking about my three little boys, and walking down the aisle with them on their wedding days. They're little guys still, mind you.
Eric was sobbing during the ceremony. And yes, he stood THAT close to Dave the entire time. :)
I love this picture below. Not only is Megs the cutest thing ever, but I love Nikki's sisters drying each other's tears. So sweet.
The kid's table at the reception was decked out with lots of sweets to keep those kids going all night long!
A glimpse into the first dance....that's about all I got.
In case I didn't mention it earlier, my picture taking during this trip was poor at best. Most of the pictures above are from Eric. He does a good job making memories....and capturing them too.
My New Sis
What to say about the woman who has just married my most favorite and bestest brother in the whole world. I have always heard that beauty is only skin deep. And in my life I have experienced that many times. But let me assure you this woman is as beautiful on the inside, as she is on the out. What an amazing, strong, confident, intelligent, and beautiful woman. Now I have three sisters to guide me, follow me, and walk with me, laugh, cry, and talk with me through this journey called life. And while she will never replace my Sara and my Tam, she is some pretty good icing on the cake. Love you Nik!
And My Brother Dave
I mean look at us...quite possibly the two most unphotogenic people walking this Earth.
Not much of a Sally Sob Story here. My brother has been a huge part of my adult life. He has been a friend, a mentor, a father, an example, and everything in between for me in life. Mostly he has shown me what it means to be family. The unspoken, unacknowledged bond that will forever hold us tight. His actions speak louder than his words. He has taught me to enjoy life, to laugh at myself, and that sometimes a round of golf with Eric may take up to 12 hours. :)
He's a good dude.
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