Silent Movie Blessings

Since there are no other wedding photos back from the photographers yet, I'm going to be telling you about the events on Friday leading up to the wedding and various other things.

So hang on... and read this with the image of fast motion/silent movie action in your head.

On Friday morning, 5:30am.  As I mentioned, I was ready to take on the day.  My legs had just about recovered from the 5K that Maddy and I had done the previous Saturday.  Shin splints almost gone.  Whew!  Robb and I had worked out our plan of attack and we were OFF!

Maddy and I headed to the farm and Matthew met us there soon after with two tubs of flowers that had been in his parents cool basement.  We hurriedly spread out the tablecloths, runners and wooden blocks and vases before she had to leave for a hair appointment.  Another bridesmaid helped out but had to leave eventually too.  

Megan, who lived there, started filling the vases with the flowers and her sister, Erin, and I strung up the tulle and rope lights.  My niece Sabrina helped out all morning and was sunburned by the time she left at 12.  What a Sweetie!!!  She made me swear that she was my favorite niece.  I have so many nieces and nephews...  and don't pick favorites, but I didnt want to take the chance that she'd be discouraged and quit, so I said Okey Dokey!  YOU are my favorite!!!  

And I love her dearly.  Plus she was a tremendous help!

I felt like I was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.  And I grew up on a farm so I've seen that.  BUT I tried to stay focused on each task at hand.

Sabrina helped me start to spread thin plastic on some of the tables.  With the many farm cats, I was a little anxious about leaving them uncovered.  And the wind was picking up.  The place mats that had been carefully placed with a gold painted rock on each, were starting to blow away.  So my helpers gathered them all up and placed them in a basket to be grabbed as the guests arrived.  Yay!  

Robb and his sister were picking up the Rootbeer kegs and cakes and the bakery wouldn't get the cakes done until 10.  So time was of the essence and that was a solid 30 minutes away from me.  They didn't make it out to the farm at all.  But around 10, they realized that the keys to the truck that we had left in the hotel town were with me...  I went to meet up with them half way and delivered the keys.  Then they headed in one direction and instead of me going back to the farm, I realized that Maddy might need the wedding dress that I had in my car.  So I drove the rest of the way to the church and dropped off the dresses and picked up other things that needed to be back at the farm.  HOO....

So on my way back to the farm, I realized that we'd forgotten to pick up the water bottles.  So I stopped at a convenience store halfway and cleaned them out of waters and ice.  THEN back to the farm. By this time Sabrina's arms were getting quite rosy.  She was SO glad when her mom showed up to get her back to the hotel to get ready.

One by one,  most of my helpers were leaving and suddenly I was alone, except for the family that lived at the farm.  Their two daughters worked feverishly on various wedding things while their brothers and dad helped out with the heavier things.  Work was getting done!  

However, I knew that Maddy would need me back at the church for photos of me helping her get dressed, so I rushed as much as I could and Papa G promised that at least one person of their family was not going to the wedding and would get the coffee pots ready to roll for me. 

BLESS YOU PAPA G!

The wind picked up again and the plastic sheets we'd hooked onto the tables looked like they were going to take off with the tables...  So Papa G and I tried to secure them better and in the process, I knocked over a vase.  yay...  Water spilled everywhere on that table.  I just calmly told him not to sit there.  

Stay calm and breathe.

We ultimately laid a folding chair at various spaces between vases to hold down the plastic and time was running out...

 I left the 3 boxes of salt/pepper shakers on a chair and took off.  I still have 3 boxes of unused salt/pepper shakers back in my wedding hall now...   Anyway, it was just after 12:30 and a solid 15 minutes if I drove the speed limit, to the church.  I didn't.

During the drive, I thought about what all still had to be done. Yikes!  and thought about my little girl growing up and getting MARRIED today!!  She called me around that time and I told her I was on my way and was she sure she wanted photos of me, because I looked disgusting and sweaty.  She assured me that she would have Krysta do my hair while Meri did my make up.  Ok.  Robb called on top of that call and he asked how I was doing.  It was reminiscent of  a car accident I was in back at college.  I had stayed calm until I had a voice of reason on the phone, my dad.  And that's when I lost it.  Ugly, sobbing, hyperventilating, retched crying. 

Both then and now.  Robb thought something had happened, but not really.  I was just overwhelmed with everything and my baby was getting married!!!  and there was still so much to do.  I felt like Steve Martin in Father of the Bride...  I had to get him off the phone so I could try and calm down in the last ten minutes of the drive and pray.

