A highlight of those special memories made and cherished by the Jones family during the summer of 2011 -
July 29, 2011
I drive away from my house with a PACKED trailer of furniture for Audra and Michael. I am SCARED! I am driving all day by myself. I have no trailer experience. By the time I drive off of the ferry, I'm shaking.
So, aside from the fear....it went amazingly easy. I'm here to tell ya, prayers work!
July 30, 2011
Arrived much later last night than I wanted. Got the trailer unpacked and headed to the hotel. Wow, what a dump. It use to be such a nice hotel. Oh well, lots to do with Audra, so we didn't hang there too much.
July 31, 2011
Sunday - went to Church. Loudest Sacrament meeting I've ever attended. Babies e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e!!!! Then we headed down to Salt Lake. Had to stop three times so that Michael could rewrap the tarp. Once we got to town we went down to have dinner at Jon and Carrie Marrotts. Met the whole family. Delicious dinner, great evening. I didn't embarrass Audra. It went well!
August 1, 2011
Went to drop "The Dress" off at the dry cleaners. Oh my goodness - I made Audra stay in the car - and good thing I did. The neckline was unraveling. FREEEEEEAAAK! But the ladies behind the counter assured me that they would get it fixed and beautiful by Thursday.
Then it was time to get the wedding license. Next, Michael (Marrott - not Jones, I know, it's confusing) needed to get a suit.
....and lunch with my dear friend, Janet Hancock
August 2, 2011
Shower for Audra back at the Marrotts. FUN! Lots and lots of errands. Got to do some genealogy with Rebecca Helms - a distant relative from my Grandpa Walter Dale's side.
August 3, 2011
Family showed up. Veronica and the family headed straight down to Mike and Havi's. Ron, Audra and I went out to dinner with the Archers.
August 4, 2011
What a special day...special...special. We went to the Salt Lake Temple for Audra's endowments. The Marrotts met us there. It was beautiful. Then we went to a sealing room and had Ron's parents, my grandfather Underwood and his 3 wives and a number of other family members sealed. We alllllllllllll cried. It was such a great day. Finished off with lunch at the Blue Lemon. Delish!!!!
Then it was down to Alpine/Highland for the Bachelorette Party at the rented studio. Lots of food and fun, pedicures and getting Audra ready for the big day. We actually even got some sleep.
August 5, 2011
Michael Marrott came to get his bride at 8:30 a.m. It was sooooo sweet. So, there I was, stalker Mom...following the little couple to the temple in the rental car....lol. Then it was Audra and I in the Bride's Room. How I wish I could have taken some pictures, but sacred is sacred and this was truly a sacred time - but here's a fuzzy pic of it from a church publication.
It really doesn't do it justice - such a beautiful room!
Also, I really wish we could have invited Melanie in to share the time with us, but with 13 brides coming through just that morning, they were being very, very strict. How I missed having her there to share in the tender moments. Most of all, however, I was grateful to be the one preparing my precious little girl for her long dreamed of moment.
The look on Michael Marrott's face when Audra came out of the studio in her beautiful red dress was precious. But the look on his face when she came out of the Bride's Room in her wedding dress - laaaaaaaaaaa (cue angels). I'll remember that for the rest of my life. Proof positive. He loves her! That's all I need to know.
The sealing was beautiful, but I actually had almost no view since I was behind Audra. Thank goodness for the mirrors. Actually, it was better that way. Otherwise, I would have been balling like a baby. Now Michael (Jones)....he is the one who cried like a baby. That was sweet and endearing.
Then it was BACK to the Bride's Room to get her ready for going outside and taking official wedding pics. It was harried, but not too bad. And the subsequent pics are beautiful. Good job Megan!
BACK into the Bride's Room. It took the longest time getting her OUT of the get up. Phew!
Then a fabulous luncheon at Thanksgiving Point. Okay, got a little lost, but it was all good.
Then we were off to work on the reception - and to get Audra back INTO the dress - with the hair and the shoes. Yummy crepes, great company and it was a wonderful, wonderful day.
August 6, 2011
Packed the trailer and truck back up and sent Ron, Veronica and the girls off. Then Ruth Ellen, James Ronald and I were off on the airplane. Grabbed Amber in the airport once we landed and headed home (via the Bainbridge Ferry)
Ron and Veronica spent the nite in southeastern Washington. They had an incredible experience. Veronica was driving. They were going through Boise. Roni just happened to look in her rearview mirrow to see rubber flying everywhere. The driver's side tire on the trailer blew apart. Over to the side of the road she immediately went. There was literally nothing left but wire and a small black circle. They were sitting on the side of the road trying to figure out how to get the tire changed without the proper tools. Ron was just about to head out when a man pulled over with just what they needed. Roni said that she looked up to see - the spire of the Boise Temple. God is good - yes indeed.
August 7, 2011
Church with Ruth and James went surprisingly well. Ron and clan showed up in reasonable time. Had a little hot tub time with the kiddos. Nice, easy day.
August 8, 2011
Shop, clean, prepare, babysit, work, work, work!
August 9, 2011
Borrowed a van and picked up Mike, Havi, Gareth, Ronan, and the happy little couple. Back to the house. Ron went later to get Trina and Samuel. Pretty much everyone is here now.
August 10, 2011
Shop, clean, prepare, babysit, work, work, work! Fun side trip to SARC for a swimming party with the grandbabies. Josh flew in sooooo late it was early (lol).
August 11, 2011
Family picture day. Good job, Carmen (see www.clixphotography-carmen.blogspot.com)
And Mike (Jones) and family barbequed. Fun - fattening - fabulous!
August 12, 2011
Reception - probably about 60 people came. It was lovely. Really, really lovely.
August 13, 2011
What did we do today? I can't even remember. Recover, mostly. Zzzzzzzz
..Ron, Trina and Michael (Marrott) went crabbing....and we ate like piggies.
August 14, 2011
A wonderful day at Church with my whole family. I cried (Ronan did too, but me thinks for a different reason). Seriously, the children did wonderfully.
Then, the most spectacular, beautious evening at our granddaughter Harley's baptism. Love, love, LOVED it!
Little note - this is the same dress her momma, her auntie and her sister wore. Ah, family traditions.
August 15, 2011
Everyone but the Jones clan left today. The night before there were tears and moping - but honestly, the 24 hour flu was hitting most everyone swiftly and I think....it was feeling like time to go to most of em.
We had a marvelous time - everything I had ever hoped for. But all things come to an end - and so must our long dreamt of family reunion. In the end, my world may be my children, but my life belongs to two people, my true love and my Lord. I am a blessed woman.
