Three Weddings and a Funeral

It's been a crazy couple of months for our family. We did a lot of traveling and saw a lot of friends and family, mostly as a result of planned events but one, unfortunately, unplanned.

Wedding Number 1
We began Memorial Day weekend, which seems so long ago. I guess it was! Austin and Lindsey were asked to be a part of a wedding for a family friend long before we moved. Heidi was Austin and later Lindsey's first baby sitter and Janet and Heidi's mother used to work together in our "before kids" days at Mogadore Christian Academy. So it was great to have the kids be a part of her day.

They both did a great job. Austin pulled a wagon down the isle as a ring bearer. The wagon had two < style="font-style: italic;">and exiting the church. Upon reaching the front, they did a good job of smiling and standing still--for the most part.


Wedding Number 2
Megan mostly exists in my mind as a 12 year old young lady, who, along with her three sisters were a part of our wedding in Iowa in 1995. Well, she's all grown up now and called over a year ago to "book" me to play for her wedding. We thought it would be great fun since we often make a summer trip to Iowa to see Janet's family anyway.

The second weekend of June we made the long drive out there and had a great time. Her sisters were part of the bridal party and it's amazing how they've all grown up into beautiful young women! (My wife's words, honest!)

The best picture I took of the bride and groom are of them "escaping" after the ceremony.











The Funueral
Brian's maternal grandmother went to be with the Lord early in July. This forced an unexpected trip to the Philadelphia area. It is still so sad that my grandmother is no longer with us. My grandfather had died almost 20 years ago. I was 16 at the time. Grandmother had kept busy all these years, staying as active as her health would allow until just the last couple of weeks when she no longer had the strength to carry on.

One of the things about funerals, like weddings, is that it brings families together. This is a picture of my mother's siblings. I hadn't seen a couple of them in years. I mean since 1985 or so. It's a shame that it takes some one dying to get the family motivated to come together.


Wedding Number 3
It was great to be a part of my good friend Matt Laun's wedding in mid-July. Matt and Jessica had been dating for a long time. A really long time--and finally decided it was about time for them to get married. It was great to see his family again (I did the music for one of his sister's wedding). It was a quick trip. Got on a plane, flew up for about 48 hours and flew home. I got to see a few Chapel friends while I was there, but not many. The purpose of the trip was Matt's wedding and I wanted to be available for that.



Well, the traveling should be done--at least for a few months. We're looking forward to not loading up the van and driving and driving. We have enjoyed what awaits us (or who awaits us) at the end of our trips, but how about you drive down here and visit us for a change?