Sept. 1: Muddy Matrimony

Last weekend we were in Cache Valley for the Man vs. Mud 5k. It was also Justin's mom's wedding day! She and her soon-to-be husband, Jon, made the mud run part of their big day. They were in a wedding gown and tux and the rest of us had on bridesmaid dresses and matching ties. Our team was called Muddy Matrimony. We were quite a sight, even making the local news and several newspapers. My parents came up to watch the boys while we participated. The boys had fun on the train, having a pony ride, and doing their own "boggy bayou" run. The boys just loved the bubbles! And it was so great to have our own photographer (my Dad) following us (along with the news camera, that is). Thank you so much, Mom and Dad, for helping us out!

After the race, the couple had a romantic dance and then cut a "muddy" wedding cake. We were looking forward to hosing off and getting back to a hot shower and a nap before the real ceremony that evening.
BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

THE KIDS: Funny pic of Ezra there... he really did like the bubbles, though.

Unfortunately, the sky clouded over and there was lots of rain in the afternoon. So much for the outdoor wedding! Everything was moved into Karen and Wayne's large (and luckily very nice) RV garage/pool house. The actual ceremony and buffet was outside under canopies, but we sat inside to eat. Nolan and Ezra made darling little ring bearers. When Ezra walked back with the empty box he said, "But I want my ring back!" I wish we'd gotten pictures of all of this, but Justin was a witness and I was keeping the boys quiet and out of the rain.

Nolan didn't feel too well after the ceremony and just wanted to "relax in the van." Ezra insisted on playing out in the rain so I had to keep checking to make sure he didn't decide to swim in the pool, too. I was a bit nervous of that. The food was delicious and Justin and I had fun chatting with Russ and Alysa, and Holly and Brandon.

I loved being able to do the flower arrangements. Kathi had told me what she wanted and then ordered the flowers. On Friday night, she took the boys to her house and left me to the job. It was so fun! The little fish bowls were cute and I think only one or two goldfish went belly-up. And all I had to do was add flowers to the cake, but it turned out so pretty.
While doing flowers, Justin's job was to help get some large (I mean really large!) cement flower pots from Campbell Scientific. What a huge job. Justin's arms were a little sore. Thank goodness Wayne's lawn mower helped make the job easier.

Jon and Kathi make a great couple. We're so glad that we could share in their big day! I'm pretty excited that Grandma K. will be moving closer to us in a few months (for now she will stay in her home and finish working this year).
The KSL news story can be seen here. They made it sound like they got married AT the mud run... silly!