Everyone Loves A Wedding
...and we have had our share of love. What with TWO weddings within a years time, we are just grateful we still have our wits about us.

On the day of the wedding, things are pretty hectic and can be extremely crazy for the mother of the bride... ah, hem... ME!

So as long everyone showed up for the group wedding photos, looking half way chipper and clean, I didn't care (or apparently even pretend to care) where they were in between "events" of the day. Which by the way, a day that started at 7 in the morning and lasted well past 11 in the evening.

The wedding party.

Brides family.

NO Elijah! Don't you dare....those are for
the maid of honor. This is NOT baseball.

Poor Anna's feet were not only sore, but filthy after
walking around barefoot on temple grounds.

This was the most beautiful hall I have been in and
it looked so elegant after the "sisters" and I had set it up.

I just found the pictures below on my hard drive. I have no idea which little family imp took these, but I laughed when I found them. Looks like there was a lot going on in between the wedding and the dinner and reception. Now that I think about it, I was just a little busy helping set up the dinner tables and reception hall and helping to make sure everything looked perfect!

Never for one moment did I think to ask anyone "where are the other kids?"

My kids.

So, really does that make me such a bad mom? Never mind... no one answer that.

Who me?

Notice the flip flops?!

I had no idea there was a little creek close by and could
not figure out why the bottom of Elijah's pants were wet.

Thank You for Coming.

We Had A Ball!

...and other favorite Foyts traditions.

I have been blessed. Not just with a family whom I love and enjoy being with but I also have in laws of whom I adore. Yes, I know... how odd! More odd for them as they have to really work with me, you know? Although they have had years now... right?! Either way, we all seem to have a great time when we Foyt's all get together at Heidi and Terry's home in Bountiful or Katie and Kai's home in Lehi. No matter where...we find fun.

Anyhow...in response to Linda's question... "what was in the boxes?" In reference to the little gift boxes that were left at each plate and on the entry way table. I am here to answer that question which, like um, I totally forgot to put in the last post. Duh!

We had put the boxes next to each plate at the family dinner and then, the others were left out for guests to take. We found the black and white boxes and normally would have filled them with chocolate which is kind of our family tradition.

I mean... isn't that every one's tradition? You know don't all families have the same idea... all things come back to chocolate?

I mean... come on people!

Only if you're Swiss, I suppose.

From L-R, Rachel, Trixie, Bob, Susie, Judy and Kat.

Back to the question at hand.... in each box was a handful of gumballs. Then, we included a pink piece of paper inside. The paper read: Thank you so much for coming... We had a ball!
I think more fun was had in putting them together than anything else.

We ended up doing the gumballs instead of chocolate due to the August heat. We had to transport the boxes to the Memorial House from the temple parking lot, where they may have ended up in the backs of cars for just enough time to melt the chocolate. That would have been a mess...to say the least. So thanks to Mindy, Dustin's mom, she came up with the idea for the gumballs from a recent wedding she had attended in Dallas. Our first choice was to try and find pink gumballs to fill the boxes, however we were just about out of time. So... an assortment of colors would have to do!

They really were a cute idea and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

Rachel with Aunt Trixie (Peter's sister)
and Uncle Bob, Trixie's Husband.

Puzzling...

Shown above from left to right:
Natalie, Erika, Doris and Judy

Another Foyts family tradition is to
put together very hard puzzles. These
sisters have been known to do puzzles at
funerals. Well... you have to give it
to them... they're all great math brains.

"Bridals"

Otherwise known as the "let's just see how incredibly difficult it is to actually get in and out of this dress and still have my hair look beautiful" session!

Heather from heathertaylorphoto.com was gracious enough to fit us in at the last minute for some beautiful bridal pictures of Rachel. Unlike the bridal session for Katie and Kai, Dustin chose to not be in the session. I must say, Rachel is an absolute beauty! Of course, I am her mother.

