Devon loves Dee-Dee

The week after Christmas we laid low with colds.  Alex got new computers at work.  We also got to spend a couple of fun-filled days with our Mulleneaux cousins.  We enjoyed a party at the Stephenson's for New Year's Eve (complete with snowball fight and a big bouncy fun thing).  On New Year's day Alex and and the kids went to Grandma & Grandpa Mathesons for some football watching.  Alex's old friends Keith & Craig Newman and Ryan Boggs came for a while too and I hear they had a great time.  I took some quiet time by myself and then did errands and packed for our trip to St. David.  The kids and I headed down and got there that night.  Alex had to work the next day and then he joined us. 

In St. David we had lots more cousin time.  The Burgesses were in town for Devon & Dee-Dee's wedding and the kids had a great time together.  It was a fun week.  Karina, Athena, Jeff & Kelsey, Devon's old mission companion, Brandon, and the Welkers all joined in the sleepover by the end of the week.  The smart ones, Duane & Shirley and Alan & Megan joined in the daily festivities while enjoying the comfort of their own beds at night.  There is something wonderful about being all together though.

Devon & Deidre got married on Thursday, the 3rd at the Gila Valley Temple.  They made a lovely couple.  There was a luncheon afterwards and then on Friday evening, was the reception at the Hancock's (Dee-Dee's parents also live in St. David).  The only damper on the whole affair was the temperature -- it was downright chilly at both the reception and wedding.  Saturday was a little warmer and we postponed our departure just to enjoy a little more sunshine with family and to give Uncle Alan more advice about how to build his chicken coop whether he needed it or not.

The kids are back to school this week.  They've informed me that it's not as bad as they thought it would be and secretly I think they've almost truly enjoyed seeing their friends and being there again -- not that they'd ever admit it.

Karina, Camille, Eve, Kira, Grandpa Paul, Callie, Lydia & Devon.

 

Cowgirls Karina & Camille.

 

Eve and Kira.

 

Callie & Lydia.  Devon is showing off the big scratch he got across his chin that morning while out riding.  It was the day before the wedding and I think every female in our family and Dee-Dee's family gave him grief about it.  Luckily it healed up pretty nicely.

 

The wind was super cold at the temple.  The kids waited with Karina inside the church next door during the wedding but just before Devon & Dee-Dee came out did a photo shoot at the temple.  I think both the wind and cold are apparent on their faces.  Back row: Brayden, Trevor, Preston, Camille, Bradley, Carter.  Front:  Kira, Audra, Eve, Calllie, Lydia, Breanne, Ben, Bryce, Logan & Kurtis.

 

Deidre & Devon.

 

Lydia, Callie & Eve having fun at the wedding luncheon after the wedding.