Sandy Slim Down

So even though we don't live in Sandy, my parents do and Sandy City Parks and Recreation does this program each year called "Slim Down Sandy". It's REALLY cool. Basically it runs for 10 weeks and every Monday night we have to go to a designated Sandy Park and walk. They have a talk each week on things like Nutrition, Fiber, Sugar, etc. You get this little card signed off when you go and earn points. It's a great way to get out of the house and participate in something. They give away a lot of free stuff. So far this year we've each gotten a little backpack and a water bottle. Did I also mention it's FREE?? So yes, we participate in the program. Not because we'll ever win everything. The program end event is always on a Saturday and it always happens to be when we're out of town. So we don't every win anything at the end. But if you live in Sandy or know someone that does then I highly recommend doing this. I'm not aware of any other city around here that does this. It's a lot of fun. Plus it gets the whole family up and walking. We go with my mum every week. This year they also added this part where they send you an email and you can earn extra points by doing an extra walk. So that's what we did this week. You have to take a picture of yourself on this walk to present on the following Monday. Last year Jackson rode his bike each week. But this year he's not enjoying that so I'm resolved to bringing my double stroller for him to ride in with Wyland. This past week I thought Jackson would walk but he didn't. He wanted me to carry him, he got really heavy after awhile and I ended up squeezing him in the single stroller behind Wyland. They looked funny but it made for a cute picture. Thanks Mum for letting us do this with you!

Baylee and Grandma documenting their "bonus walk".

Jackson and Wyland squished in the stroller.

The Wedding - Evan and Rachel

On January 9, 2010 my brother Evan married the love of his life Rachel. They got married at 10:30am at Tuscany Restaurant. It was beautiful location to get married. Really quaint inside with lots of windows. So you could look outside and see all the snow covered ground. Such a winter wonderland. Their colors were plum, cream, black, and kind of a sage green. Rachel had some serious dress drama but it turned out just fine, her dress was absolutely beautiful! They were married there at Tuscany by the minister from her parents church. They had a really nice sand ceremony as well where they involved both sets of parents. Another really nice touch was that they had displayed in frames pictures from their parents and grandparents weddings. That was really fun to look at. They did all the traditional stuff, toasts from the maid of honor, best man, and Rachel's dad. Bouquet toss, garter toss, first dances, you name it and they did it. I commend both Evan and Rachel for walking through the entire restaurant to visit with all of the tables (something I should have done a better job at at my own reception). They both looked really happy as well. I'm still speechless that my baby brother got married, but I couldn't ask for a more lovely person to bring into our family. It was a beautiful ceremony and a really fun reception. Here's a boatload of pictures .. keep going when you're finished because I'm sure all my posts from tonight will continue on to a following page and I don't want you to miss anything (you should make it all the way through to the rehearsal dinner). Happy reading!!

Myself and Jackson (he was a ring bearer).

Winter in her new wedding outfit.

Owen and Jackson

Gun-slinging ring bearers!!

Zarley (Flower Girl)

Baylee (Flower Girl)

I will also add that if you look at Zarley's store bought dress

below is Baylee's that my Mum duplicated from scratch.
She did SUCH a good job!

They held up a sheet while Rachel passed through the restaurant.

Look how happy they look!

They walked out as husband and wife to a non-traditional song.

You're My Best Friend by Queen

Pretty tables.

Courtney striking a pose.

Parents with the Bride and Groom

Both immediate families combined.

Evan's Godfather - Norm with Wyland (came from California)

There I am!

My mum and Baylee

The outside of the restaurant.

I just think this picture is precious.

Rachel and Zarley

A little cake anyone?

THE Cake

One layer was FunFetti (sp?)

Evan and Rachel had this great idea of taking a picture

of just their wedding clothes with their ski boots.

Then they were going to blow it up real big and frame

it on their wall. I thought it was a super cute idea!!

Their First Dance

Grooms Mum

Grooms Parents

Vern taking Baylee for a spin on the dance floor.

Now this is a sign of a REALLY nice guy!!

It's a long standing family joke that Mike and Amber have

reception pictures of Alan doing a strip tease. So Mike set Alan

up with the song from the Full Monty and Rachel proceeded

to receive her own strip dance. It was hilarious!!!

Here comes the bouquet!
Evan .. always the jokester.
There they are leaving their reception in their matching sweats!
Mr. and Mrs. ....
Howard

Congratulations Kids!!!! May you have a lifetime of happiness.

The Rehersal Dinner - Evan and Rachel

So it was the night before Evan's wedding (Jan. 8, 2010) and we all headed up to the Silver Fork Lodge for the Rehearsal Dinner. We had actually had a wedding rehearsal the weekend before so this was actually more of a traditional dinner than in the literal sense. All of the out of town guests were invited to come as well as the wedding party. I had never been to the Silver Fork Lodge but I must say they did a really wonderful job. For those of you that don't know, it's up Big Cottonwood Canyon a ways. They had this big room in the basement (like a walk out basement) that had a really nice fireplace, patio, and it's own restroom. Anyone looking for a big room to have an event of any kind I really recommend this place. It was the perfect setting for their rehearsal dinner too since they are little Ken and Barbie Ski Bunnies (Evan and Rachel that is). We had an open bar, yummy appetizers and then prime rib for dinner. Great food. My dad gave a nice toast to the couple wishing them well. There were a couple of other toasts. My parents also gave Rachel a sixpence (sp?). It's a tradition in England for the bride to put a sixpence in her shoe on her wedding day, brings them prosperity or something. My Nanny gave me one for my wedding day before I was even close to getting married. Which I was really grateful for since she wasn't still with us when that day arrived. I still have it saved away to give to lend to future brides (of my children that is). I didn't wear shoes on my wedding day (since we were married barefoot on the beach), I'll give you one guess where I carried mine!! HAHA. All in all it was a really fun evening. After the dinner we went back to my parents house to visit for a little while before the big day.

Alan & Angie (Mum went to school with Angie in England and Alan is her hubby)

They are now our very close friends that came all the way from Canada.

Then there's my mum and Susan (Evan's Godmother)

Susan came all the way from Southern California

Tables are set we're just waiting for the guests to arrive.
Great food layout.

Mike and Amber

Parents of the Groom

Courtney (Maid of Honor, Brides Sister) and Rachel (duh! The BRIDE)

Alan, Jeramie (Groomsman) and myself (Bridesmaid)

Bean (Groomsman) and Evan (that's right, the GROOM)

Vern and Matt (2 more Groomsman)

Marissa and Alyssa (2 more Bridesmaids)

Dad giving his speech. He made Rachel come up and join him.

Just us Howard's

Mum bought the boys all these really nice Kenneth Cole watches

as a gift (engraved with "Howard's" on the back).
She promises that she and I will get a couple too!

Baylee (Flower Girl) and Alan having some fun.

Jonathan and Winter

The Happy Couple

My mum and her BFF Angie

Rachel's Family

Courtney, Laurie, Mark, Eva (cousin) and Rachel

Oh .. so cute!

Jeramie enjoying himself and the liquor at my parents after the dinner.

Me and Jackson