Hidden treasures.....

In the midst of cleaning, organizing and downsizing yesterday 

Rick stumbled upon a treasure from April 3, 1982

 Our Wedding cards

Reminders of the sweet people who have been in our lives for over 36 years

We reminisced as we went through each card. 

It was sweet to see the handwriting of Our Grandparents who have since passed

(Rick's grandma Verlene's handwriting)

This was my favorite card...

Muted pastels embossed with a single candle depicting unity. 

The white doves, symbolic of new beginnings, peace, fidelity, love and prosperity.

This card is a sweet reminder of all the blessings of our married life.

~As we went through the cards we were reminded of people who 

 were in our lives 36+ years ago 

*some, had passed

*some, we forgot that we even knew them "back then"

*some, are still close friends

*some, we haven't seen since the wedding

*some we didn't even remember who they were...now that's sad.

and some, we only see at class reunions.

I struggled with what to do with these cards since really they are only important to us. 

We are trying to purge things so someday our kids won't have to go through this daunting task. 

No one else will care about about these card, or even know the people who 

gave them all those years ago.... after we are gone. 

So I decided to keep the ones from our parents and grandparent, the one the kids might get a kick out of seeing, I tucked them inside my guest book for them to find.

and then....I couldn't bring myself to throw the rest

 so they are neatly tucked in the box that contains my guest book and other wedding memories.

Do you still have your wedding cards, if so I encourage you to go through them with your spouse, 

it was a nice break for us while cleaning and organizing

It's a tradition....

With this generation (on the Hemmer-side) the aunties have gotten a key to the hotel 

and decorated the honeymoon suite on the day of our nieces and nephews weddings. 

We have a small family, only 6 nieces and nephews total, so it's been a lot of fun for

 us aunts to "spice up" their rooms before they arrive on the eve of their wedding.

When they arrive this is what they see...

 Rose petals leading into the room

Candy kisses & "Dove" chocolates adorn the king size bed, dressers and hot tub .
It's hard to see in this photo but we also have a small (battery operated) fountain
 on the bedside table, the trickle of water creates a nice ambiance  :)

Tea light candles, Sparkling cider & wine goblets
embellish the hot tub

Cant forget about the bathroom  :)

Hand written notes of love are written to our sweet niece Jill, and her new husband

The other auntie... Susan (my husband sister)

I let her write the "sappy note" She does a good job!

After the reception & dance.... 

Wishing you both a life of joy, love and marital bliss

Love you Travis & Jill

A "Family" wedding

Weddings are always such a blast,

 especially when it's a family wedding

Saturday afternoon my lovely niece Kellie married the love of her life, Michael.

They simply could not take their eyes off each other during the ceremony

they were adorable!

My kids were all home to celebrate the occasion...

My boys and daughter-in-love

Two of our family were participants in the wedding...

My granddaughter Audrey!

She did a great job, dropping the rose petals

4 o'clock in the afternoon, no nap and just 3 years old

She was a trooper!

Brianna, Audrey, Carson, and Chris

My beautiful daughter was a brides maid

(She was amazing, just had a baby 9 days ago)

She is very close to her girl cousins and wouldn't miss it for the world!!!

Brianna, Jill and Kellie (Bride)

A beautiful ceremony had the attention of my husband and Audrey

~ ~ ~

Then there's always that time between the wedding and the reception...

 Brice &Audrey

He has been throwing her up in the air since she was itty-bitty

These three have so much fun

Running at Grandma 

I kinda like this one

Brianna and her baby boy

Congratulation to my niece Kellie and her husband Michael

We Love you guys!!!

Great day for a wedding

A special day for two special people

Megan (MJ) is my sweet niece who is just 4 months older than my own daughter.

It's been such a  joy seeing you grow MJ and now...
 finding the love of your life. 

We think Josh Is just the right guy for you! 

We pray special blessings for you both as you

 continue this journey as husband and wife.

This photo was taken the day after you were engaged...remember

We were so lucky to be in the same neighborhood as you and Josh (Two Harbors) 

and were the first to see your beautiful ring

Shortly after 3:00 today you'll be Mr & Mrs. Janos

CONGRATULATIONS  :)

Love you M.J.

(you're married, whoop whoop)

Good times

This weekend we attended the wedding of a friend.  

The Dietzmans put on a beautiful wedding for their oldest child Cara.

Our daughter Brianna was the Matron of honor.

Cara and Brianna are long time childhood friends

The reception and dance were under a tent in the yard.... we all danced the night away

All the father's and daughter's were invited out for a dance.

My daughter Brianna and my hubby Rick

My Son-in-law Chris and granddaughter Audrey

My son Brice and his wife Jenny were able to attend as well

gettin' their groove on

Jenny and Brice, dancing up a storm

Dancing the night away

(daughter Brianna... and Chris)

~~~

Congrats Tim & Cara

The wedding of Brice & Jenny

FINALLY...

I had some time to sit down and blog a bit about the wedding. I dont have the greatest pics because I decided to just relax and have fun being the "mother of the groom" and I did just that.

I am excited to be get pictures from my Bro-in-law in the near future. I think he took enough for both of us :)

The wedding was beautiful and went off without a glitch.

Friday turned out to be a beautiful day unlike the expected rainy day forcast.

I love seeing my kids so happy. I'm so proud of the great young adults they've become. All grown up, living out in the great big world, but yet still calling home with those little questions, things they just arent sure about, and still look for mom & dad's advice. I Love that!

Brice looking at his bride as she stands with her parents during pictures

~~~

And then there's those 3 kid of mine.

Sometimes I'm not sure why I try to get them to co-operate for a picture. (Brianna's trying real hard here, thanks Brie)

Then I remember...

I Love you three Gavin, Brice & Brianna.

***

A few collage pics to capture moments in the day

******

Brice chose Gavin to be his best man....

Wasnt even a question in his mind, that's his brother and friend, the one he grew up with , the one he tormented, the one he wrestled with and the one he loves.

Gavin, being a young man of few words, gave an amazing (from the heart) speech at the reception. He told things about the two of them growing up that even I didnt know. He talked about Jenny and how He liked her from the first time he saw her (sitting on the floor playing "play station" with Brice. It was enduring to here my youngest talk about his big brother and the good times they have shared. He ended the speech....

"You'll always be my best friend"
***

Oh,... the look in their eyes

*

My beautiful daughter brie and granddaughter Audrey.

***

Glimpses of the dance... and boy did everyone dance.

*

The driver, Gavin

Mr & Mrs. Brice Hemmer

Love you both :)

Oh those two

There is alot of excitement in the air at the Hemmer-Shevik homes

In 4 days these two will "tie the knot" and our families couldn't be more thrilled.

It all began almost 5 years ago when these two decided to "date".

I remember when Brice told me he was heading over to the athletic club to "get a tour".

I was like, "really, a tour...what's that about?"

He said, "oh there's this girl that works their that want to show me around the place".

Ha... can you guess who that girl was?

I'm glad he he took the tour and they started to hang out. Jenny and Brice are like "two peas in a pod" and they compliment each other perfectly. It's been fun to see their friendship grow into a beautiful love story.