Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue....

Saturday I heard wedding bells! Ben, my (step)son(which by the way I dislike saying STEP, it sounds like something from a not so happy fairy tale, and often carries with it the inference that he is "less than" my other kids. Which he's not. And so I cringe when I say it. However, I say it out of respect for his mom, cause he has a really great one!) got married to a beautiful and amazing young woman - Stephanie! The weekend was full of fun, laughter, and yes a few tears (Mark! Oh, and maybe me a little ;-) )

Friday night was the rehearsal, followed by the rehearsal dinner at Ben's mom and (step) dad's house (I bet he doesn't like the STEP part either!). We met and mingled with Steph's family, greeted Ben's family on his mom's side and had a good time.

Saturday, Katie and I headed off to the country club and helped hang a few decorations, got ready together and otherwise prepped for the big event. Mark and the boys joined us there. The wedding was spectacular, in a lovely outdoor setting, the bride and groom joyful and everything was perfect! (Except when they forgot to exchange rings, but even that was cute!)

The reception that followed was lovely, we ate, we mingled, we got our goofy pictures taken in a cool photo booth, we danced and partied....

The evening ended with goodbye's to Ben and Steph. Then Mark and I took our oldest two out to a late dinner at the same Mexican restaurant we ate at 17 1/2 years ago after we had gone to the temple together the week before we got married. Life really does come full circle!

Here is the address for samples of their pictures!
http://blog.lorrainemarie.com/

New brother-in-law

Congratulations to Jodi and Steven! It was a beautiful wedding for a couple who is a match made in heaven on the perfect day....

Andi's wedding

A couple of week ago I had the pleasure to take pictures of my neice's wedding. It was fun, Mark was my assistant and did a great job. Thanks Rob for asking me!

I remember when Mark and I got married, Andi was this adorable little girl who laughed and played, said the cutest things, and was inseperable from her cousin Danielle. She has grown into a beautiful young lady and made a gorgeous bride, and I had a great time taking her pictures!

Birthdays are better celebrated with family!

My other mother (MIL) had her birthday a couple of weeks ago. We hosted at our house, which was a lot of fun! She's a fantastic lady, and she got the chance to see how much she is loved!

Lighting the cake:




Opening presents:




Dressing Peter up with ribbons:


The most perfectly cut cake ever ;-)


I love the cake she chooses. Old fashioned prune cake with delicious glaze. Most of the kids don't like it, but she does. I love the chance to bake a cake from scratch and it is so good!


Aunt T. and Uncle R. brought Joe belated gifts for his birthday in January. They are so thoughtful! It was this really cool dinasour set where Joe had to dig the dinasour out of this hard sand stuff. He had a blast with the little pick axe, excavating then building the dinasour!