Megan and Ryan's Wedding!

Finally it is the day of Megan and Ryan's wedding! Last night we drove to Honey Hollow Ranch in Jacksboro, TX for Megan and Ryan's wedding rehearsal. Megan asked CK to perform the wedding ceremony months before this day in a very sweet way. When Megan was around 4 years old, she was at a wedding that CK attended and apparently became enamored with him (even though he was in his early 20s at the time). She sat on his lap and asked if he would marry her. He laughed and said "Sure, if you wait for me." So, we had Megan and Ryan over for dinner and she asked again if he would marry her now....but to Ryan. It was so incredibly sweet and unexpected. CK was more than happy to perform their wedding ceremony and I already know that he is such an amazing and comfortable speaker that they don't know how lucky they are to have him as the officiant! He went on-line and got certified to legally perform weddings! It was surprisingly easy and fast. Over the next few months, he worked on their order of service, what he planned to say during the ceremony, and we had them to the lake for a weekend in mid-August so they could talk over the wedding plan and to discuss their personal devotions, which they planned to deliver for the first time to each other on their wedding day! So sweet and such a personal and loving way to celebrate their love and their wedding day.

Honey Hollow Ranch is really a beautiful and peaceful place and such a wonderful place for Megan and Ryan's wedding. The main house has 10 bedrooms that held the wedding party comfortably and the living space is huge and perfect for their wedding rehearsal guests to relax and hang out. CK, Megan and Ryan headed out to the gazebo with Megan's parents to go through the wedding day plan. Meanwhile, the girls and I hung out by the pool and they busied themselves catching frogs and toads. Sofia was in heaven and felt the need to show everyone the latest frog or toad the girls had caught. After they were done "practicing," the wedding party returned to the main house and we had burgers and socialized. After dinner, the girls continued finding toads and fronts until they discovered a shuffleboard game in the main house. It was a very relaxed rehearsal dinner and evening.

For their wedding day, we arrived about 11/2 hours early so CK was sure to be where he was needed and could help out with anything unexpected. CK helped out with the wedding party, so the girls and I walked around and then Olivia decided she wanted to help pass out the fans that were also the wedding order of service and information on who the attendants are for Megan and Ryan. As people started arriving, Olivia passed out her fans and then we found our place to sit in the shade next to Doris and Diane. Although it's early October, it is still hot in Texas and with a 3pm wedding start time it made for a pretty warm day. So we found a place in the shade and it was pretty comfortable. CK and Al walked down the aisle and the wedding was on! Once CK took his place at the gazebo, Megan was escorted by her dad down the walkway! It was so touching and beautiful and we are so excited for Megan and Ryan!

Of course, as soon as the wedding started, Olivia couldn't see so she sat on my lap during the rest of the ceremony! It was so hot already and having her on my lap did not help things! The wedding ceremony was wonderful and so beautiful. Al offered the prayer and it was very thoughtful and heartfelt. CK started the ceremony and Jill and her sister sang before CK continued on with the service. Then Ryan gave his statement of love followed by Megan. Every time we saw Ryan and Megan before the wedding, Ryan kept saying he would be crying his eyes out, since he really is very tenderhearted. Megan has always laughed it off and I figured that she would stay pretty stoic. Instead, Ryan read his statement and it was very thoughtful but he stayed dried-eyed. Megan, on the other hand, was very emotional and cried throughout her entire statement. It was so sweet!

Finally, Ryan and Megan read their vows to each other and CK pronounced them husband and wife. Ryan kissed his bride and everyone cheered. They walked down the walkway hand-in-hand with their whole lives in front of them! After the wedding, we headed to the reception hall and air conditioning. There were pork belly and bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper appetizers which were amazing. Meanwhile, Sofia stayed busy reading (of course) and Olivia read but also talked with Judy and took in the whole wedding scene. We waited for Megan and Ryan and their wedding party to take photos and then they were introduced as they entered the reception hall. For dinner, they had a restaurant cater it and it was amazing! Honestly, the best food I've had at a wedding in memory! It was buffet style with servers who served salad, green beans, mac-and-cheese, baked beans, bbq brisket and/or ribs. It was absolutely delicious and Olivia actually returned for seconds!

