The Seymore's are here!

 

Everyone is so thrilled the Seymore's are here from Germany this Christmas!  They feel very fortunate to be here because of Covid, and the military was only allowing one person from Garrett's dental office to leave, and he still had to work hard to push the paperwork to be here now.  The traveled all day Monday and arrived that night, and we got to see that Tuesday afternoon.  It's been since last August that they were here.

Elliot showing off how tall he is!  Since he last saw them he has surpassed Mom, me, Julie, and Ruth in hight.  Not Nora yet.  Damon and Rupert were playing soldier/guards to Beatrix and Aubrey.  Aubrey and Bea really look like cousins in these photos.  Cousins everywhere and the Seymore kids have grown so much!

Jason wanted to show Rupert how to make snowflakes for the windows, and later Julie wrote out the "welcome home" banner we all decorated for Mom and Dad's return today!  Mom and Dad had their last day on their mission Monday, set off Tuesday and have been traveling the last couple days.

Seymore Family

Ever since I saw this picture I've wanted to take photos in a cotton field.  Dreamy right?!!  This photo shoot was a wish come true and I'm really pleased with how they turned out.  I've taken pictures of the Seymore family every year and they are such a photogenic little family.

Nora Maternity shoot

Nora was born to be a mother and now she has the sweetest little baby girl Maggie who is already a few months old.  But Nora was adorable pregnant too.  It's funny seeing her hair long here because after Maggie was born she chopped several inches.  New life, new hair.  I did the same thing after Avery was born.

N & G one year

Somehow a year has already come and gone since Nora and Garrett got married.

While taking these pictures I couldn't help but remember where I was in my life when Andrew and I reached our one year wedding anniversary.  We were living in England, pregnant with Elliot, most likely hanging out with our good friends, Michelle and Riley Weber, who happened to be studying abroad at Hull University but both from Mesa.  Those were some really hard but good times.  I missed home but the Webers helped with that.  We went on day trips with them and had a lot of fun.

It's funny that when you reach the one year mark it seems like such a long time but then couples married much longer just chuckle when you mention that.  A lot happens in that first year as you get to learn what it's like to be married to someone and live together and figure out how to compromise and be patient in ways you've never had to before.  It's also a very special time where you're very much in love and smitten by your spouse.  I have enjoyed watching Nora and Garrett go through this learning process.

In reality, the learning never ends.

Which one is your favorite picture?

I really like the third one but the last one is so romantic.

N & G engagement photos

N & G wedding photos part 1

N & G wedding photos part 2

N & G wedding {part 2}

Out of 7 weddings in my family (including mine)

this was one of my favorite.

I felt pretty, the back yard was beautiful,

and I was surrounded by family and friends.

Aren't weddings wonderful?

This is my favorite picture of my parents.

I love how my mom is helping my dad

with his boutonniere just like my mom

helped me with my high school date's.

Diana was such a sweet maid of honor

and she looks fabulous in orange,

which happens to be her favorite color.

Here's the best man.

Nora has nannied Jenee and Ivan Prince's kids for 6 years.

She refers to them as "her kids".

Jenee was a big part of the wedding reception.

[On a side note I did Nora's hair for the reception.

I was so worried it wouldn't turn out

but she looks beautiful no matter what.]

Doesn't Julie look fabulous

just 3 weeks after delivery?

I wish I took more pictures of the actual reception

but here are some photos of my friends.

[The Webers on the left, Reachel in the middle, Julie and Jonny on the right.]

Considering Nora loves ice cream so much, the sundae bar was perfect.

The bride and groom left in style.

[the end]

N & G wedding {part 1}

Are you ready for some Nora and Garrett wedding pictures?

I thought so.

[Above I'm holding the maid of honor's bouquet.]

Nora made a count down chain to the big day.

I though it was cute they had a #0 to indicate the big day.

I thought most chains ended at #1.

* *

The sealing was just perfect for the newly weds

and I was honored to be in the bride's room for

Nora, Julie, and Louise to help with

the dress and make-up after they were sealed.

As usual, the groom took longer than the bride to

get ready before exiting the temple.

Could it be the groom isn't used to wearing so many layers?

[Whoa, I really do have bad posture!]

The weather was excellent, although a little on the warm side,

but it was a lovely day to be outside.

They did it!

What a cute couple!

Garrett carried the all-white suit very well.

[Above is the traditional family "Ooo" photo]

Before the reception started we were able

to take some family pictures.

Here are a few I was able to capture.

[Stapley & Seymore family men]

[parents of the bride]

[parents of the groom]

Here are all my siblings and their families.

My family is growing so fast!

[Louise, Stanley, and Steven Johnson]

[DJ, Sara, and Joseph Stapley]

[Peter, Emily, Dean, and Robinson Stapley]

[Chris, Kristy, Dillon, Lizette Stapley]

[Julie, James, and Josie Manning]

[Ruth Stapley]

Why is it so hard to get a good family

picture where everyone is looking

at the camera and smiling perfect?

Andrew always told me

"It's the imperfections that make us beautiful."

I love that my kids are wiggly and full of energy!

Bachelorette party

Before I jump into wedding photos

I needed to share these ones.

Nora had a fabulous bachelorette party

2 nights before the big day at Applebees.

{ the group }

There was gift opening, words of wisdom, singing, and lots of laughs!

I think Nora had a really fun time.

* *

I was able to snap a few shots of her dress the morning of the big day.

Nora was married in the Mesa Arizona Temple

and my mom accidentally grabbed Julie's wedding dress instead of Nora's.

Ooops! Good thing they checked when they got there

so we were able to make a quick switch.

The question is: why isn't Julie's dress at her house?

I just love the simple elegance of her gown.

It's so Nora.

Can you believe she bought it sleeveless?

Yea, someone added sleeves to it.

* *

I had to share these pictures of me

and my precious little niece, Josie.

What a little sweet heart.