A California Wedding

 Grandson Isaiah planned to spend this past summer on own in Rexburg, working remotely.  But Audrey talked him into coming home to Mountain House instead.  He was a little reluctant but he did it.  While at home he experimented with a dating site and found a cute blond named Avery Banks that lived nearby.  They began corresponding, then talking, then dating.  It was a major "click" and as the summer progressed they moved into a serious relationship and then an engagement!

Very soon after that a wedding date of August 29th was chosen and a scheduled at the Sacramento Temple.  But soon after that the California governor closed Churches and Temples back down.  So the wedding and reception was moved to Audrey and Cliff's house.  The family kicked into high gear to get ready.  Avery's mom ordered the flowers.  Isaiah's family took over all the rest.  Rayne planned the house arrangement and decorations.  

She also made the cake!

Isaiah and Avery gently shared it.

Cliff, being a bishop, has the authority to marry, so he married his son in a sweet and sometimes emotional ceremony. 

The newest Mr. and Mrs. Adams-Hart.

 

The audience was small; only 40 of us were allowed to meet together for the ceremony thanks to the virus.  We transformed the living space into beautifully decorated tables for the meal that followed the ceremony.  Cliff made all the food and it was delicious!  Cliff's deacons served us.

Not all of our family was able to be at the wedding, but, happily, Reed and Dorothy and our Jessica were all there.  Here's Jessica and me.

Layne was happy to connect with Avery's grandfather, who worked in the Oakland Temple with us.

The wedding party made up just about half of the attendees.  Avery's bridesmaids L:  Amelia (cousin), Allegra, Rayne, Emily (cousin), R:  Eden (sister), Alli (soon to marry Avery's brother), Morgan and Makayla (stepsister).

Isaiah's groomsmen L:  Avery's older brother and younger brother (Ben), Dominic, R:  Chase and Avery's brother-in-law.

Here are the bride and groom with both sets of parents.

Audrey with her girls, Rayne, Morgan and Allegra.  Below she kisses her granddaughter, Hazel.

It was a lovely wedding.  We arrived a week ahead to help but also found time to connect with some precious people.  We visited our Sunol neighbor, Beverly Trutner, and one of the ladies we home taught, Anne Kelly.  It was good to see them.  Here we are with Anne.

We checked in with our foster daughter, Michelle and her daughter Kelsey too.  Michelle has been losing tons of weight.  She looks so lovely.  Take a look; here she is with Kelsey.

We dropped in on Ben and Jessica and kids too.  We shared dinner with them in their back yard.  They are very careful because of the virus.  We only stayed an hour and a half but it was so good to see them.  Here's Jessica with Abigail, and Ben.

Dorothy rented a house in Tracy for us to share the weekend of the wedding.  Our Jessica was there and Scott and his Jessica also.  Being with them was such fun.  We enjoyed a home Church meeting on Sunday, with everyone sharing insights on the scriptures.  We flew home on Monday with Reed and Dorothy.  So fun to be with so much family!

This weekend the newlyweds spent a couple of nights with us on the way back to school in Rexburg.  We celebrated Reed's birthday on Sunday.  He is such a fine man!  Dorothy, Angelica and I took Avery shopping today and it was such fun.  We gave them a goodbye dinner and sent them on their way. 

School starts tomorrow!  Online only for now.  The kids are primed with laptops from the school and priesthood blessings from Layne.  And so the school routine returns, after what seems like an eternal summer.  Bring it on!