A fun family trip

 We had the great joy last weekend of rejoicing with the Wilkes and Neely families as Matthew Wilkes and Amanda Neely became Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Wilkes. The wedding just happened to be ten hours south though, so we had to get ready for the trip. An hour before we hit the road, this is what our van looked like:

Then as we started out on the road, it looked more like this:

(A Mother's Day present;)

Before I show any wedding picture I should apologize for the blurry picutures - they were most certainly not intentional!

The wedding was very beautiful. Before the ceromony began, there was pretty music playing.

 

As part of the ceromony, the sisters of the bride and two friends came out and sang.

Matthew shares about the coming of Christ for His bride, the Church before recieving his precious bride, Amanda from her father.

The bridal party comes down the isle...

The bride and groom!

 

A beautiful reception followed, during which many girls spent time cooing over a sweet little baby girl.

Then, on our way home, we got to visit an indian reservation and a frontier settlement.

We were surpirsed to see an organ in the cabin, but if they're anything like me, they need their music somehow!

The other side of the above room...

My brother Luke saw the herbs hanging in the kitchen and enthusiastically told me "Look Patience! They were hanging herbs in their kitchen!" - precious;).

There were so many beautiful landscapes to capture with the camera lens. :)

When we saw this chicken coop, we were very impressed. We though it was a step up from the Normoyle idea of a chicken coop (a 20th century camper set up for chickens with roosts and nesting boxes). This one had a sophisticated-looking roost (to us;) and fine looking nesting boxes! We were inspired!!

Their growing garden...

Animal barn and buggys...

Veiw from the barn...

Enjoying gorgeous scenery...

A last look at the cabin.

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ~Proverbs 4:18

Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. ~Psalm 119:35

The Smokies

I'm so grateful for spring!

Oh, and did I already say that long trips means lots of car time. This was an innovator with his innovative tent idea. Love you Nate!

Car trips also mean plenty of rest for some (but maybe not so much sleep for others:).

This was Matthew and Amanda's wedding verse. Remember His goodness - forget not His benefits!! 
  "Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" ~Psalms 31:19