Last weekend was my younger daughter’s wedding. We drove down to my daughters’ on Friday, in separate cars. I had serving dishes, baked goods and luggage, while Dave had his luggage, camera gear, brief case and laptop. We couldn’t fit everything in one car so we left the house with me going directly to my daughter’s house and David going to a morning meeting.
I arrived around 9am, unloaded dishes and baked goods, toured the house and yard to see the progress of preparations for the wedding, got my list of errands, then headed to my adopted mom’s where David and I would stay 2 nights. (Joann knew my mother and was my neighbor before I moved to Mariposa. We mutually adopted each other.) Joann and her husband wouldn’t be home for the weekend so she needed to show me around and make sure my key still fit the door. After the necessary house pointers and leaving my luggage, I ran a few errands for my daughter and returned to her home to get to work with wedding preparations.
My ex-husband and his wife were busy with wedding chores. Michelle’s fiancé and a friend were mowing the yard and trimming hedges. Michelle and Mike had decided to have a small wedding in their backyard. Even though the wedding was small there were a lot of preparations. We all worked until late afternoon then went our separate ways to dress for dinner hosted by Mike’s parents.
At 5pm we all returned to the bride and grooms’ for rehearsal before driving 20 minutes above town to the foothill community of Springville. We ate pizza, drank dark beer and visited around the pool or fire pit. Mike’s dad made an awesome metal fire pit. (I think he should sell these.) On our way down the hill, heading back to my adopted mom’s, we had a flat tire so we lost visiting time with Joann and Reynold. We arrived at Joann’s about 10pm, had a relaxing drink and talked about the day, then retired for the night. She had turned back our 1000 thread count sheets, just like in a luxury hotel. I felt so pampered!
Saturday morning Joann and Reynolds’ dog Maud came in to say good morning. I got up and had breakfast with Joann, Reynold and Maud. Maud knows my name so when Joann says it Maud gets excited. She runs upstairs and watches my former home across the street expecting me to appear. Joann and Reynold have a lovely glass breakfast room on the patio. You can sit there watching the birds and admire all the lovely plants on the patio and in the yard. Once we were dressed for the day I thanked Joann and Reynold for their hospitality and said our good byes since they were heading up to their cabin. David and I returned to Mike and Michelle’s for another marathon day of last minute preparations.
The tables were put in place. The paper lanterns were assembled and hung. The table cloths were steamed of stubborn wrinkles. Flowers were delivered. My older daughter had made and decorated beautiful cupcakes for the wedding cake. They were brought over and placed in an ice chest to keep them from melting in the heat. Baklava, brownies and cookies were arranged on trays. Lots of ice was bought. David trimmed all the candle bases that were tucked into unique bottles for the bar area. There were many, many details I’m leaving out that kept us all on our toes until we parted ways to get ready for the wedding. David and I took leftover Subway back to Joann’s so we could eat a little something before the wedding. We enjoyed our relaxing break on the patio after working hard all day. When we returned for the wedding we’d still have to set the tables and take care of a few other last minute details. The wedding would be at 5pm.
When we arrived at the wedding there were already people there and the tables had been set. I was suppose to bring limes freshly cut off the tree to be used in the beer but I forgot them. I told Michelle and Mike I’d be right back. My honorary son Matt and his girlfriend Asia drove me back to Joann’s to pick the limes. Thank god Porterville is small! There wouldn’t be time to get the limes after the wedding since we were serving food immediately following the ceremony and then having our pictures taken. The light wasn’t going to last very long for photographs. We dashed back to the wedding, composed ourselves and continued like it was part of the plan. The ceremony was beautiful. Their best friend married them, adding a very personal touch to the occasion. We are very proud to call Mike our son-in-law. Welcome to the family Mike.
The backyard with lights strung, ready for paper lanterns and a magical transformation.
My older daughter Heidi is placing the wedding cupcakes while her best friend Amy holds the container.
‘Grammy and Grandpa’, Michelle’s grandparents, drove over from the coast for the wedding. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
My honorary son Nic.
My younger honorary son Matt and Asia (they’re so cute!).
My honorary sons’ real parents, Marty and Jon.
Pre-wedding gathering.
Heidi helping Michelle dress.
Michelle’s best friend Lisa and I waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Mother of the groom.
This is a crop of me from a photo of the couple walking back down the aisle.
The newly married couple.
The Capela/Hoffman family.
Rene & Joe Capela, John & Heidi, Michelle & Mike, Charlotte & David Hoffman
The McGregor Clan.
The Groom and his mother.
Bride and her mother.
Bride and David.
Can I drink yet???
Bride’s bouquet.
Preacher Kyle explaining it all.
Me, Michelle and Diane, Lisa’s mom.
Heidi, son-in-law John and me.
Waving to David who’s on the patio.
No, I’m not throwing a gang sign like my ex suggested.
Holding up the preacher man Kyle…..a little partying going on….and on….
