Kids Home For a Visit and Adam & Jess's Wedding

September! So far it's been cold and rainy. On the bright side, this September has also been livened up with fun family visits and events.

All of us together

We recently enjoyed a week-long visit with Susan, Jay, and David. They came to attend their cousin Adam's wedding in Holcombe.

My oldest stepson, Jonathan, with girlfriend Alicia; stepdaughter Susan with husband Jay.

Susan knitting a baby blanket... love it

Don't run David over with the Bobcat, Jack!

3 generations, shooting hoops

Jackson "driving" a tractor

Jay told us he could do a flip on the trampoline. Here's the photographic proof that yes, he can!

Susan, Jay, and baby BOY :)

Everybody loves David

 

The cousin who got married, Adam, is the oldest son of Phil (Jon's brother) and Jill. He married Jess, his girlfriend of five years, whom we've gotten to know at various family get-togethers-- most memorably, 4th of July's at Phil and Jill's cottage on Lake Holcombe. Jess and Adam live in Minneapolis, but it was decided they would marry at their Grandpa Neal Schroeder's hobby farm in Wisconsin (Neal is Jill's father).

 

We knew this would be a memorable event because we'd heard how much work had gone into cleaning up and decorating an already very nice property. The dinner and dance was to be held in a barn with a loft.

 

We were NOT disappointed. It was amazing how much love and attention to detail was put into the wedding preparations. Phil and Jill, Jess's parents, and many other friends and relatives had worked for weeks to create a clean, comfortable, personalized, and very posh space for the young couple's big day.

 

A beautiful day

Jon's brother Phil with wife Jill and their two sons. Blonde-haired Jacob is on left (his girlfriend Katie in red dress). The other couple, older son Adam and girlfriend Jess, are the ones who got married

Aunt Kristen helping set up the dessert table. Kristen is married to Jon's oldest brother, Brent.

Tables on the ground level of the barn

Posing for the wedding photographer

Some seating in the loft. Notice the benches made from blankets spread over bales of hay

 



 I'm guessing there were around 350 guests-- family members but also many friends of the couple. Vows were exchanged under a big old tree in the front yard that provided shade and atmosphere... branches were strung with magical details like strings of tiny mirrors and old bottles filled with wildflowers.

The food was GREAT. Adam and Jess have a couple of chef friends who helped orchestrate a fabulous picnic-style meal. Instead of wedding cake, family were asked to bring their favorite desserts, so the selection of sweets was amazing. Jill must have been collecting plates for awhile, because every place setting featured a different patterned plate... the effect was homey, eclectic, and fun. Mason jars with a wide selection of colorful fabric "warmers" were used for drinks.

Anyway, what a party-! It was a lot of fun. I wish I'd taken more pictures, but frankly I was too busy enjoying myself :). So was everybody else.

Jonathan and Alicia

I should mention before closing that the kids are back to school. Michael has began his sophomore year of high school, Emma's an 8th grader, and Leila is in 1st grade. So we're busy getting back into the school routine.

Breakfast before the school bus

PS: We will be hosting a baby shower for Susan toward the end of October; she plans on making a special trip to Wisconsin to attend. Hopefully we will see some of you then!