Some Wedding Pictures

Ok...Be forewarned! This post has a ton of pictures...mostly for my own memories! But some of you have said you'd like to see some pictures of my Dad and Rika's little wedding celebration we had last Saturday. So if you don't want to see an endless supply of pictures, stop now!

This past Saturday we finally celebrated my Dad's marriage to Rika. They were actually officially married last June in Japan. But they didn't have any ceremony. So, Heidi, Tami and I have wanted to do something to celebrate. Awhile ago I asked my Dad if he would be comfortable and willing to exchange wedding vows with Rika in front of us kids so we could witness it. He said "yes", so we began thinking about what we would like to do.

So, last Saturday we finally were able to have the very special evening to commemorate their marriage. Our dear friends Randy and Evie came and he officiated the wedding ceremony. It was so special because he was able to have it in Japanese for Rika's sake and then in English for the rest of us.

We rented a tent and Heidi and Tami decorated the tables and hung lights. Biaggi's catered and had a waiter wait on us. It was SO much fun!! The weather was beautiful and the whole evening was memorable!

We are so thankful for Rika and the joy she has brought back to my Dad's life and consequently to our whole family unit.

So, here begins the pictures. The first one here is one that Tami took. So, I can't take any credit for it. I love it!


Here is one of me and Josh ready for the wedding in his bow tie. He and will dressed alike and they looked so cute.

Her bouquet


The little girls' bouquet that Heidi made for them. They LOVED carrying their own little flowers!


Some of the fun drinks Tami and Heidi provided





The pretty table...Heidi did the center piece...Tami did the ribbons on the chairs.


Heidi even made a smaller center piece for the kids' table...it was so cute. These three were waiting for Grandpa and Rika to come back from pictures.

One of the place settings


a closer look at the bows


One of my small contributions to the event...place cards


Our happy little Garrison...he is such an easy little baby. He drank his bottle during our appetizers and then went to sleep and slept the entire evening.


A couple shots of the hanging roses





Daddy and Rika coming back from getting their pictures taken and the ceremony. Our neighbor who has a Japanese garden kindly let us have the wedding ceremony at his place. It's the same place I got my wedding pictures taken.


Pulling their cart into the garage...for some reason I thought it looked so funny.


Aria with her candy necklace. Heidi made goodie bags for the kids full of fun stuff to keep them entertained during the evening.


Will enjoying his necklace


Josh showing me he had consumed an entire necklace


The boys in their bowties...I asked Will to smile for this picture and that's the face he made...so cute


Cutting the cake


Everyone watching


feeding eachother cake


I thought this one was kind of cute the way they are laughing


A glimpse into our relaxed and fun dinner


the tent that made it all feel so festive!


The DELICIOUS cake! I am not usually a fan of frosting but this was incredible!


My only other contribution to the evening was a music mix for background music. When we were done with the dinner the kids danced together. It was so cute to see Josh and Darci dancing together.


And Aria even got to dance with the groom...her Grandpa