The reason I was stateside for a few days is because my little brother tied the knot with a wonderful woman. We have waited a long time for this, not that I blame them. They have had a lot going on for the two of them. While they have been dating she and my brother both graduated from College, He went away for several trainings for the army...months at a time, and he also served a year deployed in Iraq. Through this all they have stuck by each other with love and support. I am truly proud of them, and so excited to have another sister! Of course we have counted and claimed her as part of our family for years, years. My girls first met Nicole the summer that Cora was 1, Hannah was 4 and Anya was 6. She was so brave, not really knowing much about us, and having just met us, She came along on a camping trip with not only my whole family, but all my in-laws as well. And I have a lot of in-laws! This was the first time she had been camping, and it was rough camping. Tents, haul your own water in, dig your own toilet, no showers or running water...rough camping. She did it though, and she impressed everyone...especially all the kids. Nicole could hardly go anywhere without a gaggle (and we have a gaggle on the Jeppson side) of kids following her around. I think every picture we have of her on the trip there is at a minimum of 5 kids around her. And she still stayed with us! So, like I said, she has been family for years. She is all over in our family albums, my kids have been calling her Aunt for years, she is even in our formal family photo. We love her (and my brother...but that goes without saying) and we are excited to be able to officially claim her!
The ceremony took place in this beautiful Catholic Church, St. Elizabeth's. It was amazing, and reminded me of the old English style. I have even seen chapels like this in Austria. It was simple, but filled with Architechtural beauty. It was perfect for Quinn and Nicole.
Walking down the aisle. Everyone knows I was blubbering like a baby. I couldn't help it. Look how beautiful my new sister is, and look how handsome my brother is in his dress uniform. He has served our country, fighting for our freedom and that of others. Selflessly leaving his personal life behind, during two deployments to Iraq. He is amazing, and I am so proud of him. Even now it brings tears to my eyes...maybe because I myself am married to a soldier. So I know a small piece of the sacrifice these two have given in the name of our freedoms.
They truly amaze me and I love them dearly.
The new Mr. and Mrs Overton
The reception was lovely. Not only was the venue gorgeous (a hotel called the Old Mill Inn), but the food was amazing, and my favorite were all the personal, homemade touches that Nicole and her family added. The letter's marked the tables so we knew which one we were assigned too. And the party favors were the cookies in a jar. My kids loved this, they are able to make "wedding cookies" even though they couldn't go to the wedding. I think one of my favorite things was, I was staying at this inn. No drive time! I could party like nothing else...then I just went upstairs to bed. It was awesome!
Her cake is so beautiful. What I liked best was how she tied everything together. The flowers on the cake, are the same design that was on all her invitations and RSVP cards.
They were both very nice to each other.
Very classy.
My mom and Dad
They looked so great, we have to find somewhere else to take them now so they can wear their outfits again!
Me with my Little Brother and my official new Sister
me with my other Little Brother, the baby of the family.
My sister and her boyfriend Oz
It was so awesome to see my family again, and to meet Nicole's wonderful family. As with everything thought, it was very short lived. I got a brief taste of my family again, only to leave them days later. It is never enough time though is it? We had a good time, good memories. Seeing my cousin again, whom I haven't seen for a couple of years. Seeing my brothers again, both whom I haven't seen for a couple of years because of deployments, and opposite training/working schedules that have kept us from seeing each other at the same time. Waking at 4am every day because it is 10a in Europe, and then keeping my siblings up because I can't go to sleep and I want to talk...good times.
I already miss them all, and I look forward to when I can see them again.
Hint, Hint,
COME VISIT ME!!!!!
