GHERKIN WEDDING!!!!

Finally - wedding day! It was a gorgeous wedding. Elegant.  

There isn't a lot of time to corral thoughts....we are thrilled to have a new Gherkin! The wedding was beautiful. We are excited they are beginning their marriage with an Alaskan cruise. 

Several are sharing photos....here are some of the ones I have as of this point in time. The photographer said she'll be sending a disc and so I'm sure there will be much better photos to share....but I know many of you are looking forward to seeing some photos.  Since these came from a variety of cameras, they won't be in order. I don't have that much time.

The day in  a nutshell. We primped and preened. The boys needed to be at a park for a photo shoot. We had lunch with Beth and Julie. We went back to the hotel to primp and preen for real. We went to a wedding. The gals, my Mom, Debbie and I went shopping for Stacia's birthday. Michael and Steve ran around town trying to locate a copy machine. They needed to leave a copy of the marriage license in Josiah's car. They are traveling through another country and all Shelby's travel documents say her last name...anyway the travel agent wanted to be sure they had it.....the older groomsmen went to decorate Josiah's car. The younger groomsmen and flower girl watched a movie with gramps.

Michael and I talked until after 1:00 a.m. Bre and I talked until 3:00 a.m. I slept until 7:30 and am up. LOL

Groomsmen @ the park ~ Pre-wedding Primping

The lady at the breakfast bar here in the hotel helped us figure out how to do Stacia's hair without a bumpkin This is not a good photo of Krista but it was she and Arielle who did wonders with every one's hair and I wanted her in a photo.

This was the sobering moment for this mama. She looked so GROWN UP and I realized she'll be 18 in 10 short years. It's a new season we've entered....some call it an "empty nest"....I'm sure it is....but it feels like losing AND gaining. There will be new Gherkins....some of the Gherkins will take new names....a new generation to invest in and love on.....this photo brought home to me how quick that time will come.

We're often not sure what is lighting his imagination - but we're happy to give him space...he is doing so well with the "crowded family" God put him into. LOL 

Various shots in no order, from three cameras, taken once we arrived at The Cactus. Before someone notes - there are no photos of Michael and I coming down the stairs as all the ones we have are blurry. LOL 

My parents and the boys

My parents and the girls

My parents and the groom

 Love this shot....one groomsmen is missing....but these guys and Stacia make a priceless photo to me. Stacia was born shortly after we arrived at Goodfellow 8 years ago. We became fast friends with Steve, Debbie and their boys and have photos of these boys together from when they were very young and Stacia was a baby....fun to see the friendships in tact as they enter new seasons of life...college, dating, weddings....and I was THRILLED for the "glitch" which allowed Steve and Debbie to share the day with us.

 

My sister friends from college. I am totally thrilled, humbled and excited that they traveled all the way to TX to share this day with us. 

Groomsmen, flower girls and Michael & I waited above

Shocked @ the difference a touch of makeup made for Arielle

The stairs all came down - and no one tripped! 

 I don't have a picture of G'ma Brown...but loved talking with her husband, Bob. We discovered mutual friends. 

Ah genetics, take my photo, but expect a bit of hamming now and again! 

This moment made me choke up and sent me scurrying for a camera. Jamin asked the groomsmen to circle up and they talked and all prayed for Josiah and Shelby and their marriage. Mama's heart is at peace.

Loved the moose on the groom's cake

 

Candy bar was a hit - as was the coke toast

Practicing the stairs

 Note my dress - I don't think I looked like I was in mourning. I worried about this as I know the tradition and so I took the precaution of having my dress Shelby approved.

We wait above and spot old friends....such fun. 

My favorite Mr. Goecker

Grandparents and girls

Josiah sees Shelby

Should I? 

