Sunrise......sunset

We get to enjoy many spectacular sunrises and sunsets at our house! Sunset pictures were taken with in the last several days. Sunrise picture was taken a week ago.

Taken tonight.

Two of my favorite wedding guests

It was wonderful to be able to spend time with Tyler and Jennifer before and after the wedding. Luke and Andrea's wedding happened to fall on fall break weekend at LeTourneau University, so Ty and Jen did not have to fly back to Texas on Sunday night. They were able to stay two extra nights. On Monday we explored downtown Chicago and got really wet (but it was still fun).
It is very satisfying to see Ty and Jen happily married. They are such great friends! We are so thankful to God for both of them.

A few of the decorations..........

These pictures don't do the decorations justice, but it gives you an idea of how beautiful everything looked.

 Eucalyptus centerpieces

 Beautiful disposable place settings at the tables.

Chocolate from Germany!

Place cards designed by Luke. The plants pictured on the place cards (and on the wedding program and wedding invitation) were collected from places most significant to Luke and Andrea - Skokie, IL, Kandern, Germany, Guatemala, Indiana, Florida and New York.

Andrea has loved frogs since she was little. She choose to have a live frog in each of the vases on the tables! Very fun! And they found a good home afterwards. They all went to a pond on a farm in Indiana!

Esther, Andrea's mom, spent many hours in the months leading up to the wedding to make a total of 240 clay pots (on a potter's wheel) for each guest to take home with them. This was the note that accompanied the pottery......"Please take one as our gift to you. All pots hand-thrown by Esther Frackiewicz. Assisted by Andrea and Renee."

Between the wedding and the reception, while the wedding party was at the beach getting pictures taken, and while the main hall was being converted from a wedding ceremony hall to a reception hall, the wedding guests were invited to have coffee and tea at a scone bar.

Representing BFA

Following the wedding last Sunday in Chicago, Tim and I stayed on in Illinois for several days because Tim had ACSI recruiting fairs to attend on Monday and Tuesday. I even got to "man" the ACSI booth for a few minutes while John went to grab some lunch. I felt very important!

Two sons, two daughters

I still can't quite believe that our family is now 6! It was one week ago today that Andrea joined the Shuman family. Luke and Andrea's wedding took place exactly 3 months following Tyler and Jennifer's (October 21 and July 21)!
I am so thankful for two sons who are walking with God, and two BEAUTIFUL daughters-in-law who are as well. Truly they are matches made in Heaven! "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." - Psalm 126:3

Family and Friends

Luke's Upland (Taylor University) family.

Two brothers and their brides!

Men of Morris (Luke's good friends from his dorm in college).

 Doctor friend of Andrea's family. Phyllis (Dr. Marx) hosted Luke and his groomsmen at her home. What a servant she is!

 Adorable Aliannah, flower girl.

Tim did a great job of MC'ing the reception.

 Tim's family from Ohio who came to celebrate with us (sister Cheri and her family and brother Tom and his wife).

BFA representation.

Dear friends from BFA days.

 Shumans and Franks.

Billy, Luke's best friend since Grade 3, flew from B.C., to be best man at the wedding. Here he is giving a toast at the reception.

Andrea's Aunt and family.

 Andrea's cousin who came from Guatemala for the wedding.

Andrea's cousin and her family.

 Andrea's and Luke's friends from college.

 Best man, best friends.

 Groomsman Nathan, another great friend from BFA days.