Off we go...still...

We weren't quite finished with our northern vacation after Montana, so we headed for the airport again and boarded a plane back to SLC rather than home. Ben's younger brother Jacob had recently become engaged and was planning a wedding for the middle of July in the great state of Utah since both he and his bride were students and athletes at Brigham Young University. We again found our way to a rental car and pointed the car south to Provo to check in to a hotel right next to the University.

Provo is beautiful this time of year with warm temperatures, but not hot heat. The mountain air is dry and we could have spent many hours outside enjoying the summer Wasatch Front. Of course we had to make a trip to campus and met up with some of the Cosby clan who were starting to arrive for the big day! We wandered around the Wilkinson Student Center and enjoyed Belle's favorite BYU treat...a LaVell's Vanilla ice cream cone. We danced through the BYU Ballroom where Alex, Tara and I all studied the foxtrot and samba many moons ago. We sat on the grass outside and chatted and we looked at the funny statues by the MOA. It was a fun relaxing afternoon and BYU is such a beautiful campus to visit.

Isabelle and Olivia loved seeing all of their Cosby cousins who were arriving from all over for their Uncle Jacob's wedding. Once again Belle and Lincoln were the best of friends and this time we had to explain just why it wasn't a good idea to marry your cousin! They all had fun running and playing in the mountain air and loved all of the special activities that go along with getting families together to celebrate.

Jacob and Lauren were sealed in the Mount Timpanogos Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Thursday July 14th, 2011. It was a lovely ceremony and Ben and I made it on time mostly this go around! (We caused the ceremony to be delayed slightly for his brother Sam's sealing.) Lauren and Jacob looked beautiful and were filled with love for one another. Isabelle was so enamoured with the idea of being a bride and being so dressed up with makeup and flowers and loved every minute of the day.
After the ceremony we enjoyed a yummy lunch and a few hours of rest before heading to the reception for the evening. Ben and I felt very fortunate that Grammie and Grandpa made a special trip back to Utah from Montana just in time to help with the girls on the wedding day which allowed Ben and I to fully enjoy the Cosby celebration. Little Olivia is always thrilled to go with Grammie and Grandpa and it was nice to not chase her around the wedding luncheon and late into the night at the reception.

After trying to keep the girls fully dressed with hair bows and smiling for the photographer, it was finally time to cut a rug and party at the reception. The food was yummy, the decorations were lovely and the music was great. Livi had fun for a while but then thankfully was taken back to the hotel with my parents to hit the sack. Meanwhile, Belle and her cousins took the reception by storm and made the Cosby family proud showing off their dance moves.

It was a beautiful day and we were grateful that we were able to share in the special moment with Jacob and Lauren. After a sparkler send off, the bride and groom were on their way and Isabelle finally realized that it was WAY past her bedtime and crashed in the car as we headed to the hotel.



Sadly, after many days, states, rental cars, beds, and activities it was finally time to board our last flight back to San Antonio, TX. The girls were rock stars like usual on the plane and we were even complimented as we exited the aircraft by the stewardesses on what great parents we were and what sweet children we have! Wow! (This is why we travel like we do...because the girls choose these moments to shine so happily!) We were instantly greeted by the humid and scorching hot Texas sun and knew that we were officially home. Like everything else, all good things must come to an end and we were all glad to unpack our suitcase and sleep in our own beds that night. It was a busy and adventurous vacation and we are grateful for all of the fun family memories we made along the way. Is it vacation time again yet???