Jay and Sarah Collins' Wedding

We've been part of the same small group at church for 10 years now. Jay and Sarah Collins are also part of the group. They are like family to us... we see them more often than family, in fact! Ava is smitten with Mr. Jay. We were honored when they asked if Ava would be the flower girl in their November 14, 2009 wedding. Ava was also a flower girl in Aunt Tracy and Uncle Tim's wedding on October 10th, so she had a little practice before the Collins / Lanning wedding. :-)

Ava did REALLY well! She walked down the LONG aisle all by herself, scattering flowers along the way. She did well during the ceremony, too. It was a long ceremony for a three year-old to stand still through, but she did SO WELL!

Doug and Liam ended-up heading out into the lobby during the ceremony, as Liam was getting a little bit "squirrely". After the wedding, I ended-up taking Liam out to the car and driving home. He was wiped out! Doug and Ava stayed for the church wedding reception. Later that night, we all went together to the reception at Sugo's for close friends and family. It was a fun weekend.

We're so happy for Jay and Sarah, and wish them an eternity of happiness!

Peace, love and flower petals,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Ava at the rehearsal, holding Miss Laura's hand (maid of honor)

The wedding rehearsal

Flower girl Ava and Laura, the maid of honor

Taking a break during rehearsal

Rehearsal

The rehearsal

The rehearsal. Ava wouldn't walk back down the aisle with the ring bearer, so the maid of honor and best man (Jay's Dad) all walked down together.

Shelly, Melissa Baillairge and Ava at the rehearsal dinner. Ava was a party animal! She really enjoyed her strawberries and chocolate and stayed up WAY past her bedtime. ;-)

Friends at the rehearsal dinner. Jeremy and Spencer Duncan came in from Nashville for the rehearsal / wedding. Marsha drove down for the wedding with Preston and Aidyn the next day.

Fast friends: Ava and Spencer

Shelly and Ava at the rehearsal dinner

Shelly, Anna Fletcher and Melissa Baillairge

Ava enjoying her strawberries and chocolate.

Kelly Martin (Jay's sister), Anna Fletcher and Melissa Baillairge

Ava, Jay and Spencer

Shelly and Doug at the rehearsal dinner. Doug cut his hand with a box cutter while working on a project. They glued his incision and gave him a split to help it heal more quickly.

The happy couple at the rehearsal dinner.

Kenyon and Anna Fletcher

The flower girl before performing her duties.

Sarah, while getting ready for the wedding

Beautiful flowers!

It's official! I love Jay's face in this one.

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Collins, after exchanging vows.

Ava, right after the wedding

Ava and Shelly at the wedding reception.  Blurry, but proof we were there. :)

And the professional pictures (although some were scanned low-resolution).

While In Michigan: Hangin' With the Careys

Wow... Where to start?  We had so much fun seeing everyone in Michigan and attending Tracy and Tim's wedding.  We were able to:  head to Lipuma's, attend the rehearsal, attend the rehearsal dinner, Shelly was able to shop for Tracy's bachelorette party, attend the bachelorette party at a pub in Royal Oak / head to the comedy club with the girls and then to Sangria afterward.  The kids had such a blast with their cousins!

Here are some pictures from the trip, other than those taken at the wedding. 

Peace, love and pre-wedding festivities,

Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

A toast given by Tim's Dad at the rehearsal dinner, to Tim and Tracy's marriage.

Liam having a meal at Grandma and Grandpa Carey's

Cousin dance party with Maddie and Trinity.

Putting Liam down on the grass, he did NOT want his hands or feet to touch. 

This was so funny to watch!

Still not wanting his feet or hands to touch the ground.

Still not wanting them to touch...

The kids love this coloring table at the Careys' house.  

Giving Liam a kiss before heading to Tracy's bachelorette party.

Jim's many creations from wood.  He is seriously talented!

A chessboard Jim made for Tracy and Tim. 

Notice the T & T on the side.

Quite a few different puzzles Jim made of wood and painted.

He's amazing, isn't he?

Sydney and Payton playing on the pinball machine.

Miss Sydney

Kristy at the rehearsal dinner.

Kathy at the rehearsal dinner.

Maddie and Sydney at the rehearsal dinner.

Shelly and Doug at the rehearsal dinner.

Joe and Kristy at the rehearsal dinner.

I absolutely love this little guy in overalls.  Is there anything cuter?