Shortly after Christmas, our family packed up our van and headed north for a whirlwind wedding trip. One of my cousins was getting married, and the entire Walquist clan from Texas was traveling to Missouri for the occasion. I was eager to have our kiddos meet some extended Walquist relatives that they had not yet met.
On the first day of our drive, our family stopped at this yummy chocolate factory outlet in Corsicana, TX. The boys were practically drooling over all the tasty chocolate options here. We ended up purchasing a pack of bloopers (supposedly imperfect chocolates, but they tasted and looked just fine to us!!). What a great stop!
We stayed at the same hotel as Matt and Kim's family on the first night. Getting a chance to swim in the hotel pool is always a huge highlight for all the cousins!
Adley did enjoy her time in the water, but her very favorite things to do were to climb up and down... and up and down... and up and down this pool ladder AND to walk along the edge of the pool. I'm not sure why she was so interested in doing the most dangerous things possible!
Another highlight for the kids (okay, yes, for the adults as well!) was visiting the popular Central Dairy ice cream shop in Jefferson City. Our family actually visited Central Dairy twice-- once as we came into town with Matt and Kim's family and another time after the wedding with the entire Walquist crew. This place serves the largest banana splits EVER. Our desserts both times were delicious!
My cousin Rilee's rehearsal dinner was an Ugly Christmas Sweater themed event. Jaden and Cody were very proud to put on their homemade Christmas shirts.
Adley didn't mind wearing hers either. She was particularly excited about the tutu.
All the cousins looked so cute!
Even the adults got in on the sweater-wearing fun. :)
The kids' favorite part of the rehearsal dinner was playing cards with one of my other cousins, Brielle. She was fun and spunky and gave the kids so much attention. My kids loved her immediately!
Rilee and Chris' wedding was held in a university chapel in Columbia. The most touching part of the ceremony was when Rilee and Chris washed each other's feet to symbolize their love for one another and desire to serve each other like Jesus throughout their lives together. Here are the kiddos with Brielle after the ceremony.
At the reception, we finally got our first good pics of the bride and groom. :) Rilee's sister Macy was the maid of honor and gave a wonderful toast.
Since August, Chris and Rilee have been doing a teaching stint on a Native American reservation in northern Montana. Someone told us that their students from Montana had cut out hundreds of snowflakes to be used as decorations for this wedding.
The DJ for the reception was great. Adley absolutely LOVED twirling and grooving on the dance floor with Daddy and Mommy, her aunts and uncles, cousins, and even all on her own.
Jaden and Cody danced for just a handful of songs and then were more interested in playing cards with their cousins in the corner. They did get up and dance the floss with Mommy during the mother-son dance, though! :)
Dancing smiles all around... :)
Congratulations and God's blessings to Rilee and Chris! We enjoyed celebrating you and pray for many years of joy in each other and in Jesus!
