Friday, May 7, 2021

Denver & Praise's Wedding & Weekend in Iowa

I love sharing posts like this, because weddings are one of my favorite things in life, and when it is one of my siblings getting married, it is just REALLY my favorite thing ever. The best wedding I've ever been to was obviously my own (smile, heart eyes, and all the things) but next to that my siblings' weddings rank right up there at the top. It is so hard to believe that this time it was truly a baby brother getting married. I saw truly because I remember super well when he was a baby, and Not sure how Denver is old enough, although, to be honest, we've been expecting it for a while--he was the sibling who always said he would get married at 16 and beat all the rest of us. Clearly that didn't happen, but waiting a little longer brought him to a GEM of a lady and I'd say we all agree with him that it was worth the wait-he got an awesome girl! My brothers are amazing so I really shouldn't be surprised that they have all married the cream of the crop type of women! So fun to welcome Praise as the sixth "married in" on the Bontrager side!
Their wedding day was a beautiful one, March 20th, and I thought it would be fun to share a little recap of the day and weekend we spent in Iowa celebrating them! 

Professional photo credits go to the gifted photographer, Laura Nerness Photography, who did a wonderful job capturing the day!
John and I and the boys arrived in Iowa late Thursday night. (midnight) We've done a lot of road trips with our babies so they have learned to do pretty well in their carseats, and they did great overall on the drive. 
This time we stayed at my dads hotel in Kalona. It worked out great to be at a central location and have our own quiet little corner to take the boys for naps and rest time. 
Friday morning found us dropping the babies off with Nana at the farm, and then doing a little shopping at the local Amish bulk food and discount store. We usually try to stop by there on our Iowa trips to stock up on my hometown favs and all the good deals at the discount grocery store! 
For lunch, we had a last minute girls date for gyros at Alexandros with the ladies pictured above-two of my sisters and a dear friend who was a bridesmaid in the wedding. (fun story-this friend is actually the one who introduced my sister to her now sisters-in-law, who introduced her to their brother, and then one of them caught the eye of my brother....and hence this wedding! Awards to you if you tracked with all of that...=)) It was a lovely hour packed with one of my favorite lunches from Kalona, and good conversation.
Next up was coffee with the bro at the beloved Kalona Coffee Co. Kalona just holds a special place in my heart for a lot of things--it is truly a one-of-a-kind town. The coffee shop there is the best. And quality time with a sibling there is always a great idea. My husband was so sweet to take the babies to the hotel for their naps so that I could spend all this time with friends and family! Such a blessing.
Friday night was the rehearsal. This was the only picture I took, sadly! I thought it was pretty cute how Elliot got to join in the mother's procession with the groom to be. =) He sure loves his Nana Bontrager!
Saturday dawned bright and beautiful---wedding day! My guys looked just handsome as could be...and I loved this view of them as Axton was trying to stand just like his daddy. SO CUTE. Elliot caught a little cat nap in an upstairs classroom while Axton floated back and forth between ushering with daddy and helping mama (yours truly) welcome in guests at the guestbook. I loved that chance to get to talk with every guest who came to the wedding. So fun!
Got a quick picture with the groom a few hours before the ceremony!
Elliot sat with my uncle for most of the wedding ceremony and he was just good as gold overall! 
Low-quality picture of some high-quality people! So thankful for my siblings and all they mean to me!
(fun fact: the bridesmaids dresses my sisters are wearing are the same style as the bridesmaids dresses they wore for my wedding, only in a mauve blush color!)
Our little family of four! Axton's little hand motions crack me up every time I look at this photo. =)
These two little brothers are just the sweetest things that have ever happened to John and me! We love them so much and they light up our lives every day in countless ways! 
Their matching shirts are from Carters, although I for some reason can't find the exact link. (I got them in store the week before the wedding) I buy most of their clothes thrifted so they don't usually match but I had fun getting these matching shirts for them to wear to the wedding and again for Easter.
Elliot's grey pants are Gap and his shoes are Carters, and Axton's pants are Children's Place and his shoes are Sperrys! All of them were thrifted except for Axton's pants. Also a very random tip for you mothers, but Carter's socks are the best quality baby socks I have found and they truly last! After a few Walmart fails, I now buy only Carters brand. So worth it.
With my hot and handsome wedding date. =)
And then because I always love hearing outfit details, so I assume some of you might, also...=)
His suit/shirt is J Ferrar, shoes are Stacy Adams, and tie is a navy tie from another wedding. My shoes are Bar III/Macy's (gift from John) black knit pencil skirt is H&M/thrifted, cream tunic is Umgee brand/thrifted from ThredUp, and necklace/earrings are Old Navy.
Axton hanging out with Nana on Saturday.
The wedding reception was at a local Christian school in Kalona. It was a beautiful celebration with a delicious meal and so many wonderful family and friends!
Sunday morning we attended my home church in Washington Iowa, and Axton was mesmerized by the children's choir that was singing that morning!
We spent Sunday evening at the farm with my mom and grandma Stoltzfus. It was very special to see her again; I hadn't seen her since my grandpa's funeral in October 2019. I'm so thankful we got to spend this quiet evening together and that my boys got to know their great grandma Stoltzfus a little bit.
Elliot visiting with his great-grandma Bontrager and great-grandma Stoltzfus.
Monday morning found all of us (well minus the newlyweds of course!) at the farm for a big family breakfast. So fun to all hang out together again. It was also extra special to have both of my grandmas there!
Zoom in on Elliot's grin. This kid loves the camera. Or more accurately his smile is probably due to the fact that he adores his daddy who was behind the camera. =) 
After breakfast the little menfolk all got to go visit the cows. These three ADORE the farm life. =)
SO cute.
Big smiles with Aunt Liz!
Denver and Praise, we are SO happy for y'all!
 The whole clan! We now number twenty-six with two more on the way! Love this bunch so so very much. 

