"Post-wedding" post: McCracken happenings

It was so wonderful that much of our family got to come out for the wedding and that the Indiana McCs got to stay for a while afterwards, too. Uncle Andy and his crew stayed out at Max and Jenny's while the newlyweds were away on their honeymoon. All the kids (yes, that includes me) had a blast running around out there and, as the pictures will tell, experimenting with the teeter totter. :-) If you haven't recently spent a couple days just being a kid and playing around, I highly recommend it. It is very exhilarating (though I would also recommend getting a good night's sleep before embarking, and perhaps even a doctor's "go ahead" :-) ) The time that I spend with my extended family is always so blessed, and the encouragement that I draw from each one individually, Grandpa to Mandy, is truly wonderful.

popping the balloon under Joel's shirt

lots of cuddles

don't smile now

do these even need captions?

We spent a fun time out at the Archer's one night playing games, namely Wii bowling and Yahtzee. I love how Uncle Andy and Paul are almost perfectly mirroring each other in this picture.

Amanda??.....

The competion that went on those couple days with staring contests was so intense that it could have easily been added as an Olympic sport.

girl talk :-)

only the dolly had a sense of dignity

the staring contests continue

Caleb loved Max's keyboard

Joely and the bat...

It's teeter totter time!!!!

horse and rider







with the Parishes for a movie night


plumb tuckered out

back to normal?? life...

What really goes on at the church when Kaylee's over there "cleaning?"

The truth is in the photo.

(It almost couldn't be helped: the pews were moved out of the way and there was the room, looming before her like one big ballet studio.)

And who says vacuuming has to be boring? Sing us a song, Kaylee!

(Jenny in the background, providing accompaniment. Connor later appeared at the door - with several neighborhood children - wondering what in the world was going on in there!)

And while Kaylee cleaned, Tim and Max fixed the church's plumbing emergency.

But, putting things in their proper chronological order (not that it matters):

After the wedding, after the cousins, we prepared for Max and Jenny's return.

The original "Just Married" decorations had succumbed to the drenching rains of the wedding day, so new ones were in order for the much anticipated return of the newlyweds.

They're back!!!

much love

Gift opening at the Hills Valley Parishes (we have to distinguish which Parishes now).

Favorite books from the Telians - with Max's words:

"How did Aaron know I wanted the Literary Study Bible?!"

And a precious gift from Anna Smith -

pictures, sweet words thanking God for Max and Jenny,

and a dollar bill and three quarters. :-)

Kaylee just can't leave without some final lovin' on those big dogs.

Our heater died (brrrr!), but never mind now -

cuz Simon delivered a truckload of beautifully split wood.

Thank you, thank you, Simon!ahhhh

Then Jenny turned 19 - Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

And speaking of sweeties,

Tim and I headed down south on some church and "visitation" business.

Kind of nice to just drive away together (in the fog, and more fog, and more fog).

And now there's a project under way:
Tim and Connor decided to build Kaylee a desk (for Christmas... it's just "in process").
This is Connor's mitre saw (I think that's what it's called)... purchased for the project...
and future projects (place your orders!).
And that piece of wood there: that's the beginnings of the desk. We have faith.

And finally, in the midst of "normal days,"
our Kaylee brings beauty (what presentation!) and delightful tastes to our table.