And… we jump forward a month! But I figured I really needed to first of all congratulate our friends Cory and Karen on their BEAUTIFUL wedding on June 14th. I have a few pictures to share.

My hair was done at the Regency school for hair etc… I LOVE IT!

The back with the addition of my own black rose hairclip.

Ken was a groomsman so… TUX!

I hope I held up my end of the stylish bargain. Gotta look good with my man in a tux and NO KIDS

Two groomsmen (Chris and Ken) and an Usher (Matt)… and PAD??

Gorgeous Maid (Matron?) of Honour… Renee!

Still waiting around

One of 2 ring bearers… Evan! ADORABLE

Resting before the ceremony (you can just see the groom at the end) with Usher Anthony (standing)

I have a few from the ceremony but the camera did not like the ambiance and I really had a bad angle. Everyone looked amazing! (I will of course share any official photos I get my hands on eventually!)

Sitting during the ceremony… gorgeous bride !!!

I only knew the bride and the MOA so I really did lean towards pictures of my boys!

Saying their vows

We lucked out and though it was a rainy dad we had the sun peek through during pictures at the farm! And a special thank you to Darcy and Andy for watching our 5 kids to simplify our time out at this special event!!!

Moving the trailer (for pictures) all dressed to the 9’s awsome

Anthony on the tractor

It was a little chilly when the sun came and went BUT the menfolk were sure it was too warm!

Anthony, Ken and Matt resting at the bride’s folks’ house between pictures

Gorgeous

Total gentleman shared his coat between pictures

There were lots of creative shots but I was too busy giggling at the menfolk and their jokes or helping where I could to take pictures

Ken took this one for me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this dress.. the era… it was so fun!

The reception was a blast. I ended up with the adorable ring bearers (Evan and Nathan) and their baby brother (Jeffrey) and their grandparents with Ken at the head table. There was gaming buddies to finally meet with wives, fiances and children. So much fun! Also a photo booth (Ken and I took some pictures together which I have but yet to scan and Renee and I had a go too). I have to admit to cutting loose and drinking for the first  time in a decade or more! So not too many pictures, just lots of memories. 

Thanks Renee for this picture!

Though Father’s Day was a rather sedate one (as Ken requested) I want to thank all the special men in our lives here who have willingly taken on the responsibility of  being a part of our children’s (and our) lives. There is no way we could have as rich and amazing a life without all of you there to share it! So a special thank you to Baba, Grandpa Reinsch, Grandpa Mike… and our God Daddies – Andy, Cory, Alan, Nathan and Scott. Thank you so much!!!

And for the 16th of June – a date special specifically to Ken and myself – we happily celebrated 13 amazing years of marriage. It may not have all been roses and sunshine but with a man like Ken to love and hold onto it has been a ride to remember. I cannot wait to experience all the many decades we have to look forward to. I love you dear!!!! A special  thank you to Cousin Robbie and the lovely Alicia who watched the fab 5 so we could get out without minions in tow!

Indian food on recommendation of Shandai… AMAZING

Of course these are just the photos off our camera (and a couple thanks to Renee)… I have one or two on the camera… but I will share those later. Sorry about the massive amount but I had to share!

And of course, it would not be an event if Ken did not take ONE of these!

So where did I leave off?? Hmm getting to the “church” on time… well we did one better – an hour early! With all the kids involved and He Chris’ stepdad having had a couple heart attacks the day before and only out on a 2 hour pass we figured it was best to be SUPER early and prepared. Sadly that is where the organization and MacLean time ends… but the fun continued.

The bride's arrival in style

The decorated car in the sunlight

We found a little corner to hide the bride in while we waited for the time and then we… waited. The groom’s mother ended up WAY behind schedule (she was in charge of the wedding cake/cupcakes as well!) but his stepfather made it! I got a lovely picture of She Chris with him before the ceremony.

I think his name is George

The kids were a wee bit bored… ok VERY bored but we managed to keep them occupied with our multitude of baby wranglers and some colouring books I picked up at Dollarama on Thursday.

Waiting a bit

With the bride

The JP (Justice of the Peace) was lovely, but she had another wedding at 3pm so she waited as long as she could for the mother of the groom but the show had to go on. Things went rather well though mom had to steal Emanuel’s shirt cord for the handfasting as the mother of the groom was also going to do that. All in all it was a lovely ceremony.

So sweet

The signing... Sean was making me laugh about the first dance so hard I thought I would cry

After the ceremony it was onto pictures. Luckily the missing parent was collected and there to be a part of that.

Captain Morgan anyone?

A close up of Petite Sheepette for those interested. That is Mae's arm

Echo and Daddy

Ken and I took some time and with Karyn’s help as well I got some special pictures of my dress while waiting for the rest of the people to arrive. It was hot and the kids fussy.

Seated with flowers

Standing

A little ethereal

With Ken's cloak

OH the anachronistic ladies! Here they are!! Beauties all 3!

So lovely

But we got some lovely shots. And when the bride and groom were done with us we headed off for much needed and earned slurppees at 7-11. Where, of course, I got out of the car in front of someone I recognized from high school (name escapes me)… but at least I got my pepsi slurpee!

Slurpees

There was another hour before the dinner was scheduled to start so we hung out in the hall again waiting on the bride and groom. Ken had a nap of course!

Napping on the floor

Dinner actually ended up starting a little late BUT it did get under-way eventually. A bit unconventional… the speeches (the few there were) were BEFORE dinner… mine as well. But then finally food! The kids seemed pleased though the table of cupcakes was screaming for them to touch quite loudly I am told! 

Fat Sheep enjoyed the event from the headtable as well with her date Mae. There was much hilarity and boisterousness from that corner of the table! She was amazing, Mae… with a dress malfunction we were able to head off at the pass she was able to deal with it all with great humour. Though she says the Chrises now owe her BIG TIME as she is not a dress kinda girl and pretty much burnt herself to a socket through out the evening. Fat Sheep REALLY enjoyed her time with her lovely date! 

Fat Sheep and her lovely date

I love love LOVE this picture of Mae!

After dinner was some random visiting… then after much urging the cutting of the cake… we had to do some more waiting before the dance but the kids decided to get the party started on their own. Trinity especially was quite the little dancer! 

Dancing

Just a picture I thought was cute

After the bride and groom dance we had the bridal party and then we were free!!! I changed into a different dress as mine weighed a ton… there is ONE picture that I have of it… the polka dot one. I swear I felt almost naked!

You can just see the other dress on the right

After dancing and sending Echo home with mom, taking the rest of the kids home in the  van and cars where their seats were those of us staying at mom’s headed out to the liquor store for some supplies and then stayed up late into the evening hanging out, drinking and generally enjoying the evening. No pictures of that, but trust me fun was had though we all trickled off to bed in the end… some of us earlier than others (the latest being up until past 4 am!!). I actually drank a bottle of Boones (less a glass Ken spilled before any of us were even buzzed!) and a jello shooter my cousin bought me (a new thing for me). So when Echo woke up in the middle of the night it was her sippy of water and back to bed for her! No nursing until later the next day. But it was fun. I especially enjoyed getting to know Jocelyn better and looking through everyone’s pictures!!! I am sure once I get other people’s images I will have some to share of things I talked about here that I did not have a picture for! But that was THE day! And what a day it was! 

Esther and her adopted brood...

Had to share this picture of one of the little guests!