David and Abbey's wedding

The happy couple got married in the Mesa temple on Friday, November 20.

I've never seen more beautiful wedding pictures. These two are models and I was so super thrilled to be getting Abbey as a new sister! She is nothing short of amazing. Kind, thoughtful, strong, mature and motivated. She's been through a lot, but you'd never know it by her constant smile and hope for the future. She's exactly what David needs. I hope David is the same for her.  

Uncle Brad sealed them in a very special ceremony. Our kids were nearby at Wayne and Paulas, and Travis ran and grabbed the boys for pictures before they came out. Olive was still napping. 

Just waiting with the nephews for his turn to be in more pictures.

It was an afternoon wedding, so we grabbed Olive right afterward and went straight to her house in north Mesa for pictures and the reception. She lives in a gorgeous home surrounded by orange groves which made for some pretty pictures.

Neither of Abbey's parents were able to be in the temple, so they had a ring ceremony right before the reception. Olive, Lindi and another niece were flower girls. They sooort of got the idea. Olive mostly dumped hers in one pile. I've never been to a ring ceremony but I wish I had got to do one! It was simple, elegant and a nice touch to the day. 

They served two kinds of pasta, bread, salad and homemade gelato from a cart.

The photo booth was as popular with the kids as a candy machine. They didn't leave it all night and came home with a STACK of pictures.  

 Tim Holiday was the DJ for the night and it was just about time to get down and get funky! ;) But of course first the romantic first dance as a couple.

Ok, now to get funky, haha. I believe these next two are from Watch me Whip and Nae Nae. A new family favorite. We did the "Wobble" and "Cupid Shuffle" and had ourselves an all around good time. I think surely any non members at this shin-dig assumed we were drunk off our rockers. Nope, that's just the sugar and the beat, folks. 

To that point, I guess Abbey's grandpa seemed to think I was pretty entertaining, and would say as much to me after a few dances. It was a little baffling and complimentary?? But what I WASN'T expecting was for him to grab my arm as a particularly ghetto hip hop song came on and escort me into the middle of the floor with some other guy I'd never seen before! All of a sudden the crowd surrounded us in a circle and I realized I was just entered into a bona fide "dance off". Now, I LOVE to dance, but I don't have MOVES!!! I don't practice in front of the mirror, have any sort of skill or was ever good enough to remember choreography. I mostly excel at winging it and doing whatever feels fun. I'm sure everyone thought my dreams just came true but I promise you, I felt TERRIFIED inside. But there was no getting out of it!!  Here was Grandpa on the sidelines and everyone else, waiting with eager eyes (and if we're being honest, probably a little wariness, knowing I was about to make a fool of myself). So I go first and I can't even tell you what I did. I think the trauma of it all deleted it from my short term memory. But then new guy takes his turn and pulls out actual moves!!! Bah! I was dyinggggg. So then it's MY turn again!! It was like a Step Up NIGHTMARE. I do recall "backin' in up" a tad but I swear I didn't think I was anywhere near the boy. (A point I need to include since Trav claims otherwise! My husband gets lots of patience points after this!) ANYWAY, apparently this is where Travis took off his wedding ring and facetiously dropped it into my sister's hand, declaring that I could find him when I was done. I think we each took the floor one more time before he "bowed" down to me and it ended. Relief flooded my body. One of the most embarrassing moments of my life was finally over. Praise the heavens!!!   

At 9pm the DJ announced the happy couple was ready to leave so everyone grabbed a gigantic sparkler and lined the driveway. As they climbed in the car, legit fireworks went off overhead with huge BOOM'S and they drove away! It was the best send off I've ever seen!

I don't think it gets more picturesque than this. It was all so beautiful. I honestly felt like this wedding saved me from thinking the worst of the world. I had recently been involved in a wide variety of extremely sad and heartbreaking situations. It was getting to feel so so heavy. To the point that I was starting to wonder why there had to be so much misery in the world. My heart was bleeding for the sorrow of others and the seeming hopelessness so many people have to face. This day was a breath of fresh air. A carefree night. A hopeful beginning. Two beautiful faces ready for the future. It was extremely uplifting and joyful. These are the days I live for. A burst of happiness that will sustain for a long time. Congratulations, David and Abbey!! Have beautiful babies, move next door and let me babysit lots and lots!!!