summer wedding wrap up

The very last week of summer vacation we took off to a wedding. 
By way of San Fran.  Up the coast.  To Mendencino.  Finally to Fort Bragg for the nuptiuals. 

Jeff's brother, Ray married his long time girl friend, Althea.  And, lucky for all of us it was held on the cliffside overlooking the ocean.  With a beautiful lighthouse in the backdrop.  Weddings are such a joyous way to reconnect with family and spend time together.  The time was brief but we had a lovely visit.  Based on the giggles alone we know that the girls had a blast playing with their cousin, Kaylee.  Wish we could see them more often!

The wedding: Althea, the Minister, Ray during the vows.

The wedding party.  Dianne, Newell, Samantha, and Dusty (Althea's son)

This lighthouse was charming.  I just loved the atomosphere of this place.

Happy little girls.

  Watching the bride make her entrance.

Hand and hand.  Can you tell there is 100 ft drop off?

Beautiful Samantha.  All of our kids love to hang with Samantha.  She is so good to them.

I love to capture moments like this.

Although, this trip was not without a few "hiccups"  It was still a time wonderfully spent.


Like I said, we had a few "snags"  in our days.  I want to remember that even though it was hard to gain perspective at the time, these little details only make it more memorable in the long run.  And, remind me of the many smooth travels we have had. 

1.  An error in travel times.  Booked on a flight leaving at 7:00 pm, instead of 7:00 am.
2.  pay a fee to change 3 of the flights.
3.  We fly on separate flights and airlines in order to save money. 
4.  A four hour delay for 1/2 the family in Phoniex.   (Although, this actually worked out in our favor as the other 1/2 of the family was due in at the same time as the "new" scheduled arrival.)
5.  The airlines lost Jeff's bag.  It was scheduled to arrive at our hotel at midnight.  It's a no show. 
6.  Canceled and re-booked new hotel closer to the airport (due to a hiccup, explained later)
7.  Wake up early on the first day to Zach having a seizure. 
8.  Throwing up, sleeping Zach.  Skip all the plans we had scheduled for this day.
9.  Drive back to the airport to pick up Jeff's lost bag.
10.  Zach throws up in the car.  On Ellie.
11.   Get on the road for Mendencino.  We think we have 3 hours ahead of us.  WRONG.
12.  Jeff has the worse miagrain of his life.  I have to drive.
13.  6 hours later we arrive.
14.  Miss the scheduled dinner.
15.  Jeff was asked to fly to Denver and back  in the middle of our vacation.   Which should explain why we changed our hotel.  An hour closer to the airport which we will take him to and fro all within 36 hours.
16.  The kids and I get lost on the San Franscio highway. Yes,  I had the GPS.  Still.
17.  The kids and I tour San Fran Gherdelli square without Jeff.  Big fat bummer.
18.  The kids and I get lost again on the San Fran. highway.  I had the GSP.  But, still.
19.  We pay the 20.oo fare to ride the trolley.  Nobody cares about the trolley, later take a cab.
20.  Jeff left his phone on the seat of his drivers car.  No cell phone; no direct communicating with him.
21.  Jeff's flight was delayed. He arrives in at midnight.
22.  The next morning Ellie and I depart for Omaha.
23.  All 5 of us meet up in Phoniex, just in time for the worst "dust storm" in years.
All flights grounded till 1:00 AM
24.  Finally,  arrive back in Omaha at 4:00 in the morning. 
And, the kids never knew any better.  They had a great time.

Stay tuned for more of our San Fransico treat.