Megan danced with her dad, which was really sweet and Ryan danced with his mom and then they cut the cake. One of their bridesmaids had made all the cupcakes, which were beautifully decorated and came in four different flavors! It was pretty amazing. We ended up staying until we held long sparklers to watch them leave the reception! It was such a great wedding and such a fun night! Most importantly, we are so super excited for Megan and Ryan's future!

Searching for frogs and toads.

Olivia and her friendly frog

Sofia and one of the many toads she caught.

Playing shuffleboard together!

CK and the girls at the wedding.

The four of us!

The wedding decorations were perfect!

Ck and Olivia and the wedding fans.

Olivia handing out fans to guests

CK and Al walking toward the gazebo

Watching for Megan and her dad

Such a beautiful moment!

CK starts the wedding ceremony!

Jill and her sister singing.

My crazy little summer blanket.

The ceremony.

Wedding selfie!

One of my FAVORITE pictures from the day. I love Megan's smile!

Such a beautiful couple!

Silly girls.

Sofia before the reception started....

The cupcakes!

Their first dance together.

Megan dancing with her dad.

Our weekend at the lake - SO much fun together! The girls and Megan on the inter tube!

Megan and Ryan.

The girls with Megan and Ryan

Group picture on the boat!

Olivia learning how to drive the boat..and giving me "the look".

Megan and Sofia....Sofia could ride the inter tube ALL day long!

Buddy with his summer cut.

Olivia's 8th Birthday Party!

We celebrated Olivia's birthday with a party that included her friends, swimming, homemade pizzas and cupcakes! So much fun! About six weeks before her birthday, I'd asked Olivia what she wanted to do to celebrate her big day and offered all sorts of ideas, including a party at Urban Air, horse riding at Ride With Pride, a cooking class at Taste Buds, a party at a splash pad, etc. She wasn't sure and couldn't decide. Finally, a few weeks later, she suggested a pool party at our house with a handful of her favorite friends. Last year we had a pool party at our house and included everyone in her class, and I decided it was just too much. Plus, I know Olivia has several close friends and doesn't really spend time with most of those she doesn't consider friends. I suggested that we also make homemade pizzas that each friend could add their own sauce and toppings to and then we could all decorate cupcakes. She loved the idea and it sounded easy and fun to me! So, she told me exactly who she wanted to include: Hannah, Cora, Riley, Hana B, and Makinsey. She didn't offer up any additional names, and those girls are definitely her close friends. I told Sofia to invite a friend too, since I know it is so much more fun to be with a good friend. So, she asked Liam to come over to swim and celebrate. He's so easy to be and such a fun kid in general to have around.

Our weekends were so busy and crazy and we ended up planning the party for the afternoon of Sunday September 22nd. It was a perfect day for a party and we couldn't wait to celebrate Olivia! Unfortunately, I forgot that CK had a work trip planned for that weekend so he wasn't able to attend the party and I was on my own. However, it was a lot easier than expected.

All of Olivia's friends arrived except for Makinsey. Makinsey actually doesn't know how to swim, so it was easier that she wasn't able to attend. After all her friends and Liam arrived, we headed to the pool. Since I was the only adult I hung out poolside on the lounge chair and just watched everyone have fun. I also took pictures of everyone and just enjoyed their fun. The girls had such a great time together and Sofia and Liam hung out and made up their own stories, swam and jumped on the trampoline. They are such good friends. I love it! After about 11/2 hours, I called all the kids in for pizza. I made the pizza dough that morning and set out all of the possible toppings the kids would want to add to their pies. I showed the kids how to roll out the pizza dough and then how best to add toppings. The girls loved making their own pizzas and nearly all of the girls did sauce and cheese only.

