Our After-the-wedding Getaway-Embassy Suites Mandalay Resort

Robin smartly suggested that the Parents of the Bride need a vacation as much as the wedding couple. She's right! So we left the next morning and drove up to Oxnard (near Ventura) and stayed at Embassy Suites Mandalay Resort. Our room was so great, that we decided to go to Vons and buy salads and crackers and eat our dinner on our patio.

We knew that schooner or later a lovely ship would go by. :-)

The next morning we enjoyed coffee on our patio before going to breakfast.

Our room (all rooms) included a full made-to-order breakfast which we ate
outside near the waterfall and ponds.

The grounds were beautiful.

This picture proves that we were both on the same vacation. :-)

Aw gorsh. isn't that sweet?

So relaxing!

We inspected the agriculture fields in the area. Here Kirk is looking at berry vines.

Beautiful rows of cabbage

The second night's sunset with clouds.
We had a wonderful 3 days!

Oxnard on Dwellable

Some New Wedding Pictures

Lynn Weber took these wonderful pictures & was in charge of making sure the wedding party had food before the wedding.
She also decorated the sweetheart's table. Such a dear & helpful friend!

Kirk giving the Blessing from the Dads

He did a great job; it was funny & sweet.

Aw gorsh!

Grandma & Philip before the wedding

Philip & Abby did so much to help! They got flowers from a local grower to jazz up the courtyard. Abby videotaped & helped with decorating the courtyard.

I like this cute picture.

I love this angle! We were obviously posing for someone else when Lynn took this picture.

A Few Wedding Pictures

Well, here are a few pictures that Bob Taylor & I took on Saturday. Mom & I are standing near the guest book table. This is a canvas print of a picture Heather took while in Venice, Italy.
Waiting patiently for something exciting to happen!

Kirk passing out grapes & bagels with cream cheese to the wedding
party while we waited in the newly decorated bridal room

Before they came down the aisle, Kirk told Heather,
"there are two things to remember, I love you & let's have fun!"

Pledging their love to each other-
Both the pastor & Jeff wore mics so the vows could be easily heard. :-)

Mr & Mrs. Jeff Himes

Here we are MC-ing the reception. Uncle David was slated to do
it but he ended up with the flu for 7 days. :-(

Heather recorded herself singing, "At Last" to Jeff for their dance.

The cool couple

Aren't they cute?

A big kiss!
The professional photographers took 4000 pictures,
of which 2500 will be for us. I can hardly wait!!!

Heather's Shower at GHFC

On May 16, there was a lovely bridal shower in Joy Hall at church.
Kathy Hotz, Lynn Weber, Annette White, Becky Abernethy, Heather, Anni Weins, Pati Gomez, Sylvia Cecil & Abby at the shower. These lovely ladies from the Sojourner class put on a lovely shower. Mina made a darling video, but was unable to attend the shower.
Abby made darling clever cards for the ladies to fill out & give to Heather. She included prompts on them, to give them ideas. "To keep communication open, try...,To ruin communication, don't...,On you honeymoon, be sure to..., etc.
She is going to have them bound with a spiral comb to make a flip book for Heather to refer to.

Grandma gave a wonderful devotional about marriage from the Bible. Great advice!
Here we are.

Megan Hotz, Keriann Weber & Heather

Jeff crashed the shower & jumped right in helping open presents.

Grandma & Grandpa gave them this vacuum.
It was a lovely shower!
Heather & I feel so blessed to have such dear friends give one for her.

More Pre-Wedding Activities

Only 2.5 more weeks!

Greg & Brian Himes, Jeff Livings, & the groom on a quick stop during the Bachelor Party. They went rock climbing, go-kart racing and then BBQ-ed dinner.

Here Heather is giving Grandpa Stevens a hug after he gave her & Jeff their wedding present.

Friends & family helped move Jeff in to apt. 105. Here is Aunt Phyllis & I bringing in cleaning supplies, etc. from the 99 cent Store.

The 2 dads carrying in the box springs.

Ooph! This bed is heavy!

The experts putting together the bed

Aunt Phyllis & Jeff's mom, Karen, also put in shelf paper and cleaned out the fridge.

Suzy, one of Heather's bridesmaids, and I put in shelf paper in Heather & Jeff's apartment.

Mother's Day with the kids doing the work. :-)

After our Mother's Day dinner, we put together the favor boxes for the wedding.