A 10,000 mile wedding trip

It seems that our youngest child decided that he was homesick to see us and so he scheduled a wedding for himself so we would come home and visit.  In reality, we knew before we left home over a year ago, that this could be a possibility, so we aren't too surprised.  As the months rolled by on our mission, we witnessed this slow but steady romance unfolding in Provo.  Later on we watched a video of a stunning and musical proposal (and a bit funny) in front of the Iguazu Falls in Brazil while touring with BYU's Young Ambassadors.  And so a deal was made and the date was set and so we made our plans to attend the wedding of our last unmarried child in the temple.  With approval from the area president to attend, we counted down the days with anticipation, not just for the wedding, but for the opportunity to see our other children and grandchildren as well.

We made this long trip before when we first reported to our mission in Estonia.  The thought of sitting in one place for the majority of a 24 hour experience was not looked at with relish.  But we were smart this time and took our melatonin to help offset the jet lag that would be our companion for a day or two.  We were happily surprised to find that flying westward has less of a sleep pattern problem.  This was enhanced by some very hearty meals that were served aboard SAS airlines from Stockholm to New York.

When we arrived, we braced ourselves for the 40 degree temperature change from where we live to Utah's summer heat (please, can we go back to Tallinn soon, I'm melting).

We were hosted by two of our sons that live in the SLC/Provo area and between them and a rental house, we were well taken care of.  All of our children came except for one.  His excuse: his wife was 8 3/4 months pregnant at the time.  I say "was", because three days ago, she gave us grandchild #23. That makes for 3 babies that have been born while we have been gone.  The Lord does truly love us.

The wedding was at the Payson temple.  It is a newer one and we had never seen it before.  It is beautiful and the inside reminds us a lot of the Gilbert, AZ temple.  Many guests had been invited and so the sealing room was very large.  The bride's grandfather, who is a sealer in the Halifax Nova Scotia Temple, received permission to administer the sealing ordinances for them.  We sensed that some relatives, who have passed long ago, dropped in to witness the event.  It was a sweet time.  

Afterwards, we met outside for pictures and then off to prepare for the luncheon.  I had been asked to make the dessert.  I made three pans of brownies and 3 pans of carmelitas - sugar overload I'm sure.  The main meal was catered and boy was it good.  After the meal, there was a program that included activities that helped the audience get to know the newly wedded couple a little better.  It helps to have friends who know some very interesting things.

That evening was the reception and it was quite the party.  Many of their friends and several Utah relatives came to celebrate.  There was the usual cake cutting event that went rather nicely and the bouquet toss and a few other customary things as well as the dancing and musical renditions from friends.  The final salute was a sparkler tunnel as they raced for the get-a-way car.  Wow, I needed a taco after all that.  It turns out, I wasn't the only one.  We found a 24 hour Mexican food joint and filled up.  It was very satisfying after a 15 month drought from some serious Mexican food.

While the kids honeymooned in Florida (near a hurricane), we spent a few more days helping them move into a new apartment and getting the car repaired.  I'm tired already from the travel and now we move very heavy stuff up a flight of stairs! The brides father, Mark, is much younger than I and I let him prove it.  He carried most of the load.

The remaining time was spent with family and doing a little shopping for friends back in Estonia.  I was able to get 40 male initiatories completed for a friend in Tallinn who had given us some temple cards. 

The flight home was uneventful and quite nice.  I actually slept on the plane for a couple of hours (very unusual for me).  After another 5,000 miles, we stepped out of the airport in Tallinn, and experienced that 40 degree drop in the temperature.  Home at last.

New York City skyline

Enjoying a pre-nuptial picnic at the church pavilion

Those eyes!

Fun times with grandkids

One of the three that were born while we've been gone

Always has a smile for Papa

This little Nutter Butter was my shadow

Our good friend Tyler Hill who interned this summer in Tallinn

Mom, Dad and siblings (minus one)

Siblings shot

Apparently, this is a brotherly tradition

With adoring sisters

The luncheon line begins

Wonderful lasagna with some special treats

Wedded bliss

Good friends from Mesa

A smattering of some of the best kids on earth

Finishing temple work at Oquirrh Mountain

The morning we left SLC.  Fire in the sky!