Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A Virginia Wedding: Day 2 and Rehearsal

When we woke up Friday morning, we were really anxious to see Maria and Aaron and hang out! We got to have a delicious breakfast together, and then we sat around and had Christmas together with these two. We brought our gifts for them in our luggage, and then took home a few new things on the way back. It was so much fun to sit around and be together. 
Aaron and Maria make beautiful music together. They both have wonderful singing voices, and have had the opportunity to sing a lot of duets together at churches and other events. Aaron broke out the guitar and they sang for us. 
 Opening gifts.
 Daddy taking the tags off a new truck for Logan.
 Uncle Bear and Logan. 
After we finished Christmas together, we headed to the church and reception venue to help set up. Mom, Dad and Jenna were more helpful than we were with the kids, but it was fun to be with everyone. And, we finally got to meet all of Maria's family!! They were fantastic!
This is Zion Mennonite Church, the church Maria and her family attend, and the one she grew up in. 
 Floral work going on in the kitchen.
 They put my Dad to work, coring apples as part of the centerpieces.
 Bouquets. 
 Our little flower girl even got in a little pre-rehearsal practice. 
 Grandma and Logan.
 Congrats Aaron and Maria!
 The landscape in Virginia was just beauftifl. So different than what we are accustomed to seeing in Kansas. There were rolling hills and valleys, narrow roads, and lots of trees! This was the drive to the reception. 
 This was an amazing barn reception venue, called The Early Barn at Kline's Mill Rd. 
 It was awesome inside and out!
 The wedding colors were a wonderful dark blue, gray and accent of lime green.
 On the road home from setting up.
 We were able to catch nap time in the afternoon and get everyone ready for rehearsal and dinner that evening. Makenah was ready to practice with her basket of petals. 
 Maria and her bridesmaids. (One was her sister-in-law, and the others were friends.)
 Aaron's groomsmen. These guys were awesome. His four best friends from Hesston. They made the long trip driving together and got to Virginia a little before the rehearsal. And, it was additionally special having them there, because other than my parents, sister, and us, they were the lone representatives for Aaron's side of the family. It was understandably far away for people to travel for the wedding. 
 Practicing. 
Mom and Dad.
 Makenah doing her thing.
 Unity candle...
 Two of the musicians. Maria's younger brother is in the red. Our sister Jenna also played the piano and sang during the precessional. 
 After everyone got lots of practice in, we headed to a local Thai restaurant for the dinner. It was fun and delicious!
Friday was such a fun day! We were loving being in Virginia, everyone was feeling good, and it was wedding time! 

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