The Conley, Sutton, Randall family

Oh my gosh it has been over a month since my last post!  Sorry life has just gotten away from me. We were going through the process of hiring a new supt. for Cedar Springs Schools and I had a sinus infection and shingles which also slowed me down. At any rate we hired a supt.,I am better now- on spring break and anxious to get caught up on posts.These are the family photos from last June I have been promising to get posted. This was our one chance to get the big family picture.  We all came in to town for Clint’s step-sister Mandy’s wedding.  Mandy, her husband Wes, and Clint’s step-brother Jake were all in the Air Force.  Mandy recently left the service.  At the time Mandy was stationed in FL, Wes was in Korea, and Jake and his wife Trish were in HI.  Mandy and Wes are now in HI as well.  Clint’s bother Chris, his wife Missy, and their kids are here in MI like us.  If any family folks want copies of any of these and I haven’t gotten them to you please let me know.

View Full Album

View Full Album

We had family pictures taken on the Conley side as a present for Clint's step- mom Mary when everybody flew in from all of the corners of the globe for Clint's sister Mandy's wedding back in June. These are some of the pictures. I have more on order of our little clan. These I copied from Trish's photo bucket.

Our little clan
Bree, Missy, Chris, Cody
Jake and Trish
Wes and Mandy
The whole Conley, Randall, Sutton clan

Sunday Brunch

Sunday morning - really more noonish -after the great shin-dig, we re-assembled. At least those of us who could still stand, while recovering from exhaustion or otherwise. Trish and I compared blisters from dancing in pretty shoes. At any rate, we gathered to eat left over food, watch Wes and Mandy open up their cool loot, and congregate one last time before we all entered planes, trains, and automobiles to retreat to the far corners of the earth-
until the next big family hoo ha.
Wes and Mandy open presents on the deck at Floyd and Mary's.

Clint, Caelun, and some of Wes's family hang out.
On this side we have Grandma Hall, Abbi and more of Wes's family.
Wes's dad.
Abbi and Mary watch as the gifts are revealed
Cae says "Wait aren't I the real present?"

The Reception

Yeah Wes and Mandy are hitched, it is time to celebrate! Cae loves music and being bounced around a dance floor. I got some mushy slow dances in with Clint and we even drug Abbi out to do the the chicken dance and the hokey pokey- because that is what it is all about as you know. Since both Wes and Mandy are in the Air Force they did a tribute to all of the veterans. They asked people to stand who were veterans of wars starting with WWII which of course included Grandpa Floyd G. Conley, up through the current Iraq war which included Wes and half the wedding party. At the end of the recognition they asked that we choose our favorite veteran and ask them to dance. I danced with Grandpa, tho it took a bit of cajoling. We ate, danced and reveled well into the night. We bid all of our far flung family good night and went home to sleep until the brunch the next afternoon.

The Conley cousins -chaos during dinner.

What a goofy bunch- I had to post two pictures so you could see each kids face in at least one.

Chris tends bar.
Cody plays with Cae- notice the bottle is upside down.
Sure now they look all cute- Bree was a fabulous flower girl.
Wes's mom made this cake and brought it all the way form TN.

If you click on it you can see the intricate writing of First Corinthians in frosting.
The grooms cake

Missy entertains Caelun and Bree.
Bree is definitely entertained. Floyd and Mary enjoy the festivities.
Abbi and Cae take a tour of the dance floor.
Mandy and Wes- their first dance as husband and wife.
My favorite veteran- except for my dad and he wasn't there.

Cae you are so light on your feet.
Mary, Cae, and I do the Hustle
Cae flirts with the bride during the dollar dance.I dance with Wes until I am interrupted by Jake.
Jake paid extra for a special dance. Welcome to the family Wes we are a goofy bunch.
"You put these up for decoration? I thought they were entertainment."

Cae makes some friends.

"Whew- I am getting tired."
The daddy daughter dance.Doesn't Abbi look so grown up?
Grandma Florence Hall looks lovely.

Trish and Jake- aren't they cute?
"Yeah I got daddy and Abbi to play!"
Help! the balloons are winning!
Abbi and Cae are tuckered out from dancing- time to go home.
There was a beautiful sun set in the parking lot on our way home.

Wes and Mandy's Wedding

Yeah the big day finally arrived. There was much preparation and planning on every ones part. The bride was blushing and beautiful, the groom dashing and handsome. To quote Steel Magnolias "Every thing is draped in my two colors of blush and bashful- her two colors are pink and pink- the sanctuary looks like it has been hosed down in pepto bismol" Peonies were the order of the day. I did the video taping from the balcony and shot some pictures. Clint did baby duty. At one point towards the end of the ceremony Cae started to get fussy and he took him outside where he met a whole group of other dad's with babies. I think they actually had a big screen TV set up with ESPN and had pizza and beer delivered but at any rate- Abbi sat with her cousins Cody and eventually Bree after Bree had dispatched her flower girl duties. The ceremony went off with out a hitch - as long as you disregard the "HELP ME" written on the instep of Wes's shoes by his prankster grooms men. It was only visible when he kneeled. It was a tad warm but other than that a truly glorious day. Here- here to Mandy and Wes.

Are those the Conley boys or the Blues Brothers?

So Wes - remember Chris and Clint are the "small brothers"- behave accordingly.

Carly - Mandy's sister on her dad's side- plays to entertain the guests as they are seated.
Aunt Gloria and cousin Chandra start the music.
Abbi keeps Cae entertained.
I must say- because it is my blog and I get to- that my children are really adorable.
Floyd is seated near the front.
Grandma Florence Hall is seated for the ceremony.

Grandpa Floyd Conley checks out the program.

The church is beginning to fill.
Jake seats Wes's Grandma.
Jim and Betty Mauk Mandy's grandparents on her step-mom's side.

Grandma Randall and Mandy's Uncle Ken.
Mary gets ready to be seated and start the ceremony.

Jake seats Mary to signify the beginning of the ceremony- from my vantage point in the balcony.
Jake rolls out the runner.
Here comes the bride.

Bree did a great job of chucking flower petals but she was really quick.

I didn't catch her, but she is standing next to Chris.

"Who gives this woman?"
Starl and Floyd give Mandy away.
Mandy and Wes take their vows.

From the balcony.
Look I have a zoom on my camera:)

Since I am not the official photographer I can take pictures of what I like.
Clint spotted me.

Abbi and Cody are directly below me- I know the tops of peoples heads are not that interesting

but hay it's my kid's head and as I said before - it's my blog.
I didn't realize wedding ceremonies were funny.
With this ring...

I thee wed.
This is me playing with the zoom on my camera
The Hawaiian sand ceremony-

unlike the unity candle ceremony at least the sand can't be extinguished before the end of the service. Of course I guess you could knock it over.

I didn't realize being bound as husband and wife was so funny.
HELP ME?

Click on the picture to enlarge.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife- yes you can kiss her already."

Pucker up!
Now that's a kiss!

Yeah the ceremony is over- the guys outside with the big screen TV will have to wrap it up.

The wedding party follows.

Missy hands out bubbles.

My kids munch on cheerios while we wait for the bride and groom.
Our little clan- don't we coordinate well?

Here come the bride and groom- time to go to the reception.