And a final shot - the bride and groom, and the four Feather Girls (the groom's sister is holding the littlest girl, who couldn't be persuaded, two hours past bedtime, to stand still and smile on cue!). Aren't they a lovely bunch?! Those dresses all work so well together, and of course, the bride couldn't be more stunning. Or, as Sage would say "be-u-e-al" (beautiful!)
You didn't think I'd just post a photo of Sterling and me and leave it at that? No, here are my Feather Girls. The theme of the wedding was peacocks, and so each girl carried peacock feathers that matched their dresses. I loved seeing them all dressed up and being so pretty and sweet (and a bit sassy too). Siena, though she was nervous the week before, simply loved every moment, and can't say enough about the bride and the reception. What sweet blondies we have!
Here we are, just a bit before V and P's wedding was to take place. Do I not have the most handsome date? I so rarely get to see him out of shorts and a t-shirt these days, so seeing him in a vest and tie nearly took my mommy's breath away.
The wedding was at 7:30 - and we arrived at 5 to help set up the foyer and the patio (where the reception would be held). I was so proud to see my son jump right in and help in any way he could - carrying trash away, setting up chairs and arranging candle votives. Under the guidance of the bride's dad and her brother, he blossomed with responsibility and that wonderful sense of self-worth that comes from a job well done. When he was eating his box dinner (a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato, a huge departure from his limited norms), he grinned up at me, telling me about how it was the best sandwich he'd ever had, and how he loved ALL the parts of it. He dressed in his suit without complaint (thank goodness for friends who had boy dress up shoes we could borrow), and even took photos for me as needed.
The girls helped for a short time, but when the hairdresser arrived, and with it an invitation for the girls to watch her work on the bride's hair, well, we lost them! The took everything in and had so very much fun - I was so thankful that the bride allowed them in her inner sanctum right up until she got dressed.
When the time came to walk the aisle, both the girls did really well. Sage was supposed to hold hands with an 18 month old, which didn't happen (it's hard to predict 18 month old behavior), but she was well prepped on walking alone and did a great job. So did Siena, who similarly had to change plans mid stream and walk alone. All four "feather" girls were beautiful and so very sweet.
The service was incredible - meaningful and yet to the point, with talented singers and readers and a focus on the true meaning of marriage. This was a Spanish styled wedding, so there were no attendants but for the four feather girls. It made the focus on the moment of marriage very tangible. My 3 year old coughing and asking questions did NOT help matters, so we excused our selves to the rear of the church and I did my best not to be mortified and Sage did her best to behave. It's very hard to be 3 and expected to behave well when it is past your bedtime!
After the wedding there were all the expected (and totally organized - I told you I loved this family) photo ops, and meanwhile we enjoyed the desserts, cheese and fruit reception. Sterling showed his dancing shoes to good effect (if only Chris were there to help him), and the girls could be seen sneaking off for another piece of fruit non-stop for two hours!
Most weddings and receptions these days are pictures of someone's checkbook - a chance not merely to show your own style, but to show how over the top you can be. I don't say that critically (though it is not my style), but merely point out the obvious. Weddings are a huge money maker, not to mention the feeling that we each must keep up with the proverbial Jones' comes out in full force. I'm happy to say that this wedding was so very personal. There was not a huge budget, and because of that, every piece meant something. There was a table that held wedding photos from all the relatives, some several generations back. There were peacock feathers and colors throughout, from hand-made table clothes to an artisan cake. The favors were sweet tulle bags, and large jars of malted milk balls and such to fill them up. Friends helped serve, friends and family set up and tore down. From start to finish, if you talked with someone, they were a family or friend. I loved it. I even got to cut and Sterling helped serve the cake. And I'll tell you, I feel much more connected to the wedding and their marriage than if a uniformed server had handed me a piece of cake on a silver tray!
Since the wedding began after bedtime, I had honestly thought we'd stay for the wedding and photos, eat a slice of cake and run. Instead, we stayed until the bride and groom took off, and had so much fun that I didn't mind the hour long drive home with three sleepy heads, or Sage's rough night of sleep (so much stimulation to process!) or a sloggy day today. We are still all smiling at the beauty we saw and were a part of.
Yes, it hasn't all been eaten. Not yet! This week we did a few easy experiments with some of the candy - discovering whether or not a candy had acid (dissolve the candy and then add some baking soda - if it fizzes, there's acid), seeing what floats when you dissolve m&m's or skittles (the white m is a non dissolving, but still edible, "ink"... hmmm. There's a lot of little m's floating around our stomachs these days).
Mostly we are eating the stuff, I confess. And everyone is enjoying it. But, oh, the pretty colors of those nasty things in water... its nearly artistic!
I love this shot that TM took - "An attempt at a Hansen kids +1 portrait." T has coined the phrase "Plus One" to signify those who come into our lives and live with us and become Hansens without the name (or longevity).
The four of them had what I presume was a wonderful time while Chris and I were gone. I presume, because the kids information in response to "how was it?" was pretty scattered and just full of exclamations (we watched a movie! we ate at in-n-out! we !!!), and T was typically male and simply said it all went fine.
Works for me. I love that my kids have these "Plus One" people in their lives to love on them, and help usher them slowly into the wider world and adulthood. And I'm so thankful that T let us take advantage of him and thus gave us such a great time away.
Siena wore this beautiful Monarch butterfly costume last year, and Sage has been eyeing it ever since. It's a real beauty, and should last her another year or two. When Grandpa Mark surprised us with costumes, I didn't even give her an option - but we picked the sweetest purple fairy costume, just right for a toddler, and she wore that Friday to the Harvest Festival. But last night she wanted to be the full fledge butterfly, and she was delightful, fluttering about, giggling her way from door to door, and burrowing her head in daddy's shoulders whenever things got too scary.
While the big kids lasted several hours out with dad (and filled and emptied their bags several times), Sage made it to the end of our street, probably an hours worth, came home, shared candies with her best buddy, and then went to bed. With the time change, she had a decent nights sleep, and spent today munching her way through her bag of candy, trying to understand why we couldn't eat ALL of it today, and giving candy away freely.
She's cute as a bug, for sure!
Each year the choosing of costumes causes a great deal of discussion and sometimes concern. A few weeks ago we had settled (quite easily, whew) on Siena's being a colonial girl, and wearing her birthday costume while carrying her matching doll. Well, last week Grandpa Mark surprised everyone with a treat :: their choice of a store bought costume! We did some on-line searching, and with great relief on my part, Siena found all the fairies too skimpy, and the princesses too insipid. When we scrolled past this southern belle costume, with it's wide brimmed hat and hoop skirt, she was smitten. When she wore her costume tonight, so was everyone else. She glided from door to door, skirts swooshing, hat at just the right angle, and Chris did his best to teach her to respond to compliments (which were many) with "why, thank you" (accompanied by a curtsy).
I love this photo - as she was standing in front our magnolia tree, and I can think of no more southern pose (well, if you take away the orange pumpkin bag!). Such a beauty!
Sterling in particular was beside himself - it was his first bowling experience (though something he's wanted to do), and he just loved it. He bowled continually from start to finish, grabbing a bite to eat between his turn. I just love that kids style!