Formal Family FUN

Ta Da!
Here we are! All black tied n faanncy at my brothers wedding!
(The glasses were handed out to all the groomsmen.) 

Study well,  'cause you'll prolly never see us all lookin' so good at once again!

All the boys were so cute!

We're especially fond of Brian!

A kindred farm fellow. Gotta love him and his pretty wife, Sarah. Ben told stories of Brian always workin' hard in the 'burbs and savin' to get his own tractor as a kid! When he did get a Craftsman lawn tractor he got out the green spray paint. He was born a John Deere man!

The girls were super sweet. I'm thirteen years older than my brother.
And Casey is younger than him...
I felt like the matronly bridesmaid for sure!

The partay began in the stretch Hummer limo in front of the church...

Champagne and Buds were on ice.
There was also a "fire place," disco floor and laser lights inside the limo!
I was so glad I'd brought cold Capri Suns n snacks for the kiddos.
Can you believe none of us farmfolk had ever been in a limo before?
(Hillbilly me's still never had a mani/pedi,
and didn't get my hair n make-up done by anyone beforehand either! )

Sarah adores her Uncle Ben.

But she's completely smitten with Casey!

And she's not the only one!

You can see why~ Casey's a knockout and so fun!

Everyone enjoyed the night

My wonderful Aunt n Uncle...

and their daughter n grands! 

Mom and Dail kept it classy!

 Paul and his fiance dipped!

 Brian n Sarah gettin' down!

Makin' like movie stars!!!

I was so pleased that my family danced with everyone.

 Sarah with M.O.B. and F.O.B!

The Farmer was so suave!

And I managed not to let my hillbilly side show too badly... 

I didn't hike up my skirt n ask any of the doctor guests if this patch on my calf is ringworm!!!

Bahaha. What can I say, I am a country girl!

But I loved the day o dress up too. 

(And tough actin' Tinactin killed the fungus amongus.)

Clearly, we are still hillbillies tho.

To my classy baby brother and his lovely bride...

THANK YOU for sharing your beautiful day with us.

May you have happiness always!

wind-up to the Ohio wedding

Okay, we're back and I thought I'd tease you with some preview shots of the wedding...

It was a fantabulous weekend.

Despite our hilbilly reluctance to dress up all formal.

We danced with joy...

And had a blast!

But first we watched some blast offs...

We stopped en route at the Air Force Museum in Ohio.

AWEsum. 

Must see.

I melt at words like those below...

I pointed them out and the older servicemen we saw... 

I am so grateful for the examples they provided to my children.

Then we got to Cincinnati and enjoyed the ZOO before the big event.

Kinda felt right to see the monkeys...

just sayin'.

Sarah brought the sweet stuffed giraffe Ben & Casey gave her 

so it could meet it's kin too.  ;-)

It did. UP CLOSE. It's kin was even cuter!

We joined our fun family in law on Mom's side who kindly came for the wedding...

I fell in love with a tiny goat.

It reminded me of Nicodemus.

We call him a "blibbet" as he's so short n squat...

Must. get. blibbet. goat.

BTW - Chase went to goat camp again.

And she met a fella...

Might be more kids 'round here next spring!

We felt a little rushed through the rehearsal and I worried 

'bout my family not remembering the Catholic protocol

 or tripping, dropping etc etc...

I shouldn't have.

They were spot. on. perfect.

Did I ever mention that my (Irish/Italian) Farmer was an altar boy?!  

Hard to remember if you hear some words that come outta his purdy mouth when equipment breaks!

My family is Methodist so his calm guidance (& wicked humour) really helped!

(Especially when I figured out that dear Jack was burning up w/a fever)

We all went on to the rehearsal dinner where many hugs n tears were shared...

As Ben n Casey thoughtfully passed out generous gifts and kind words... 

Proud mothers beamed while the Father of The Bride tried to keep a stiff upper lip.

The rehearsal really set the tone for the wedding...

 Supremely touching, beautiful and silly!

We are sooooo BLESSED!!!

Enjoy your family everyone and be kind to them ~ 

you never know what they might say about you at the next big gathering!

Fair fun n fashionistas

The last fair just left and fall is here.  

Instead of harvesting we're off on a road trip!

While we're gone I thought I'd share some of our fair photos ...

Here's my mantel with some fair ribbons as bunting and various vintage toys n such...

Wish I could capture the beauty of the canning jars better... 

A dear client friend made the most amazing things from her garden. 

The red n yellow tomatoes are a work of art as they catch the morning sun!

We've enjoyed the fairs again this season.  

Have you ever seen "mutton bustin'"?!

It's hysterical fun to watch.

 Breakin' in the wee cowpokes for bronc bustin' soon!

Well, maybe fun. depending who you ask...

And then there's the "calf scramble."

Calves are turned loose with colored bows on their tails. Kids have to get close enough to pull 'em off and get money depending on the color. There was 1 red bow for $15, a couple blue for $10 and several white for $5. Sadly Sarah didn't get any, despite being very quick.  I'm confident that next year she'll be even braver and earn some ice cream money. This poor boy was crying cause he fell n hurt his arm.

Lest you think the fair is all about dirt, sweat n tears...

High fashion also reigns/reins!

The Pantone color of the year is taken seriously from Rodeo Drive to, uh... rodeos n fairs! 

Please whisper to this poor gal who didn't get the news- "beachy blue is soooo last year."

Although leopard always seems to be in style!

All of which I found preferable to the KKK look they sometimes sport.

That look is just not right.

I always admire a well styled tail and this cow sports a great pulled n banged tail just like our horses!

Another tail I admire (I sooo want a banty roo!)

And isn't this is a stylish hat?!

Even the cows get dressed up!

Lots of other displays n such to admire as well.

4-H club dioramas are always cute

Here's something I'd never seen before...

BUNNY AGILITY!!!!!!

It's like a small horse jumping course complete with water obstacle!!!

And while we're talkin' fashion...

Although The Farmer is eager to get into the fields to make hay n harvest corn now that the rain has paused.... 

(We hear it'll be back next week when we return!) 

He's a really good man cause instead he's gettin' ready to sport a "monkey suit" and drive to Ohio for my baby brother's black tie wedding! 

Doesn't he look HaPpY?!  ;-0

I'll be back soon w/hopefully happier pics (than above) as we make this group a legal family!

Sarah is the flower girl and Jack the ring bearer...

Please say a prayer we hillbillies don't embarrass my family!

The Farmer says he'll blend in about as well as a fox in the henhouse.

He's already bled on his tux. 

He cut his finger processing deer the night before. 

Ya know... hillbilly cuisine. 

Soooo,  I for one am going to enjoy the lobster at the reception!

Hope you all are havin' a FUN Fall!!!!