Got there and Bekkah had already pressed my dress.  BLESS YOU GIRL!!!

I quickly asked ANYONE for toothpaste as I hadn't brushed properly in two days.  seriously...  Whipped a brush through my hair, used some deodorant and washed my face. 

There.  I'm ready for you girls to doll me up!

The other bridesmaids just watched in amazement.  I'm pretty sure they thought I was going to have a stroke or do more ugly crying...

As they did my hair and makeup, my mind was racing, wondering what else needed to be done.  Well, actually... lots.  The food hadn't been prepared yet for the reception, but all that was going to be done that afternoon and Robb would be there to help me.  YAY!  And my sisters would all be arriving soon. Double YAY!  Jen, Ryan's girlfriend, was there also and helped out in every way she could.  What a gem!  I love her.

BUT I forced myself to relax and calm down while I got beautified.  Meri is really good with the make up!  I didn't recognize myself when she got done.  Where is the blotchy, tear stained face?!

GONE!!! BWAHAHA!

I pulled on my dress, forgetting about the body slimmer contraption I had brought along.  I'm sure the heat at the farm was going to be too much, so I figured, oh well.

I helped Maddy get her dress on and she warned my sister, Kristin, the photographer, that swearing was involved in zipping up the dress, so be ready.  Apparently the looks on our faces while zipping her up weren't the best so after it was zipped, I just pretended to zip her up with smiles.  We kept the swearing inside. 

She was/is beautiful.  I'm so proud of the young woman she has grown up to be.

 I gave her a kiss and hug and off she went to get the "First Look" photos done.  Kristin showed them to me on her computer and they're SO adorable!  I can't wait to share with you.  

But not today.

As the bridesmaids watched, I whipped up my dress  above my knees and scrubbed my toes.  Yep. I scrubbed my toes. in.front.of.them. I probably should have worn non-toe shoes out on the farm...  

The new shoes fit like a dream.  I knew they would.

The rest of the girls headed outside for photos and I pressed Robb's suit and shirt quickly.  Apparently some ties had gone missing, so he borrowed one from Matthew's dad, as they lived next door.  Robb and I went out for family photos and when they were done, he and I headed into the kitchen to get the meal ready for 250+ people.  We got three roasters loaded with pork and a marinade sauce that Robb had found online.  I don't know what's in it.  Apple juice?  Don't remember.  But the meat ended up so tender and juicy!  Maybe it was the smoking that made it that way.  Don't know. but yum...

I got two roasters full of water and butter for the mashed potatoes.  Should have done four, but what's done is done.  Got one roaster full of the cauliflower and one extra pan stuck in the oven that didn't quite fit.  Stirring it occasionally.  

Three roasters of the cracked pepper green beans.  Oh, this was super easy and really good.   But of course, I should have put in the last pack of green beans also.  As it stands, I think it's still in the freezer at the church...  Anyway, I filled the roaster with frozen green beans from Sam's Club, poured oil over the top and then used a pepper mill to coarsely grind pepper over the top.  I thought at the time that I'd overdone it, but found out from Jen, that while she doesn't usually like green beans, she really liked these. Yay!  Did I mention she's great?  We stirred it every once in a while to keep it from burning.

What else??...   I think that's it on food for the moment.  Robb arranged car space with any relatives that stopped in the kitchen to help transport the food to the reception.  My sisters arrived around that time and helped out with the stirring and checking on food.  They are fantastic.  Unless of course they're making you paranoid...

"I could hear you guys talking from the restroom next door through the venting system and heard what you were saying about me and it wasn't very complimentary!"

What did I SAY!??!!?  I "think" she was just pulling my leg...

Another sister was asking me to point out all the single guys.  NOT for her, but for her daughter.  I mentioned a few, but don't know exactly how single they are.  But if I can't be a matchmaker at my own daughter's wedding, then just what is my purpose here?

The photos eventually got done.  I don't think they went to the brewery at all.  Just as well.  They probably wouldn't have made it back in time for the wedding.  It was relaxing to hear them playing games in the fellowship hall while we cooked in the kitchen.  Maddy and Matthew gave the gifts to Leon and Norah and they were a hit!  

The bridal party relaxed and played games until it was time for the ceremony.  I think Spoons.  Every once in a while, there would suddenly be shouting and chairs pushed around and I'd jump thinking something horrid had happened, but no.  Just the kids.

