Miss Sarah's Wedding

Our sweet and wonderful Miss Sarah got married in July and graciously asked Katie to be a junior bridesmaid in the wedding. We were so honored and also thrilled that she consulted us when deciding the date so that we could all be there - except for Dugs who sadly didn't make it to the US this year. 

Sarah is so special to our family - we met her when Meggie was a baby and she babysat the girls and travelled with us to Florida and New Zealand while we lived in Texas. All four girls (and me and Dugs) simply adore her and see her very much as a gift from God to our family. She even came with us when we moved to New Zealand and stayed a few months helping us to settle in - I have no words for how much that meant to me in particular as I was completely overwhelmed for the first year of our life here! In fact it was towards the end of her stay with us that she received a beautiful bouquet of Valentines Day flowers from a certain young man named Kyle Burns. . . 

Our girls were some of Sarah's first subjects as she started to dabble in photography and they loved it! We were the blessed recipients of some amazing photographs documenting our children's youngest years. Sarah was also homeschooled and provided an encouraging example for me, Dugs and the girls of the possibilities and joys that style of education can bring.

Our hearts were all full to share in her special day with her and her wonderful family, all of whom we love dearly. Here are a few shots from my iphone, they don't do justice to the beauty and specialness of the evening and we wish these two beautiful people all the best as they begin their life together.

The rehearsal.

A pre-wedding visit from the Brookshires, Meggie and Sadie have known each other a very long time!

The lovely Brookshire ladies - Sadie, Paula, Olive and Ava.

Wedding time!

My babies are all grown up!

I love this picture so much!

Sarah's mom and sisters praying over her before the ceremony.

Some of the boys - Israel, Dad Mike and Michael. Somehow didn't get a photo of Sam!

Another of our precious babysitters and friends - Hope!!

Texas!!

We were so excited to go to Texas for Miss Sarah's wedding! We also got to stay with the Knights and meet the trio as well as catch up with more friends that we've missed like crazy these past five years.

In Dallas airport - touchdown in the state of her birth!

Lunch in the airport - chips, queso and salsa.

Tiny plane to Tyler

At the Knights - my sweet Lori.

There was a lot of stunting in the pool - here Ty is the flyer.

Mez

Mez running in the background to dump water on Ellie, Hunter going off the diving board, Preston flying and Meggie, Katie and Ann-Elizabeth basing.

Ellie flying.

Kids getting veggies from the Knight's organic garden - l-r, Nick, Ann-Elizabeth, Preston, Ellie, Josie, Hewan and Katie.

Then they decided to wash Lori's car.

Mez and Ellie cruising the hood.

Wedding rehearsal - Katie and the bride,  Miss Sarah.

Michael entertained the girls at the rehearsal dinner.

Beach Week with Ali and Lindsey

After we returned from Disney we had a great few days at the beach with Ali and Lindsey and their children. They rented a condo a few doors down from us so that we could have more time together and just relax on the sand enjoying the sun and surf. 

Cards on the deck.

Meggie received her birthday present from her Mommy and Daddy.

Fishing at sunset.

Finding coquinas.

The girls and I went to Carlouel for family night and joined my friend Alison and her boys, along with my mom and her mom for a fun evening of catching up.

Mom and Molly Lea with some of their grandchildren.

Friends from 1st Grade!