Chelsey and Stettsen--Feb. 17th and Happily Ever After

 My second to youngest sister, Chelsey, was married on Feb. 17th.  We made a whirlwind trip to Utah to support her and Stettsen on their special day.

The wedding-ness started just a few hours after we arrived in Utah.  All my married siblings, and of course Chelsey and Stettsen, my parents, Stettsen's parents, his grandparents and our grandparents, all met at the Mt. Timpanogos LDS Temple.  We were exhaused from traveling all day, but the night was so special, and I would have been heart broken had I missed it.  Thank goodness our travel was without delay, and we were able to attend the temple with all my family (someday, Cass!!).  The only thing I want to share with my family was my feelings that night as we sat in the chapel waiting for everyone.  I hadn't seen many of my siblings yet due to our last-minute arrival, and so waiting for everyone to arrive was so exciting for me.  As first one, and then another family member arrived, I was overcome with joy, and the thought occurred to me that the feeling will be much the same someday when we have passed from this life, and we get to see our dear and loved ones again in the next life.  That started off a very special few days of being with family and celebrating the marriage of Chelsey and Stettsen.

The next night we had a bachelorette party.  What might girls do at a Mormon bachelorette party with no alcohol or ill-clad men, you might ask?  Well, after much deliberation, we decided to go...play a game of laser tag!  It was SO much fun.  We also had Chelsey go on a little scavenger hunt as the bride-to-be, having to do various tasks all night, like get a kiss (on the hand or cheek) from an older man and a younger man.  She was such a good sport, even with all the bride-to-be garb we made her wear.  Thank you to my sisters for such a memorable night, and to my mom (who wanted to come) for being a great sport with all the bachelorette party-related stuff. :)

The next day was the wedding day, and we started early.  Well, some did.  I slept in a little, being quite jet lagged.  My sister, Camyll, is AMAZING with hair, and did lots of it that morning, including the bride's.  All us girls gathered at Mom and Dad's house to get the bride ready for the day.

Even little Ellie joined in the early breakfast and hair/makeup festivities.

 Soon Cooper joined us, and wanted to be included by wearing a rose barrette.

Then it was off to the temple for a beautiful, and memorable sealing.  Chelsey and Stettsen chose to be married in the same temple that Nathan and I were married in, the Salt Lake City, Utah temple.  It being the same season (cold), the same temple, and the luncheon being at the same building where we held our reception, the day was rather nostalgic for Nathan and I, which made it extra special.  We hadn't been to a wedding at the SLC temple since our own, so it was a little like watching events from the other side.  So special.  We enjoyed the temple grounds as we waited for Chelsey and Stettsen to arrive outside for pictures.  Cooper wanted a picture in front of the temple.  He's enamored with temples, and thinks that any large/ornate building is a temple (like Monroe City Hall).  LOL  He was ecstatic to finally see a "real live" temple.

 As we waited for the happy couple and picture time, the guys (Nathan and Jason) chased around the toddlers (Cooper and Calvin).  Us moms got a break because running toddlers, dresses, heels, and grass just don't mix.

Finally the newly-married couple arrived.  We tried to snap our own shot amongst all the other cameras.  Not a great shot, but it still shows the big moment.

Picture Time!!

Mr. and Mrs. Stettsen and Chelsey Olsen

 Our traditional sisters photo:

Cassady, Chelsey, Camyll and Chrystal

 The Bride and her brothers, Jayson and Bryt

 Chelsey with her nephews and nieces, except the two babies, Kate and Jaisie who were tired and cold.

Alex, Chelsey, Aspen

Tyler, Calvin, Cooper, Ellie

 As we waited for the Bride and Groom to finish taking pictures, those of us with little kids headed over to the luncheon hall at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, where we made ourselves at home in the corner, letting the kids sprawl out and have some snacks and fun.

 The happy couple arrived...

 and we all were treated to a beautiful lunch.  I just love this picture of our table, with the monster trucks, sippy cups, and the like.  Can you tell we had little kids at this table?

 The groom's cake, a cash register and dry mustard.  Chelsey and Stettsen met at the grocery store when she and my mom when to buy some dry mustard.  The rest is history...

Stettsen was so cute as he told the story of when they first met.

Chelsey lovingly looked on...

 The luncheon decorations were beautiful.

 The toasts started off with a toast from the Maid of Honor, my youngest sister, Cassady.  She did a beautiful toast, very sweet, and I have NO pictures.  We were having camera issues as our camera kept running out of memory.  Bad timing!!  But I did get it on video.  To spare her, I'll not post the video for all to see. :)

Loved this picture of the Fathers of the Bride and Groom toasting to the new couple.

 This is the only picture I have of my parents from the entire day, so I gotta put it on here, since they're kinda important on this day. ;)

The reception was that night at the North Hampton House in American Fork.  It was decorated beautifully!

All the family started out the night grabbing a quick bite to eat.

Here's Nathan, Cooper, Liz and Kate enjoying some sandwiches. 

 Calvin enjoyed his dinner too.

 Liz, Anna, and Kate

And then the fun began!  We all enjoyed dancing all night.  I enjoyed seeing many old friends from my growing up years.  It was like a reunion for me!  Lots of fun, besides the great dance party.

Coop was on the dance floor most of the night. 

 Aspen and Alex

Tried to get a picture of Cassady and Cooper together.  Coop wouldn't hold still, so here's how it turned out...here's Cooper...

 ...and here's Cassady.  I think Cooper looks so much like his aunt, he could be hers!

 The Bridesmaids:  Aspen (niece), Syrie and Xanthie (probably mixed them up and misspelled their names.  They're Stettsen's sisters)

 Grandma and Grandpa Christensen

 Aspen and Ellie

 LOVE this picture of Cooper, Ellie and Calvin

 Liz and Kate

 Me and Cooper

 Coop and Calvin cuttin up a rug

 Nathan and Anna

(My older brother, Jayson, was so sick that day, and had to go home after the luncheon.  My younger brother, Bryt, somehow eluded my camera!)

Cutting the cake

Stettsen and Chelsey for their first dance

Dad and Chelsey for the Daddy-daughter dance

It was sweet that they danced while Stett and his Mom danced too.

 Ellie and Cooper dancing on the stairs 

 Even my 80-something-year-old grandmother danced with us!  She and my Aunt Susan danced to the fast line dances, and also in our flash mob dance to "Party Rock Anthem."  It was awesome!

 Nice rear shot of me as we're doing our wedding party flash mob dance.

 We had so much fun!  I don't know what was more fun though, practicing it and learning it with my sisters, or performing it at the reception.

 That was the end of my photos.  Tried not to share too many of the 150+ that we took that day.  We didn't get any shots of lining the sidewalk with guests and blowing bubbles at the couple as they ran to their car after the reception, nor of their adorably decorated car,complete with "Just Married" on the back, and the cans attached to the bumper, tinkling along as the pulled away.  It was an AMAZING day, and one none of us will ever forget.  Thank you to those who spent so much time and effort planning the day, to my parents for making sure we could be there, and to Chelsey and Stettsen for letting us celebrate their wedding day with them in such a fun and memorable way!

Note to my family: If any of you have any photos of Nathan, Cooper and I together on this day, please do share!  I'd also love any other great shots. Upload to the family share site.  Love you!