Open house (place holder)

Okay, so I'm really, really far behind...

I made a bunch of empty posts so that I know what I need to do, and I can work on them in any old random order.  This may be a bit confusing, but it's better than doing nothing, right?  Right?

We've Only Just Begun

Saturday after taking photos at the temple we had lunch in Bountiful, then drove down to Provo to set up for the reception.  Rachel borrowed a very pretty back yard from the father of her former bishop.  It was a nice venue.

We strung white Christmas lights around the gazebo and the gate at the entrance to the yard.

Arranging flowers for the tables.

Setting up tables for food.

Rachel's friend Megan and her sister made the cake...

... which turned out very nicely.  And was also very tasty.

Rachel arranging some photos.

The yard had a waterfall that led to a stream that ran clear across the yard.  It was really pretty.

Table decorations.

Eva helped out too...

... and so did Haydn...

... and Regan.

Lots of pretty flowers.

Rachel with Mindy and Julia, two of her best friends from Boise.

She's excited for the reception to begin!

Justin's family.

Rachel and two very cute nieces.

Daniel is looking sharp.

The guests seem to be enjoying themselves.

Cousins hanging out.

Ready to cut the cake.

Cutting the cake.  Alternate title: "The Photobomber"

Yum.

The guests look on.

Uncle Jeff cuts cake for the guests.

The bros, acting goofy.

Tossing the bouquet.

Mindy and Julia each get a hand on it.

First dance.

The reception is over, it's time to go.  Rather than throwing rice, the guests send them off in a shower of bubbles.

To the car!

"A kiss for luck and we're on our way..."

Hidamari no Wedding Day

September 22, 2012, the autumnal equinox -- an appropriate time for starting a new season in life -- the big day finally arrives for Rachel and Justin.

The weekend actually began the day before at the Draper Temple, where we Rachel and Justin were joined by Yumiko and me, my parents, Jim, Beth, Jeff, Maria, Debbie, and Justin's parents.

After the temple we gathered up all the rest of the cousins and went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant called "Joy Luck," an appropriate name for a wedding dinner venue.  Here is the last photo of Rachel and Justin as single people.

Saturday morning we packed up and drove to the temple in Bountiful for the ceremony.  It was very nice.

After the ceremony we hung out outside, waiting for the happy couple to emerge.

Which they finally did!

They looked pretty happy.

They greeted family and friends...

...and then took some photos.

The relatives had fun visiting during the photos.

With Justin's family.

With the siblings.

The happy bride.

 It was a great day.