Nashville Ya'll

Ya'll ever been to Tennessee?! Naw? Then ya'll should go! We did!

My baby sister got married! I know many, including myself still have her as a 12 year old in my mind but she's a grown lady and found a stellar fellar. This is a dual post of both pre-wedding festivities as well as our fun trip to Nashville and the wedding!

 Festivities started with us decorating Mom's house up and having a "Bite with the Bride" shower for Lindsey.

Aunt Lindsey- the bride! Addison even wore her Auntie loves me onesie.

It was a girl party!!  Now the girls outnumber the boys in the family but only by one!

The whole family helped in setting up the cultural hall at the church for their pre-wedding open house here in Colorado.

I wasn't too much help but I did baby duty! Addison in the carrier and Reise on my hip.

 

It turned out well and the love birds loved it!

Can not believe my little sister is getting married! Love her!

Addison and I at the Colorado reception.

In the midst of the wedding-ness, we also were lucky enough to have a baby shower for Addi.

Somehow I didn't get any pictures except of the massive loot that Addison scored! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! More than one friend traveled over an hour or more just to be there for the shower!

 I was also blessed enough to have my first Mother's Day and we even were home to go to Addison's first sacrament meeting.

After a few days of rest, we were off to Nashville!

 Traveling with a 3 week old was actually much easier than anticipated. And we were super popular! Everyone wanted to see Addison and ask about her.

 Thank heavens for our wonderful carrier and diaper bag that can also be a backpack! I would have never made it through the airports, not to mention the rest of the trip.

 Addison really was the best traveler! She was so mellow and slept and was just a perfect little angel on the flight.

After arriving in TN, Addison finally was able to meet her other cousins and Uncle David & Aunt Melanie.

 Audrey wanted to hold her and be around here the whole weekend! I think she is glad that she finally has cousins and that they are girls, since she only has brothers.

 Hi cute Tanner-boy! He is always so happy and we loved playing with him all weekend.

 Jarad took the wedding photos and did a great job.  These are a few of the pre-shoot shots.

 Such a gorgeous bride!

 They're married ya'll!

Dan & Lindsey- such a cute couple! They were married in the Nashville Temple and although it is smaller, it was beautiful!

 All the siblings! David, Lindsey, Kevin and I- all married now!

Lindsey and I outside the temple.

 Addison & Jarad after we picked her up at the church across the street from the temple where some sweet sisters from a ward there watched the kids during the sealing.

Once again, the reception was beautiful! Simple and elegant decor and beautiful flowers!

They also had a ring ceremony, which was one of the first I'd been to, and/or involved in. It was really tender and a little bit sappy! ;)

I was her matron of honor! (P.S. "matron" makes me sound so old!)

 Mommy & Me

 Audrey was the flower girl and Jordan the ring-bearer.  They were so funny all during the reception! Eating, dancing and posing for lots of fun pictures.

 Jarad was pretty busy taking pictures but we snuck in a family picture.

The Bride & Addi- sorry fellas, this beauty is now a married lady!

 Jarad captured a great cake-shoving shot! Ha! They had a tiny cake and LOTS of cupcakes- yum!

We danced, ate cotton-candy amongst a lot of other yummy treats and had a blast! The time came for the bride & groom to leave- cue the sparklers!

Although Lindsey & Dan were gone honeymooning, the rest of the family had a day to play!

 Cousin love! Tanner & Reise were crawling around the hotel and playing.

 We all went to visit a historic site in Nashville, The Hermitage, which is also called The Andrew Jackson Center.

 The museums were cool and the grounds were beautiful! So green and lush and big old shade trees.

 Family pic outside on the grounds.

 Tanner is lovin' riding on Daddy's shoulders!

Audrey & Reise pose for an adorable shot!  Audrey is sporting the headset that we all wore to listen to the audio tour.

 We took a break out on the lawn and the kids all wanted to sit up in the tree. Here's the fire-cracker Jordan!

 Afterwards, we looked up a local BBQ place (so much yummy BBQ there!)- Jack's! David, Mel and the kids left before we took this shot.

 The gang hit up the hotel pool too- Kevin & Reise

 Addi & Daddy- she didn't actually go in the water cause it was pretty cold!

The next morning, we got up early and went with Mom & Dad to the Loveless Cafe- a long-time landmark in Nashville as well. 

 We also got some more cousin time in! I just love these kids!!

It was so fun to see the CA-Fam and have them meet and spend time with Addison. 

 We had the afternoon before our flight home, so we hit up the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 It was HUGE and interesting and fun just to spend the afternoon together.

And Addi was an angel baby as usual!

