I was so excited to get out of town and introduce Natalie to my side of the family. No one except for my mom had yet seen her in person. We left in the afternoon on Thursday and stopped twice, once in Boardman and once in LaGrande to feed her. Grandpa and Grandma Corn and Aunt Rachel waited up for us. She slept really well that night and we started the dry, sunshiney day off great.
I hung out at my parents house with her all day to give her a rest and let her adjust. I even got a nap in that afternoon, which is rare. That evening my brother-in-laws parent hosted a pit bbq dinner for the wedding festivities. It was super yummy and all of my family was there. The reception area was all set up for the next day and we got a sneak peek at the beautiful decorations Rachel had chosen. We also got the opportunity to meet Jed, my older sister Mary's boy friend. I had heard a lot about him over the last year, so it was nice to finally meet him. He is an excellent person.
Saturday we hurried around to eat breakfast and get ready to drive to the Boise temple. The ceiling room was beauitful as always and Rachel and Ty looked so happy. I am so proud of them for the decision they made to get married in the temple and staying true to that decision. I felt the Spirit so strong there bearing witness of the importance and sacredness of marriage.
This picture was taken in the morning. I wanted to know why Ty was wearing a hat with his suit. My father and husband informed me that that is what men do. So they all put their hats on to make fun of my question. I had to snap a picture.
The bride and groom with the bridesmaids. I really enjoyed getting to visit with the bridesmaids on our drive over to Boise.
After the ceremony we took several pictures. One of which captured the three babies born in the Corn family this year. David - January 5th, Natalie - March 9th, and Trey April 20th. I love that you can clearly see which sibling family they belong to. When we laid them down together they all looked a little confused at what we were doing.
We ate at Fudruckers for lunch. Yummy food that tasted even better because I was so hungry. It was then straight to the stake center for the reception. The rest of the evening was spent visiting with people from the community I grew up in and eating oreo balls and chocolate mints. Natalie did amazing through out the day and wasn't too fussy until we got back to my parents that night. We both slept really well.
Sunday everyone was beat, but we made it to church. We also traveled out to my grandfather's grave and placed some left over centerpieces from the wedding on his grave. I specifically dressed Natalie in her John Deere shirt for this trip. This Grandpa is the reason I love John Deere. My niece Cadi and nephew Michael tagged along with us and kept us laughing. After the cemetary we visited Grandma and Grandpa Lasley and finished off at Cadi and Michael's house.
During the drive Justin was teasing the kids about going to Kalamazoo. Michael promptly told us he hauls his sugar beets to Kalamazoo and knows how to get their. Silly little boy. He also wanted us to drive him to our house in Portland that day. He promised he wouldn't even eat anything there.
Great Grandma and Grandpa Lasley. Yes, she has red hair.
That evening Justin's family who was visiting for Rachel's wedding, my parents and my siblings got together for dinner. We ate leftovers from the pit bbq and the reception. I got to visit with two of my older sisters for some time. It is always nice to swap ideas and insight. A great game of chase was played with all of the nieces and nephews.
The dad's of these two cute babies were watching them while everyone else was eating.
Monday it was time to leave. We spent the morning packing, cleaning, preparing and nursing. When I first got married it was always so hard to leave my parents house. Over the years that has slowly gotten better and less bitter. When it was time to go home this day I was happy to be returning to my home. I love my parents and family and had a wonderful visit, but feel as though Justin and I have established a good life where we live in Troutdale and we have a beautiful baby girl in our family of three. I enjoy it and feel at home here. Next big family event is only two weeks away with Natalie's baby blessing.
Families truly are heaven on earth.
Justin and Ruth Blazzard
