The Walker Family: Jared's Wedding, Family Pictures, and Open House

June 2, 2012 Jared and Beckie were sealed for time and all eternity in the Draper, Utah temple. (In an effort to be quick, I will just give the basics and forego all the nitty gritty details that I love to write about. It just takes too long and I am so far behind my normal posting schedule, that it will be a while before I can write like I would like.) We drove part of the way on Thursday night after Tyson got off work - we left at 9 p.m.! We ended up staying at Holly's (Tyson's cousin) in-laws stop-over home in Parowan, UT for the night and made it up to Provo area on Friday, in time to set-up for the reception/open house thing on the 1st at Susan and Dallin Johnson's home.

We got ready for the party pretty much all day - setting up tables, chairs; cooking, chopping, skewering food; last minute shower, dressing the kids, and attempting to look presentable. Needless to say, it was a packed Friday. Sadly, I did not take a single picture of the event and thus, do not have anything to show for all that hard work. But, it was a good time and everything looked beautiful.

Jared and Beckie seemed to really enjoy it (which is the most important thing), the company was great, and the kids got sufficiently hyped up on the treats that were on the table. Plus, Tyson made some awesome homemade root beer! (However, the dry ice got frozen to the metal container it was placed in, so it had to be switched to a plastic cooler - but the taste was absolutely amazing! - I have a great husband :) ) We took down almost everything that night and then drove to the hotel, where we all pretty much collapsed into bed. Everyone slept well (allbeit, not long enough).

Saturday, the boys went golfing as a "bachelor party" and the kids, myself, Grandma, Krystal, her girls, Tifani, and some other aunts went swimming before heading up to SLC. After swimming, we all got ready and headed off to the temple, with a slight detour of turning around to get Tyson's temple recommend (luckily, he realized it soon after we left). We made it to Adam's mom's house (where the kids were staying during the sealing), picked up Adam and Kimber, and were off to the temple.

The sealing was beautiful and the sealer did an awesome job! He was funny and spiritual and was really inspired in the things he said. I love sealings because it reminds me of all the blessings I can receive and how important relationships are. Love them :)

After the sealing came pictures, pictures, pictures (despite me having 0 - hundreds were taken by others). The kids were not in the best of mood since it was middle of the day, the didn't get enough sleep, and were hungry. In fact, Eve had a breakdown and just laid on the cement sobbing. Instead of trying to console a completely over tired and overwhelmed Eve, many pictures were taken. Eve is best left alone in those situations (I am not a completely heartless mom - she gets worse when you give her the attention). After pictures, we went back to Adam's mom's house to drop off the kids again. She was so sweet - she already had a dinner ready to go and the kids did great. We went to a dinner with family and close friends at some amazing Italian restaurant. Aria came with us since leaving her was not an option (nursing). She did really well. We all had a good time eating and chatting. I remember thinking, "Wow, Jared is really married" over and over again. I have no doubt that he will be a great husband to/for Beckie and she will be a great wife to/for him.

Sunday we drove home and everyone went to bed. We were all exhausted.

The next week was spent setting up for the open house on June 9, 2012 at the Walker's home. Kimber and I were over there pretty much every day making decorating decisions, cleaning, planting flowers, and just making sure everything was great. We all had so many ideas that it probably took longer than it needed to. But, it turned out beautiful!

The evening was pretty much perfect! We all chatted, the kids played, and everything worked out! Phew - it all came together and was amazing. :) I do have pictures of this one, thanks to Christy, who took some of the cutest pictures ever!

So sad that I could not eat these - but I did arrange most of them.

Notice the pink ribbon and pearls :)

Something I did eat!

Jessie and Marcus - family friends - engaged - married 9/22/2012

Dirty face Kade

Such a good smile!

Love it.

I just love this little man! The bow tie pretty much rocks!

Isla and Eve are definitely 2 peas in a pod.

How cute is she?!

Mark Milford

Shauntelle and John

Aria loved the strawberries.

Leading to the back yard

Melodi and Miquela

Aria was a bit camera-shy.

My favorite picture of the night!

He loves the camera.

The newlyweds and friends :)

Jeremy - one of Tyson's long-time friends

The kids had a great time

Eve is serious about sand digging.

There's my little miss :)

We also took family pictures while Jared and Beckie were here. Thanks to Christy, we got some great pictures and I learned that Reed is a real ham in front of the camera. He may just have a career in photography - being a model and the photographer. He loved it!