The Keele Family: November 2009

(the pic included in their wedding announcement, not our work) :)

We went to Palm Springs 2 weeks ago for my brother Ben's wedding. All my brothers and sisters were there with their families and we all had poolside rooms right next to each other. It was so fun to spend some time together since we all live in different states. We got in late Friday night and stayed up late visiting, but Quincy still woke up at 6:30 a.m. to go swimming and of course he easily convinced his Grandpa Roger to go with him (always willing to take the kids swimming). Eventually all the cousins joined him too.

We even got the happy groom to take a dip in the hot tub on the morning of his wedding.

Darren and Grandpa Roger with 8 of his 15 grandchildren.

Hanging out with the family by the pool on the morning of the wedding.

We got just enough sun to thaw us out before returning to Iowa. :)

Darren's family even made the trip down from Nevada and got there just in time to help get the boys dressed for the wedding. Darren's Dad and sister Emily were finally able to meet baby Tucker for the first time.

Emily held the baby . . .

. . . while Grammie sewed a hole in Darren's pants . . .

. . . and Poppie played football with the boys while I got myself ready.

(What would we do without help from family? I just wish we lived closer.)

Quincy getting ready for the wedding to start.

Quincy, cousin Colby, and Stratton

I loved watching Ben's face as he got a glimpse of Sunshine for the first time in her wedding dress.

She looked absolutely stunning!

His face is priceless as he watched his beautiful bride walk down the aisle. Definitely a man in love!

Sunshine's dad, who is a Stake President for the church in Arizona, performed the ceremony.

It's official! Husband and wife!

Darren with some of his roomies from BYU. My brother is actually how Darren and I met and started dating eventually. Yes, Darren married the little sister. :)

The couples

Me with my twin cousins, Allison and Marcie.

Dancing under the lights

We had such a great time. Stratt was absolutely exhausted and about to pass out with no nap and such a late night out. Thankfully Darren's parents were able to come pick Stratton and baby Tuck up from the wedding and took them back to the hotel so Darren and I could have some fun dancing and visiting with friends and family. We couldn't find Quincy at the end of the night, and Darren eventually found him passed out in some corner. He was so tired after all the dancing and playing with cousins! The dance was great, the food was great, and the company was great! It was the perfect wedding. Congratulations Ben and Sunshine!!!

TUCKER'S BABY BLESSING

We decided to do Tucker's baby blessing after the wedding late that night while both Grandpas, my brother Bryan, my brother in laws, Jon and Steve, and Darren's friends, Ted, Gilbert, Joe, and Ben A. were there. It was really special to have so many of the people that we love and care about there to take part in Tucker's blessing.

Poppie George, Grammie Judy, Tucker, Grandma Leslie, and Grandpa Roger

Thanks everyone for being there for this special event!

I love the look on Tuck's face in this picture with the boys. I think he is going to be full of mischief just like our other 2 boys. :) Quincy and Stratt were already passed out from all the wedding excitement.

On our flight home, we had a 3 hour layover in Las Vegas, so we were able to spend some time with Darren's other sister, Brittany, who lives there. She got to meet Tucker for the first time. We saw every person in my family and every person in Darren's family that weekend (except for Darren's sister Christa who is serving a mission in Peru).

We left Palm Springs at 1:00 p.m and arrived into Iowa at 1:00 in the morning and had to immediately drive to Michigan, because Darren had to be there Monday morning for work. He had a photo shoot there for the product that they've developed. I didn't want him to drive alone all night, so we all went. :) Monday we got caught up on sleep and swam in the hotel pool while Darren worked, and Tuesday I took the boys to a great children's museum. We had fun getting to spend some time with Darren at night. I drove back with the boys on Wednesday, with lots of stops to nurse the baby and take the boys potty. I'm not used to doing road trips alone. Darren came home late Friday night and we were happy to see him. It was a long week, but definitely memorable! :)

Last month when the baby came we were SO lucky to have lots of great help! Thanks everyone!!! My friend Cinda took the boys over night when we had a false alarm and went to the hospital (you'd think I had never had a baby before or something). Thanks Cinda! Then my parents showed up just in time to help me with the final days. My dad entertained the boys with swinging outside and swimming at the Y.

We went to Quincy's soccer game.

Then on Sunday we listened to conference while my mom helped me sew some curtains for my room.

The baby came Monday morning and it was so nice to have my parents there to help with the boys while I was in the hospital, thanks mom and dad!!! Can't wait to see you again!