Sarah & David's Wedding - 4th Nov 2011

I didn't think I was going to be at my sister Sarah's wedding, but right at the last minute (less than 2 weeks before the wedding) I decided I should go over for it. So I made all the travel plans and booked tickets, and on the 27th of October, Benjamin, Deborah and I got on a train and headed for Aberdeen. We stayed overnight in a Travelodge room and then got a taxi to the airport before 4am, to catch a 6am flight to Amsterdam! We probably could have slept longer, but it was good to be early and everything went smoothly. In Amsterdam we met up with Leah, Shona, and Brooklyn. Leah has pregnancy complications which means she's had to return to USA for medical care (since she was only on a 6 month visitor Visa in UK, she'd have to pay for everything - and if she ends up needing a C-section, that would be very expensive) so she's gone back to Texas early. Anyway, she was able to change her ticket and fly back on the same flight as we were taking from Amsterdam to Houston, so that was nice. We arrived in Houston on Friday afternoon - a bit exhausted, but glad to have arrived safely. It was nice to be there a week before Sarah's wedding - at least it meant we were a bit more awake by the day of the wedding!

Oh yes, I didn't mention where my other two children were! ;-) lol I decided to leave Abigail and Clement home with Peter, and only travel with 2 children. I didn't *really* have the energy for travelling at all - but thought it would be easier with only half the children! And I have to say, I realised how EASY it is to only have 2 children! :-O Not that I've ever regretted the 4 children I have - I am very thankful for them and happy with every child that God blesses me with. But it wouldn't be true to say it was *easy* having 4 young children - so it seemed "a piece of cake" to only have 2 for 12 days (even if I took the two more difficult ones, and left the easier two for Peter!). But I was so glad to see Abigail and Clement when I got back on Tuesday this week - I think Clement really missed me too. :(

OK, time for some photos. I didn't manage to get as many as I would have liked (nor are they very good quality) but I was mainly busy looking after my kids.

Sarah and Dave leaving the church


Anna (maid of honour) and Jonathan Schuit (best man)


The waiting limo, with some of the wedding party and ushers standing by


Bridesmaids Shelby (cousin) and Anna (my sister)


Ushers: Casey Kuiper (Dave's brother) and my brother Josh


Bride and Groom outside the church


Left to right: Rev John Macleod (minister who married them), Donald Freeke (from Scotland, of course - with the kilt on!), and Jeshurun Hembd.


Me, Deborah, and Benjamin (making a funny face)


Dave and Sarah with Anna


and again


My brothers Nathanael and Gerrit - also the photographers at the wedding (and very good at it too!)


The reception was at a lovely venue called The Hidden Palms.


Some of the guests waiting and chatting


My dear Benjamin - feeling rather nervous!


Me and the rascal!


Loving his sister! :)


Leah and Shona


The bridal party: Shelby, Leah, Anna, Sarah & Dave, Jonathan Schuit, Ben Kuiper, and Randy Winkels (all cousins of Dave).


Stephanie (married to my cousin Carl) with their youngest, Louis, and two of Dave's sisters, Margaret and Dena Kuiper.


The reception hall before everyone came in.


Some of the guests entering


My lovely little Deborah


Sarah and Dave entering the reception hall


Head table in the background


Guests at tables


My lovely sister Sarah, with me and Deborah. Deborah was *exhausted* after 5+ hours of being contained. But she really enjoyed it and wanted to shout and clap her hands while some of the speeches were being given. :)


Benjamin getting a hug from Aunty Sarah at the end of the day. Poor thing - he *really* didn't enjoy the day. He said there were too many people, too much noise (music, talking, clapping), and he *couldn't* understand why a wedding should be SOOOO long! He kept telling me "I *don't* like weddings! I want to go home!" He said "I only liked the practice wedding we went to the other day" (ie the rehearsal) as it was very quiet and there weren't many people there.

So, that's all the photos I've got from the wedding. I probably have a few more photos from our 10 days spent in Texas, which I might get round to posting eventually.