First Look

Here are just a few of the first look pictures.

 I LOVE this one! Her cute boots showing and the look on her face.

 I also adore the way she popped the colors on this one and the way their face is framed.

 He was cracking her up here

 Sigh

Endowments

Jaron, Rich, Autumn, and I left Feb. 28th and went to Utah to spend the night and Sat morning we went to the Mt. Timpanoga Temple. People were asking why we were going to Utah for her endowments. A few years ago when Autumn was a Lauren her YW leaders took them to Utah to a overnight trip to see several temples throughout the valley. She came home in love with this temple and told me she wanted to be married there one day. That did not work out with both families from here so we decided to take her endowments out there. It is such a stunning temple, especially against the mountain (all temples are stunning though). I feel so blessed and happy we took her there even though I did grumble a little I am so happy I listened to that still small voice telling me how important this was to her. I had decided I was going to let the stress of the wedding go and just enjoy the day and journey with her. We later found out my great-great aunt and uncle lives three miles from the temple and wished we had stayed at their house. Maybe next time.

Jaron's whole family was there with the exception of his one brother and one brother-in-law who had to work. It was so sweet they all came up just for her and Jaron. Two of his siblings live in Utah two drove up and then his parents came up. I know its not easy with Dixie in a wheelchair but was extremely special they were there for Autumn. I was pretty nervous as her guide but once we got to the temple all my nerves died down and Autumn was AMAZING with everything. We just reminded her to enjoy the sweet spirit of the temple and not to worry about remembering anything else. 

Inside the temple is just as stunning as the outside. I was surprised at how busy it was. it is a lot busier than the Idaho Falls temple. After the session and some time in the Celestial room we went out to eat. We were going to go to Chick-Fil-A but there were a ton of people so we went next door to Five Guys Burgers. Not my favorite place to eat but we were all hungry.

After we ate Val was going to do first look photos. My Aunt and Uncle Bob and Darlene were at the temple with us, I was so grateful because no one else from my family was there. Autumn doesn't really know them but was happy there were there. they let us go back to their house and change into her dress and then Rich stayed there because his back was hurting. I drove us back to the temple and we met with Val. She had been taking pictures of Jaron. Dixie and sander were there and they both got to see Autumn in her dress. It was a tender moment. I was blessed to be at the first look pictures. I will save that for later though.

It is hard to believe Autumn now has her endowments and we are 6 days from a married daughter. What a blessing she is and I am so proud that she has chosen to live such a righteous life that she could enter the House of the Lord and be worthy to marry in the Temple. I am especially thankful that we were able to go through the temple with her and that a few years ago we listened to where we needed to be and took out our own endowments and were sealed as a family. I did not take pictures but Val took plenty.

38 days

Its all flying by and becoming a blur. I will be so glad when the wedding is done but at the same time it makes me sad that she is leaving home. The joys of growing up I guess. Things continue to go well but I feel like there is still a lot to finish up. Her dress is being altered. Thank goodness very little needs done to it. Mainly just the zipper needs let out to help the shoulders drop a little. On Feb. 4th she gets a trial run done on her hair and then we are driving to Salt Lake to get bridals done. Feb. 15th Jaron's sisters are giving her a bridal shower at my neighbors clubhouse. The flowers are ordered and we have got most of the decorations ordered and delivered. Rich has the backdrop half way built and it is coming along nicely. We changed the food and are going to do brownies and an ice cream bar instead of cupcakes. I believe it will turn out so much better. Invitations are ordered and here, envelopes are stuffed as well. Just need to finalize the guest list and get them addressed. His family also is getting them a room the night of their wedding for their gift. I have a feeling Feb. is going to fly by there is still so much to do.

Autumn and Jaron decided to get a puppy. Kind of a hectic time but it is what it is. He is a boxer mix and actually a pretty good puppy. Extremely well behaved. It has been an issue getting my dogs to like him. Hopefully they will get it soon. His name is Rowdy and she got him from the animal shelter.

63 days and counting

Now that the holidays are over we are in full wedding mode here. What a stressful time but things are coming together well.We have received  may tender mercies with this wedding.  It is just a great testament to me that Jaron and Autumn are meant to be together.

We have her dress on  lay-a-way. It was also on clearance.I will be getting it in the next few weeks and getting it altered. All I can say is stunning. We have the backdrop chosen and Rich knows how he is going to build it. WE have most of the material as far as the wood goes. All  need is the paint and fabric. What a blessing Pinterest and the Internet are. You can but a lot from the internet for a lot less. I ordered and received her slip and veil from China. not going to lie I was pretty nervous but for 15.00 didn't feel I was out much if we hated them. I am extremely happy with both. His sisters are making all  the cupcakes and I am so excited my nephew Brandon is making the cake. I  felt bad because it was just supposed to be a simple cake but has turned into so much more and he has been so gracious about it. I know it will be great. Jaron's sister-in-law will do the pictures for them. She is also designing their invitations. Jaron's sister Mindy has spent hours getting things together on his side .Jaron's mom can't do it so Mindy has really stepped up to the plate. Plus she knows Autumn quite well and was such a dream to wedding dress shop with. She is taking care of their guest list and all the tuxedo rentals plus her neighbor does flowers so we are meeting with her next week to go over possible flowers. Jarons dad is also paying for dinner after the sealing and Mindy has been arranging all of that for us. Caralyn is taking care of the food for the reception. we decided what we wanted and I will buy it and from there she will do most of the rest of the prep for us. Rich was able to get killer deals on white Christmas lights from Lowes. We got a ton and I mean a ton of lights for very little cost. One of the few perks of working there I guess.

