Sealed Deal: Grandma Gail and Grandpa Ray!

This week was nuts. With Gails wedding and month end and Chads tests all smooshed into 7 days I'm glad to say we made it out alive!
      On Monday we had our community BBQ at Cambridge Court and it was a total success. Troy and Lorena brought everything down from their place and we just worked hard to put it all together, it was a great turn out and although my feet were killing me by the end of the night I couldn't help but bust out a little victory dance before bed.
   The whole week was full of preparations. Preparing for the wedding, preparing for the trip TO the wedding, preparing chad for tests that had to be taken early so we could get to the wedding and pretty much, the consistent theme here is the wedding. On Thursday we all piled in Sam and Prestons Minivan and made our way to Spanish Fork. It was rainy the whole way there so the boys weren't able to play golf but it ended up working out because we needed them at the church setting up anyways.
    Getting to know the Daniel Family was such a great experience. They're are all so welcome, loving and down to earth. With some last minute changes, we weren't able to stay with Lori and Scott but we were at their house the majority of the weekend and were able to really get to know their sweet family. Tara, Kirk and their kiddos stayed there too, Hollie, buddy and their kids helped a ton at the Church and we finally got to meet Virginia and Brian who we didn't get to meet at Madis world Series in July. Everyone is so loving! Chris (my new nephew is an amazing chief and he slaved over a stove all day to make the amazinf wedding family dinner that literally was some of the fanciest food I've eaten ...ever. (Chris, if you wanna rub off on Uncle Chad, you go right ahead, or me for that matter) It's so cool how "apart of the family" we already feel. Being an Aunt to all these amazing kids is so cool! I hope they know how excited Chad and I are to be apart of the family, it's such a blessing and it's all thanks to Gail and Ray!
   Their wedding was amazing! The sealer was so inspired and connected with Gail and Ray immediately. Ray was so nervous, i couldn't help but smile at his serious, wide eyed expression throughout the entire sealing but I know it's because he takes his covenants very seriously. Gail was so happy. To see her today and compare it to the Gail I met when I first started dating chad...she's a totally different woman. She's so happy and full of love, it makes me so grateful for the temple and their wise decision to wait and get married there. What a great example to all their kids and grandkids.
   After the wedding we all got together, finished assembling the reception and danced the night away. Tara's cake was amazing, and thanks to Lori and the boys, everything else fell into place just in time for the bride and groom to make their grand entrance. Virginia and Sam took pictures and I am so excited to see what they all look like, then a few amatures, such as myself, Riley and Braxton took Grandma Gails camera and snapped a few for her to enjoy on her way to Hawaii.
   We went home to Loris and all got to sit down and new brothers and sisters and have a great conversation about...everything! Mission stories, in-law stories and spiritual testimonies. It was perfect and it was little preview of the great teaching and learn that is bound to happen in the future as our family gets together more! What amazing family we have to surround ourselves with!

   Here are some of my favorite pics from the beautiful weekend.

The Merrell Girls

Their First dance

I just love this one of grandpa Ray, he gave his grandson a big kiss on the forehead as he ran up to hug him. Can't wait to have my little boy and have him have such a great man to look up to!