Esther's Wedding Shower at Straitgate Church

Last Saturday afternoon Esther was given a beautiful wedding shower at Straitgate church. I expected it to be very nice, because they always are.  But both Esther and I agreed afterward, that it was really wonderful.  

Bonnie, our gracious hostess and decorator!

She chose the theme "Grow and Bloom" since Esther and Ben will be married in the spring.

 I was able to incorporate the classical music I have prepared for the wedding reception as the background for the shower too!  And in this corner, Bonnie had spring birds singing!

The faithful kitchen crew always there early! Luisa and Elizabeth Watson, and Aaliyah Delaney.

Quote on this picture from Luther.  I love all of Bonnie's touches!

As usual, there were many, many details  included in the decorating that made it so special.  Bonnie included Esther's love of music!

And of course, seeds!

Esther and Janet Medford

Annie and Julie put 2 great games together for us. 

Here is the seed game. Very challenging, actually!

Carla Shir, Esther and me.  Carla gave a wonderful devotional on reaping and sowing.

Annie, Julie, and Debbie Holmquist

The only boy there that I saw was Jeremiah Watson.  He would not deign to come in, but he faithfully attended the door!

Rachel, Amy, and Laura Blesi

Betsy and Sarah Medford

 It was so very special to have Rhonda and Jenny Gilmer come.  Dear friends over all these years!

Sarah, Laurelyn, Betsy, and Laura

Kathy Wagner and Alicia Carmen

Esther and Jenny Gilmer

Brenda Simms, Cara Oelke, and Janet Medford

Jem, Jana, and Josie Lidberg played beautifully!

A very major highlight for Esther (and others) was the surprise video of both Ruth from Africa and Rebecca from Boston giving a special message to their little sister! It really touched Esther's heart and brought tears to her eyes.

We simply had dessert, punch, and coffee.  Delicious and perfect!

Elizabeth starting a bouquet of ribbons for Esther's use at the wedding rehearsal!

The gift opening...

How do you like their new "Chopin Liszt"?

A new hand-made apron from Hannah!

Gwen with the Holmquist ladies

Rebecca LaBarre came all the way in for the shower!

Esther, Elizabeth, and the finished bouquet.  Beautiful!

 We sorely missed the Magnuson girls, Tabitha, Angela and Amy, and others who couldn't make it.  But otherwise, the day really shined.  We truly have a church where the women, young and old, give with all their hearts to serve the LORD!  Esther will never doubt that she is greatly loved here! (And me too!)

A Few New Photos

Dad and I had the privilege of attending the funeral for Kelsea's grandmother, Jean Dunlap, today.  It was a beautiful, blue-skied day, though cold up in Ashland, WI.  The service focused appropriately on what a wonderful and amazing woman Jean (Regina) was in so many ways.  She will be terribly missed by all of her family. It was very nice to see David and Kelsea, and of course little Reid!

Isn't he cute!!

A house-warming party at Anne and Stephanie's new home!

It was so fun to see and talk to Barb after so long!

Anne in their kitchen. They were serving their wonderful scones for the guests.

Meeting Eve Noelle!

This photo taken by Becca after we left.

In early January, Timothy and I had the wonderful pleasure of a trip to Boston to spend time with the Williams family and to meet the newest member of the family, Eve Noelle!


 

Big sister, Charlotte, was sleeping when we arrived, but she got up and opened a couple of late Christmas gifts.

 The whole time we were there, Timothy pitched right in and helped with the kids! 

Science video kept Charlotte quite content!

 

Doing Science! Eve so sweetly sleeping!

One evening we all went for an outing at a large and fun furniture store.   At the entrance there is a wonderful candy store and in the hallways all around are flowers and other huge items made completely of Jelly Bellies!!  It is really pretty!

This is the ceiling of the candy store, made all out of Jelly Bellies!

 We walked around and looked at (and tried) some of the couches and chairs.

If you can't tell from the picture, Charlotte was in no mood to just sit still.

This was just our size!!

The Horse Room

 On leaving the furniture place, we stopped to have ice cream and watch the beautiful water light show!

Charlotte had a blast dancing with Daddy! I got a great video of it. 

I gave Eve her grandma blanket.
 

 And she smiled!

 Charlotte is living up to the role of a big sister very well!

Charlotte and me in our matching sweaters