Texas Wedding

Way back in December (seriously, this poor neglected blog), we flew to Texas for Kayli's wedding.  We are so, so glad that we got to be there for this special event - one that we have hoped and prayed for for her.  

It was a quick trip but totally worth it to spend time with Kayli and her family.  

We actually flew in Thursday night and spend Friday at the Ft. Worth Stockyards where they herd Texas longhorns down the street a couple times a day for the tourists.  It was a little hokey (especially the "shoot-out"), but a whole lot of fun and those are some pretty impressive animals with amazing horns.  

We also went for a ride on a stagecoach, got the girls' picture taken with a real Texas Santa Claus, and ate some amazing Texas BBQ at Cooper's (I highly recommend!) for lunch.

That night we went to a rehearsal dinner for close family and friends and got to catch up with everybody and eat even more delicious Texas BBQ (which was 100% fine by us!).  Clara had been wiggling a loose tooth for weeks and ended up pulling it out right there at the dinner, which was hilarious and gross at the same time, so the tooth fairy visited our hotel room that night.

It was nice spending some relaxing time visiting with friends and family who we haven't seen since Clara was born there 6 1/2 years ago.  And it was great having a little time to talk with Kayli's then-fiance, now husband, Connor.    

The next day we spent grabbing breakfast at the Allen Diner.  Paul is ALWAYS happy when he finds a good greasy spoon to eat in, and he is still talking about this place.    

Then we spent the rest of the morning swimming at the hotel pool before getting cleaned up and heading over to Kayli's parents' house, where we hung out and visited, looking at the chickens and goats, holding bunnies, and having Clara's hair braided by Kayli's youngest sister, Holly.  Clara got a turn braiding Holly's super long hair as well, which was really cute.  

A bunch of Kayli's aunts and uncles and cousins were there, some of whom we've met on previous visits in Texas or Utah but many who we hadn't met before, and it was wonderful getting to know them.  

Then that evening was the wedding and reception.  It was raining, but thankfully let up just enough for the ceremony to still happen outside under a gazebo.  It was our girls' first time going to a wedding, and they were very impressed with all of it, but probably most especially the popcorn bar at the reception afterwards, lol.  Oh, and Clara said she liked all of it except the "yucky kissing part".

We had a fun time just enjoying the reception, and then the next day we got up and ate waffles pressed in a Texas-shaped waffle maker, and went to church with Kayli's family, even though Kayli and Connor were off on their honeymoon.  We truly consider them all a part our own family.  We miss them so much and have loved the few visits we've been able to arrange in Utah over the years, but going back to Texas was just so unbelievably special, particularly for such a happy occasion.   

Clara took this picture of Kayli and Connor on her little Instax camera that prints pictures out like a polaroid and even though it's blurry and not the most amazing quality, I just love it.  

Hopefully I will be able to catch up on some other posts I've been meaning to write about soon!