August and McKendra Get Married!!

We've had a week of celebrating! Mom and Dad flew out to Nebraska on Wednesday, April 3rd to be with August and McKendra as they took out their Endowment at the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple. McKendra's parents, grandma and grandpa Carlson, Uncle Jared, Aunt Hope and Aunt Lori were all there to be with them on their special day!

Then on Friday, April 5th, there was an Open House for all of the Nebraska family and friends that was really fun! It was held at the Pavilion at Yanny Park in Kearney, NE. It was a casual affair with all sorts of  yummy treats and lots of laughter and chatter with friends...

It was General Conference weekend and so mom and dad stayed in Kearney and watched Conference with grandma, grandpa, August and McKendra. We had a family dinner on Sunday where the Dinkel family joined us and we made the final plan for what all needed to happen in Idaho. Bright and early the next morning, we boarded a plane and headed back home to Nampa (Grandma Vogt had been staying with the kids - so of course they had a great time with her!)

Wednesday morning (April 10th), grandma and grandpa Carlson flew in. After picking them up at the airport, we stopped by dads work for a short visit and then made our way to the REI store and then to lunch at the Golden Corral. Thursday, Aunt Kathryn and her two boys (along with Albus the doggie!) arrived - as did August and McKendra. We also took August out shopping for a suit to be married in (nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh!?)... we found a super stylin' one at The Burlington Coat Factory and Grandma Carlson spoiled him and bought it! Then got him set up with a new shirt and shoes! On Friday, we all met at the church around 10am and spent the better part of the day getting the gym all set up for the Reception and the Relief Society room decorated for the Ring Ceremony. With the many hands - it made the task at hand go faster than we thought! The gym and RS room were definitely transformed and were beautiful!!

We were to be at the Meridian Temple at 9am for the 10:30am sealing. Overall, things went quite well - except for the fact that BOTH August and McKendra forgot their Live Ordinance paperwork at home. Seth turned around to go back and get August's (which was an hour round trip) and put us a little behind schedule - but that's ok because of the delay, Uncle Marc and Annt Kate were able to attend the sealing! They were driving up from Twin Falls and due to a traffic accident were about 45 minutes behind schedule! They pulled up to the Temple at 10:31am and figured it wasn't worth even going into the Temple as they were sure they'd be told the Sealing already started... but they decided to try anyway. Imagine their surprise when they not only made it into the Sealing but had another 15 minute wait before the ceremony started!

It turned out the Sealer was mom's old Chemistry teacher from High School (Brother Bodily)...  Once the ceremony began, the tears came for both mom and dad! We were sooooo very happy to be sitting there witnessing our sweet August be sealed to his beautiful bride, McKendra! Besides our immediate family, Brent and Karla Coburn, Jordan and Rachele Rowley, Bill and Jill Belau, Uncle Marc and Aunt Kate, Stephanie Perry and Jordan Mackowiak were in attendance. Afterwards, we spent some time on the Temple grounds taking pictures of the bride and groom as well as family portraits...

 After getting all of the pictures we wanted, we headed over to the Pavilion at the Stake Center in Nampa for a delicious picnic - filled with sub sandwiches, chips, potato and macaroni salads, granola bars, fruit and a variety of rich cheesecakes!

After filling our bellies, it was time to head over to the church on Roosevelt to prepare for the Ring Ceremony! Grandpa Carlson officiated and lots of the Vogt/Merrell family came to show their support! We hired a string quartet that played the prelude and then Aunt Kathryn played a beautiful rendition as each of the wedding party came into the room. Here is a copy of the programs (these were cut down the middle and printed on the front and back on Kraft paper...

Immediately following the Ring Ceremony, we headed into the gym for the reception! Let the Party Begin! We had a big ol' Nacho/Taco Bar that was set up soooo cute (that I didn't get any pictures of the whole thing!)... people ate, visited, danced, chatted, indulged in the most delicious cupcakes and just genuinely had a great time! So many friends and family came to show their support. After a couple of hours, they made their exit and headed off on their Honeymoon to McCall, Idaho!