Foreshadowing

Look at us. So happy. So innocent. So unaware of what challenge life was about to rain down on us. But speaking of rain -it rained a lot in December. Since we had the Richards staying with us, we took them to see this section of road that was covered by the Bremer River about 10 min from our house. We thought it was a fun little outing as you can see. But looking back this was a sad foreshadowing of things to come. Stay posted. (ps: We're still happy!)

Merry Christmas Darling (2010)

 

Jaren's first Christmas was beautiful. It was a fun time full of family parties. Christmas Eve was spent at Max and Laree's house (Varian's Uncle and Aunt) swimming, eating and merry making. :)

Claire and Brandon and their sweet kids were staying with us and were so patient to wait for us to be ready for Christmas morning.

My family would always run out from our rooms (from youngest to oldest) and then act surprised as we saw our stockings and presents under the tree. My parents were never big on the Santa Clause thing, and so our presents had been hiding under blankets under the stairs or in the sewing room for weeks leading up to Christmas. And then we had to wait for them to come get us in the morning before we could then run out to open them. So I've gotten into the habit of sleeping in and getting ready for the day, and then opening everything up. But then you're rested, pretty, and ready to open presents. :) Good times.

    

A visit to Oma that morning (who had recently had a heart attack and hadn't been able to come to Christmas Eve) and then an afternoon at Mike and Shelley's finished off the celebrations. How I love Christmas!

Wedding

The wedding - Alana Aston and Cameron Orth - December 16,2010 - Brisbane, Australia Temple.

I decided not to try and get pictures of the whole family for this post (so don't feel bad if you're not in it) and just keep it to ones of us, or shots I took - as that alone looks like it might be a mega post.

We dropped Jaren off to play with the other kiddies and helpers during the sealing. We took group pictures across the street from the temple by the gazebo at Kangaroo Point. Often tour buses will stop there - and this day we had all these Asians stopping to take pictures of us and the wedding group. It was a bit crazy. But what can I say, Asians love Jaren. They couldn't stop taking pictures of him. But for some, taking pictures wasn't quite enough.

 

Here's a picture of my sweet little family outside the temple, and Jaren cute as always.

 

I took these shots of my parents-in-law with Lani, which I think are fun and matching.

Here are some other pretty shots I got that day - I especially like these ones of Lani and my niece Jasmine. If I new how to photo shop I would remove that sign in the background, but otherwise I think they turned out really nice.

 


I thought this one below was cute of the boys.



I helped make these place cards for Lani and I think they turned out pretty.



As they were leaving Lani asked me to hold some of her stuff and hand it to her after they had gotten in the car. As I'm turning to walk away from her this other car zooms by and seriously came inches away from me. It happened so fast and I was so startled thinking that one more step and he could have killed me, or I could have lost my baby. Ugh, I shudder just remembering it.So that isn't that great of a photo but it's there for the memory and for my gratitude at not being run over that day.

 

Here are two of my sweet sister-in-laws who live too far away. Felicity's in Sydney and at the time Claire was living in San Fran. Fun places to vacation, but I wish they lived closer. I love when they come in for visits though!!!

It was a great wedding day, we had a wonderful time and were so happy to welcome Cameron into the family!!!

December Showers bring Bridal Showers

In Australia they have a tradition of having a "hen's night" which is like a bachelorette party. For Lani's we first went to a belly dancing place (so cool) and then back to her house for bridal shower games. This shot of me "catching the boquet" makes me laugh every time I see it.It was fun to be part of all her wedding plans and parties!

I threw Lani a bridal shower and it was such a fun night. I had Cameron make a video ahead of time answering questions about he and Lani, which is what my little sister did for me when I got married. Any question she missed she had to put another piece of gum in her mouth, don't be deceived by the picture, she really did get some right too. :)

Good times! I'm a sucker for a wedding. Congratulations (belated) sweet Lani. :)