Vegas Baby

During the wedding weekend, we were able to find some time to enjoy the resort amenities. They have an awesome sandy beach pool. Definitely kept the kiddos entertained! Anden purposely had sand in every crevice of his body. Taylee, however, was not thrilled that the evil sand was even trying to touch any part of her body.

On Saturday morning, Dad, Jeremy and the kids met me & Lynds at the hotel. We were able to play for an hour before rushing to finish up the last minute wedding details.

Anden loving that we finally took him to the "beach"

Thirsty Anyone?

This should contain him for a bit

Ok off to next adventure

Anden enjoying his new little pool

Anden informing us it's now a PEE pool

On Sunday morning, back to the pool we went. This day was a bit more eventful! First we managed to start a poolside fire with Taylee's backpack and an irresponsibly placed palm tree spotlight next to our poolside bed. I now have unfortunately added a new scent to my nasal repertoire. The smell of melted/charred diapers. Ick! In case you wanted to know, they melt into goo and then harden back into plastic shreds. Who knew that's what christen my children's butts! Then I spent the next hour with security and management filling out a property damage report while they used their CSI briefcase and camera to properly document and bag the evidence. Based by the incessant stares, the other guests were thrilled to have a free show to go along with their swimming experience. Then the landscaping crew came and turned off the spotlights...after my logical suggestion as to why they were necessary during the daylight hours anyway. Then the security flirt uh guard even finished off his "report" with a close up head shot...of me. I now know what a mug shot must feel like. I was just bummed I didn't get to hold a board of numbers. Oh and the management was delighted to know that it wasn't even my room, nor was it in my sister's name, it was in the name of the friend that gave it to us with a side note that everything was comp'd. Do we look like scam artists yet? Needless to say, the hotel staff were great and we got our check out time moved to 7pm for the inconvenience! Mmm mmm, more free room service for everyone!

Hhm what is that burning smell?

Overseeing the crime scene

Finally relaxing

Sand Castle Time

The Resort

Papa Nolie's Swimming School

Blurry Escape Artist

That mischevious look in her eye

After we decided we had caused enough damage (literally) for one day, we headed back up to the room for lunch and naps!

Waiting for room service

Napping in the homemade papoose bed

Wedding Post Partum

Can't forget the Arcade

What a fun place!

Mr & Mrs. Aaron Graven

Lyndsay and Aaron are finally married!! The event was absolutely beautiful! As part of my many roles that day, photographer was not included. Therefore we have very few pictures to share. You'll just have to wait until I get copies from the real photographer!

Some of the highlights of the event:

• Rushing to the wedding location in multiple vehicles while praying we remembered everything and that we got there in time.
• Struggling to transform myself and 2 wiggly uncooperative rugrats into wedding approved attire in 15 minutes.
• Finding out all 3 flower girls ripped their dresses before pre-wedding pictures even started. The trail of pink flowers escaping tipped us off to the fatalities.
• Successfully (well somewhat) getting all the flower girls and Anden to hold still and smile for a picture.
• Lining up for the wedding only a few minutes late.
• Not tripping on my walk down the aisle.
• Nobody else tripping on their walk down the aisle.
• Watching Anden's concentration as he marched down the aisle and shoved the ring pillow right at Aaron.
• Noticing Taylee didn't make it down the aisle...but the other flower girls did.
• Finding Jeremy in the crowd and giving him the "GO FIND TAYLEE NOW!!" stare and head nod.
• Seeing my Daddy walk my big Sissy down the aisle.
• Watching in frozen horror as Anden decided to attempt to scale the arch during the ceremony. Again "the death stare" was given to Jeremy to remove the pint size tuxedo wearing distraction.
• Almost dropping Aaron's ring while handing it to Lyndsay. Aaron's fingers are about the size of my wrist. So it was tad difficult to keep that thing secured on my thumb.
• Hearing "I now pronounce you man and wife" while seeing the excitement in their eyes.
• Escaping with the bride and groom and photographer after the ceremony to go take pictures on the golf course. Thus fulfilling my additional role of dress fluffer.
• Seeing Jeremy's stress when I told him to contain the kids alone while I left for more pictures.
• Returning and seeing both kids were still alive and dressed.
• Watching in horror as Anden performed the backstroke across the dance floor while everyone was eating (and watching him). He just couldn't resist using his new clean tux as a mop.
• Jeremy juggling both kids ALONE ALL night while I was on bridal duty.
• Watching the little girls and Anden running in circles on the dance floor. Then noticing he was thrusting his arm out and clotheslining each girl as she ran by.
• Apologizing to one his victim's parents.
• Eating one bite of the gourmet dinner before distraction and then servers swept it away.
• Having the microphone die right during my toast speech. Lucky for me! Nobody could hear me sob and stumble on my words.
• Performing a stand off with Anden over the microphone, in front of everyone. He snagged it off the table before I could hand it to Dad for his speech. Compliments on his death grip though. It literally took all my strength to rip it from his hands before his fumbling little fingers found the "ON" bottom. Thus avoiding another highlight on this list.
• Tearfully watching Dad's surprise photo montage video displayed on the big screen.
• Anden and Brylee slow dancing.
• Anden and his crowd of followers fast dancing.
• Finding Taylee's white dress smeared in orange and pink stains. Oddly nobody knew what happened.
• Spending time catching up with family and friends.
• Frantically seeing Anden sneak off to the drink table to refill his GLASS goblet several times.
• Waching Anden "suit up" to devour his much anticipated cupcake. It was Jeremy's only bargaining chip all night.
• Witnessing the scale of children's highs. Attention High, Independence High, Sugar High, Sleep Deprivation High...and then the ensuing CRASH. They were asleep before we left the parking lot.
• Ad finally....seeing my big sister look her MOST beautiful on her wedding day! (yes, eye shadow included!)

Thank you Lyndsay and Aaron for allowing us to be part of your special day! I'm sure your list of highlights are vastly different from mine. But just wait until you have kids. Your list will undoubtedly resemble mine! You just can't escape all the "fun" that comes along with those little adorable munchkins.

Now married!

Wedding Rehearsal

9/25/09: Friday afternoon we headed to the wedding rehearsal and then dinner afterwards. I figured this would be my only chance to take pictures. Tomorrow would be happy chaos.












Anden adores Aaron (and of course Lyndsay). The rehearsal was the first time he had seen Aaron since we arrived in Vegas. Therefore he literally had himself wrapped around Aaron's neck most of the night.

Tomorrow's their big day!

Good luck hugs!

And to really top off the night, Lyndsay and I escaped and stayed at Green Valley Ranch Resort. One of her co-workers gave her the room for a wedding gift. Little did we know what a gift this really was! We walked in to this...

and this...

and if that wasn't enough, it came complete with a 12 ft, 500 lb half naked lady braced against the wall!

Clearly not just a regular room would be fit for the bride to be. A huge suite with 100% comp'd food, etc was just the right gift. And I was lucky enough to be invited along.