Josiah and sisters

Greeting friends from above

Our oldest and youngest - beautiful 

 

First dance

Fun to see Raths

Dear friends from Goodfellow AFB

Only photo I got of Zeschs....waiting for departure

 

 Heading out - stopping for hugs - Shelby and her mother

Michael and couple - note me with camera on the other side. LOL 

LOVE that Michael got in their face and got this photo

The groomsmen were asked not to decorate the getaway car - it was Shelby's moms or parents. They love Josiah and Shelby and are pretty well-mannered young men - so they didn't. But while Michael and Steven ran around town looking for copy machines - they decorated Cy's car. Evidently they don't teach spelling at ASU. ::snort:: ::gasp:: 

If there were "just a blog" I would not share this many photos. As it's a family journal - and a written for our family history and our family like friends - I will leave all these photos....and I'll shamelessly add more as I receive them. LOL 

I'm sure Michael will write a more eloquent post....my job is photos. ::snort:: 

I can't say it real pretty - but I'm thrilled to wake up this a.m. and know Mr. & Mrs. Josiah and Shelby Goecker are winging their way to Candada and Alaska.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Great Day

The boys bought these shirts when they were in Moab, UT for the Bachelor Trip. I love them.  We welcomed Krista to TX. We welcomed Beth and Julie (my college sister friends) to TX.  We did a bit of last minute shopping. We picked up suits and dresses. Some of us got haircuts and eyebrow waxes.

 The highlight of the day was the wedding rehearsal and dinner.

Shelby asked Bre to step in for the practice so she could watch 

Groomsmen deciding how they were comfortable holding their hands

No, Jamin...the rings are not a Frisbee.  Love it. 

Group shot at dinner

Beth, my Dad, Julie, my Mom 

These girls are tired

Shelby showed us an Audry Hepburn type style she'd like for Stacia's hair - we practiced. 

Photo didn't show the back so Arielle played

A bunch of us met in the lobby. We were going to play games but ended up talking, laughing, sharing memories and making new memories. I am so happy to have Beth, Julie and Steve and Debbie here to celebrate with our family.

The girls did nails late into the night

Josiah asked us to walk out with him and we chatted and prayed together. Great fun. Tomorrow he will be a "mister" and we'll have a new daughter.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~,Coram Deo
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wedding Prep Week

We've simply been enjoying family time, taking care of little details we need to do before "the wedding," and catching up with friends as we can flex it in. 

How good is God for Steve and Debbie to be in the same HOTEL we are in before they move to DC? We all went out to dinner last night...but Debbie and I were able to catch breakfast together this a.m. too. AND due to a "glitch" in their moving schedule they will be here for the wedding after all. Their two sons are the only groomsmen who aren't family. 

Yesterday all my kids met with their matches from a dear family friends...Ashely came as well....so all the kids are sure to have had a bit of time with their buds....and Deja and I got to catch up face to face as well. That was a power play date at it's best. 

Today.....Michael went to the base and caught up with one of his group commanders who is now the wing commander at Goodfellow. He also checked the "lemon lot" for a car. 

I did laundry. 

Josiah took Arielle and Bre over to visit with Shelby and her Mother as they had their nails done. She's going to be a gorgeous bride. 

We took the boys to try on their suits. It's been a bit of a challenge to coordinate measurements from Japan and sure enough - several alterations are needed. I love the suits. These guys are going to look spiffy when they are all ready to go! 

I warned them if they didn't come out, I was coming in...and then I did. ::snort:: 

Zander really wants to wear a fedora - but he isn't going to. ::grin:: 

Nolan looked sharp - except the sleeves were way too short. 

We went to see Despicable Me 2 while we waited for my parents to arrive....and then we waited in their hotel room to surprise them.

Tomorrow Krista arrives.....

One day and a wake up - getting very excited about "the wedding."

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Road Trip with the Gherkins

What does a family do for three days on the road? THIS family gets a bit slap happy. It's a family joke that I need to stop often (I HAVE had nine children).

Day 3 and I told Michael I needed the next rest area or spot with a bathroom and Arielle broke into song, "I like to potty, potty..." and it went downhill from there.....GREAT fun!

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...