A Texas Cowgirl Party

Wow!  I cannot believe it has only been one week since our Washington Wedding Reception.  It's been an over-the-top emotional week ... a week where physically I "hit the wall", and could barely get out of bed a couple of days ... a week of TOUGH stuff ... a week to try to catch my breath, after 6 of the craziest, toughest, most exciting weeks of my life (all rolled together).  It's been the looooongest week of my entire life.  I, seriously, cannot believe that the wedding reception was just one week ago ... nor that the wedding was just 3 weeks ago.  What?!?!  We were in Texas 3 weeks ago?!?!  Oh my!

I have so enjoyed finding, editing, and posting so many pictures this week.  It has truly been a BLESSING to focus on all of the GOOD stuff ... the FUN stuff ... while we are walking through the TOUGH stuff.  It's been a WONDERFUL distraction this week, to share all of the good times with you.

So ... here are the last pictures, for now, of the FUN stuff ... the WEDDING stuff ... the CRAZIEST 6 weeks of my life.  In the coming weeks, I will share more of the hard things ... more of the ways that God is meeting me ... more of the challenges that we are facing daily.  But, for now, let's take one more look at our time of CELEBRATION.

Our Texas Cowgirl Party

I had SUCH fun planning a theme party for our

Texas Cowgirl Daughter-In-Love, Ashleigh.

We spent a couple of months searching thrift stores

and consignment stores for Cowboy Boots.

(Credit goes to Cassie for the GREAT idea; and 

Cassie couldn't even be at the party to see them.)

I LOVED the Red & White Carnations that I was able to find,

(not being sure of what flowers I could pick up in January).

I bought the Red Cloth Napkins at W*l-Mart,

and the resort had the cute Tea Light Lanterns.

A Big D. Family Party, 

just wouldn't be a party,

without a LOT of decks of cards.

I thought that a variety of Hersh*ys Kisses would

be good Nibble Food for the game players;

and the glass canning jars seemed to fit the Cowgirl Theme.

I loved the combo of red/white carnations,

and red/white tulips.  They were BEAUTIFUL!

Some Cowboy Boots were BIG ...

and some Cowboy Boots were little.

The Cheesecake Bar was a HIT,

as was the Chocolate Fountain.

The Christmas Decorations were Beautiful,

as was the Bride (and groom).

Papa & Mama were so glad that we could host

a Washington Reception for our Friends & Family.

We had all of the friends join the bride & groom 

by the Christmas Tree for pictures.

(Mama will put together a scrapbook for Jeremiah & Ashleigh.)

Little Sister Hosanna is certainly growing up.

She is so happy to have a new big sister.

Grampa ... 

it was WONDERFUL to have my 

92 y.o. Daddy at the reception.

My Daddy got married when he was 40.

He never thought that he would have children.

Then ... he never thought that he would have grandchildren.

Now ... he has lived to see the first 

of his 15 grandchildren married,

(w/ 2 more weddings to come, in July).

A precious day it was ... 

to have Sweet Grampa at the party.

(At 92, Grampa is 110% mentally,

although his eyesight has deteriorated,

so he couldn't enjoy the BEAUTY of the day;

but we sure enjoyed the beauty of his presence.)

I will have a few more pics coming.

I can't find my card reader tonight.

I took a few pics on my camera, too;

but all of these pics were from Ben.

To round out the Cowgirl Theme ...

... the serving tables had Bandanas on them.

... several of the foods were served in Galvanized Buckets.

(Yes, these were real cowboy buckets,

I bought them at the local farm store.)

... other foods were served on Galvanized Platters.

(or ... W*l-Mart's galvanized pizza pans.)

In case you are wondering ...

Wedding Receptions can be done ...

on a budget ...

with little stress ...

and, with LOTS of FUN.