Kylie and Conner's Wedding in AZ

We flew in right in time to join for the pre-wedding party and dessert and then hustled off to our hotel nearby to head to bed.  We were there three nights and never got to bed before 11 or 12 AZ time which is an hour later than Utah.  Despite that, we had a wonderful time (and I managed with no headaches.)

They had chosen the Gilbert Temple for their wedding.  This was the first time that Jena was able to attend a temple wedding of anyone so it was extra special that it was her cousin Kylie.

Weddings in AZ in September can be risky as far as hot weather, but this day was gorgeous.  Warm--around 94 degrees but overcast and a slight wind.  It was ideal.

Jena with her cousin, Lisa Giberson Neerings

Trying to get the family posed for a photo with 19 grandchildren--good luck!

Siblings with Conner

Kylie and Valerie

Grandsons walking the fence--there were actually three
but one is hidden behind the other

Landi and her four lovely daughters and their great-grandmother, Dorothy

 

Kylie with bridesmaids

Jena by an outside pillar
and our selfie

Kylie wanted a backyard reception.  The yard looked amazing.  Valerie and her son-in-laws especially helped with getting things ready.

I had never seen this before, but it is a memorial bench dedicated to Lance, Kylie's dad.  It included pictures of her with her dad when she was little along with some sweet quotes. It was so great.  We all were missing him and wanting him to be here and this allowed us to talk more openly about him with each other and with wedding guests.  It was just a great idea.

Side note:  On the way home from the temple, Valerie and Kylie and Conner stopped at the graveside and spend some time there.  There is a beautiful picture of Kylie in her wedding dress kneeling at his stone.  Another way to honor him on her special day.

This is a bench dedicated to Lance as well which sits in their yard.  It was a gift from Valerie's daughter-in-laws parents this past year on the anniversary of Lance's passing.

Jena ended up offering to help the cake lady put the flowers on the cake.  She stood by her and handed her flowers as she needed them for about 45 minutes.

The cake lady said she was the best helper ever.

And gave her $10 when they were done.  Can missionaries take money???

Part of the treats included a donut wall!

Valerie and Kylie as the reception was starting...

It was a great evening and I got to spend some time talking to Lisa Neerings, my niece.  It has been a long time since we could talk like that.  I love her.  She has grown up to be a wonderful woman.

So, I heard from Valerie that Jena wrote the best wedding advice:  "Play games and Bake cookies together."

The napkins--

The longest sparklers ever:

And that is a wrap--a great day with tears and laughter, perfect weather, great family and friends, and choice memories made.

One last moment to share:  Kylie chose to have her three brothers dance with her during the traditional father's dance.  I happened to step up next to Lynette and Natalie, Lance's sisters, while Jordan was dancing with Kylie.  Both of them had tears rolling down their faces and could hardly talk.  Finally Natalie said, "Your sister is so strong and so amazing.  She loves Lance so much."  Then they went on to share some of the things that they had seen and felt today and over the time since Lance had passed away.  Then we were all crying.  Valerie is and has always been amazing.  It has been a marvel to watch her over the past year dealing with something that we never expected at this time in her life or anyone's life for that matter.  I have learned so much from her and know that she has had an impact on her family and all who have watched her.  Her grief is huge yet she turns toward her God and her faith.  She doesn't run from her grief but she also doesn't "live: there either.  Like I told her sisters-in-law, Lance doesn't expect anything less from her.

And actually, our day kept going as Scott arrived to take us on the next part of our weekend fun--Great Wolf Lodge, Scottsdale, AZ.