yakity-yak-yak: 2018

I knew when I had three daughters born within 3 1/2 years, that I would probably someday have some weddings close together, but I thought I might get more than a week's reprieve between.....not so.....

Last August BOTH Kaylee AND Lynae got engaged ON THE SAME DAY! Neither knew that the other one was; and yet, both “grooms” proposed within hours of each other! It was so fun to get a group text to our immediate family from Lynae with a picture of her diamond-ring studded left hand saying, “Surprise…..Steven and I are engaged!” have a few comments on that text, and then, just a few minutes later get one from Kaylee with a picture of HER ring and the words, “This is crazy! I was just about to text everyone." And then a few more comments (including Dallin’s: “Well that’s original.” J) And then my personal favorite, a picture of Analise’s ring-less hand with the message, “Dang it! I thought if I took a picture too, a ring might appear…..Oh well….” To which Kent commented, “I like Analise’s ring the best; I may get mom one just like it.” Analise responded, “Ya my man spent lots of money on it…..he’s really getting his act together.”

Lynae's diamond-studded finger

Kaylee's beautiful ring

Analise's ring-less ring finger

And then to make things more interesting, both girls, again, unbeknownst to each other, planned their wedding dates a week apart. So on November 11th, Kaylee was sealed to Adam Johnson in the Las Vegas temple, and on November 18th, Lynae was sealed to Steven Bevan in the St. George temple (in the same room where Kent and I were sealed over 28 years ago ;) Both receptions were held in our backyard, and though different, both were beautiful. Rather than make this post any longer, I'll let the pictures/video tell the rest of the story......in chronological order-Kaylee's wedding first, followed by Lynae's:

Mr. & Mrs. Johnson!

Me and my girls

Wedding Party

Barlow side

Cool wooden guest book, designed by Adam

Since Kaylee and Adam both prefer sweets over anything else, they served exclusively "sweets" at their reception including an ice-cream bar, a hot chocolate bar, a candy bar, and BYU brownies. The salted caramel marshmallows (one of several varieties) for stirring the hot-chocolate were one of my personal favorites.

Cake

Candy Bar

Beautiful backyard

Dance floor, set up for live music prior to dancing

Wedding Singer.....this gal was amazing. Kaylee knew her from BYU. She is a professional singer, and wanted Kaylee to photograph her for some publicity; Kaylee asked if she'd be willing to exchange services, and so Kaylee and Adam ended up with amazing live music for the first half of their reception.

BYU brownies never disappoint!

Kaylee had long wooden "farm tables" with lit mason jars filled with babies breath: BEAUTIFUL!

Hot Chocolate Bar

Greeting guests

Kaylee takes a break for ice-cream served by the caterer in lovely long-stemmed glass cups and topped with any and every topping imaginable.

Cake-cutting

first dance

Sparkler exit

And finally.....the amazing Amanda Jacobsmeyer, filmed and put together this video of Kaylee and Adam's special day:

And then a week later.......repeat for Steven and Lynae!!

Mr. & Mrs. Bevan

Gotta have the "temple steps" pic when you get married in the St. George temple :)

Barlow Side

Sisters!

Barlow Siblings (sans Trent)

Beautiful Bridesmaids: Kaylee, Analise, Lynae, Daryl, Reagen, Julee

Back yard-ready for round 2

Dessert table pre-desserts :) Desserts included chocolate ganache /peanut butter cupcakes, pumpkin/caramel cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, sour cream zucchini cupcakes with cinnamon white chocolate filling and brown sugar frosting, chocolate mousse, and mini raspberry cheesecakes.

Drinks: water and cucumber/mint lemonade

Potato/Sweet-potato bar with any and every topping imaginable, plus 2 types of fruit salad and caterer special: fruited green salad with blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, feta, vinaigrette, and sugared nuts on a bed of romaine and spinach, red onion, cucumber, and bacon bits. Delish!!

As guests entered down the lantern-lit driveway, they were able to read/view an abbreviated version of Lynae's and Steven's courtship via small wooden plaques and pictures.

First meeting: Elder Bevan (then serving as an assistant to the mission President) picked up brand-new missionary, Sister Barlow from the airport as she began her service in the Rochester, New York mission......and Elder Bevan ended his mission the next day, leaving New York and flying home to Arizona.

Lynae noticed and recognized "Elder Bevan" (Steven) at a skating rink in Provo....she introduced herself.

This led to dating and eventually a kiss (glass jar is full of Hershey's chocolate kisses)

Proposal! (Note the ring box with ring (not her real ring ;) on display :)

Wedding Day! November 18, 2017

Lynae and Steven take time to enjoy some refreshments

Lynae's Grannie Annie had written a poem about Lynae and Steven's courtship, which she read at the reception. (It's cute, good, informative, and interesting.....but will have to be included in another post.....this one is long enough with just pics. Note: Grannie wrote one for Kaylee and Adam as well, but Kaylee's was read at her luncheon-rather than at her reception-which was held at Market Grill following the Las Vegas temple ceremony.)