Blake’s Wedding

The following weekend, my brother got married in Salt Lake City. (I told you April was crazy.)

We drove down Thursday and Friday. One of the joys of traveling with a newly potty trained child is making frequent stops in random places whenever that child proclaims “I need to go potty!” Zeke thought it was so fun to learn how to pee standing up.

We made it to Utah in time to meet up with my family at a family fun zone for Blake’s “family bachelor party.” (Obviously it was a very family friendly event.) We raced go carts. Zeke loved riding with Papa. It was cute watching them go around the track. We had to look really hard to see Zeke, he was so short! When it was my turn – I was the slowest by far – I was lapped twice by Reed and Erin. It was pretty pathetic how slow my go cart was. We also played arcade games and miniature golf.

The highlight of the evening was watching Blake open his gifts:

The next day was the big day. Mickayla and Reed’s girlfriend graciously offered to watch Lily and Zeke so that Scott and I could both attend the temple ceremony. (The temple ceremony is a very simple, sacred ceremony. Adults who have been baptized and receive permission from their bishop may attend the temple.) There were a lot of couples getting married that day. (I think Blake said 24.) I expected to feel rushed and crowded, but instead, I felt welcomed and at peace. The officiator took time to visit with us and explain the sacredness of the ceremony. It was wonderful to be in the temple with so many family members and witness Blake and Kirstin married for time and eternity.

After the ceremony, we went outside and waited with the rest of our family for Blake and Kirstin to emerge from the temple. The kids loved exploring the temple grounds. Lily loved all the flowers, and seeing Angel Moroni on the top of the temple. Zeke just liked being free to wander. (He did not like our attempts at getting a family photo. He wanted to be free!)

Finally . . . Blake and Kirstin emerged!

Then it was time for all the pictures. Zeke wasn’t thrilled. We did the best we could to bribe him and work with whatever he would give us. (Aren’t obstinate 3 year olds wonderful?)

We took the kids back to the hotel and had them nap before the reception that evening. It was a long day for them, but it was fun. The reception was well done (I failed to get a single picture). It was fun to see family friends. Some I hadn’t seen in years!

The next day, we drove home. It was a long drive.