The Last Open House

It was time to hit the road AGAIN.  For homebodies, we sure were leaving a lot!
We headed to Sacramento. I loved his antenna ball!
Up to the lake and down into California. . .
to hop on a plane!  My assigned seat was the very back corner.  I would not recommend it, if you have any choice at all.

Napping, reading and snacking helped pass the time . . .

We arrived in Dayton around midnight.  The newlyweds barely beat us, after having traveling adventures including getting bumped from their flight (and collecting travel vouchers to make amends.)

We stayed with Samuel’s family which was handy since it was the site of the open house.
A b.e.a.u.tiful cake!

The tables looked GREAT. . .


The buffet table was decorated along with the stairs and surrounding area. . .

They helped Jennifer get ready. . 

and had lots of favors to take home. .





We were grateful to be able to attend and get to know Samuel’s family better.  They were fun to be around
But we had to get home. . .

had a layover in Chicago. ..


and amused myself on the plane with random things. . .

and headed back up the lake and back down the mountain.


It was a nice event but made for a very long weekend (less than 1 1/2 days in Ohio).  It was a fun end to all the celebrating. . .

Ex(Re)ception(al)

A week went by with no word from the honeymooners (as it should be) until they contacted us for a ride from the airport.
We had a RECEPTION to put on!
These things needed to be transformed. . .


With a flash of brilliance, I asked some friends to help me out because so many things about this reception are not in my skill set.  But I do know how to delegate!
The day before we set to work.  All the food was purchased, the punch bowl (okay, it was a fountain) was rented, so it was on to the set up.  The cultural hall was emptied. . .

We cleaned up all the spills. . .

dealt with the disgusting bacon that was forgotten in the oven and had stunk up the entire building) . . .

so it was time for some magic!
Tables and tablecloths are the foundation. . .

removing the bacon helped too!

all the little touches were meaningful. . .


We had prep to do at home too.  Family came and helped with the fruit-kabobs.

The bride and groom made the root beer!

The bride needed a fancy do (that her mom is not capable of do-ing) so off we went to a good friend (who does know how to do).

I returned to a transformation!
The arch was built for this occasion.

The tables were set beautifully and it just awaited the food and the people!

What a spread!

root beer fountain. ..
the cake (they wanted cheesecake, but you have to cut something, right?)

The candy buffet. .. what a challenge to find sweets in their wedding colors!  A friend loaned all the jars, another friend decorated all the bags. . .

Ready?  Let the festivities begin. . .

Reception Guests VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

They greeted and posed. ..


They even ate. . .

With cameras and video cameras documenting it, they enjoyed their cake. . .


Jennifer threw her bouquet once again (Allie couldn’t come so she couldn’t catch it again)


So much in a little over one week’s time!

It was a wonderful, PACKED time, but it could not have happened without so much support from family and friends.  These two have a bright future in front of them. .. may they always remember how loved they are!