Matt and Melody's Marriage Ceremony

 Matt and Melody were married in our home last weekend. Matt's family, the Allreds, drove down from Pennsylvania, and Michael's parents drove up from Atlanta. (We had a great dinner with Matt's parents a couple of days previous and enjoyed getting to know them.) Their friends and family Zoomed in (a new verb for the Zoom app that has arisen since COVID), and Michael shared some beautiful thoughts on the plan of salvation at the beginning. Then we had lunch and enjoyed time together before the happy couple left on their honeymoon. We are excited for their sealing, hopefully next month, in Provo. 

Three musketeers.

The men.

The ladies.

My favorites.

The whole crew (Matt's brother, Andrew, age 17, is on the far right).

With Michael's parents.

Beautiful smiles.

Melody and I had a lot of discussion about her flower crown, whether she should get a bouquet, etc. I think she made the right choice but just opting for the crown. 

I was grateful the greenery turned out so well--Suellen put in some extra roses, which turned out really nicely.

The table.

Enjoying some lunch (copycat Cafe Rio and fruit salad).

Getting ready to cut the cake!

The Cupcake Company (local to Harrisonburg) did a great job on the cake. I added the greenery and roses. The cake was really rich but delicious.

We are happy for them both! I am grateful we were able to help them as they begin this new chapter of their lives together. 

Fun with Melody

Early in June, we were talking with Melody on the phone, who was bummed out that life in Provo was so frustrating with COVID having closed things down. We invited her to come and stay with us for the summer and we would pay her for helping babysit/do housekeeping, etc. A few days before she was flying out, she announced that she and her boyfriend, Matt Allred, were engaged! Due to COVID and the limitations on temple attendees, they were married civilly by Michael here at the house last weekend. Here are some pics over the summer.

The kids were thrilled to have Melody back. It took a little time for Benjy to warm back up to her, though.

Iron Woman. 

Melody joined us on a few family outings, like this beautiful hike to South River Falls in Shenandoah.

At the falls.

Matt came down from Pennsylvania one weekend, and the boys loved wrestling with him. They already started calling him Uncle Matt.  He was very patient with the energy of our kiddos.

I took some engagement photos of the beautiful couple at a local wildflower farm.

Are they cute or what?

Matching smiles.

The golden hour of the day really is magical for lighting.

Awww.

This was the last set of shots of the day and was taken as an afterthought as we headed to the car. It ended up being the one she picked for their announcement. So lovely.

Robbie loved the car that Melody gave him for his birthday. She also bought Benjy a cute car potty for his birthday.

I was grateful for Melody's help and support at Robbie's baptism. She shared her thoughts on baptism during the interlude while Robbie and Michael were getting dressed and helped watch Henry and Robbie during the baptism.

Happy 22nd birthday, Melody!

I made her a big ice cream cake but opted to not put on the 22 candles. 

And now she's a married woman!

Clara's Ballet Recital

Clara participated in her dance studio's performance of Arabian Nights this past weekend. They had a tough time with COVID, but her teacher, Miss Julia, taught Zoom classes so that they could still keep learning. Clara would practice her routine in the kitchen.

Here she is, ready to go! She couldn't wear her ballet slippers until she was about to perform on stage.

So beautiful.

Both inside and out.

Clara was so graceful and confident on the stage. I was impressed by and proud of her hard work.

Erin Chilcott, Clara's ABA therapist, came to support her. How cool is that?!

They performed at Oakdale Park in Bridgewater to help provide safe social distancing. Daddy and the boys came a little later, and the boys enjoyed seeing Jafar, Aladdin, and Abu. Robbie said afterward how well Clara did and that "she was the best." She really is.