Seth continues to work so hard as a missionary. He has loved spending the last several months of his missionary service in a culturally diverse area where he has had the opportunity to teach people from all over the world. He has also loved serving with Elder Kibubuta - they seem to work really well together. We had a really cool experience this month where our ward had a special youth fireside over zoom and they had each of the 3 missionaries from our ward who weren't sent home early due to Covid-19 and their companions join in the fireside and the youth were able to ask them questions about missionary service. It was so fun to see Seth with his companion and to hear about his love for missionary service while he is still serving as a missionary. Seth also celebrated his 20th birthday this month. :)
Thanksgiving Point opened their gardens back up near the beginning of May (with social distancing guidelines in place, of course) and we took a morning and went to see the beautiful tulips before they were all gone for another season.
We celebrated Mothers Day with all of our children (even Seth made an appearance in cardboard form - we got the cardboard cut out made of him months ago because he wanted to be at Megan's wedding reception)
The biggest event of the month came on May 13 when Megan and Mitch were married! With everything that had to change and all that they had to give up (bridal showers, a large wedding reception, etc), they were both so thrilled when the announcement came that a few temples would be reopening for live sealings of already endowed members just 2 days before their wedding date. They were able to get a sealing time on their wedding date in the Provo City Center temple and were so happy! They could only have 6 guests with them, so Bryce, me, Devin, Mitch's parents and his one endowed brother all traveled to the temple in the early afternoon. We were met by security in the parking garage and after we had donned our masks, we were escorted in to the temple and to the sealing room where Megan and Mitch in a very intimate ceremony were sealed for time and eternity. After the sealing, we were allowed to go outside the temple for 15 minutes to snap some quick pictures of ourselves and then we were escorted back to our cars. It was such a unique sealing experience and the Spirit was sweet and strong.
We then headed back to our house where we put the final touches on the backyard decorations in preparation for their wedding celebration. We had 23 people in attendance (all direct family members and Megan's 4 bridesmaids and Mitch's 4 groomsmen).
We started with a ring exchange ceremony that was conducted by Devin, and where Megan and Mitch exchanged their own written promises to each other. Seth was able to video call in for this portion of the day and it was so great to have him be a part of their special day. He hasn't met Mitch in person yet, but did confess that their promises to each other left him teary eyed. :)
We then enjoyed a yummy catered dinner and then had sibling tributes and parent's toasts.
It did get a little chilly as the evening wore on, but we were able to pull out my stack of quilts and everyone wrapped up in one. I knew they would come in handy someday. :):)
We then watched as Megan and Mitch cut their cake and enjoyed some yummy dessert.
Then we had father/daughter, mother/son and bride/groom dances followed by some super fun dancing for everyone.
And finally, we sent the couple off on their honeymoon with a wedding party bubble send off and a surprise neighborhood sparkler send off.
Megan and Mitch then spent the next 2 weeks at the Oregon coast and had a wonderful time on their honeymoon.
Autumn had a less wonderful time as she had a tonsillectomy and spent the 10 days after that in pretty severe pain. She has since recovered fully and is in good health. If you ever want a good laugh, though, ask her to show you the videos she took just after she woke up from anesthesia. oh my!
As Covid-19 restrictions began to ease in our area, Bryce and I enjoyed going to an actual restaurant for dinner and then walking along the Provo river for a date.
And finally, we concluded the month by helping Megan and Mitch move to their newly refinished apartment in Logan. It is a really cute place! We celebrated by going out to lunch as a moving crew.
That's it for May! Have a great month!!
