Sarah & Kory's Wedding & Weekend Celebrations Recap

I've said it before, I'll say it again...family weddings are just so fun and sweet, and my sis in law Sarah's was no exception! It was the perfect weather for Kansas for August-literally a dream day of not too hot, not too cold. All of our extended family (Maxwells) were there along with a lovely crowd of family and friends. 

Sarah and Kory met online earlier in the year and they are perfect for each other. We were all so happy for them both!

Speaking of meeting online, and since I'm writing this post anyways, let me give my single readers my unsolicited opinion here on online dating. =) That is this: God uses MANY different avenues to bring people together! The "husband delivered to your doorstep all wrapped up in a silver bow" concept that many people adhere to is neither biblical nor is it real life. =) It is so important to follow what God has for you individually and be willing to be brave in that no matter what the avenue may be! I'm super proud of Sarah for stepping out of her comfort zone and be open to meeting someone online! 

Things kicked off with the bachelorette party on Thursday night. The bride & bridesmaids all went and got our nails done and then stayed at the cutest little vrbo that I had found! We consumed large amounts of pizza and snacks and coffee and had the best time. 

Believe it or not it was my first time getting my nails done at a salon. (remember, my roots are farmer girl. Nails are just not my top priority typically!) It was a fun experience though and I enjoyed it!

Getting ready, wedding morning!

The bridal party

*The wedding photographer was Brittany Tarchala of Silverdoves Photography, and she did an incredible job! She kept everything moving right along on schedule and did fabulous working with the bridal party and the huge families on both sides! The pictures she got are beautiful! (all of the professional wedding pictures in this post are courtesy of her.) 

Sarah picked this beautiful Azazie Hadley dress in Amethyst for the bridesmaids, and we all got to pick our own shoes. (I ended up getting these sandals which were comfy, cheap, a little sparkly, but also practical for wearing again)

Got a quick shot of our little family!

The boys shirts were their Carters brand Easter shirts from earlier this year, that I bought last year on Kohls clearance for them. I got their matching shorts from Children's Place at the beginning of the summer. (they are on major clearance now!) Elliot is wearing thrifted Sperry's that Axton used to wear, and Axton is wearing thrifted Converse. Madeline's dress is Old Navy brand, thrifted, and her hair bow is from this set that she wears all the time! It was really fun to put their outfits together with stuff that I already had on hand. It doesn't always work that way but it is fun when it does. =)

When I see this picture I think "wow we have a lot of babies." =) 

This part of the ceremony was pretty cute. =)

Also cute was Axton's reaction when I walked in. He reached out into the aisle and said "mama!!" 

Melted my heart!

All the Maxwell grandkids with Sarah and Kory!

I love this sibling shot!

My mini me!! We keep hearing more and more that she looks like me. I was so sure she was going to be John's little look alike and I still think she looks more like his and Axton's baby pictures, but maybe she will be the kid that looks like the perfect mix, haha! (Axton looks so much like John and Elliot so much like me)

The dessert reception was lovely! The ladies from Sarah's church went all out with the details and poured a ton of time, effort, and love into making everything so beautiful AND delicious!

Elliot and Axton were all into this wedding. Axton kept saying, ahead of time, "after they get married, then we will call him UNCLE Kory!" =) 

Some of you might remember me talking about my friend Laura who photographed John's and my wedding! Her and Sarah met at our wedding and have stayed in touch since. She gave Sarah lots of advice on navigating online dating, since Laura and her husband met online as well! It was so neat to see both couples together at the wedding!

Our nieces were such a huge help with Madeline (and the boys) on wedding day!

Everyone let off the reception balloons for the sendoff!

That Saturday evening after the wedding, we invited out of town wedding family and friends to come over to our home to hang out. We ordered in pizza and had a very laid back, chill party unwinding and relaxing. It was a perfect time to connect with people over food and games! 

We also enjoyed a "wedding food leftovers" party at my in laws a few days after the wedding. 

Here, Maddy loved hanging out with great aunt Tami!

She also just loved the party time in general. =)

It was super special getting to host out of town friends who came for the wedding. Here we are (some of us!) headed to church Sunday morning!

So thankful for such a sweet sis in law and friend. It was an honor to stand with her in her wedding! 

The whole day was truly a celebration and answer to prayers. 

 I'll end with a picture of our whole Maxwell tribe! It was so lovely to have a family wedding again and all join together in celebrating Sarah and Kory.

And that's my little recap on their wedding. Hope y'all enjoyed this post! Have a wonderful week!

-Chels

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Allison’s Bachelorette Party & Iowa Trip

Two weeks ago we traveled to Iowa for the weekend so that I could host Allison's bachelorette party. We rented a VRBO and all of the bridesmaids and the two mothers were invited. It was lovely time filled with food, fun, and relaxation! 

Allison requested homemade pizza and GF SF brownies for dinner on Friday night. We added in tossed salad and Izzies to round out the menu. It was delicious!

If you haven't experienced Izzie drinks, you need to try them! They are delicious and a very fun healthier alternative to soda!

After dinner we had a pantry shower for Allison. She got so many fun gifts---canned things, spices, snack type foods, sparkling juices, and tons of chocolate. =)

Next up, Elizabeth planned a very fun "how well do you know Allison" game. There were all sorts of questions-everything from "what was Allison's first job?" to "which word describes her reaction when she found out Jeremiah was interested in her?" (and then three word options were given) It was a hilarious game and I think everyone learned some new things! I was pretty excited that I won-as the matron of honor, it seemed quite fitting that I would hopefully know her best! 

Winston and Elliot were the only two men in attendance. =)

People have been saying lately that Liz and I look alike. What do y'all think, yes or no?

