The day had come!! Marcie got married on Sept. 27, 2013.
And it wasn't just a wedding, it was a CeLeBRaTiON!!!
We drove in on Thursday afternoon and got to Mesa an hour before the groom's dinner. They served Italian food at the old Pueblo Stake Center. Miss Olive got eaten up by all my aunts, even though she basically cried the entire time, poor thing. My favorite part was when they showed their wedding video. I was a bawl baby. It's hard to keep back the happy tears at a time like this! I'm going to go ahead and blame it on hormones still. :) It was just so fun to see Marcie so happy and in love!
After the dinner, there was still lots of work to be done at my parent's house, where the reception was going to be. Travis helped out a bunch, and I did a lot of talking and holding my still, newborn baby. I was exhausted and still not getting good sleep, so we had to call it a night before too long.
The next morning, the sealing was at 11am. Travis was over at my parent's house, helping set up before the wedding. It was rush rush rush until we pulled into the temple parking lot.
Such anticipation! Uncle Brad sealed them. It's such a special feeling to witness a marriage in the temple. More happy tears were shed! My baby sister was officially Mrs. Austin Figueroa! I don't think there was ever a more beautiful bride!! She was stunning. I love this girl with all my heart!
After lots of pictures at the temple, we all ended up at QT somehow, then back at Mom and Dad's for some Ned's Crazy Subs!
Then Travis was back to running errands for my parents, while I gathered the last few things I needed to go decorate their hotel room in Phoenix! (Hopefully, they're all cool with me posting this picture of the bed Marcie was deflowered on! Bahaha! )
5pm came really fast and it was already time for more pictures in the backyard with the photographer. It was quite literally a mad house, when my Dad came barreling down the hall, yelling that the hose was on in the backyard. Yup, my two sons and their cousins were taking turns, turning on the hose faucet on the back porch that just happened to be right next to the cake table!! Collin was at the helm when we burst back there so he got the blame. I could've killed him, I swear! I don't know if I've ever been so furious! We're so lucky the cake didn't get wet. As it was, a good portion of the porch was soaked, along with the tablecloth. Smoke must have been coming out of my ears. Then Olive had a blow out and was screaming bloody murder the whole time we were trying to take pictures. Collin was out of time out by then and had snagged a donut from the unsuspecting kitchen help. That kid. Once the stress of pictures was over, the night got inexplicably better.
They had killer food.... fajitas, chips and salsa, Mexican sodas, fruit, Mexican Popsicles, and Bosa donuts with your choice of chocolate, white, or strawberry milk. Mmmmmm! The food is where it's at!
But then it got better. Because the DJ started up the music! Marcie and Austin only did a line for about an hour, then we all partied on the dance floor/grass for the rest of the night. Little known (or maybe widely known) fact about me.... I flippin' love to dance! And I honestly cannot be held accountable for what I do when good music comes on. I become a different person. A completely uninhibited, free spirited, shake what your mamma gave ya, kind of person. Travis knows this and will oblige me with a dance, only once in a great while. He's good to even claim me after the spectacle I put on that night. But oh, it was FUN!! I danced until my feet were literally covered in blisters. When it was finally time for Marcie and Austin to leave, we followed them out to their truck with cheers and clapping and a few last pictures. I don't think she really wanted to go because before the party was completely over, we all had texts from Marcie thanking us for all we did and telling us how much she loves us. That completely fit Marcie and we were all laughing that she was texting us while now officially on her honeymoon.
Slowly, all the ladies from the ward cleared out of the kitchen and the last of the clean up was done for the night. I was icing my feet in the living room while sipping another delicious soda and visiting with the few straggling family members. Hours earlier, our kids had slipped off to sleep on their Dad's shoulders and we had placed them on random beds throughout the house. Collin happened to be on Jefferson's bed and it wasn't too long after the reception that Jefferson characteristically came into the living room feigning irritation that Collin was dumped on his mattress. He proclaimed to us that since we had left Collin there, he decided to hide him and now we were going to have to go find him if we wanted him back! That just got us laughing and I told Jefferson, "Well, guess what?! Jokes on you! We don't want him back! Sooo, have fun with that!" Travis was chuckling too and added, "Yeah, and just so you know, he wakes up at 6:30am... and he'll want breakfast!" Jefferson had been beat at his own game and came up speechless, but with a hint of a grin. Laughing and exhausted, we gathered up our little chickens and headed back to Trav's parent's house, where we were staying. Travis literally had to carry me, what with all my blisters. I don't know if I've ever fallen asleep more spent or more happy. Weddings must be the very best part of life. I'd chose to relive this weekend over any vacation or trip available. It was just another reminder of how much I love my family and how grateful I am for all my Mom and Dad have worked so hard to provide us with. I cannot WAIT to party at the next 3 weddings! :)
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