And that's just a little snapshot of the wedding weekend from my point of view!
-Chels

29 comments:

  1. I know Allison is expecting...who else has a baby on the way? It must be so exciting that your family keeps growing!

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  2. Allison is pregnant. Who is the other one on the way? I'm guessing it's you and John are having baby #3.

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  3. Looks like such a fun time and a beautiful wedding! Who else is pregnant besides Allison?

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  4. So pretty! Thank you for sharing. I know that Allison is expecting, but who is the 2nd of the 2 more on the way?

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  5. Two more on the way!? Who else besides Allison is expecting!? :)

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  6. Looks like a beautiful celebration! Thanks for sharing and congrats to the newlyweds!

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  7. Two on the way?? Alison expecting and who is the other one?

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  8. Awww, so happy!!! Looks like y’all had a great time, Chelsy! It was a beautiful wedding.

    I must have missed the announcement somewhere, but who else is expecting besides Allison?

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  9. Who are the two more on the way?

    Rebecca

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  10. Hey just wondering who is all expecting in your family now?

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    1. Allison and I are both pregnant! Super fun to be expecting at the same time, as sisters!❤️

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  11. Thanks for sharing! I love your behind the scenes type posts like this :) And your boys are adorable! We have GOT to see each other before our kids are literally grown up :/

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  12. I was going to ask where that top was from. I LOVE ThredUp!! I'm an avid thrifter myself but the only drawback is I cant find that top anywhere. lol

    Axtons curls are adorable! I hadn't noticed them before. Your family is beautiful. Thank you for the glimpses you give us, and for your style tips. You dress adorable and I love your style! ❤

    Chelsea

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    1. Thanks for your sweet comment!
      I have loved thredUP too, specifically for searching certain brands and styles!

      Axton didn’t really used to have curly hair; it is just as it’s gotten longer and since I’ve started cutting it that the curls have come out! I love them too. 😍

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  13. Two more on the way! Is Alison having twins?

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  14. What a fun, family weekend. Looks like lots of great memories were made!! Congratulations to Denver and Praise.

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  15. The wedding looks beautiful. I love Praise's dress! Did she sew it herself?

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    1. No, she ordered it online somewhere! It was beautiful!

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  16. Who else is expecting? Are you and John expecting?!

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    1. Congratulations!!!!!!!! I'm so happy for you! Is it a boy or a girl?!?!?!? Does John's parents and family know yet?

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    2. We don’t know the gender yet but we are finding out next week!
      And yes we told both our families back the beginning of March!

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    3. Awesome!!!! Make sure to do a blog post on what the gender is!�� What day are you getting the gender?

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    4. We aren’t going to publicly announce the gender.😊
      Check back in September to find out!😂

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    5. I am just squealing in excitement! When is your due date in September? What do you think it is? A boy or a girl? I think it is a boy in one way, to follow the tradition of 3 boys in a row, but I also think it is a girl for a change in gender�� Feel great Chelsy, and don't let anything happen to this precious gift!!��

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    6. Thankyou!
      As I mentioned before, due date is late September. And I have no idea on the gender. Will be thrilled with either! 😍

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    7. Thankyou!
      As I mentioned before, due date is late September. And I have no idea on the gender. Will be thrilled with either! 😍

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