Heather took about an hour and a half to walk, position, and click away for Rachel. I can not remember the place where we went, but it was a mental institution at one time (who knew) in Provo and had the most amazing lawns and rock walls. Just beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

Thank you so much Heather... I know the pictures you took will be incredible and I can't wait to actually see them.

Here are a few of my very basic attempts at photography.

Heather working her magic.

Hey, Sus.... uh, I mean "assistant," let's get working!
I know those texts to Karson are important... but come on...

...And Then The Bugs Came Out






Are We Done Yet?

One little note... at one point as Rachel was leaning
against a wall, a very sharp pain shot through her arm.
Under her arm pit to be exact. It seems as though the
alterations lady "forgot" to take a straight pin out of her
sleeve in the underarm section.

Ouch!

Here Comes the Bride

We are all still alive and kicking here in the great state of Utah. I will blog more about all the fun when time permits, however, for now....here are just a few of our fun venues we have booked. I will report back to you on how they turned out.

Blogging will be limited as I am always trying to blog quietly in a room filled with sleeping people. Thus making me most annoying.

So, here are a few of the venues and people around Salt Lake that we have hired to make this a very special day for Rachel and Dustin. With this being our second long distance wedding in Salt Lake within the last nine months, we are staring to get many things down right. It also helps to have family and friends to help with some of the selections.

Rachel said she is going to start telling those who look at her cross-eyed about being married so far from Connecticut... this is her "destination wedding!" Not sure Salt Lake City qualifies for the exotic, but it has certainly been a destination for those of us forced to travel across country to witness the blessed event.

Look out Annelise, when you get married, I hope you like our back yard.

The most amazing bakery!
Providing Rachel and Dustin's
wedding cake will be Granite Bakery
of South Salt Lake.

The dinner and reception will take place at Memorial
House in Salt Lake in the historic Memorial Grove.

We have worked closely with Elizabeth of
Elizabeth's Catering in Salt Lake. I think
the dinner will be a huge success.

Flowers will be provided by the
Flower Patch of Utah.
Pink and white roses with for
the fifteen dinner table centerpieces.

We were fortunate enough to have Darleen Meier create another beautiful set of earrings to match the necklace shown. She was the designer that created all the matching pieces for Katie's wedding last October.

The necklace, above, is one that my grandmother gave my mother for her wedding. There is a bracelet to match, but there were no earrings in the ensemble. So, Darleen went to work and created a matching, one of a kind pair to complete the set. I must say they are stunning. I am not including a picture in this post until Rachel's wedding day.

Bridals by Heather Taylor of American Fork, Utah


Actual Wedding Day Photography will be done
by Lindsay Jane of Bountiful, Utah
(Not my choice, as I would have gone with Retrospect)

Kai has been generous enough to offer to do the bride
and groom growing up video for Rachel and Dustin.

There are many, many other areas being worked on as the big day approaches. So much to do and in so little time. However, one week from tonight... Rachel will be married and off on her life and a newlywed.

How time flies.

When you're having fun.

That's Two Thousand Three Hundred Sixty Two Miles
Because That's What Dads Do!

To be exact; that would be travel through twelve states, 1 over-night stop with family in Michigan, two hotel rooms in as many states, and more fast food joints than either one of them care to remember.

Can you say.... "bonding?"

Peter and Rachel arrived safely today from their geography based, thanks to Peter....four day cross country adventure. Rachel called me to let me know they had arrived. I am still in Lehi with Katie, further south in Utah and Logan is where Dustin and Rachel will be living and finishing school. Rachel told me that she had unpacked her "life" into the apartment that Dustin and she will share after they are married and was going to stay overnight with Dustin's grandparents. Peter would continue south to Heidi's home for the night and then we will all meet up tomorrow afternoon in Bountiful at Heidi's home. (So as to continue with our Traveling Adventures for the Summer of 2008... sheesh!)