 Another local BBQ joint- it's a fast-food BBQ place! So yummy still!

Tennessee BBQ is serious business- you can't just have one or two sauces!

We had a very fun trip, Addison- per usual- traveled like a gem and got lots of lovin' from all, and we are so happy for Lindsey & Dan!!!

Last Leg

The last leg of our journey was family focused! We stopped for a day up north to see Jarad's family. Their excitement was almost uncontainable- which is kind of understandable since there hasn't been a new grandchild in almost 7 years.



Papa was the first to hold baby girl when we got there.

Then Aunt Deahna and cousin Sienna

Grandma finally made it home from her trip and couldn't get enough of Addison.

Cousin Sienna is a pro at holding Addi.

Upon our arrival home, we found a sweet welcome on our door.



 Thank you Aunt Lori!

Home at last!

After getting semi-settled, we headed out to see my side of the family.



Cousin Reise and Aunt Lori - they are 7 months apart and I hope they'll be besties their whole life!

 And Uncle Kevin- then on to see Nana and Papa

 Hi Papa!

 Hi Nana! They may have been one of the last of the family to meet Addi but we are blessed that they're close so we get to see them often!

Aunt Lindsey was home for her pre-wedding adventures (post to come) so Addi got to meet her too!

Along with our F.a.Bu.L.o.U.s. family, and as we've said before, we have spectacular friends.

 We had to introduce Addi to our pals Joe & Cara.

She definitely isn't ever going to be left wanting for attention!

Introductions

There were so many people who we wanted to introduce Addison to!! Unfortunately we didn't get to see everyone but were blessed to see many!

We were able to stay with our dear friends Chris & Tarina and they threw Addison a little party so she could meet some of the wonderful people that have been a part of our lives.

Chris, Tarina and one of their little sweeties, Lucy, getting to know Addison.

Tara & Chad-

 Adam, Jarad and Chad- roomies pre-marriages

 Myself and Jenn (missed her hubby Ben)

 Thayne, Chrissy and Theo

 Allison (Adam's wife) and Elizabeth

 Girls pic! Tarina, Me, Jenn, E-beth, Addi and Chrissy

The kid clan! So crazy that we were all once single/college pals and now we are all "real" adults with jobs, spouses, and kids!

Maura and Crew (Addison's potential future husband!) loving on Addi.

We got to spend a fun evening with Cole, Maura and Crew and did a little shopping at the new outdoor mall.

 More of my girls were in town and came to meet Addison- Steph and I

 Melanie even took a turn with the bottle.

 

 So glad to see so many of my girls and have them meet Addi. (Can NOT wait until our girl's weekend!!)

 We are seriously blessed with awesome friends! Reid and Rebecca (who use to live around the block from us here in Colorado) even made time to come see us and love on Addi.

 

 I couldn't be more grateful for my sisser and her hospitality to us. It is so fun that our girls will grow up together!

 On our way home to Colorado, we stopped and introduced Addi to her Grandpa Alan.

Seeing everyone was amazing and we loved seeing them but were excited to head toward home. Colorado- meet Addison!

Adventure to Addison- Part Three- The Rest of the Story

We are officially a family of three...

 Our first night was exhausting and exhilarating!

And we had a week or so to enjoy ourselves and our new daughter as well as spend time with our birthmom and her family before we were cleared to come home to Colorado.

 We went on walks and to the little cafe down the street from Uncle Boyd's house.

 Addison and I spent quality time relaxing.

 Jarad kept up his studying.

 Our dear friends, Cole & Maura and their little man Crew were in town for a family weekend and took some time out to meet Addison and spend a little time with us.

 So small and sweet!

 More time with Addison's birth family playing games. So many laughs!

 Meeting more of Addison's birth family- Uncle Tyler and Aunt Ashley

We also had the opportunity to get Addison's newborn pictures taken as well as some family pictures.

Sweet beauty

I just want to pinch her!

One of my favorites

 Our best family shot

Another favorite because our family was created through selfless love.

 We also took some fun pictures on the temple grounds.

Jarad had to fly home for a couple of days to take his finals so Addison and I hung out with our birthmom and birth-grandma. :)

 Birthmom and I even took Addi to her first doctor's appointment- she is healthy and doing well.

 Addison is blessed with a large and loving birth family- including Great-Grandparents!

The day after Jarad returned from taking his finals, we received clearance to come home.

 But before we could leave, we thought it only appropriate to enjoy the same meal and gaming we did the day we went to the hospital!

No words to describe the enormity, blessings, joy, memories and tender mercies that we experienced during these weeks of our lives- that are now changed forever...for the better!