At the end of August we went down to Utah again this time for Andrew and Maren's wedding. Everyone came up for the wedding which was fun. Kefford and I stayed at Joshua and Mallorys house but I went down first with Mom, Ashleigh, Abigail, Atticus and Avynlea so they could spend a little more time in Utah with family. Kefford needed to work so he stayed in Idaho until right before the wedding. Ashleigh stayed with Emily but Emily was back in school so she was gone most days and we were left to our own devices. One day when Ashleigh was over with Abigail and Ashleigh we got them to pet Wyndemere for the first time. These two have been scared of dogs and run away screaming whenever one came near them and we were able to teach them that he was nice.
We would go on walks around Joshuas' neighborhood and we liked walking by one house that had goats in their yard. It was always fun to stop and watch them and sometimes we would see them fighting or crawling over each other being playful and we even saw them going to the bathroom more times then we would like.
One day we went to Curiosity Farms for Leona's birthday and this is how the website describes it...
Curiosity Farms
MADE POSSIBLE BY THE BILL AND PAT CHILD FOUNDATION
Explore science and technology at Curiosity Farms, a real working farm in the heart of Silicon Slopes showcasing the newest and coolest advancements in agriculture. Become curious in the Grow Tech Gardens, where hydroponic containers provide a glimpse into the future of farming. Build your confidence and have fun at the Play Patch Playground. Grow compassion for life by feeding the goats and pigs, milking the cows, and riding the ponies. With dozens of hands-on experiences, a visit to Curiosity Farms will inspire generations of kids through the transformative power of STEM.
It was such a cool place and it made me a little jealous that we don't have a fun place like that here in Idaho. It had an indoor play area with Innovation Stations and livestock learning labs. It had a big playground, a train to ride, ponies that the kids could ride, grow tech gardens and goats to feed.
Later that night we went to Texas Roadhouse because Leona chose it for her birthday and that was fun. We had to sit at separate tables because we had so many people but we were close enough to each other that we could still have fun.
Maren, Andrew, Elizabeth and Bonnie
Left pic: Amos, Atticus, Fredrick, Matt, Isabelle and Emily
Right pic: Ashleigh, Abigail, Leona, Mallory and Joshua
Rylee and Avynlea stayed in Salt Lake with Kenedy and Ty and they had fun being together.
Andrew was going through his stuff at Joshua's house packing things up in preparation for his wedding and he brought out this hat he had that he used for some steampunk themed costume. I liked it and wanted to try it on and take a picture.
The day of Andrew and Marens sealing Mom thought we should go to lunch all together with as many of us who were around. We went to in and out and it was not my favorite but it was fun to be with family.
l-r: Isabelle, Abgail, Atticus, Erin, Stephanie, Anthony, Maren, Andrew, Elizabeth, Bonnie and Ashleigh
While at lunch Maren had mentioned to Stephanie that she didn't have anyone to do her hair for the sealing and was fine with just leaving it down. Stephanie told her I was really good at hair and kind of volunteered me to do her hair. I was game and went we got back I curled her hair and put a boho style braid in it. I think she liked it but when we got to the temple later she said that the bottom of the braid kept catching on her seat in the car and she took it out. She left the pullback braids in, it was just the bottom part she removed.
Andrew and Maren were sealed on Friday and it was a beautiful sealing and I was happy that we could all be there to support them. After the sealing we took pictures outside the temple and then we went to Joshuas house for a casual bbq. It was a lot of fun to be outside with family and to meet some of Maren's extended family. After the party had wound down Avynlea and Rylee wanted to debut their new Youtube channel titled "Raw Rabies" and they did a screening for our family and it was hilarious and so fun. Those two crack me up and they remind me of how Heather and I used to perform for our family and grandparents when we were younger.
l-r: Elizabeth, Avynlea, Kenedy, Ty, Matt, Jackson, Heather, Bonnie, Emily and Kefford
Andrew and Maren newly Sealed for Time and Eternity
Lutes siblings plus Mom and Maren
my beautiful girls, Avynlea, Kenedy and Rylee
Our Family with the Bride and Groom
Avynlea, Tyler, Kenedy, Maren, Andrew, Elizabeth, Kefford and Rylee
Kefford and Elizabeth Kenedy, Avynlea and Rylee
Kefford and Abigail
Saturday was the day of the civil ceremony and it again was beautiful and the speech from the friend who married them was really sweet and also funny. They have a connection to the Muppets which I did not know about and the friend who married them incorporated the Muppets into his speech. When it was time for the speak now or forever hold your peace one of the guests "spoke now" with a Kermit muppet but then decided it was ok for them to get married. It sounds strange but it really was cute. After the ceremony they had a taco truck for dinner with chips and salsa. I got my tacos, started to eat them and then found a hair which ruined the tacos and I couldn't eat them anymore, of course. There was dancing, bubble blowing and even a fun bouncy house which was fun for pictures. I am so happy for Andrew and Maren and wish them all the best in their future marriage life.
Maren had flowers for all the girls in the families to wear in their hair and all the men got flowers to wear on their shirts, I thought it was a lovely touch.
Rylee and Kefford
Cousins in the bouncehouse
left: Alec, Leona, Rylee, Fredrick, Avynlea, Isabelle, Abigail, Atticus, Alyssa, Camryn, Amos, Kenedy and Jeremy
right: Andrew, Avynlea, Maren and Rylee
Ryker and Anna came for the civil wedding and I somehow did not get one picture of them which I am disappointed in myself with. I am glad they drove up for the day and it was fun to spend a little bit of time with them.