The pizzas were ready in about 15 minutes and the kids loved their own homemade pizzas. After pizzas were eaten, I brought out the cupcakes, frosting and sprinkles for all the kids to decorate. I had enough cupcakes for each kid to eat one and then take four decorated cupcakes home with them as party favors. The kids really got into it and the cupcakes really looks fabulous! Riley's actually looked professional! Once they were done decorating, I brought out ice cream for everyone. The girls toasted their ice cream, which was so adorable! The girls hung out and played after they packaged up their four cupcakes. Before we knew it, the party was over and we were busy cleaning up. It was such a fun, and surprisingly easy, party to throw. Olivia had a great time with her friends and it was so much fun. It was so easy that I need to have that fun group of girls over more often just to swim and play together. Although it's nearly a month late, we had a great time celebrating our sweet 8 year old! Happy Birthday, Olivia!

Birthday girl is ready to party!!

Birthday girl and me!

My sweet girl! I can't believe she is 8 years old!

Bring on the swim party!

The basic view all afternoon - good fun with friends.

Such a sweet group of girls! Love that they are all friends.

Silly Hana!

Riding on the orca was very popular.

Sofia!

Hannah and Sofia - such great friends!

Jumping off the rocks!

Love this picture of these crazy girls!

Sweet Buddy - he has to be a part of the action, just not in the pool.

Such a great group of friends!

Time to make some pizzas!

Enjoying their pizzas together after a fun afternoon swimming.

Time to decorate cupcakes!

The best part of the party.

Happy Birthday, Olivia.

Cora, and possibly the only picture I have of Cora smiling.

Toasting their ice cream! So cute!

Riley and her perfectly decorated cupcakes. Each girl was able to take 4 decorated cupcakes home with them as a party favor.

The Best Birthday and Megan's Wedding Shower!

Today was a great day and not just because it is my birthday! A few months ago, CK told me he wanted to buy me a pottery wheel for my birthday! The best birthday present ever and so exciting! I've looked on and off for over a year for a used wheel, but have never had any luck. Ironically, just before I told CK which brand new wheel to buy, I went on Craigslist and actually found a used Speedball Clay Boss wheel for less than half of a new wheel! The used wheel was about 45 minutes away and CK picked it up and delivered it to our garage about two weeks before my birthday! It's SO cool and I'm so excited to have my very own wheel that I can use anytime I want. Of course, I still plan to use the CERA studio to fire and glaze my pieces, but it will make everything so much easier! I love it and am so excited!

The girls and I messed around with the wheel to test it out and while I threw a few first bowls, Olivia sat on an upside down 5 gallon bucket and read to me from her book "The Great Escape." It was great to have some entertainment while I made bowls! Around noon we cleaned up our wheel and got showered and ready for Megan's wedding shower.

Jill hosted a wedding shower for Megan at her house that was an old time tea party! We were all asked to wear fascinators, which we first had to look up before we ordered one for each of us on Amazon. I ordered a cute pink and turquoise fascinator, Sofia a peacock fascinator and myself a sold turquoise fascinator. They were all very fancy and fun and looked great, although it took us a little bit to get used to when we put them on. We got ready, and headed to Jill's house for the 2pm shower. Inside her house was so cute and well-decorated and it was such a fun and civilized party! Of course, Olivia loves dressing up and being "fancy" and loved walking around Jill's living room trying on all the different lace gloves. Sofia enjoyed it too, although she isn't as much into it as Olivia. Instead, she was really interested in picking out the the teacups we brought with us and used during our tea party reception. After we mingled, we had tea sandwiches, cookies and tea and it all tasted delicious! After we were finished, Megan opened presents! It was so much fun and such fun to dress up and celebrate Megan and her upcoming wedding! We are so excited for her and Ryan.

My new Clay Boss! LOVE it!

Olivia entertaining me while I get ready to throw a few bowls.

My very first piece!

The very first bowl!

Olivia gives it a try!

Celebrating a first of many bowls.

Dressed up and ready to celebrate Megan at her tea party wedding shower.

Jill did an amazing job decorating!

The delicious food!

Her centerpiece!

Megan and the girls. They absolutely love Megan!

Hamming it up with the food!

The finger sandwiches - so delicious.

Olivia and her fancy gloves.

Young ladies enjoying their tea and tea sandwiches.

Megan during her party.