And that will have to be it for today.  I hope we get some more pics today!

On a side note...  This is my grand-nephew Bo.  My photographer sister took some professional photos of him during the reception for his mom.  Isn't he a doll?

And THIS is a nephew of mine also.  He gave Leon the idea and let me tell you, I have bleached Leon's shirt 3 times and it's still stained.  I might have to soak it in OxyClean for a week.  Note to self, pick up some OxyClean.

I could SO see Charlie Chaplin at this wedding...

Reception Repast & Remembrances

How do I begin?  It was a madcap week with nearly no time to sit down.  I'll go into that later in the week...  but for now, I'll share the joy of the reception.  They're the only photos I really have so far, gleaned from Facebook...  We had three photographers ultimately.  My sister, a nephew and a friend who's family owned the farm where the reception was held.  All three of them are professionals and so far the results have been fantastic.  

There were lots of flub ups, but that will come later too.

The venue.  The farm of a family friend of Matthew's.  He has been best friends with one of the sons and was out here enough growing up, that he calls the dad, Papa G.  I might have to start that too...

Pay no attention to the red/white circus tent.  That will be addressed in the flub up post.

The tables.  The table runners were made by me.  The flower arrangements put together by the photographer who took these photos.

Maddy and her dad made activity books for the kids and tons of crayon packs for them to grab.  Lots of games if you didn't want to dance later.

Gift table

The introductions as the wedding party arrived.

Meri high-fiving a groomsman.  

Ryan and a sister of Matthew.

After all of them came across the dance floor, THEN the happy couple as they were introduced.

Dinner.  We served smoked pork loin, all smoked by Robb that week, also green beans with cracked pepper, roasted/riced cauliflower, mashed potatoes for those that don't like cauliflower, lettuce salad and Hawaiian rolls, both served in lined baskets.  We had two tables so there were 4 lines of guests at the buffet.  It went quickly.  More on that during the flub up post.

My sisters were instrumental in helping get all the food going and guiding the middle school girl helpers with serving.  I love my siblings!!!

And yes... That is my backside at the salad table...  I haven't found too many yet from the front.  At the reception, this and another where I was bending over a tub of ice were the only ones I've found so far.  

Lots of speeches.  Here is my son, Ryan, giving a great one.

Meri giving one that she wrote the night before in the hotel lobby.

 

She made them tear up...

The father of the bride speech.  Robb promised to keep it under an hour.  He did. Whew!  I think the bridal couple were nervous that it might...  He did a great job!

A shoe game to see how much they knew each other.

The cup cakes.  There was sheet cake for the guests.  These cup cakes were sugar free and made by an aunt especially for the bride and groom.

 

 A dance floor made by the owners of the farm.  And I will just say here, they were awesome...  Will get more into that during my flub up post later in the week.

  

Music was performed by friends of the couple from the college.  They were great and played a lot of jazz and swing.  Wow... The talent was fantastic. They took a break towards the end and then hooked up Spotify to the speakers.  The last dance was We Are Family by Sister Sledge, my request. 

 Unfortunately most of my sisters had left by that time, but I dragged my girls and Matthew out on the dance floor and did the can-can with them singing at the top of my lungs.  

Just to be clear... this was a dry wedding. 

The cupcake stand was made my brother.  He had bought my grandparents place when he was eighteen and lived there ever since.  So a tree needed to be brought down and luckily I had called him to ask if he could make a cupcake stand shortly before he did.  The stand was made from my dear grandma Gertrude's mulberry tree.  I remember collecting them with her as a child and sprinkling sugar on them as a treat.  YUM...  But what a special gift for the bride and groom!

The cake topper on the upper level was painted by me for Robb and our wedding 29 years ago and then before that on my parents.  

And more AWE moments...

  

 The younger guests had a fabulous time on the farm.  

If they weren't dancing on the dance floor, they were tracking down the 106+ cats and kittens that lived there.

 or playing on the wood pile or sand pile/litter box.  I couldn't track down a certain pic, but as soon as I do, I'll show you in another post.  I'll eventually run out of wedding things to post about... 

Just kidding.  I won't run out!  This fodder could go on for MONTHS!

In the end, they were married and are off on their honeymoon currently.

Talk about being blessed...

They really are.