After a nightmare few hours bridesmaid dress shopping and Autumn and I about pulling our hair out I came across the perfect Bridesmaid dresses. We are both thrilled about it. It wasn't what we were initially thinking but it will be so much better. It was a little more than I kind of wanted to spend but once again so much better and only about 10.00 more. Originally we were going to get skirts and a cute top. They didn't have enough of the skirts I needed in the sizes. So then other skirts were picked that I did not like AT ALL. Autumn said she did so I kept my mouth shut. We went to find tops at a different store, than another, and the more we looked the more her and I became upset. I finally told her we would have to come back because 2 of the 3 bridesmaids were there plus Hope and it just wasn't working out. Plus I was worried we would need to change what the groomsmen were wearing. Autumn finally told me she hated the skirts ( they were cute just not what we had pictured for her wedding) and we walked into Penny's. Immediately I found some deep purple dresses that were perfect. They need a black tank top and a black jacket with them  (all the girls have already) throw in some silver shoes and accomplished. Plus the girls love them.  More importantly Autumn loves them.

The Temple is booked and we have her endowments figured out. We also are doing my mom and dads endowments and sealing on March 4th and Autumns endowments March 1st. That has been stressful to figure out but Autumn wanted to be there when my parents were sealed and Autumn is doing her endowments March 1st at Mt. Timpinogas and my parents have to do theirs in Idaho Falls.

I may be compleatley grey or bald by the time March 8th rolls around.

Christmas 2013

Everyone was extremely spoiled this year. Its funny when you add another person into the equation. Jaron hasn't had much of a Christmas the past several years. All of his siblings are married except his oldest brother and I don't think they exchange gifts. If they do it is something small and I think his parents do cash. He usually spends it at his sisters house with her family. I  told Autumn because they were not married I expected her to be here both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Jaron and my parents came to spend the night. Autumn had gone black Friday shopping with his sister and bought a lot of things for him and for her house. Not to mention I had her do some of mine as well.   It was fun to see them spoil each other. They may as well before they have a family of their own.

 Jaron wasn't used to opening a Christmas Eve gift. We always do new pj's and a movie.

 Santa brought the girls a new blanket.

 Hope got a koala bear.

 Some rainbow bands to make braclets

 yarn for Tym

 a Dr. Who/despicable me phone case

 Santa (autumn) got Jaron a new game for his playstation.

 Kraft stuff

 Scratch art. My girls love these.

 each of the girls got new boots. Autumn got a killer deal on Black Friday.

 Monsters University.

 Grandma wants Autumns boots.

 My girl is all about her 24 hour kit for CAP.

 Yarn for Hope. She makes scarves from yarn an straws.

 Dr. Who puzzle

 Another game for Jaron.

 more craft stuff

 Santa brought Autumn new pots and pans (too bad Autumn bought them on black Friday)

 Tym being herself.

 I really don't like this band but this shirt is only one of three things she asked for.

 I told her I refused to get it so she was really excited.

 Autumn got these cute wall hangings for their house.

 Jaron loves baseball.

 Santa (Rich and I) got them a new clock. It's huge and beautiful.

 Hope got a gymnastic mat

 A cookbook for Autumn and Jaron got her a cake decorating kit.

 Jaron asked for a Dallas Cowboys hat for Christmas so we found him a great one!

 We couldn't allow Rich to go without a new hat too.

 We did get Jaron a different Cowboys hat.

 The kids got Rich a Steelers spatula.

 We got my parents a picture of the temple.

 new shirt for Autumn

 autumn and Jaron got Tym a necklace (the other thing on her list)

 More pjs

 Jaron got Autumn a sweater and a shirt some socks some lotion some perfume (spoiled)

 Tym got a few new shirts from us

 new clothes for Hope.

 My parents got the girls giant dogs.

 Jaron got a new grill from Autumn.

Autumn got a new kitchen aid mixer from Jaron.


Her other gift and I cannot believe I did not get a pict. but I was too excited and wanted to watch her I gave her a Wicked CD with a Wicked ticket for April. My niece Zoey ordered tickets in October and Autumn wanted to go. I told her no we couldn't afford it with the wedding. then I decided to do it because we both have always wanted to go and knew this would be our only chance. She was beyond shocked and so excited. It was really hard for me to keep it a secret but I managed. Totally worth it! Thanks Zoey for all the trouble of ordering the tickets we can't wait to see it with you and yours.