The Wedding

The bride and groom just following the marriage ceremony

On the steps of the temple

Our little family

Aunt Linda, Sorelle, Juliet and Kandis

Grandma and Elle

Elle playing on the temple grounds

Jon and Gwen at the reflecting pool

Syd and Shea were married in the Salt Lake City temple.  I love temple weddings.  They are so peaceful.  The ceremony was simple yet beautiful.  Syd and Shea looked so happy and in love.  Jon and I sat and held hands during the ceremony.  I couldn't help but remember our day.  Jon and I talked after the wedding about how much more we love eachother now compared to our wedding day. I was totally in-love with Jon on our wedding day but it is interesting how love changes.  I am not just in-love with him now but I truly love him.  Everything about him.  I am also so grateful to have a husband who makes me feel that same love from him as well.  This may seem a little much for a blog but that is exactly what was going through my mind as I watched Syd and Shea take that same first step into their future.  

On a lighter note, the weather was beautiful.  You could not have asked for a more perfect day. We walked the temple grounds and took lots of pictures.  I didn't get too many of Shea and Syd because I was trying not to impose on their hired photographer (who rightfully followed closely behind them... can't wait to see their photos).  It was a perfect morning.

The Reception

Mr. and Mrs. Sydney McGee!

The Happy Couple

The Barn at Dusk

Bride and Groom and Grandma and Grandpa McGee

Elle and the Princess Bride, Shea

Gwen and the Bride

Jon and me

Jon's Brother Syd (the groom) and Jon's sister Kjirsten

The McGee Boys

Dancing the night away

Following Syd and Shea's wedding in the Salt Lake City Temple, they held their reception at a beautiful barn in Mapleton.  Shea and her mom spared no detail in planning this.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Hanging lanterns, fresh flowers, a photo booth, panini bar, great music, lots of dancing and a lot of fun.  Elle was mesmerized by Shea.  She thought she was a princess.   The bride and groom rode off on a tandem bicycle at the end of the night as we all threw flowers.  So adorable.  I am so excited for the two of them to start their lives together.  I am excited for my girls to have another aunt to look up to and for me to get another amazing sister-in-law.  It was a magical evening.  

Last Stop

Our last few stops during the wedding weekend included getting to see my mom, hanging out with my sister and going to Ben's studio.  We were able to visit my mom at her stomping grounds.  Elle loved seeing all of Grammie's nursing equipment and even made a few rounds with her.  Thanks mom for opening your home to us and for letting the girls snuggle with your dog, Tootsie.  We were also lucky to be able to meet up with my sister Briar and her cute family.  We met them at her husband Ben's studio.  He has his own letterpress studio in Salt Lake City.  The artform is amazing and hasn't changed in the last 100+ years.  Ben has 6 letterpresses that he has acquired from all over the United States.  He does custom wedding invitations and announcements as well as boxed set cards and stationery that you may see in your favorite stationery stores and boutiques all around the country.  Needless to say I was in heaven browsing through all of the beautiful things he had in the studio.  Check out his websites...  Seraph Stationery and The Mandate Press.

Catching up with Briar, Ben and their three girls was so fun.  Elle and Gwen had a blast running around with their cousins.  I had so much catching up with Briar.  We are only 16 months apart. We look a like, we have basically the exact same childhood memories and we both think the same random things are hilarious.  

The girls loved flying.  I wasn't too sure about our 7am flights...very interesting with two toddlers!  Elle loved being able to sit by the window on the plane and Gwen loved daddy's fun idea of cruising the airports on top of her "monkey suitcase".  A great end to an amazing family packed weekend!  

Extra Halloweeny

This little girl is very excited for Halloween.  Elle chose the orange bow this morning so she could look "extra halloweeny" at preschool.  We have had her costume and Gwen's costume ready for the last two months.  Needless to say there have been a few dress rehearsals around here getting ready for the big day.  On a side note, Elle's hair is quite a bit shorter.  A few nights ago, I found her in my bathroom sitting up on the sink.  I looked in the sink and saw mounds of blonde curls and guess who was holding the scissors?  She looked at me and immediately the tears started streaming down her cheeks.  She kept saying, "mama I just wanted to get the snarls out".  It really was sad.  She had even soaked her hair in detangler spray.  We had a long talk that night and she gave me a lot of hugs.  On Saturday we went to the "haircut store", as Elle calls it, and had it evened out.  I think she looks adorable.  

