Dad here: It is near midnight here and the party weekend is still rolling. The Luschers are leaving tomorrow so we are talking and finishing up some games. Brother Luscher is dominating in ping pong. Sean and Leah dominated in Wits and Wagers tonight and Nikki won in the 100/dice game. The weekend was a lot of fun. Mom is still talking so I'm getting the letter started for her and when everyone goes to bed she will take over.
Quick recap: We left Thursday morning to go to the wedding. We got to Idaho Falls about 3 and Uncle Steve and the Luschers were already at the motel. We were right on the Snake River, by the falls and across from the temple so everywhere we looked or drove we saw the falls or the temple. It was sweet. The rest of the family arrived later that night (Charmaine, Grandpa and Grandma, Jan and Jeff, the rest of the Luscher sisters and their families, Fabiana Huffaker, our photographer and some of the Luscher's friends). Sara, Kirk, Dee Luscher, Fabiana and Mom went to the temple for pictures about 7 pm and the rest of us went to dinner after a dip in the pool. They took pictures for about 3 hours that night and ended up on our side of the river with me holding the flash behind them as they tried some artsy shots with the falls and temple behind them. After they recovered from the photo shoot, Sean, Kristina and Charmaine all took off to the midnight showing of the new Batman movie. The rest of us sat and ate ice cream sandwiches by the side of the river as we watched the sun set on the temple. What a great beginning to the wedding weekend. The next morning we got up and got ready for the sealing. I left with Kirk about noon and the rest of the family all joined us about 1 pm and then we went to the sealing room about 1:30. We were all in the temple except the younger kids. What a great day, the sealer was not know by anybody but he did a nice job but it was too much fun to be in the temple. Kirk and Sarah were a lovely couple in the temple. The Luschers are talking behind me know about their son who just got to Ukraine on his mission (he flew out of the MTC three days before the wedding). After the wedding we took pictures around the temple grounds with all of wedding group. It was hot but we were in the shade most of the time. We took pictures until about 4:30 and then Kirk and Sara took off and we all went back to the motel to get ready for the dinner. We all went to Olive Garden for dinner. There were 36 of us for dinner and it was a lot of fun. Kirk and Sara were timely late getting there so we had a chance to laugh and begin to eat before the couple got there.
Mom here: I'm back and everyone has gone to bed, so I'll finish up the synopsis. The food at the Olive Garden hit the spot, we were all so hungry. Someone got the bright idea to greet Kirk and Sarah by blowing straw papers at them, hundreds of them. The waitresses said they didn't mind because it would give the busboys something to do.
Later that night most of us sat our by the pool and put our feet up, relaxed, told stories and enjoyed the cool air of the evening. Sean went again to the Batman movie with all the Luscher gang, except the adults. We decided to stay by the pool. What a great family they are. I love that they are family with us now and I really wish they lived closer (or else that we lived in Canada!)
Saturday morning we all drove back over to Eagle. Mary was here at the house making food for all of us. Jan and Jeff were also here helping. Steve had gotten here the night before and stayed in the basement. He was at the airport picking up Carolina. Then everyone else trickled in.
Many of my friends were here setting things up and the house looked beautiful. Two serving tables on the back porch, five round tables with deep purple tablecloths and floral centerpieces, three more tables down on the grass, the waterfall looking great, and a small gazebo that we borrowed added some shade for our patio furniture that we placed out on the lawn. Diane Beagley made lots of pies and ice cream was served with them with either ice water or punch. I also put out a candy buffet with all kinds of purple candies. The front walkway was lined with these metal poles/candlesticks that Grandpa Trumbo had made years ago. People came up the walkway into the entry where we had some pictures and the book to sign. Then they came into the dining room (which had been all cleared out) where me and dad, Kirk and Sarah and her parents were standing to greet everyone. That was my decision to have us in the air conditioned house. I am so glad we did that, because it was blasted hot outside.
People came through at a steady rate and it was just plain fun talking with everyone and introducing Sarah and her family. Afterward, we cleaned up quickly, sat around a talked, then went to bed soooo tired. All of my family left Sunday morning, but the Luschers came to church with us including Kirk and Sarah (who are staying in a hotel in Boise).
We had low country boil with them after church and it tasted awesome. We haven't had it for a while, and I remembered how much I love it. Tonight Kirk and Sarah opened presents and then we ate more pie and played games until midnight. It has been a beautiful past couple of weeks. I couldn't have asked for it to go any better (except to have you with us...)
There are so many more stories, but we'll chat more next month. :) I'm excited to hear how your week went and how Kyle is doing. My friend Maria called this past week and she was so excited to tell me that her Liahona magazine has finally been arriving. I had to call Salt Lake to find out where they were and they ended up sending her two magazines right away because I told them it was important. Maria said she is loving reading every word in them and her husband has even been reading them. She said he has had a lot of questions for her cousin (who is a member) and has been talking to him quite a bit now about it. She probably told me 3-4 times on the phone how much she loves reading the Liahona and how it makes her feel. I told her it was the spirit letting her know the truth and it was the same spirit that she had felt reading the Book of Mormon. It made my day to hear the excitement in her voice. I can't wait to see her this week. I haven't seen her in a while since we have been gone.
At church today we had the two Taylor twins report their missions. They did a nice job. I'm sure the Taylor familyl is so happy to have them home again. When two leave, that must really leave a big hole in the family.
We heard from the Westerbergs (who are dating again, by the way), that Cameron came home yesterday. I guess he's been pretty sick for the past three weeks, but managed to stick it out. I hope he stops by soon so we can see him. We'll go to his homecoming next Sunday.
Well, it's super late now and I got up very early for a Stake Counsel meeting this morning. I hope you enjoy the pictures I sent. You have a gorgeous and wonderful new sister and we can't wait for you to meet her. We have felt the blessings of the Lord in our home these past few years and the spirit of your mission is a big reason for it. Have a miraculous week!
Love you,
Mom xxoo
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