Family Reunion & a Wedding!!!

Life has been great! It's been filled to the brim with all sorts of fun things (most of which I can't remember, but trust its been good) At the end of July my family (Coleman's) had their reunion. It was fun going over to help my parents get the house ready for it all. This year was a pretty neat year because it was the first time since our wedding that all 12 siblings were together! And the icing on the cake was one of my aunt & uncles came all the way from NY (who most of us haven't seen for 14 or 15 years! We were missing 2 brother in laws :(  I think the total number was 57, not too bad for our little family :)

The first day was filled with hello's & hugs. That evening we had a family home evening. The second day the family went on a hike & played games & ate lunch...sadly we missed out on that fun. After they all got back the guys went over to my brothers for a bachelor party (they watched & made fun of a movie) for our baby brother Mark. He & his sweet fiance (now wife) decided to be married that Saturday in the Denver temple, since we were all there anyways :) While the guys were gone the girls crafted & baked wedding cakes. That evening we all went to the base pool my parents rented out. That helps a ton with as many kids as we have we didn't have to worry about anybody else there. Grant had a blast splashing, playing basketball & busting his lip & chin on a concrete turtle they put right in the middle of a kiddie pool!!! Who does that? He's one tough cookie though & his chin is almost healed all the way up. After we got home from the pool the girls had to leave for the bridal shower (woman are way better party planners:) My sister in laws had games & yummy food. It was so fun to get to know our new sister and a little about all the other ones too! Oh it was also the first time some of us met our other new sister, Mike's wife Collette. LOVE HER!! After a late night of laughing, we headed home & prepped for the wedding day!!!

I woke up early to make their flowers. Then we headed back to my parents to have some family pictures taken. After some short crazy down time and lunch we all packed back up to head to the temple. There was horrible traffic & we were all late (even the bride & groom) but it was late enough in the day they had no other weddings so they waited. It really was only 15 mins. later. The neat part was being the in sealing room that 5 of the siblings were sealed in...including us! That is always a sweet reminder being there and watching a new couple embark on that beautiful path.

I was in charge of the photos...AHHH! It was really fun being with the new couple for a bit. When we got home there was a party all night long...well until we dropped of exhaustion:) I dare say we went out with a big bang on this year's reunion!  John & I stayed the night so we could go to church the next morning with whoever was left in town. After church we said our goodbyes and headed home to nap & nap & nap.

It was a crazy week & we loved every minute of it. Can't wait for the next one. Now we are getting back into schedules & day to day life. Ok that was an ear full. Enjoy some pics.

my arms got a work out:)

bridal shower

one of my favorites!

everyone there

all the daughters

mark with the sisters

the whole clan

our fun attempt at a grandchild pic. you can spot a few screaming children in there...Mr. G included.

how we spend our days

pure sweetness

I'm a lucky mama!

Updates on Grant these days....we are working on following instructions & being gentle. He weights 18.2 lbs!!!! He is slowly trying new foods, as in he will actually try them which is HUGE! Gives real kisses with the mwa noise & everything...melts our hearts. Ok he just woke up from a nap so it means this post is finished:)