Peter has done this trip several times, so many that he has lost count. Rachel, well this was her first cross country trip. She has done many trips from Arizona to Wyoming and traveled by car all through the West, but never from Connecticut to Utah. She has escaped those trips the rest of us have made together. We are not sure how, but she managed to never be with us when we were traveling cross country. I know one time she was living in Europe and the other time she was already at BYU. Still... this was truly a test of a father/daughter relationship if ever there was one.

When asked if she would do it again... there was just an incredibly awkward silence on the phone and then a quiet "not in the near future!" She told me she was exhausted. When I got Peter on the phone, he too sounded completely exhausted. At which point, I inquired... so who drove most of the way? Peter informed me that he did!

I mean, that must have been incredibly exhausting for my dear sweet Rachel... having to watch those 2362 miles pass by and also keep her daddy awake. A daddy who loves his Rachel to the ends of the earth and to the moon.

Yep! It was one exhausting trip, ...but that's what Dads do when they love their children!

Rachel, age 3 with Peter in 1989
Luckily Peter has no internet the
past few days or else he would be
not too happy I used this picture
of him. I happen to like his cheesy
smile and swarthy, bohemian look.

Don't you?

...and we're off!
On the family reunion/wedding 30 day adventure.

Before I sign "off" for a while, let me share with you the "gem" my 22 year old bride to be (for time's sake, we will refer to her as BZ.. affectionately shortened for Bridezilla!) related.

BZ: Mom you need to give "so-in-so" a little more lattitude...

Me: Huh? What do you mean, she is doing dumb stuff, and why should we have to cover her you know what?! That girl needs to get her act together.

BZ: Well, mom.... her mom is not very ... shall we say.... nice?

Me: You mean, she's "meaner" than me?

BZ: LONG pause.... then followed with a weak "yeah, I think so!"

Not that the "yeah, I think so" bothered me. It was the long, I have to weigh that one, pause my daughter gave me!

So, it's going to be an interesting flight and trip. I am looking forward to everything coming up... well, with the exception of this:


This does not excite me and scares the ca-rrrrap out of me, what if they make me do this.

We will report back to you!

Wouldn't Change A Thing!
...because we parents know... they grow up so fast.

Anyone else out there in the blogging world planning a long distance, across the nation, wedding for their child? Or, am I, as all my Connecticut neighbors seem to think, just plain crazy? Really.... I never gave it much thought...but it seems to intrigue many people.

As we know, if we held the wedding out here in Connecticut, not many friends and family from our ties out west would be able to come and celebrate with us. This is "normal" to us! I am starting to feel like a pro (well, not really) ...what with TWO weddings and all this past year. Both weddings in Salt Lake City, both entailing a ton of long distance planning, but both weddings very, very different. (We use "different" quite loosely here) I have loved planning each of my daughter's wedding for my them. Have absolutely loved it.

(Don't get me wrong, I am in nooooo hurry to jump into planning another wedding anytime soon!!! )

Rachel at 6 months.

In all honesty, I wouldn't change a thing. I really am so excited about the next few weeks and look forward to sharing August with all of my extended family in Arizona, Utah, and California. Most of all, just sharing in the joy of seeing Rachel and Dustin married for time and all eternity.

Yay!

I've Been to Tucson, Phoenix, Rexburg, Detroit,
New York City, Salt Lake City,
Chicago, Hartford ...
I've Been Everywhere!!!

That is just mine and some of the kids itinerary. Peter and Rachel will be driving Rachel's Mazda out and will hit the states Connecticut to Utah!

So very glad it's them and not me! Sorry honey, but the last "road trip" with kids just about put me in a mental institution! Took me months to recover.

The 100th birthday party for my grandpa is Thursday...on the border of Mexico in Arizona. My parents 50th wedding anniversary is on Saturday the 9th in the White Mountain area of Arizona... northern Arizona. We then will head up to Utah for the big event.... Rachel's wedding to Dustin.... and that, my friends, is the thrill of the summer! Sometime in all of the festivities will be a trip up to Idaho to drop Annelise's belongings off in her apartment. She will start school on September 8th.

