Mr. and Mrs. Kirschbaum's big day!

I couldn't believe the day had finally arrived!!!  I got up about 5:00 to get ready to be at her hair appointment by 6:30.  I was running a teensy bit late because I had to get some nylons (don't tell Heidi) and some gas on the way.  When I showed up at about 6:37, she was still sitting in her car, using her cell phone.  She mouthed to me that the girl who was going to do her hair was late and that she was not answering her phone!!  This was totally stressy!!!  I got in Heidi's car and we started deliberating about what to do.  She said that her hair had taken an hour and a half to do previously, so the fact that we were closing in on only having about an hour sort of worried me!  Luckily we were able to find her mom's phone number online and call her house at 6:45 in the morning.  It was such a relief that she was there, but not such a relief when her mom said that she had overslept.  We sat there for at least another 15 minutes, felt more like an hour, and waited for her to get her tired bumb over there!  Luckily she was able to get her hair done in time.  It was nothing short of a miracle if you ask me.  Took half the time as before and looked just as good.

Heidi and I raced to the SL Temple, trying to remain calm.  Parked and ran in.  We walked through the doors at exactly 8:10!!!  It was such a miracle (again, the miracles just poured down through the whole wedding process, planning and shopping and everything... it was such a witness to me that this marriage was meant to be).  We got Heidi and her dress all signed in and then waited.  And waited.  :).  John was late.  I had to keep reminding Heidi that it doesn't mean he is not coming- I had been late for our sealing too, but it was because my hair dresser wouldn't stop doing my hair!  While we waited, I met some of John's family.  His Dad had flown in from South Africa, his cute Grandma and Mom had walked like a mile because they'd parked so far away.  Finally he came then left and came again (he had left the license in the car :) ) and all was well.  Everything from that point on was just heavenly .  Heidi was at peace, they were calm, you could really feel the spirit.  It was a cool thing to be a part of.  I wish I could explain how much it meant to me to be there with Heidi through it all.  To have witnessed the struggle of years of wanting to find someone and not feeling ready, and then to see her in that moment of triumph.  It was priceless.  I loved all the sweet old ladies who know how to make that day special.  We talked about how strange it would be to get married in a place where you don't have all the sweet temple workers ushering you around and treating you like a queen.  It was so neat.  I didn't even recognize the Bride's dressing room without all the people- there was almost nobody there.  So special!  The sealing was beautiful, I loved their sealer, and it was so neat to be able to sit next to her through it all.  Then getting out for pictures... that's my favorite part.  They were so cute and fun.  I got to get some video footage of it all for them, I'm hoping to edit it and put it at the end of their video.  All went so well!

Unfortunately my camera was still set to "Manual" when Kelly took the pictures of them coming out.  I just about cried at the thought that I wasn't going to have that image ingrained in my history.  I will have to steal one from someone else.  These moments are PRECIOUS!

But look how cute and happy they both look!  

This is the one I tried to fix... still not good enough for me.

The kids and I enjoyed following them around for their pictures.  I know we were totally in the way, but I don't think we would have missed it for the world.  That's always my favorite part.  I'm really hoping all of the video footage I took worked out because my pictures sure aren't what I'd like them to be.  

They of course look perfect, but the pictures... not so much. Bummer.

The rest of the day was perfect as well.  Things went so smoothly.  I guess, minus the part where I left my keys in the camera bag that I had sent with Nate after pictures.  I ended up having to drive to the luncheon with John and Heidi.  Felt like their chaperone or something... keeping them from enjoying their first moments as a married couple... keeping them from missing their luncheon too I guess... like some other people I know.  Anyway- I was embarrassed and then it was over.  We had lunch at Olive Garden, courtesy of John's Mom.  I miss Olive Garden!  I wish we could go there more often.  It was delicious, my kids were good- it was fun to look over at the cute new couple... this was the most relaxing part of the day, I must admit.

Then we headed off to get ready for the reception!!  This was the part of the day I was most anxious for.  Not because it's my favorite by any means, but because there were so many things that had to happen just right.  There were a few hang ups in the beginning with the pictures from the temple not being ready when we needed them to be- we had to get back to the Ivy House to start heating up the meat and getting things set up and kids ready... there was lots to do.  I thought for sure I could do it all, but I couldn't.  I wish I'd thought twice about asking Sarah to grab the pictures while she was out.  That was my big dumb move for the night.  She is the photographer.  You don't ask the photographer to stop and get something at the store during picture time.  Duh.  I'm still hating myself for it.  I don't know what I was thinking.... anyway!!   I was frustrated to learn that all but a few of the people we'd asked to help in the kitchen and with the food, were no longer going to be showing up, but we really made it all work!  Things went really well.  I will leave out all the tiny details of that evening because overall it was a huge success.  I loved that it was all about Heidi and John and that we all got to be a part of that time with them.  I will never forget Heidi's, "Well, now I just want to go and spend time with John and cancel the reception!" after the sealing, but I think she didn't regret not cancelling it by the time the night was over.  I got to give a little speech halfway through the reception.  That was nerve-racking. I wish I could have had time to write something up and just read it, because I was blubbering too much, but it was really fun to be the one to (at least attempt) to pay tribute to the happy couple whom I love so much.  I cried.  Oh well.  I hope they got the message.  I love them, and I'm excited for the new life they have ahead!  They quickly cut the cake, threw the bouquet, garter, and danced, and then ended the reception (a little early :) ) with a cute sparkler send off!!  That was a lot of fun.  I have to remember all these cute ideas for later (way later I might add... I shouldn't be needing wedding ideas for a very long time :) just sayin').  I love my sister, Heidi Kirschbaum, and her new husband, John!  The beginning :).   11-21-14

