The Moon Family: Weddings Galore!

My brother Bruce was married in January and my sister Anna was married in March. I haven't had time to post about either of these events, so here they are together.

Tobin, the kids, and I all drove out for Bruce and Marissa's wedding. It was the first time we have met Marissa, and we love her! Upon arrival in Utah, we immediately joined in the wedding mayhem and madness. Have you seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? That's kind of what weddings are like with my family. We do everything from the decorating to the flowers to the pictures to the food. It's a lot of fun and a lot of work.

Maryam holding Marissa's bouquet (I was their florist.)

Mom and Aunt Mary -- Mom did parafin wax treatments on our hands after we were done with the work

Marissa made Bruce use parafin wax on his hands too!

I had been fighting a cold for about four weeks when we left for Bruce's wedding. So in the midst of all the mayhem, I was also getting all sorts of advice and remedies for colds. Unfortunately, I was not getting any extra sleep! :) I was pretty sure the cold had progressed to a sinus infection, but I figured it would be eaiser to wait and see the doctor when I got home, since there are no Kaiser facilities in Utah.

The wedding was beautiful. Bruce and Marissa were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 17th. My younger sister Emily and our cousin Kyle were outside the temple with most of the young kids. Tobin's parents came down from Idaho to see us (really to see the grandkids), so they brought Peyton and Maryam to the temple. Everything was beautiful, and the kids loved going to the temple. It was a really long day, and by the end of the reception, Peyton was in full melt down mode. Sadly, so was I. We had to drive home the next day, and I was so sad to say goodbye to all of my family.

My parents, Marissa & Bruce, Grandma Walther

Cousins! Hope and Maryam

We made the drive home, which turned out to be an adventure because I was pretty sick by that point and Maryam was getting sick too. By Sunday morning, the day of our drive, I had a lot of pressure behind my right ear and was pretty sure that my cold/sinus infection had become an ear infection. The drive down from Reno to Sacramento confirmed my suspicions. That was painful! Poor Tobin and Peyton had to listen to Maryam and me crying for about two hours because our ears were hurting from the rapid change in elevation. Luckily, we were both able to see the doctor and get medicine the next day.

I attended Anna's wedding alone. I flew from Oakland to Salt Lake all by myself! That is the first time I have gone on a trip alone for a very long time. I stayed with Bruce and Marissa this time. The wedding mayhem was much more tame for Anna's wedding, since she already had a lot of things done from the first time she was engaged. We spent all day Friday decorating the church for the reception. We had a lot of fun. Anna and Kyle were married in the Bountiful Temple on March 14th. She was a beautiful bride, and we had a wonderful time again. (Have I mentioned that she looks alarmingly similar to me? Her engagement photos are surreal for me to look at. It's like looking at pictures of myself with the wrong guy!)

Decorating the Church

Anna & Kyle and Parents

Anna and Kyle didn't have a luncheon after the temple, so some of my siblings and I went to Gardiner Village. It's a little "town" of shops in the Salt Lake area (Murray maybe?). I love it! I want to live there! :) My sister Sarah introduced me to a shop called "Pine Needles." They sell things for quilting, cross stitch, and embroidery. Sarah and I are getting into embroidery, so we were like kids in a candy shop. I had fun spending time with my siblings, and especially getting to know Marissa more. It was really fun to get to stay with Bruce and his new wife. They are so cute together, and were so kind in helping to make me comfortable in their home. I wish my kids and husband could have come, but I did have a nice time by myself anyway.