They were married May 14, 2015. It was a beautiful day! The day before the wedding though, we were able to go to the Bountiful temple with them as they were endowed with their gifts from on high. It was so neat! All of our siblings were there, and it was truly a great experience! Kind of one of those check mark things for my in-laws. Dave and I got to be the witness couple for the session, which was neat. I love the temple and all it represents, and that all things in point to Jesus Christ and our opportunity to live forever eternally because of Him. I love being able to go into the Celestial Room to think and pray and discuss with Dave the things of eternal importance. It was so happy to greet and hug everyone in there, it brought tears to my eyes. I can't help but think that is what it will be like as we go into the next life! After that, we went and got the kids, who were happily playing with Grandma Di. Then we went out to dinner with the whole crew, including all of the nieces and nephews and Julie's best friend and husband. After that, we went to set up at the church to get ready for the reception.
Thursday morning, everyone was excited! It was a hub of activity - everyone taking showers, getting last minute things together, using extra time to get ready and look extra nice. We took the kids back over to my mom's house, and then headed back to the temple in Bountiful for the sealing of Julie & Todd. We waited and visited quietly in the waiting room. It was so great to see all of our siblings, aunts & uncles, cousins, neighbors, and the missionaries that were instrumental in bringing Todd into the Gospel. As we went into the sealing room, the Spirit was so strong. It's hard to believe it's almost been 10 years since Dave & I said "Yes!" The sealer was great, he shared that when he was sealed many years ago, an Elder Kimball sealed he and his wife. That Elder Kimball became the Prophet a few years later. He said President Kimball suggested to them that they pray each night before bed and they'll never go to bed angry. This man also suggested that Julie & Todd read the Book of Mormon every day together and gave them some specific passages to read. He talked a little more in depth about the covenants made in the temple. He gave some other advice pertinent to marriage, and then Julie & Todd knelt at the altar and they were promised to each other for eternity. Then they got to stand in front of the mirrors that are on both sides of the walls there and look on as the mirrors go forever. That's what our relationships can be - forever - if we keep our covenants. It was so happy! We then got to go greet them! I'm so glad Todd and Julie found each other. They're perfect for each other and so happy! I told Todd it must be true love, since we hadn't scared him off yet and told Julie that I loved her and was just so happy for her. Then we went out and waited for them so we could take pictures. My cute sister was the photographer for the whole thing, they all turned out amazing! So 99% of the pictures I'm posting are ones she took. Thanks for sharing them with us, Am, and great work!
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| This were their bridals/groom pictures. I love this one! |
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| This is the one photo I can take credit for. ;) |
Then we went over to the house for a luncheon with all the family. It was fun to catch up with all of the Idaho fam and the kids were so happy to be able to play with their beloved cousins. The kids were having a ball together, and it was fun for them to get together with some of Dave's cousins kids they don't get to see often. Then, I took the girls over to the store to get some sweet stuff to decorate their car with. The things they came up with was hilarious, they were having a ball! We got a plunger and toilet paper, bows, car markers, knock-off Oreos, kitty toy balls (to drag behind their car instead of cans), balloons (to fill the inside of the car with), a white boa for Julie and some hanging eyeball glasses for Todd, and more. They laughed and laughed as they thought of the prospects. It was fun hanging out with those cutest girlies who I love and who love each other so much.
We then went over to the church to get last minute things for the reception in order, like the food. Julie wanted to do nachos (which was something Sue protested for a while) and candy, and it was fun. The decorations were fabulous! Sue did such a great job! Julie said she didn't really care what anything looked like as long as there were lots of white little lights. Their colors were coral and navy blue, and it ended up looking so good. I helped do their sign-in table, Julie & Todd liked that. I also found all of the outfits for the kids, including navy blue suits with coral pinstripes for the boys (how perfect is that?!) and cute coral dresses for the four girls. And I did a few other things to help get ready, but Sue did all of the decorations herself. We did a bunch of other pictures there, courtesy of Amy Lou. All of the people started arriving, and it was fun to see the old ward members, friends, and more family come in. The music, provided by Randy, was a great mix. The kids had a fun time dancing away. Julie and Todd don't really dance, except for a funny little dance they did together, it cracked us all up! And we all enjoyed the food. They cut the cake at the beginning of the reception, so we could all enjoy it instead of it all going to waste. They smashed it to each other's faces. It was a pretty cake (my Mom said it was one of the best she's seen), my favorite part was the flowers which were done with sugar paper. Then Todd and Julie stood in line, we visited with old friends, helped cut cake, refill the chips and other food, and clean up the gym. It's great to see all of the family pitch in and do their part to help pull things like this off. We then went outside to decorate their car. Tayla, Emma and I had some help from others. We had a great time! We went back in towards the end of the reception and Julie did the bouquet toss. There were no single older ladies in the house, so all of the younger girls got to do it. Emma was determined, and seeing as she was the tallest, she caught it. She was so excited! The other girls ran around the gym to try to take the bouquet from her. It was pretty funny. She just better not be getting married for another 15ish years! ;) Then, it was time for Todd & Julie to leave. As they were exiting the church, we got them with silly spray (that we also picked up at the store). We are so very excited for them! Congratulations, Julie & Todd! Can't wait for your forever together!