Saturday morning breakfast was yogurt, granola, and fruit. All of the bridesmaids and the mothers pitched in and helped make the meals!

The whole crew! Bride, mothers, and bridesmaids-comprised of three sisters, three sisters in law, and three sisters in law to be! (also we can't forget those two tiny babes!)

Allison and I had one last coffee date "pre-wedding". Little man got to come along and get lots of snuggles from his auntie. =)

Fur-wheeler rides with daddy!

Uncle Hudson and Elliot. 

Elliot met Great-Grandma Bontrager for the first time. 

Very solemn, sweet, and matching cousins. These two are seven weeks apart and they like each other much more than it might appear in this picture. =)

It is always such a treat to go back to my previous home church, Marion Avenue Baptist. How I love all of my dear friends there!

After church we got to go out to lunch with my former pastor and his wife. Some of you may recognize them from our wedding-my pastor was the one who married us, and his wife was one of my bridesmaids! It was such a special time with them!

It really blows my mind to think that my brother Josh and I have FOUR BOYS between our two little families! How time has flown and God has multiplied our blessings! 

Budding musician buddies. How's that for a mouthful? =)

On the way home, Sunday evening, we stopped south of Des Moines to attend the lovely outdoor wedding of a friend of mine! It was a beautiful celebration. 

Family selfies are less and less perfect these days but it is the memories that count, not a perfect pose!

So wonderful to celebrate my beautiful sister throughout the weekend! Can't wait to post about her lovely wedding day next! 

Have you ever been a bridesmaid and/or helped throw a bachelorette party? Would love to hear your experiences in the comments below!

-Chels

The Typical Day Before Leaving On Tour

This post title is somewhat deceiving, because absolutely no two "day-before-leaving-on-tour" days are the same. It is quite crazy, the different things that come up every time and leave us shaking our heads wondering "and WHY did this have to happen today of ALL days?"

So no two days of these are alike. But I thought I'd still share with you what that "day before leaving" CAN look like. Since this is our last tour of the year and I was thinking about how it is also the last big packing day of the year, I thought it would be an appropriate time to do a post like this.

 I didn't include pictures of all of us gathered in the kitchen at lunchtime packing and eating simultaneously. 

Or each of us taking load after load after load to the bus.

Or making the bus bunks, loading the freezer/refridgerator, filling the water bay, cleaning out and restocking the front bays, cleaning the house, finishing the laundry, etc etc etc.

And now, I take you back to last Thursday...(we left on Friday)

Thursday started out with a messy bedroom, a messy ponytail, comfort clothes, and no makeup. 

(except for mascara. always mascara) 

When I went to apply my makeup I discovered that I had left some of it in the truck the night before (don't even ask why it was with me in the truck in the first place!) and since my dad and brother had taken the truck early that morning to deliver cattle, that makeup wasn't going to be an option. I was short on time anyways so I decided to just nix the whole process except of course for aforementioned mascara. Because KEEP CALM AND WEAR MASCARA.

Moving on....

 The bedroom. On packing days it always gets worse before it gets better. This picture was taken at some point in the process.
I love packing. Absolutely ADORE it. Even though at heart I am ultimately a homebody, still I have always had the love of travel in my bones.
Because traveling is adventure---heading out into the wide wide world. And I love adventure.

Packing can take anywhere from a certain number of hours to another certain number of hours.
No, I am not going to divulge the time it takes to pack. It varies quite a bit from time to time.
And besides. Certain information should stay personal, I think. =)

Packing for oneself is one thing. Packing five different coordinating outfits for a family of twelve is another. Whilest in the midst of the piles of dress clothes EVERYWHERE, I suddenly had a revelation.
"Why can't everyone pack THEIR OWN?"
It's not like we are back in the days when half of us were babies and couldn't pack for ourselves.
No. We have twelve responsible, law abiding citizens (ahem-most of the time!) that are all over eight years of age and SHOULD be able to pack their own concert clothes.
So I switched from plan a to plan B, which involved going to the computer and printing off the above chart.

I added certain stipulations with relish. =)

Because:

A) I think God placed me as the oldest to help the siblings learn to keep deadlines (ha!)

B) Something really needed to be done to change the system (or lack thereof)

C) I can always use more coffee $$ (yes please!)

Y'all. I just have the sweetest siblings ever. These gems had their clothes packed early but left some love for me anyway. 

Shipshewana Davis Mercantile Coffee Shop, coming right up this week! =)

Along with packing, and packing, and more packing...the day before leaving on tour is, as was previously mentioned, always filled with all sorts of extra projects that just "happen" to have to come up on that busiest of all days.
To name a few...
*The basil was beginning to go into seed, and there was a very good chance it might get hit with frost while we were gone. So I headed up my own personal pesto campaign, making pesto and drying additional basil in extremely large increments.
*The brotherhood went hunting. Which was probably not the wisest thing to do, since past studies have PROVEN time and time again that they can hunt for WEEKS before a tour and not get a thing, BUT if they go out on the day before leaving...they honestly get a deer every.single.time. It is positively uncanny how that works.
So sure enough, Denver got a deer. Which meant that now there was a deer to be butchered, and jerky to be made.
*The apple trees were producing in abundance, but unfortunately quite a few of the apples were spotty which meant they had to be frozen or canned immediately. Also the four cases of pears which had just arrived from our coop were not in good condition, which meant that they had to be put in the freezer immediately too!

And then there were all those little things like the fact that my washer wasn't working properly, which means that washing a load of laundry takes longer than the normal 55minutes. And several things in the bus were left unattended after our last tour so now the whole place smelled much less than desirable so there was extra cleaning and attention required to get everything back in the preferred state of livableness.

And that's a little inside peek of the craziness of "day before leaving". Hope you enjoyed! Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment box!

-Chels