Snow in October and Temple Day

Yesterday we got up early (well, at least it was early in my book), and started our temple day. Our stake leaders have encouraged each of the wards to schedule one day at the temple, where each member comes and spends as much of the day as their schedule permits. So, Bob and I went in the morning and spent about four hours. The Draper Temple doesn't have a cafeteria, so we left to get some lunch, and I also had a hair appointment. I know, I know... a hair appointment isn't a great excuse to not be at the temple, but I had that appointment for literally three months, so I couldn't really change it at that point. We went back to the temple for 4 or 5 more hours a bit later on in the day. What a remarkable, wonderful day it was! I loved being there for an extended period of time. Sometimes it takes me a while to "unwind", but I had plenty of time yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed the sweet strong spirit I felt All. Day. Long. I feel like I have filled my bucket to the brim! I love the temple!

It was especially nice being in the temple, since this is what was going on outside...

Draper Temple - October 25, 2012

...A little October blizzard. It was a cold, icy day!

It all melted off by the afternoon, but this morning we woke to another "dusting". Looks like our gardening days are numbered and I really need to start putting my gardens to bed for the winter.

Snow on the wisteria

These are the kinds of days where I want to put my sweats on and patter around the house working on little projects, or reading a good book. Probably not in the cards today, but one can always wish....

Pear-picking and a temple walk

Bob and I picked apple-pears last Friday. They were at the perfect stage... huge and not overly ripe. We filled boxes and boxes, and then called it a day. We cleared most of the trees, but left a few for the birds.

We have a list of people that we deliver pears to every year, so we were anxious to get them off the trees and delivered to our friends and family. My mom and sister came a couple of weeks ago and picked to their hearts content. Many years, we make calls and have friends come and pick, too, but this year there were fewer pears, so we just decided to pick them ourselves. Plus, the yard isn't in the best of shape. I'd be embarrassed to have people roaming around my yard. To be honest, I am looking forward to snow blanketing my flower beds and hiding the weeds.

Considering Bob's hands are pretty big, these pears are huge! We kept finding extra large ones that we saved in a box called "the world record box". We had a few good world record contenders. The next day we went out and bought a food dehydrator. We want to try drying our apple-pears. Now I just need to find a minute to actually get some in the dehydrator. I'll keep you posted on that venture.

The next day, Whitney and I went on a stake women's walk from the Draper Temple to the Timpanogos Temple -- 13.1 miles. In these photos you can see the long line of women hiking across the mountains to get over to Highland. It was great! I loved being with Whitney, getting some good exercise, enjoying the amazing scenery, and now saying I have done a half-marathon (albeit mostly walking). Lindsay was going to come, too, but ended up not feeling that great the night before, so we let her off the hook.

We ended up running some of the last of it. Whitney is almost 5 months pregnant, so we didn't want to push that too much, but had also hooked up with Kristen and Megan, and Kristen was rarin' to go. She is a real runner, and she also had to get to the finish line so she could go to the BYU football game.

Wedding Photos - Part 2 - The luncheon

To see the rest of the wedding & reception photos for this wedding, click below:

Part 1 - The Temple

Part 3 - The Reception Entry

Part 4 - More Reception Details

Part 5 - Yard and Food

Part 6 - The Wedding Party

I have already shared the photos of Linds and Ryan after their wedding in the Salt Lake Temple. Today's post will include the next batch of photos -- mostly the wedding luncheon. 

Salt Lake LDS Temple

We had the luncheon just across the plaza from the temple, at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. 

At the luncheon, we just had a small display table (we were saving all our energy for decorating for the reception!). You can see the laser etching that Bob did of the front side of their wedding invitations. It turned out awesome, and was perfect for displaying at the luncheon and the reception!

I showed these in an earlier post... these were sitting at each place setting on the tables.

Whitney, Lindsay and I wrapped all of the little mint lifesaver rolls and put the final touches on them. I loved the way they turned out, and the guests all seemed delighted with the extra little thought for them.

The tables were all decorated with our book page centerpiece bases (which by the way, I am in love with and want to use all over my house), and then we just rented the topiaries from the Joseph Smith Memorial Building Caterer, and tied our own pink bows on them. Simple, but very sweet. 

Here are the guests all focused on the proceedings. Lindsay and Ryan were obviously already married in the temple by then, but since none of Ryan's family are members of the church, they weren't able to be in the temple. So, we had Bob conduct a little ring exchange for their benefit. Bob talked for just a few minutes explaining the meaning of the temple wedding, and why that is so important to members of the LDS faith. It really was perfect, and I think Ryan's family appreciated knowing more about that and also getting a chance to see the new couple exchange their rings.

The ring exchange

Bob introducing all of the guests

We decided it was best to get Lindsay out of her dress and into something else for the luncheon. The dress wasn't exactly conducive to dining, and I don't know what we would have done if there had been a spill on it!

If I look particularly intent on filling my plate (in the above photo), its because I WAS particularly intent on filling my plate! The food was delicious soups and salads, a roll, and dessert. We were starving and all of it tasted so good to me!

Bob and I as happy as can be!

Wedding Photos - Part 1 - The temple

To see the rest of the wedding posts for this wedding, click below
Part 2 - The Luncheon

Part 3 - The Reception Entry

Part 4 - More Reception Details

Part 5 - Yard and Food

Part 6 - The Wedding Party

I am finally getting around to posting the wedding photos. The photos you will see today are of just after the temple wedding. Linds and Ryan were married in the Salt Lake Temple on a gorgeous June day...

The bridal bouquet

Ryan and Lindsay leaving the temple and
seeing their awaiting friends and family

The lovely couple with the
Salt Lake Temple in the background

It truly was a perfect day! We couldn't be happier for them. We are lucky enough to have them living in our backyard. Literally. Their apartment is right across the back fence. Linds can stand on her front porch and I on my back deck, and we can have a conversation over the fence!

I'll be back soon to share more photos of the wedding day!

Temple trip and wedding preparations

Yesterday was a very big day for Linds and Ryan. They both went through the Draper Temple in preparation for their wedding tomorrow. Of course it was all new and different for them, but it was a wonderful, amazing day. We were thrilled to be there with both of them, and so proud of them for what they have accomplished this past year. They have worked hard to get where they are, and we are excited for all that is ahead of them!

Lindsay & Ryan
at the Draper Temple

Bob and I, Robbie, Whitney and Mike, my mom, and my sister Sheri were all there with them. What a special day that I will truly always remember. We so missed having Wilson there with us, but we know that he is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing as he is serving the Lord on his mission in California.


After the temple, we all went to dinner at Madeline's, which was yummy and so nice to just sit and visit for a bit before the big rush for the next few days.


As soon as we got home, the boys all got to work mowing the lawn.

Bob, Robbie and Wils

Mike and Ryan arrived shortly after this photo, and all of them did their part to make the lawn look beautiful.


And Whitney, Lindsay and I worked on the wedding preparations inside the home, with Wilson looking on. Funny thing, we got this cut-out of Wilson made so that we could have "him" at the reception, and I really need to put him down in the basement (where the wedding prep is all out and ready to go out in the yard). Every time I come around the corner, there he is standing there and it scares me to death! I keep thinking a man is just standing there, waiting and watching. 

Wedding prep
in the kitchen

We are pretty close to having everything ready just to be set up sometime today. We will wait for the large tent canopy to come and be set up, and then we'll try to work some magic on it to make everything look lovely. We'll be doing the major set up today, and then tomorrow between the luncheon and the reception, we will do all of the rest of the decor. Should be fun!