CHAPTER THREE: Whitney Goes to the Temple

It was such a special day when Whitney went through the temple for the first time. It was the Wednesday before the wedding and everyone in both immediate families were there except for Ryan's brother and sister-in-law who were in Atlanta. It was great being there with everyone (except Liz of course) and so nice to share it with the MacLaurin's. They are an awesome family and we're so happy to have them to share Whitney and Ryan with! It was so funny when we walked out after the session and I looked at Karen and we were wearing almost identical outfits: white linen skirts, white shirts, and orange vest or jacket! Afterwards we went to Tommy Bahama's for dinner and just enjoyed the calm before the storm!


























We're off to San Francisco tomorrow for the weekend with everyone- except Emma who'll be staying with Aunt Marcia- to fulfill a life long dream of Lynn's- visit Alcatraz!! So it will be a few days until CHAPTER FOUR: The Day Before!! Until then, love to all!

CHAPTER TWO: Parties, parties, parties!

The Bridal Shower: So what would an engagement be without some showers?? This is Whit and all the bridesmaids. Some sweet ladies in our ward gave Whit a bridal shower where she received lots of fun things. All the girls but Chels could be there and we missed her lots! This is the game where everytime she got an answer wrong that Ryan had said she had to put a piece of gum in her mouth- she didn't do very well!!

The Bachelorette Party: The week before the wedding Whitney's friends Sydney and Kat planned a last evening out. Her high school friends and her sisters had a limo pick them up and they went out for dinner and then to Dave and Busters. I think her sisters had the most fun just makeing fun of themselves- notice their name tags on the pic below!














So tomorrow...Chapter Three- Whit goes to the temple.

AT LAST!!!

So I have finally decided I cannot slack off any longer- it is time to start blogging again. Who knew a wedding could take so much time and emotional energy, you would think with this being the third one I've had to deal with I would have been prepared, but not me. I think I've really just wanted to enjoy remembering how special the time was without having to look at pictures and write about it all!! So, I'll start at the beginning.....

CHAPTER ONE: The Beach Bonfire for Whit's 20th Bday

I feel like the wedding parties started on May 19th when we had a bonfire at the beach for Whit's birthday. It was so cold, but the guys got a blazing inferno going which warmed us all quite well. Everyone was home and the Penney family joined in as well as Sydney. You just can't go wrong on a great California evening with a party at the beach!









The cute birthday girl and Ryan, all the cousins together

Aunt Marcia and Emma









Dan- the master marshmellow toaster, others trying to imitate him!
Miss Sophie at her first bonfire.

I had every intention to write a 10 great things list for Whit on her birthday, but time got away from me and now here it is a month later! So I'll end Chapter One of the Wedding Saga with

The Top Ten Reasons we Love our Twitter Bug:
10. She finished our family not with a whimper, but with a roar!
9. She can truly burp louder than anyone I've ever heard and still look cute!
8. She is stubborn and strong-willed which used to be tough when she was little, but is great now!
7. She is the absolute best auntie in the world and is always willing to play!
6. She married Ryan and made him a part of our family!
5. She loves her dad to pieces and is always willing to spend time with him!
4. She is a loyal and loving sister!
3. She has a great sense of humor and makes the best comments on life!
2. She still looks like our little 12 year old we thought would always stay our baby!
1. She makes life fun for us all!

So, stay tuned, Chapter Two next- The Shower, the Temple, and dinner!

I Think my Husband has Lost It!!!

So....those of you who knows us very well know that my husband Lynn has issues with motercycles and ATVs. Why just last year he about killed himself by rolling- yes rolling- a very large ATV over himself while trying to ride up the side of the Y mountain in Provo. This was just the last in a series (I can say series because there were more than three incidents) of accidents he has had while riding motorized vehicles too fast and recklessly. We had a long talk after the accident last year and he agreed that he probably shouldn't ride them because he likes to go fast, very fast. Imagine my surprise when I got into the office on Tuesday after being gone for over a week to find a brochure for Vespas on my desk. I thought maybe Marcia had been looking at them, but when I asked her she told me that no, Lynn was looking at them. So I asked him and he told me he had stopped at the dealership and had looked but not much else. Even more to my surprise I found out Thursday that he and Lindsey were going to the dealership to pick out colors. So, today at 6PM the doorbell rang and when I answered it there was a nice man with a big grin on his face saying "Here are your Vespas!" The kids are thrilled and even with the many rules- no riding out of our development, always wear a helmet, no riding at night, no speeding and so on. They are pretty fun to ride and I somehow feel very European zipping around the block on it!!

Presenting Dr. Jon C. Fairbanks

Just a few quick pictures before we leave Louisville. We had a great day yesterday- graduation was awesome and watching all the big smiles on the faces of the new doctors and their families was so sweet. Heading out in a few hours back to California with Emma, Sophie (who is a great baby, by the way), Mandy, Lynn and I. Jon and his dad are leaving on Tuesday with the truck. So on to the wedding!!!

It's the Big Guy's Birthday!

So yes, today Lynn turns 52- and he doesn't seem a day over 40!! Tonight we went out to his favorite restaurant, Ruth's Chris, and all pigged out on steaks, fish, and dessert. It's been an awful, awful week for him- one of our superintendents was diagnosed with liver cancer and his phone has not stopped ringing, but he just carries on. So to honor him-

The Top Ten List of Why We Love the Big Guy:
10. He remains unfazed even when mass chaos is erupting all around him- and can I tell you how often that happens!
9. He never ever asks me what I've spent on something for the house or how much a wedding is costing him.
8. He will wear pastel gingham shirts, while still remaining masculine- need I say more?
7. He is incredibly sentimental when it comes to his children and grandchildren and loves them with every fiber of his being- how many men do you know that will tell a young man who has just asked to marry his daughter that as far as he was concerned that young man "completed her"?
7A. He loves his sons-in-law and respects them and loves to take them fishing.
6. He respects women and truly believes that they are the greatest thing the Lord created and that he is truly blessed to have so many in his life. It puzzles him when people ask him if he's sad he doesn't have a son and he just smiles and says no.
6A. He loves the dogs almost as much as his children- and even tolerates the cat.
5. When his fourth daughter was born he said "Thank God, it's another little girl" to which everyone teared up and laughed at the same time.
4. He is dedicated to his business and takes great pride in doing his best. He is not only ethical in his dealings but generous to his employees.
3. He looks smoking hot when he drives his new car with his sunglasses on and his cool goatee (sorry girls)!
3A. He has started working out and is dedicated to having a strong, healthy body.
2. He arranged so that every Thursday fresh flowers are delivered to our house. He tries hard to be a loving and romantic husband.
1. He is true to his beliefs and never wavers from his testimony of our Savior and sets a great example of the Priesthood.

The Ice Machine Does Indeed Work!!!

So today the dishwasher and ice machine were installed!! Lynn and I were at the office till after six and when we came home it had lots of ice in it. The ice is perfect- the right size, taste, and texture. Whit thinks it's pretty spectacular too! We have decided that we are going to package little plastic bags of ice and have Whitney sell it on the corner- people will come from miles around for the amazing ice. Tomorrow they are coming to install the gianourmous fridge- I can hardly wait to go shopping to fill it up- oh wait, I really just need to get diet coke and sugar snap peas! We are seriously melancholy cause it's still 8 or 9 days till I get to see baby Sophie and even more for Lynn- this is the pits!