One Hundred

This afternoon Elle said to me, "Mama, I love you 100".  For a little girl who can only count to 15, that is an awful lot of love.  I was very flattered.  And to my sweet Elle, I love you to infinity.  

All-Girl

When Gwen wakes up in the morning she grabs a bathing suit, leotard or princess dress for me to put on her.  This morning it was the pink leotard and ballet skirt that caught her eye.  She LOVES to dress up just like her big sister.  Her little feet are just big enough now to fit into Elle's princess high heels.  I love to see her chubby little legs prancing around in the pink plastic heels.  She is all girl...through and through.  

Me and My Shadow

Miss Gwenners and Mama.  Pretty much how we are all day, everyday.  I am either holding her or she is hanging on my legs...and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Soon to be...

Mr. and Mrs!   Jon's brother Syd and his #1 girl, Shea,  are getting married in just 3 short weeks.  Could they be any cuter?  We are so excited for them and for their upcoming wedding.  Shea is a very lucky girl to be getting the very last "available" McGee boy.  Believe me, I know.  

Family Time

The memory card in my camera is having issues and so I have not been able to take photos as of lately...but I am working on it!  So frustrating.  I did however remember that I had not posted these photos from a month or two ago when we were visiting with Jon's family.  The last picture is of our very favorite Uncle Syddles.  He and Shea are getting married  soon and  the best part is that they will only be living a short distance from our house.  The girls will have lots of time with their favorite uncle and soon-to-be aunt.  

Daddy Time

Jon called home this past week and asked to speak with Elle.  As soon as she hung up the phone she started running around the house getting her shoes on, getting her golf club out of the cabinet and of course started putting on daddy's glove.  She then sat on the front porch and waited for him to drive up the street to meet her.  She was soo excited to go have special time with her daddy.  The two of them go to the driving range near our home as often as they can. I know they have fun playing together but I think the best part for both of them is having time together.  

All Mine

Miss Gwenners is growing up too fast as far as I am concerned.  I still think of her as a baby even though she is 30 lbs.  With Elle at school, Gwen and I now have time together each day when it is JUST the two of us.  It has actually been a lot of fun for both of us.  I think we both needed this special time with eachother.  There are so many little things about her that I never want to forget.  I love how much she loves books and how she walks over to me with one and just plants herself in my lap.  I love how she dances with just her left foot on its tippy toes and turns around in circles.  I love how she carries around as many bathing suits as she can in her arms for no reason. I love how I can completely understand everything she "says" even though she still doesn't talk much at all.  I love that when she really wants me to see something she says, "mama" and grabs my chin to turn it in the direction she wants me to look.  I love that I can comfort her better than anyone when she is having one of  her out-of-control meltdowns.  I love that she waves at every person we pass while sitting in the cart as we stroll through the grocery store.  I love that her favorite game in the world is to stand at the end of the hallway and for me to yell, "gweeeeennnerrrs" as she runs full force into my arms only to turn around and do it all over again.  I love that even when she's naughty and has to sit on the stairs for time-out she actually stays on the stair until I tell her it's ok to get up.  I love that when she wakes up crying in the middle of the night all that she needs is for me to quietly walk into her bedroom and slip my finger through the slats in her crib for her to hold.  I love how she laughs hysterically in the movie, "Alvin and the Chipmunks" when an acorn falls on Alvin's head.  I love her hugs when she wraps her little chubby arms so tightly around my neck that I can't breathe.  I love, love, love her contagious laugh and huge grin. I love that my kisses make her owies feel better.  I love that no matter how old she gets I will always be her mom.  I love every quirky little thing about her.  Quite simply I just love her and I love that she is all mine.