After reading my post from yesterday, it must have seemed like a really, really sorry state of affairs. Talk about cry baby booby! So, an about face and off we go. No time for wallowing!

I have managed to "get rid" of Elijah for the next two days so that we can pack, and prepare for the trip. I have more travel itineraries with this excursion than with any other trip we have ever made as a family. Even in the times when flying across the country with babies and all the required equipment. This is by far turning out to be the most extensive trip ever.

I realize that we are going back and forth and will, when all is said and done, have graced nine states, four different airlines and a minimum of 4 rental cars from as many rental agencies. We will have gone through airline security 16 times for a total of 32 individual inspections. That alone makes me cringe. The hotel reservations are a combination of Priceline, Marriott rewards, and family time at some "lodge" in Arizona. Our only requirement is that the place has to have a swimming pool. Must have in the Arizona summer.

Although we will have people coming and going, and house sitting in our home there is still a multitude of chores left to do and take care of. Such as mail stop, mail start and stop again... and then mail pick up again! Forget the newspaper and trying to stay on top of that one. Peter hates the Connecticut Post and canceled the subscription but they still keep delivering the journalistic nonsense. It is, by far, one of the most awful of newspapers we have ever subscribed to... worthy of a post in and of itself!

I have not yet solidified our arrangements for Tessa dog. The people who we had planned on watching her had their own sweet 14 year old German Shepherd dog "put down" under emergency circumstances and they are not emotionally up to watching Tessa now. I may have to break the news to Peter that under the "banner of wedding costs" will be a 700.00 "boarding fee." For a dog! Actually, a phone call from some friends and an offer to trade child care just secured Tessa's care for the time we are away! Hallelujah. Peter will be thrilled and I will definitely now have 700.00 to give to someone holding their hand out between now and the wedding date.

All in all, I seem to work best when under pressure. I do get so much more done when I have my mental list going and function from one accomplishment to the next. However, not even under high pressure can I pack and write on my blog. So, off to pack for Elijah and myself and type out that 9 page itinerary for anyone who gives a ... um, who cares!

Listen Up!
Note to any future betrothing in this home:
In particular... Annelise, Susan & Elijah!
Weddings must take place within a 300 mile
radius of New York City! That is three
hundred miles.... NOT THREE THOUSAND!

I Am Not One of Those Kinds of Moms...
You know... the kind who really, really miss their kids when they go away.
I mean, they do come back for visits. I miss them, but on a whole other level than many moms out there. I know my kids are just as happy to be out on their own as I am to see them be on their way to becoming independent adults.

I love it!

I am in somewhat of a fog as I now have only a few days before I leave for the month of August. Off again to Utah for Rachel's wedding. Didn't we just do this a few months ago for Katie?

Oh yeah... That's right.... we did it back in October.

With my to do list growing increasingly longer and longer... I think I have hit a wall of denial.

I am in denial on many fronts. Another wedding, another daughter married. Another child off to college for her first year. Three children now out of our home and on their own... for the most part. Two new son-in-laws and only two children will be left living here.

I used to think I would look forward to this day, and that I would be happy for some peace... well, you know what?

I AM! And it is GLORIOUS! Yay. Yippee. Woo hooo..... Pure joy!

Two kids left at home.

Maybe the "dancing in the streets" high I am on is yet another form of denial.

Although, I doubt it!

Then... An Ode to Ice Cream

Ok, I am a little late posting the SPT for Wednesday. As a matter of fact... I am not going to have a decent picture of this weeks challenge, which was/is "ice cream." (the guidelines for the post are to include a picture with ice cream and with it to post on Tuesday about the given challenge) However, I encourage anyone reading this to visit Lelly's site and check out the fun postings celebrating one of our nations favorite past time...eating/licking/enjoying/savoring ice cream. Lelly does a wonderful job of making this challenge fun and worth the time to participate. I am going to get back to it come September when I am through with all the wedding planning. Looking forward to what Lelly will give us for August, even though I may not be able to participate until September.

