Callie Tew (pronounced "two") & Mike Beidler (pronounced buy-d-ler (not beedler))were married on September 3rd, 2011. We were able to spend the long Labor Day weekend to celebrate this event. (The charger to my camera was ruined by one of my children (the middle one) and so I was unable to take any pictures in Idaho. However, in an attempt to get caught up on the ol' bloggy blog, I'm going to post this and then add pictures as I get them from family members. )
Emily & Miley, Owen, Madi, Han, and I drove to Idaho Friday morning. Spencer had put the luggage carrier on top of our Mitsubishi and Jeff & Emily brought their luggage over the night before so we really just woke up, got the boys off to school, loaded everyone in carseats, and headed north. Emily came prepared with children's music CDs, toys, treats, etc to keep the babies happy throughout the long 3.5 hour drive. Callie & Mike got to Blackfoot about an half hour before us. When we arrived, mom had prepared lunch and we all stretched our legs for a while before going to the church. Dad picked up a trailer full of rental equipment for the wedding & reception and Ryan, No'el, & girls met us there to help unload and set up. (On Wednesday, my mom hurt her foot at work and had to have it x-rayed, only to find out it was a really bad sprain and she was fitted with a big, black walking boot. The doctor told her she should wear the boot often, to support her ankle while it healed, and she was a little nervous about having to rely on everyone else to do the work.) The set up went so much smoother than anyone really thought it would and we were unloaded and set up (for the most part) within a couple of hours. Spencer, Jeff, and the school-aged boys drove our Saturn to Idaho and left after Spence got off work and the boys & Jeff were finished with school. They arrived just as we were finishing at the church. That evening, the girls and babies went to a bridal shower for my cousin, Hugh's fiancee. The men & boys went to Melina's for chips, salsa, and fried ice cream. We stayed the night at our friends' house. (Thanks Dan & Krissy for letting us take over your home.)
Saturday was full of running around, trying to get ready for the wedding. Mom & Dad purchased a 6-foot long sandwich for lunch. Spencer & I went to pick it up, unsure of how it would fit in our car. Luckily, No'el was able to bring it home in her nearly empty mini van. It was probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten...and from Wal-Mart!!! So good and satisfying. We all got dressed and ready for the wedding. My boys looked so handsome in black pants, white shirts, and yellow ties. Madi & our nieces were in black, white, & yellow dresses. So pretty. We met at the church at 5:30 for pictures. Our cousin, Ruth, was the photographer. We are excited to see the pictures soon. Callie asked me to play the piano while people were arriving for the wedding. I was a little worried about what I should play as she walked down the aisle. She & Mike helped me pick 4 or 5 songs, including "The Married Life" from "Up", which is what I was playing as she was escorted down the aisle by my dad. Gavin, Owen, Avery, and Jette sang "You Are So Beautiful" and Cameron & Abbie sang "To Me." Cameron got a little choked up and couldn't sing for a while. He's got such a tender heart. Abbie did a great job. Then Bishop Keith Keller gave a few pieces of advice and performed the actual marriage ceremony. No'el then sang a medley of "We've Only Just Begun" and "The Promise." She is such a natural performer, we are blessed to have her as part of our family. The transition from wedding to reception went very smoothly as chairs & tables were moved and refreshments were set out. They served cheesecake with a variety of toppings. Miley, Madi, and Han were pretty tired and getting a little grouchy so Jeff & Spencer took the babies home about half way through the reception and put them to bed. Then Spence came back to help clean up.
Callie & Mike came back to my parents house on Sunday morning and we all watched them open their gifts. Then they left for their honeymoon in Vegas and the rest of us went to the Moreland 1st Ward. It's always nice to attend your home ward. Then we went to Ryan & No'el's for Grilled Hamburgers and fresh-cut Idaho fries! My dad was working at the EISF so he missed out and we missed him. We really enjoyed visiting until late that evening.
Monday morning we got ready to head back to Utah. Owen had had a rough night and was feeling a little flu-ish. Then Gavin started complaining that he didn't feel well either. Our usual 3.5 hour drive took more like 5 hours as we had to stop multiple times with sick kids. I won't go in to detail but will say that Owen & Gavin ended up riding home without carseats because they were both soiled about 15 minutes after we left Grandma's! We were glad to have the rest of Monday to relax and get ready for another week...unfortunately, Spencer and I were both a little under the weather Tuesday. Overall, it was a wonderful weekend full of many memories & fun.
