Happy Birthday to the Cakes!

My sweet niece Kate turns 1 today! Happy birthday Kate! We were there last summer on our crazy trip and went to the hospital right after she was born. Happy Birthday Baby Cake!

It's roots

So I went to change the laundry today and hang something up in the bathroom next door and noticed that the tub was backed up with sewage. We've had this problem before and have had the toilet replaced in that bathroom downstairs. I called the plumber and he said it was probably a problem with the main sewer. He told me to place a claim with the homeowners insurance company so that it would be covered (which we only have until the beginning of August!) and then he'd send someone out. The guy came out and ran a 100 foot snake through a drain in our roof. He said he used just about the whole length of the snake before he found the blockage so he figured it was about 100 ft away from our house. He also said that the problem was roots. Supposedly roots can get into your pipes! Who knew? Apparently everyone has holes in their pipes from roots. He cleared it out but said that there is no way to solve the problem for good unless we chop all our trees down (and all the ones that are in the 100 foot radius too I guess). He said most people have them come and do this once a year and that we should just keep an eye on things to see if it happens again. I sure hope it doesn't!

I seriously can't tell you how tired I am of all our house issues! If I seriously had known I would have thought twice about this whole home owner thing. Before we moved here we felt so good about our decision. I kept feeling like I was moving here for a reason and that it was what I needed to do all though I had no idea why. Apparently the Lord knew I wasn't being tested enough in Provo and that I needed some additional testing. I definitely have learned something from living here even if it's not what I had in mind. Hopefully the problem is solved for now (knock on wood) and we'll be done with house issues for awhile. I seriously wish I would not have complained so much about my life when things were good and normal and we were doing the same routine everyday. I would kill for those days to be back again!

Whew!

What a tremendously fabulous day we had yesterday! Thanks for getting married Leda and David! We were so happy that we could be part of the big day! I apologize for the numerous amount of pictures that are on this post but there were too many fun ones to chose from! This is also for President Wilkins whose presence was greatly missed yesterday! I wanted him to be able to see it all.

For us the day started the day before when I made the Alfredo sauce and grilled and sliced 30 pounds of chicken (thanks again for helping mom!) for the luncheon. That night we went to drop the food off at the church. We then helped set up a little bit, ran to the store for some last minute items, and then went up to Sandy to stay at my brother Jason's. When we got to Sandy at around 11:30 pm we realized we'd left formula for Lilly in the truck at Kimber's so I ran to the store again and we finally went to bed just after midnight. Our kids woke up at 4 and didn't fall asleep again until around 5. We were supposed to get up at 5:45 because Doug had to be at the Salt Lake Temple at 7 because he was a witness. I changed the time on the alarm but never actually set the alarm so we woke up at 6:20, hurried and got ready and rushed to the temple. Good thing we decided to stay in Sandy the night before!

We made it to the temple and their sealing was exceptional. It seriously was the best sealing I've been too. They were given so much good advice and everything they were told was exactly what you need to hear on your wedding day. The happy couple coming out of the temple.

Don't they look so happy!(and a little bit tired?)A sibling and mom pictureA laughing sibling picture

Her gorgeous bouquet (what are those little brownish green balls Lauren?)

A close up of the bouquet

Doug took this picture of the tabernacle with temple reflecting off of it. Cool huh?

After snapping a few (hundred) pics Doug and I picked up our kids and then went to the church to get ready for the luncheon. We had offered to cater it for Leda a few months ago and we were so happy that she agreed to let us. We had fettuccine, grilled chicken, Alfredo and marinara sauce, ceasar salad, rolls, chocolate cake and root beer in honor of President Wilkins. We had a lot of helpers and it went fabulously. After eating the parents said a few words and Doug's brother JD read a letter to Leda from her dad. We all balled our eyes out. It was so sweet. You could tell Leda truly missed her dad being there and it was neat to see and feel just a little part of the wonderful relationship they have with each other.This is how they set up the tables for the luncheon. Eat place setting was complete with it's own pear. Cute huh?

The remains of the buffet.
The happy couple after being fed. This picture was taken just after JD had read the letter so don't mind the red eyes.
She had a kids table set up for the naky babies with different activities they could do. Again, so cute!Here's a close up of one of their gorgeous centerpieces.

After the luncheon I dropped Doug and the girls off Kimber's for naps. I then ran to Jenna's and picked up about 20 (I think) cheesecakes and 9 bags of I and took them to the reception. I then helped set up there and then we took more pictures. Their reception was at the Cedar Hills Golf Course and it was stunning! They did the cutest things to decorate too. Instead of a guest book they had everyone sign a rock that they put in a big glass bowl to admire later. Instead of a video they hung a string on one of the walls and clipped pictures to it in chronilogical order. On the tables they had their gorgeous centerpieces filled with pears, plums, hydrangeas, and calla lillies. They also had little "getting to know you" cards that had things like "When did David and Leda go on their first date" or "What is David's favorite thing about Leda" complete with the answers (her smile is his favorite by the way). It was so cute!

The gorgeous cake courtesy of Jenna. She did a fabulous job and it was so yummy!Our happy family all dressed up for the occasion. The photographer could not get enough of Lilly. He was taking pictures of her all night.
Heading back into the reception after taking pictures.The string of pictures.The sign in (or "sign a rock") table.Sophia enjoying her cheesecake.Grandma Wilkins with all her grandbabies.The bride with all her naky babies.
Sophia spent the majority of the reception playing outside with cousin Bridger. They are seriously two peas in one pod. She loves him so much and they always have such a great time together. When we were coming home the other day from playing with cousins I said, "you love your cousins don't you." She said, "no mom. I love Bridger!"
Cousins playing in the rocks.

We then saw the happy couple off to San Francisco for their honeymoon. Overall it was a fabulous day and I think we're all doing a good job recovering today!

Here's the happy couple heading off to their wonderful life together!

Here's Sophia driving Grandpa's truck while the rest of us were cleaning up.

Ye Old Willow

This post is for the Miller crew. Here's the pics mom promised from the old willow tree. It is quite spectacular to see in person. Sorry D, mom said the guy only found a stuffed animal - no He-mans or retainers. I on the other hand, found a petrified squirrel - ewwwwww! Liza, do you think it was your pet squirrel Xavier? I'm pretty sure we buried him up there. Anywho, I thought it was an impressive site. Look at the circumference on those logs! Let me know how many shellacked wall clocks you'll need for Christmas gifts and I'll start working!