For another exceptionally wonderful and refreshing post on ice cream, check out Kim Sue over at
http://betweennowandthen.blogspot.com/

That's What I said ... Polly Granite

and
The Open House Is Now Officially "Posted"

We had a few cupcakes leftover from the Open House, so I was sending them home with friends. I wanted them to be eaten while still fresh. Keeping them here in the home is not a wise move. I have all ready gained 6 pounds.

This morning, I put three on a plate for Elijah's teacher. As we were walking out to the bus stop I asked Elijah to name the flavors of the cupcakes, he told me this... and pointing to each, he says "this one is coconut with flakes, this one is poppyseed with some lemon, and this one is polly granite"

.... polly granite?

With great exactness in his answer, "Yes Mom, polly granite".

I ask him "do you mean pomegranate"?

He replies.... "yeah, that's what I said... polly granite".
Ah, sigh!

The cupcakes were a fantastic hit at the Open House. When first deciding on flavors, I asked Jodi if she would consider doing some chocolate cupcakes instead of a cake. She looked at me and with raised eyebrows, said "oh, no, no, noooo...." and the rest is history.

In typical Jodi fashion, she prepared 7 different flavors.
All to die for. She made it all seem so effortless.
However, I know better. Here are the cupcake flavors.

All about cupcakes.



Lemon Poppyseed
(A lemon cupcake with lemon frosting and candied lemon on top)


Pumpkin Pie
(A spiced cupcake with maple frosting and actual pumpkin pie filling
all topped with a miniature maple leaf baked crust)


Black & White Chocolate Peanut Butter
(A decadent chocolate cupcake with a peanut butter filling and butter cream icing)


Chocolate Hi - Hat Meringue
(Rich chocolate cupcake with a "hi- hat" meringue top dipped in chocolate glaze)


Coconut Cream Cheese
(A dense cupcake base topped with whipped cream and fresh coconut)


Grapefruit Pomegranate
(A citrus based cupcake infused with fresh pomegranate & topped with a candied grapefruit)


Nutmeg Gingerbread
(A gingerbread cupcake with a hint of nutmeg and a gingered frosting)

The Open House was incredible. Everything went so well. The preparations, the fun, and all the great people who came and supported Katie and Kai were nothing short of spectacular. Kai's parents, Doug and Lori were such a tremendous help. Peter and I could not have pulled this off without their help. They flew out and when they arrived here they went to work. We spent much of Friday doing the caramel apples and then on Saturday, we moved furniture, prepared food and cleaned.

I was oh so grateful.

As you can see in the pictures, the setup was beautiful.

Everyone who entered through the front door,
signed the Guest Book with a blue ink Sharpie. This
distinguished the guests from the guests who
attended the reception in Salt Lake City.
They wrote in black ink.

Kai was on top of making sure the caramel
apples were cut and ready to serve.

The cookie table was a popular stop.
From left to right:
Snickerdoodles,
Oatmeal Raisin,
and Mark and Shana's famous
Peanut Butter with White Chocolate Chips.



Definitely too dark with just
candle light. We tried for ambiance,
but only achieved mild chaos.

... and let there be light!
Much better.

Jodi set up all the cupcakes so nicely.

I need to get me some of these
beautiful serving plates and trays.

All guests were invited to take
home a small sack filled
with their favorite candy.

Kai put it well when he compared
the dining room to something right
out of the Willy Wonka movie.

A soda flavor for everyone.
We had all the sodas in a tub full of ice.
We then provided 10" straws for
people to drink their soda.

Everything turned out so nice.

I could do it all over again.

In three years.

For more pictures and comments
on the Open House, be sure to visit
http://www.kaiandkatie.com