Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real: Catching Up

by Shannon

It's been some time since we last posted, and we've been thoroughly busy. I'm going to sum up the past week in pictures and captions, and maybe Ryan will get a sword post in soon.

While I'm at it, there should be plenty of pretty, happy, funny and real shots in this post, since we were gearing up for my sister's wedding and short family vacation. So, I'll go ahead and link up to {pretty, happy, funny, real} at Like Mother, Like Daughter tomorrow. Click any photos to enlarge them.

Friday

The bride witnessed the groom's brainstorming session regarding just how he was going
to hang strings of lights from the ceiling. The reception was held at a VFW,  and I thought
the harpoon bomb outside was a solid reflection of wedding planning. And it matched
the colors of the linens! How lovely.

Gearing up and getting close to The Big Day.

A big storm came through between the rehearsal and the dinner, but the church ladies
hosted a lovely candle-lit dinner for us. Some of the best things in life aren't planned.
Clockwise from left: buffet, groom, and bride.

You wouldn't know it from the rehearsal dinner pictures, but it was still light outside when
we left the church. We went to a family friend's home where Cruncher and Ted took a
hike around the pond. 

Ted the terrace farmer! They used railroad ties and stakes to create a tiered garden on their
hill. Linda's showing off their future harvest on the bottom right. 

As a retired pastor and a school teacher, Ted and Linda are able to cultivate some real
beauty in their backyard. 

Cruncher and Ted came back with a friend! 

After obtaining some breathing room, he came out of his home for a visit.

Saturday

At the salon, getting our pretty on! Clockwise from top left: sister of the groom, the view
from The Chair, a family portrait, and mother of the groom.

What a true beauty. Love, from Sissy!

I probably took 100 pictures at the salon, so I backed off some when the professional
arrived at the church. Clockwise from top left: Kels holding on for dear life, Michelle
opening the champagne for my tear-drenched toast, and Little Guy digging into the
cake during clean-up time at midnight. What a night. 

Sunday

The next morning, after we all slept in, we met family for brunch. Clockwise from top left:
the boys cheesing, and then three pictures taken by Cruncher.

We settled in at Meemaw and Papaw's to relax for the rest of the day. Clockwise from
top: the ladies shade the boys for some fun in the HOT sun, Amy, Ryan getting caught
with the bubbles by himself, Jake and Cruncher having bubble fun, and Cruncher
popping Ryan's bubbles. 

Monday

Before heading home, we went to KidsCommons in Columbus, Indiana, for the day.
Even Ryan got into the adventure museum. He was certainly the most fun daddy there. 

Bubble room!

Across the street was The Commons with the most amazing jungle gym any of us had
seen. Ryan was nervous about Luke climbing up so high. That's him in all the pictures
except for bottom left. We nearly had the place to ourselves. 

And then down the street was a historical ice cream and soda shop. It's in nearly the same
condition as it was 100 years ago. 

Here are some items from the museum side of the ice cream shop. 

Home again, home again, jiggity jig. We put Cruncher's new kitchen together in his
playstand, ALL RANDOMLY FOUND AT YARD SALES. I swear. It's true.