More pics I stole from Heidi

Heidi's Bridals- these are NOT her bridals :), just pictures during :)

I brought my camera to Heidi's Bridals Shoot thinking I could snap a few to play with... didn't happen.  I was put to work quickly :).  But I LOVED being there.  I couldn't believe how gorgeous her dress ended up being and how perfectly it fit her--not just the size, but the style-- it was just perfect.  It was a lot of fun to be with the fam and fun to watch the girls dote all over Heidi, being her bridesmaids and all.  Good memories.

I posted this one JUST for Heidi- I think she'll love it :)  Maybe even laugh :).  It's my favorite.

Maybe I can steal some of the nice ones Brent and Sarah got--- these just don't do her justice of course.

Erika's Big Day!

I can't believe I failed to post these earlier!!  I guess once her birthday was over, it was on to the wedding... anyway- 

ERIKA IS FIVE!!!  UnBeLiEvAbLe!!!

Her day started out the way birthdays always start out at our house :).  Favorite breakfast (crepes for Erika), streamers, sign, begging to open "at least one present"!  She loved it :).  And so did her sibs.  Every birthday is like it's everyone's around here... kinda fun.  

So she opened a present-

He's trying so hard it hurts ;)

Erika was very excited about her rainbow cake and that she was going to get to draw on her own cake, but I decided to surprise her with some cupcakes too.  Plus we weren't sure how many people were coming to the party (as usual) wanted to have some extras.

I think the highlight of Erika's day was having Kate with her most of the day.  It was so fun to watch them play that day.  They just seemed so sweet to each other.  Less of the arguing :).  I was glad she had Kate there to make it more fun.  I'm just not as fun as I try to be.  We did take her out for her birthday lunch.  Not by herself, but with Jack and Kate :).  They had a total blast- I can't believe how long they played there!

She had been wanting to go to the Sky Trampoline Arena for a long time so we thought that would be a fun birthday activity.  This is "birthday activity" year, so we let her choose between doing it that day and inviting just one friend or waiting until the next day, Veteran's Day, when we could get a half off discount and taking the sibs.  She of course (being a now girl) chose to take Kate!!  It was the perfect thing for that day, they had SO MUCH FUN!!  It was so fun to watch them wander around and try everything out at the beginning and then all the giggling and jumping (of course) it was just so much fun!  Those kinds of things are a different kind of fun when you have big kids with you- I thought it was so much better that they got to do it just the two of them.  I know the sibs were ticked, but it wasn't their birthdays :).  

I totally didn't think Erika and Kate could go for the whole hour, but they did!  I was surprised they didn't crash afterwards too!  Cute girls.  I'll have to upload the pics from my phone to put on here.

Erika picked out this cake design a very long time ago and never forgot about it!  I was more than happy to do it!  We even bought the markers many months ago.  She sure had fun with it.  Then she even let all the neighbor kids take a turn :).  Turned out pretty cute :).

We kept going back and forth between supporting Charity's PTSA fundraiser by getting Taco Time food, or the usual (pizza)... Pizza won :).  Nate got yummy Papa Murphy's though- that was a nice change from the usual Little Caesar's :).  Luke was testing the cheesiness!!  Holy moly!  

I think I was trying to get the angle that would be less incriminating of my lazy housekeeping... they're both pretty bad....

although, in that one you can see all of our tomatoes from our garden!  We had SO MANY!!  I was able to make lots of salsa, canned some tomato sauce, and more salsa!

Erika's sisters got VERY creative with the wrapping of the presents.  We were all out of paper so they used fabric scraps!  And electrical and painters tape!  I thought this was really cute and Erika couldn't get enough of it.  She recently learned how to write her name, so it was cute to have her recognize most of the letters :).

She got lots of gifts!  She loved all of them :)

I just think this is a funny picture.  Especially my mom :)

She's so beautiful!

I'm not sure who I ended up handing the camera to that night, but we got a LOT of pictures!  These were my favorites :)

Kelly gave Erika her very own tea set that she knows Erika loves.  That was a pretty special moment.  Although I think Kelly and Bradley were fighting at the time and she kind of missed it... can't remember exactly.

We were glad that Steve showed up RIGHT as we were about to sing and cut the cake.  He makes the birthday song- THE Birthday Song.  We were all relieved that he made it :).  He had heard that Erika wanted a ball for her birthday and not knowing exactly what kind came with several different sizes and types... pretty fun!  Who knew she'd get 20 balls!

It was a fun evening.  We were so grateful for the few that could make it that night!

I so can't believe she's five!!  My baby girl is growing up!!!