Matthew and Jackie's Party

It's Monday so that means that it's time for another post. We had such a great weekend in Van Vleck. Matthew and Jackie's party was a blast. We got in around 9:00 Friday night. Sawyer did great in the car. We figured out from our Christmas trip that Sawyer needs me in the backseat with him during the last half of the trip. I was able to keep him entertained with various toys and even a couple of cookies. He doesn't seem to need us for the first half because he is usually napping. We left around the time of his afternoon nap both times so that seems to work out really well. I think we'll do that when we go back next month.

Saturday was also a big day because I was away from Sawyer from 10:30-5:00. That's the longest I've been away from him since he was born. I went to the hall in Needville to help decorate with Jackie, her sister Brenda, Mom, Aunt Net, Tammy, and Tracy while Sawyer stayed with Lorne, Larry, and Velma. Everything turned out really pretty. Tammy is really a pro at decorating. She designed the centerpieces. I told her that it's a shame that she's a successful dentist because she could make a mint at decorating for parties, showers, and weddings.

I'm posting lots of pictures. I wanted to really capture the day since Dad, Aunt Tisha, and Uncle Larry were unable to be there. Mr. Gibbens walked in and my heart leapt in my chest because I just knew that Dad was close by. I found out later that he's been down for a week waiting to do some work in Houston. It has been great knowing that Dad isn't alone in Wyoming because the Gibbens' are there as well. It wasn't the same without Dad there but I think that it was still a fun day.


The color scheme was really beautiful.


The registration table included pictures of Matthew and Jackie and the sign-in book.


The gift table.


Mom lighting the candles.


Matthew and Jackie in front of her cake. The topper was a groom with a ball and chain.


Feeding the bride's cake.


Cutting Matthew's cake.


Feeding each other the groom's cake.


These are pictures of Matthew's first squirrel, first fish, a picture of he and Mark holding their BB guns, and pictures of him fishing with friends. They were part of the groom's table decorations.


Matthew and Jackie during Mark's toast.


Bottom's up!


The boys.


Mark, Matthew, Jackie, and Jennifer.


Tracy fixed my hair for the party. I think that she did a great job!


Kristi, Fran, Mom, and Norma. They were talking about Extreme Makeover Home Edition being in East Bernard this week.


I had to have a picture with my brothers.


David, Gunner, Nell, David T., and Grace. Gunner is three and Grace is three months. I've known David since I was four years old.


Mom and Dad's friends: Bob, Fran, Karen, Trevor, Gena, Ed, Mike, Vicki, Darve, Jordan, Norma, Mrs. Betty, and Joe. The ladies call each other the Magnolias from the movie Steel Magnolias.


Rachael and Tommy are getting married on February 11th. We're looking forward to it!


Sawyer with Nanny.


Sawyer gave Brittany a helping hand while she took this picture.

I didn't take many pictures once the dance began because I was having too much fun dancing. Mom, Aunt Net, Tammy, and Aunt Dodie watched Sawyer in the kitchen so that I could enjoy myself during the dance. I'll try to take more pictures of the family at Rachael's wedding. I mostly danced with Brandon. He is a former roommate of Mark and is like another brother to me. He is hands down the best dancer I know, although nobody waltzes like my daddy. :) He and his wife Deanna came down from San Antonio. Brandon told me that he would dance with me three times. It was great because I think we actually danced five or six at least. I would have been happy with just one. I told him that I had to share him now since he's married and all. :) Lorne loves when Brandon's around because that takes the dancing pressure off of him. I think that if Lorne had the choice he'd prefer a root canal to a night of dancing.

Speaking of dancing, I actually lead the grand march with Jackie's best friend Jennifer. It was a hoot! It was only a fraction of the kind of march that Mom's cousin Gus and his wife Joan normally lead, but we did our best. Mom knows how to lead but she wouldn't do it without Dad. I guess that it's hard to dance with someone else when you've been dancing with the same person for over thirty-six years.


Matthew and Jackie cuttin' a rug.


The father-daughter dance.


The mother-son dance. My camera was too slow to get a picture with both of their faces...darnit!


Sawyer and Jackie during the Dollar Dance.

We also had a good time on Sunday. Brittany, Tyler, and Jordan spent Saturday night at Larry and Velma's so Ty and Jamie came for lunch on Sunday. Mom was also there to spend some more time with Sawyer. He napped for two hours so we had to set the egg timer while he was awake so that everyone could hold him. Velma made a delicious pork roast with mashed potatoes with gravy, broccoli with cheese sauce, peas, and pineapple-upside-down-cake. I ate everything but the peas and the cake but the rest was wonderful! We took a few pictures before everyone had to leave.


Tyler, Brittany, Jordan, and Sawyer.


I like this pose better but Britt and Jordan are looking at Jamie and Tyler and Sawyer are looking at me.


Sawyer and Mimi.


Sawyer and Nana.


I hate to publish this with the drool all over my arm and shoulder, but Lorne and Sawyer look too cute not to. I was telling Sawyer to smile when Velma snapped the shot.

I hope that everyone has a great week!