The Ramos family provided a joyous reception in a nearby Church building. Since the wedding and reception were both held in Provo, where almost none of either family lived, the attendees were mostly those who were also in the temple. Smallish. But so much fun! There was food, and, most important, dancing! Those Ramos folks can dance! I managed to drag Layne to the dance floor several times and get into the rousing rhythm of music that begged to be danced to. I think Layne
even enjoyed it. Here's the Bride and Groom.
Chase and Morgan came, with son Hunter. They do live in Provo. It was so fun to visit with them. While we were, my nephew Brent and his girl Shannon came. It was the first time we met Shannon. We liked her right away. She and Brent are to be married in May, in Salt Lake. Of course we will be there! As we visited, Reed and Dorothy joined our circle and talked and laughed with us for most of the reception time (except for our occasional dancing). It was great fun.
Here are Scott and Jessica Ramos Galbraith.
Bob and Maryanne came to the sealing with us. We spent our down time with them, including Sunday. That was fun too. It has been awhile since all four of us have gotten together. Maryanne is a genealogical genius. Each time I visit, we go through some sort of family stuff--from pictures to records of all sorts. Her mind is an encyclopedia of family information. I am well out of her loop of knowledge but manage an occasional dip, which I try to record for future reference.
On Monday Layne dropped me off at the Salt Lake Airport, then drove home. I flew to San Francisco, after some delays of course. The SFO airport is almost always delaying flights due to "weather." It is most frustrating. But the good news is that I did eventually get there. Since I was going stand-by that is always an issue. I planned to take BART to Pleasanton, where Audrey, or some family rep, would pick me up. But somehow at the transfer station I misread the rotating message containing destination information and wound up in Walnut Creek before I discovered my mistake. So more delays while I took a train that actually took me to the right station in Pleasanton.
Rayne's fiance, Dom, and his family picked me up there. His mom, new step-father and younger brother were all piled in Rayne's small car. It was a cozy ride back to Audrey and Cliff's, but fun, as we talked all the way. With lovely British accents, they told me a little about themselves. I so enjoyed them. They felt good. Imagine traveling all the way here from England, to be here for the wedding that they cannot witness. Dom is a convert and the rest of the family are non-members. But they were lovingly ready to support him by being here anyway.
I offered to come to California early to help Audrey, Rayne and family finish wedding preparations. There was much to do. Our days were filled with activity. We worked on clothes, decorations, food and even the wedding cake, as the baker Rayne chose backed out too late to get a replacement. Friends of Rayne and Audrey joined me as house guests. On Thursday Layne, Gerald, Seth and Angelica arrived, adding to our household numbers. It was crowded, busy, and fun.
Building the cake became a group project. Here you see the household girls putting candy pearls all over the cake. It took quite awhile!
We got all preparations done and, on Friday, headed for the Sacramento Temple, where Rayne and Dominic were to be sealed. The "google girl" took us on what appeared to us to be a circuitous route, but we still made it there early. The grounds around the temple are somewhat wooded, with the temple located at the top of a hill. The angel Moroni appeared atop the trees as we approached. This may be the loveliest setting for a temple that I have seen so far! Dom's family were there too. I told them a little about the temple, its purpose, and what the ceremony would be like, hoping that they would feel comfortable about it. But I worried that they would be sad to be outside as we all entered the doors of the temple without them. I soon realized that....I had forgotten my recommend! I rushed inside the temple to see what could be done and they were so kind and helpful. With no hesitation the temple president allowed me to enter, and offered to talk to Dom's family, in the temple waiting room, about the Temple. That turned out to be quite wonderful, and just what they needed.
Here is Dominic's family, the Rickards.
The Sacramento Temple is lovely. We were led to a beautiful sealing room, where I was allowed to sit in the groom's Mother's seat. Audrey and I thus sat on either side of the Bride and Groom. That was a sweet privilege. Rayne looked radiant as she knelt across from her handsome Dom. Their vows were sweetly exchanged amid the embracing spirit that fills the temple. It was lovely and inspiring.
Mr. and Mrs. Rickard, just exiting the Temple.
All of us gathered outside the temple to greet the emerging Bride and Groom. Pictures followed. Then we hoped for a quick drive home, as Scott and Jessica's Open House began just two hours after Rayne's and Dom's wedding. It is a two hour drive, so we knew we'd be late. Once again, the "Google Girl" took us on a merry ride through country roads that led us back to our starting place. How does that happen?! With some re-programming we finally made it to the Open House in Brentwood. It was lovely. We were late, but we were there!
Mr. and Mrs. Galbraith, at the Open House.
Dorothy ordered tons of food, so much was left over. We decided to use the leftovers at Ben and Jessica's on Sunday, as we planned to gather there for an extended family bond. Now, no cooking was necessary!
Saturday morning Gerald left, to fly back to Taiwan. He had been with us for several weeks. When he comes, he stays long enough for me to get used to his company. So when he leaves I feel the emptiness of it.
Saturday afternoon was Rayne's and Dom's reception, held at a garden location in Livermore. It was a lovely place, and framed the happy occasion beautifully. There was a ring ceremony, which included words from Rayne's dad and Dom's mom. It was held outside, surrounded by trees with a pathway lined with rose petals for the Bride and Groom to walk through. A meal followed, provided by Cliff, with some assistance from the family. We met old friends and new ones there and had a lovely time.
Rayne and Dominic at the Reception.
Here are my three Jessicas: Jessica Ault Galbraith, Jessica Ramos Galbraith, Jessica Galbraith Gendreau.
Three grandsons served as ushers: Miles Gendreau, Vincent Galbraith and Seth Galbraith.
Great-grandson Hunter (grandson of Audrey), all dressed up for the Reception.
The planning for these things takes months, but it is all over so quickly! But forever memories are made by these happy events. We spent Sunday at Ben and Jessica's, as we all met for dinner and visiting. The cousins chased, talked and played around us as we visited and ate. I love being with family. We moved away from these events and I often regret it. It takes effort now to be with family. I love them and miss them. All of them.
Grandkids bonding at Ben and Jessica's.
We are home now and have spent the week getting back to normal. I'm tired, but happy.
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