A September Wedding and a Funeral

Funeral photos...

We didn't get photos of all the family in attendance. We'll have to borrow from Dorothy?!

S was really squeezing tight! She wouldn't let us adjust much at all.

S knows loving people when she sees them ;)

"Great-cousin" Julie

Great Uncle Ed

R loves cousins!

The kids were having fun, right next to grandpa's casket.

The three 4-year-olds and K (cousins Riley and Cali)

A & Cousin Quinn

Amy, Jean, Steve, Mom, Sarah, Kristin, Dorothy, me, Susan

Wedding photos...

"Grandma & Grandpa Pete" with some of their great grandkids :)

Whitney, Maren, and Kelsey

Maren and Rik and baby Weston

Jen and Todd and baby Nadine

Lindsay and Daniel. Sorry we didn't get Aaron in the photo!

It seems that weddings and funerals are what bring families together from across the country. (Births are up there, too.) As they should; these are important milestones in Heavenly Father's plan for us. Matt, Tyler, and I flew out to NV for brother Shane and Mary's wedding. It was great to be with everyone again. (We left the other kiddos in good hands here at home.) The morning after the wedding, we got a phonecall from my mom telling us that my dad had passed away early that morning. We knew beforehand that he was nearing the end of his mortal road. So it wasn't a shock; we were prepared. But we do miss him. We know through the gospel of Jesus Christ that we will be with him again. We took all our children with us, driving to IN for the funeral. We've been very blessed to be able to visit with my mom, Matt's parents, all of our siblings and a lot of family and friends during these two trips. We're so glad we could attend both family gatherings!

We didn't get too many photos of Grandpa and Grandma Ripp, but here's a good one with R and K.

The Jensens. Todd's parents are Perry and Fran. His grandma was there too. Todd has three brothers: (roughly L to R):Dave and wife Rachel, Greg and Nicole, and Paul and Tammy. I learned the grandkids names too, but I'd probably mix them up.

The guys--L to R: Rikky [Maren's hubby], Matt [my hubby], and then Aaron [Lindsay's hubby], Eric [Whittney's hubby] and Adam in the front :) (brother Shane couldn't make it)

Bride and groom with Jen's sisters(and sisters-in-law). The photographer wanted us to lean in and hug them. [L to R: Lindsay (Ripp)Somerhalder, me, Kelsey Ripplinger, and then Whitney Ripplinger, Whittney Ripplinger/Eric's wife, and Maren (Ripp) Huntsman]. (And yes, I took my shoes off to avoid towering over the other girls :) .)

Grandkids with the Bride (Raquel, Kaitlyn, Aunt Jen, Adam, and cousin Addison)Grandma Ripp made these beautiful black and gold dresses and vest/bowtie. Thank you Grandma!

Jen and Todd at their reception.