Super photo heavy wedding post (Madison's weddin')

This weekend was Madison and Andrew's wedding.  We had a lot of fun getting everything set up and ready!  My sister and I were talking about the hundreds of times we have set up the Coffman Building at the fair grounds and it has never been quite as pretty before!  :)  

We had a ton of help with both setting up and cleaning up.  I am very thankful to my family for all their work!  I am sure we could not have done it without them!

The absolute only detail that Andrew requested was a beer canoe.  I told him I didn't want to buy a canoe for a wedding, but that I would make him a beer boat instead!  He was good with it - because after all the boat holds way more beer than the canoe anyway!  :)  Colin was kind enough to let us borrow his boat.  He even power washed the dirt out first!

I enjoyed getting all my girls ready for the wedding.  It was nice to have a little time together before things went crazy!  

Jim loaned Madison the necklace his grandpa made.  Something old and something borrowed.  

My girls were pretty little flower girl/baby wagon pullers!  Harper's dress did not survive the evening, so I am glad I got some pictures early on!  :) 

I absolutely adore my "new" son and grandkid.  Life is good about giving us the stuff we need.  Even if we didn't know we needed it!  

I thought Cameron did a very nice job as the minister.  He always takes his tasks very seriously!

I got a kick out of them deciding to take the wedding party photos at the lake and loading everyone in the back of the truck, like the true rednecks that they are.  :)  

Madison decided to scrap the traditional wedding cake idea, and went with a cookie bar instead.  Her mother in law did make some cupcakes, but other than that Madison made all the cookies and set this up herself.  I loved it!  Truly a labor of love for her! 

Madison and Andrew scrapped a lot of the traditional wedding stuff.  No flower throwing, no cake smashing but I think it was an amazingly fun evening!  I am so proud of them and of all that they are working towards.  

They did not skip the first dance - and I am really glad.  I love the smiles!  

Stolen from my sister in law's facebook page (thanks Pam!)   I wonder if it is even possible to get a photo where all of us look "normal"?   

I might have stolen a couple of these other photos too.  

I had a great time planning this wedding, and I am very happy that everything worked out well.  I can't wait to do it all again....7 more times!   I hope I get a little break first though!  

small things

Whenever I have a big event or activity coming up, I find myself consumed with it, and it makes the time feel like it is creeping by.  I have been consumed lately with wedding details.  I am not having any major anxiety or stress, but my mind wanders to things that may or may not be actual details that need taken care of.  I am anxious to see my daughter in the dress she picked out.  I am anxious to see if we have purchased enough beer (is there ever enough beer?).  I am wondering if I should make another run to Sam's club for more snacks.  You know, the normal week of the wedding thoughts.  I have been trying hard to not wish the time away.  This year I made a goal for myself to try to be more present in the small stuff.  It was a good goal for me, and I have had to continually remind myself to slow down and enjoy things more.  It is probably more of a life long goal than a one year type of thing.  

Jim has been doing a little branch trimming around the house.  He asked us if we could come out and help him pile the branches up to burn.  The kids and I were picking up branches and piling them up when Preston found this snake skin in our down spout.  It is more than 5 feet long!  I hope the snake that left it behind was not one that rattles!  

In the afternoons when we all get home, Frankie likes to come out of his cage and sit with us for a while.  He is still kind of cranky, and definitely opinionated on who gets to play with him, but I sure do enjoy him!  He is a funny critter!

Last night was the first night for the new year of RE.  Harper, Saige and I went over.  I am teaching a combined 3/4 grade class this year.  Harper is in my class, and was actually happy about it.  She said she had fun in my class last year.  This year is dedicated to the rosary, and we had the kids all make prayer rosaries.  Sometimes what was a good idea when you talk about it, and actually doing it are miles apart.  We did manage to get the project done and all of the kids made one!  The kids will be learning all of the mysteries during their group time.  I think this will be good once we get going!  

When RE was over, I drove the girls by where they are tearing down the old St. Patrick's church.  It was incredibly sad.  The church where half our kids were baptized, all of them except Saige made their First Communions, hundreds of hours of classes, prayers, funerals for loved ones, weddings...so many memories.  Mallory made the comment she always thought she would get married in that church.  I was sort of caught up in the sadness, when Saige asked why there was a big hole in the ground.  I told her that was where the basement was.  She said "wait....when I was in the basement, I was under the ground?" in the most horrified voice.  Sadness no more, I had to giggle at her.  I love how kids can change the subject so rapidly and change the mood in the process!  

First night means a trip to the playground too!  (And snacks from Casey's- but that is beside the point!).  

I am happy that I got to have a little time with my littles.  They are fun little people.

I am also on record with saying I will never be a wedding planner, and that I enjoy my current jobs a lot!  I am happy where I was planted.  :)  

Madison's shower

Sunday was Madison's bridal shower.  It was a nice shower and she got a lot of awesome things that I can borrow.  Just kidding!

I am very thankful to her aunts for making this happen for her!

Andrew didn't want a traditional bachelor party, but he did want to go fishing.  He and Jim went to a pond on some land that my dad leases.  They had a great night of fishing!  I think they were both happy when they got home!

It was a fun but exhausting weekend.  Next weekend looks to be just as busy.  I am glad for the good times with my family though!  

Fishing Derby and another parade

Saturday was the annual fishing derby at Overbrook.  I appreciate all of the hard work that goes into this event.  I know Jim works year round getting donations and prizes for the kids.  It is an amazing event.  That being said, my 2 youngest daughters are not fishermen.  They have zero patience, they have zero interest in standing still, and they spend the whole time whining about not catching fish (which is next to impossible since their lines are on the land).  Jim loves fishing, and so does Andrew, so they were making an honest effort to help them, but seriously, it is just not the girl's favorite activity.  

We took Landrie with us.  Quincy and Landrie like fishing and they did have some fun.  Landrie even won a trophy for most fish caught in their age group!

Evie grew tired of fishing, and her parents decided to take her home!  She caught zero fish.

Saige caught 1!

Harper gave up!  

Quincy and Landrie both caught several of these little things. 

They ended up slipping a fish onto Harper's line when she wasn't looking.  It was the first time in 2 hours she was happy.  Next year, I think she should stay home! 

Harper did enjoy the door prizes!  Afterwards, Harper and Saige spent the night with Mallory.  They loved that!

After I dropped off the girls, I took Preston to Carbondale where the band marched in the Fun Fest parade.  I personally think they should re-evaluate the name of this event, but whatever.  At least it didn't take very long.  Preston then went with me and helped me get all the wedding food purchased.  Saturday was an exceptionally long day!

I did love seeing these photos of Colin and Spencer at some concert they attended.  I had to save them!  :)