Reception Perception

Part 3 of the Epic Wedding in Boulder.  We were the first to arrive at the reception hall.  It was the upstairs lobby of the Boulderado hotel, which in my head I kept singing to the tune of Silver-AD-O!  I do that.

I was surprised we were first though.  The GPS kept losing satellite reception and I'd scramble to write down the instructions when it finally, briefly, came back up, then we'd lose it again.  We got lost.  But due to a "kind of" map that someone had grabbed at our hotel, we were finally able to deduce where the block of the Boulderado might be.  My mom spotted it first.  

Parking was not the best unless you were staying there that night and could park in the underground parking lot.  Not so for us,  so Robb dropped us off and parked a block or two up the street.  I got to find out where when I realized that I'd left the gift in it... 

The place was beautiful.  I was thinking of the Titanic or Poseidon adventure ship with all the splendor and grandness of the place.  NOT the new movie of Poseidon, the old one.  WHY I keep comparing disastrous ocean movies with hotels is beyond me...

Anyway, we scoped out a smallish table in a corner and took it!  Eventually everyone else showed up and relieved our minds that we were at the right reception.  The waiters didn't care if we did or didn't belong and kept plying us with hors d'oeuvres.  I'd hate to be a wedding crasher... But with food this good, I might think about it in the future...

Below are my grand niece and nephew and one of their uncles.

 And Adam again.  I told him I was going to email this incriminating photo to his mom and he shrugged.  

"Eh!  She sees this every Sunday!"

It's not THAT incriminating... He IS 25...

We scoped out future brides for him but he was too shy to ask any to dance...

Mom and Dad.  Mom was wanting a good photo of themselves so I took quite a few.  I think this one is my favorite tho.

 The food was all trendy finger foods.  But don't be fooled...  Those little brown chips are NOT chips, but may very well chip one of your teeth.  I bit into one and found that the little brown thing was actually a miniature bamboo plate.  The yummy goodness on top was portabella mushrooms with a sauce and Oh MY!  That was good!  AND conveniently placed just over my right shoulder...  

 There was an open bar.  Other finger foods included, mini beef or turkey burgers, regular and sweet potato french fries, veggie pizza, some yummy fishy stuff as well as loads of other items.  Also salads made in a martini shaker, shaken not stirred, and served in martini glasses...  Adam was SO handy to have around!!! 

The best thing they served was a beef strip wrapped around a single asparagus stalk and drizzled with a balsamic vinegar glaze.  Oh YUM!  Adam was instrumental in keeping our table in good supply of these.  Only one little piece per little plate so we had a stack of empty plates at our table. 

Below are the wedding cakes.  All were Bundt cakes made by a dear friend of the bride.  They consisted of spiced or chocolate Bundt cakes and were delish!  

Check out the cake stands!  They were especially made by the grooms father, my brother.  The groom is a cyclist by hobby and trade.  In fact, these two love birds met on Iowa's own R.A.G.B.R.A.I. (Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) about 6 or 7 years ago!  So it was appropriate decor for them!  My brother welded bike gears onto metal cylinders for the stands.  There was even a bike gear bouquet...  Gorgeous!

My Grandnephew, Caleb!  He wouldn't come to me at ALL at the reception, but that's ok.  He was really tired.

Feeding each other the first morsels of the cake.  I think what's funnier was the raucous laughter of the people behind them!  But then again.. I hope no one took a picture of me during that time because I was laughing pretty hard too...  I'm not pretty when I laugh...

As we were leaving, we noticed that the bride changed into some party clothes for dancing the night away!  LOVED her flapper style dress!  Dripping with fringe...

Also as we were leaving, my brother and his date grabbed us for some funky pictures the photographer was taking of all the guests.  My dad was already downstairs visiting with one of his grandsons on the lobby couch, so he missed out.  We dolled up my mom.

 and the rest of us...

And just before we left, I had my mom snap a photo of Robb and I.  I'm suddenly thinking I need to get serious about dieting again.. OR start making clothes that suit me better.  I was pleased with the dress and in the mirror I looked great!  However maybe it's just that the camera adds some weight...  Don't know.  But anyway... Here I am.  In my mind, I'm very slender.

And that is the last picture of our Colorado adventure!!!  

The next morning, bright at early at 5am because my dad wasn't sure if I meant 6 am Colorado or Iowa time... we headed for home!  It worked out perfectly for us anyway.  I had to get back a little bit sooner to my little grand baby who was missing me horribly, I was sure...  

Because I was truly missing him!