Babies and Bowties

Thank goodness we have a big family so there are always good reasons to come home to visit everyone!   This time it was for Eric Hanson and Christina Kjar's wedding!

The happy couple attended Ronnie and I's wedding in Florida and it was so fun planning the trip back for theirs!   Of course it was great to see Eric get married - but also fun because I knew Christina in high school (BGIC Falcons...our hometown rival) from playing sports.  She was quite the basketball player back in the day - she could shoot the 3!  :)

They had a vintage inspired theme and everything was just so perfect!  Beautiful ceremony (unfortunately Drew was being quite the fuss monster and daddy had to take him out during most of it), the tent was awesome and decorated so cute, GREAT band (we love Damon) and we had an amazing time hanging with the cousins and some old friends!

All dressed up and ready to go!

Uhhh... Drew - why are you smiling?  I'm worried my bowtie is going to make it hard to eat later!

 It was SUCH a beautiful evening!  We got some great pics (many thanks to Harry) at the reception.  I love going back again and again and looking at them.  I am so lucky to have such and awesome sister and sister in-laws... it has been so much fun going through the 'first time mom' stuff with my SILs - and of course I am always calling Wendy for advice...she is the captain of this team!

Mommies and babies! 

 Uncle Harry is known for wearing his dapper bowties to weddings so we had to get a pic with him and the babies in their bowties - so cute, and love that Ethan made a cameo in this one.  HA!

Harry + Babies + Bowties!

 Grandpa Butcher would be extremely proud.  He is so missed - but I know he was looking down and smiling when we took this photo.  If he was here he would just LOVE spending time with all these babies!  He was always so silly and fun... ahh.  Miss him.

Added the hubbies to the shot and of course sweet sweet Grandma Butcher!

'Mom - why didn't you bring my shades?'

What a treat to sit next to Great Grandma Butcher!

Is it time to eat yet?

 This little pork chop LOVES his pork!  It was a big joke with dad when I was pregnant because I loved eating pork!  Ham and pork chops were at the top of the list...  thought maybe if I waved a little ham infront of Drew he might start smiling ... it helped him grow for 9 mo :-)

Taking a little cat nap..

 Love these girls!  Katie Platt Clausen, Jenny Albers Thorson and Kelli Meyer -- we were best buds in high school and have remained friends ever since!  We are missing Becky Brandt Thomas :-(   Next time we'll get you in, Becks!

 We also had to snag a photo with Aunt Ronda.  When we were juniors in high school we all took a trip down to Florida to visit Ronda and Harry over Easter break.  SUCH. GREAT. MEMORIES!

 

Snapshot with Great Grandma, Aunt Melissa and baby Kelby

Love this picture.  Great Grandma the baby whisperer at work...

Really have you ever seen a cuter bunch of cousins??  I just love this pic -- Ethan trying to get everyone in place, Beau holding Drew (which is hilarious), Kelby off in his own world and Luke rockin' his big belly.  CLASSIC.

 A great evening was had by all! 

Love, The Merrills