The Wedding.... Welcome to the Family Aaron!

This weekend my cousin Jolene (my mom's side of the family) got married! The wedding was in beautiful Bend, OR. Derrick and I had never been there before, and wow it is a gorgeous place. It reminds me of Jackson Hole Wyo. Very upscale, up and coming and with breathtaking views. The town is just booming right now and everything is new.

It was a fun family gathering. Derrick officiated the wedding and did a wonderful job. The weather in Bend has been just beautiful the past few weeks, but for this weekend it dipped just a bit in temp, was a bit cold but was still beautiful. Jolene and Aaron decided to stay with the ceremony outside, and everything was perfect. The wind died down and it seemed to even warm up a bit just in time for the wedding.

Pictured left to right

Chick, Laura, Marian, Jolene, Ted and Priscilla. Marian is Jolene's mom and the rest are Marians brothers and sisters. It was truly great to see everyone!

We don't always connect and get to see one another because everyone is spread out all over the US.

As I have said before (which some of you will understand if you are Irish) the Irish know how to have a great time. The Irish funerals are a time to celebrate the life of a person and well those although sad, are a great party - the weddings are even more fun! So as the night went on the celebration continued. In following tradition the family danced to the Chicken dance, and the Hokey Pokey (after all - that's what it's all about!) Aaron's side of the family looked a little nervous about the chicken dance, (us crazy Irish folks!) but later in the night they all joined in for some dancing too!

This is me! (that's right I am in a dress! - I have probably been in a dress 4 times since Derrick and I were married almost 8 years ago!) It is my model pose.

Soem more fun dancing!

My mom's side of the family has a few traditional toasts that they always make, one comes from my Grandfather Gordon Keeley, as he would say "Here's to those who wish us well, and those who don't can go to h---" I would like to say as Rachal, Jolene's sister made a very nice toast, she added an Irish blessing, "May the road rise to meet you,May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand."

I am mainly Irish and Norwegian and I must say I love the tradition and heritage of each.... The Irish I feel truly know how to live life, as my mom always says," Life is for the living" it used to irritate me when she would say it, but it took on a new meaning after Derrick's stroke. Families may not always get along, or see eye to eye - but when they are together they truly enjoy each other's company. Great to see everyone, truly I had a wonderful time!