Howie & "T": Heritage Gardens

Our Wedding Luncheon .....

We decided not too long after we were engaged to have just a small gathering after the wedding at the temple so that we can meet with our family and closest friends. The "reception thing" was just not what either of us wanted (especially me). We just wanted to simplify things a bit. I am so glad we chose to do this wedding luncheon instead of the big traditional reception. It was basically stress free. Thanks to our friends and my girls helping with the decorations we just had to come and enjoy.

Our friends and family members had to wait for over an hour as we were at the temple with our photographer. They were probably starved and bored to death but everyone stuck it out till we arrived. We were supported by so many friends and relatives on that day.

Waiting.... waiting.... and more waiting!

Mike (Steve's brother) visiting with Howie's best friends, Newbie and Lockie. Also the man with his back to the camera is Steve's second dad Adrian Lockwood. He has always been there for Steve since the death of his dad 30 years ago. He's a GREAT MAN!!!

Hayley visiting with Suzy (Mike's wife). Suzy announced that day that she was having a baby. Yeah another little Howell running aroung soon. Also in the picture are my friends Susan and Sharon Howell. They are not related but now I get to share their awesome name :) They have been my friends for over 20 years. I love them so much and am so glad they were able to make it to our wedding.

Steve's brother Jeff, (from Wahington) our niece Kendra, his sister Jan with her husband Kendall (from the Murray area) and Steve's brother Randy from (New Jersey) It was nice to have them travel so far to visit with us. It has been 5 years since Steve saw Randy last and so this was a nice excuse to see each other again.

We had a buffet style meal and it was yummy! (well I hope it was)
I did not feel like eating much that day but everyone seemed to be enjoying it.

My bishop and his wife came to spend the day with us. I can't believe he would take the time out of his busy schedule to be with us. He has helped me out so much over the past 5 years or so. Life has not been easy and he has been there to lift me up and encourage me through it all. He has been an amazing help and I love him tons. Also on the table are some of my nieces. They are so cute and I love them to death!!!

This is the "Dailey Clan".... My aunt Reva and Uncle Jerry and their kids. I am considered one of thier family members because we are so close. We grew up across the street from them and did basically everything together. I have always had a special closeness and bond to this family. They are awesome!!!!

We had a big screen TV in the dining area so that they could watch a video that my niece, Amy made for our wedding day. In this picture we are making introductions at this time so obviously no one is watching the video but she did a GREAT job on it. She is only 16 years old! She has a talent just like her dad!

This table is full of some amazing people. They are my friends from my neighborhood. They helped me survive through so much crap over the years. Always lending a helping hand, a listening ear and tons of love! The Edman family are awesome. Hayley (with the blonde hair) was the one who did my makeup and my hair for this day. She had to get up at 4:30 am to help me out. WOW.... now that is kindness and sacrifice! Yvonne Johanson, Desi Nielson, and Joan Harris (who is hidden ) are friends of mine from young womens. We meet together on a regular basis and go out to eat and visit. We have been doing it for years now and they have gone through so much with me as well. They have had to listen to a lot of garbage as I worked out my problems with my past marriage. Renee Williams (on the end) has worked with me in Primary and has also been an incredible friend. I am blessed!

The Holman family came to share this day with us as well. My best friend, Siri has her head turned. It was probably on purpose cuz it seems like I can never get a picture of her. Siri and some of my other friends helped set up for this day. She is so much fun to be with and I love her family so much. She moved a few years ago to Cedar City so I don't get the chance to see her as much as I would like. We keep in contact through marathon telephone calls usually beginning at 10:00 pm and often lasting until 2:00 am. The phone calls have not been so frequent lately because my "past life" has come to a halt since I met Howie. He has consumed every moment, every thought, every second of the day! Siri is a patient friend and has not given up on our friendship even though I have been tied up lately with Howie. I love her kids as if they were my own. They are such a close knit family and I admire them so much. The other couple on this table is Jeff and Diane Driggs. Jeff is in our bishopric and they live around the corner from us. They are such a cute couple and I am happy they were able to take off work and come to spend the day with us.

The best table of all it the "head table" because they have our prized possessions sitting around it. OUR CHILDREN and our grandchildren!!!! Tyson (my son in law) was not able to make it because of work but it was nice that he made arrangements to be at the temple with us. Oh yeah..... The man sitting next to me... well he is pretty awesome as well and guess what......... HE IS ALL MINE!!!!

Karah and Shawn

The girls helped make table top favors for each person who came to the luncheon. They always are so willing to help us out even though they have thier hand full are pretty busy with their little kids. Both of their husbands are gone a lot of the time for their jobs so when they help us I often feel guilty because they really don't have the time. Thanks girls for helping make this day run smoothly.

The Cake Cutting....

Sharing thoughts and thanking people for coming.

Our cake was made by a lady from William Penn Elementary where I work. The strange thing is her mom is the one who made April's wedding cake years ago and I had been looking for her phone number for weeks. I wanted her to make mine as well. After no luck in locating this woman someone at my school told me about this young girl in the area who decorates cakes and does a real nice job. I decided to give her a call and after meeting with her I found out that she was the daughter of the lady I was looking for. What a coincidence. She did a nice job and the cake tasted GREAT! YUMMY!

I have never been a pink person but the flowers for my bouquet and my cake were beautiful!

Cutting the cake with my new HUSBAND....

We had a talk before this day and agreed that we were just going to gently feed the cake to each other rather than the traditional "stuff in the face" thing. That was my full intent until something came over me to ATTACK!!! I think this picture is so funny because you can TOTALLY see that evil look as I am starting to strategize.

First off I need to look sweet and innocent so Howie doesn't know what is about to happen! He has no clue I am about to turn on him! he he he he he :) This is going to be GOOOOD!
I have to get him when he least expects it or I don't have a chance. He can overpower me and if he knows what is up....I won't even get a crumb on his face !!!

BULLS-EYE!! He didn't know what hit him!

I think it is pretty funny that he just kept cutting as I SMEARED the cake in his face. No fighting me off. I later found out he was just focussing on gettin another piece cut so that he could have some ammo against me!

Now it is his turn for the sweet innocent look. Notice how he is gazing kindly into my eyes with his trusting "baby blues" WELL......that doesn't last LONG! He is about to turn on me. I can't believe that thought has even entered his mind. He told me he loved me....He told me I was his sweetheart and soulmate....He told me he would protect me from harm....He just vowed to honor and cherish me..... He would not do anything to dirty my beautiful WHITE wedding gown now... WOULD HE????? NOT MY HOWIE!!!!!

Look at that "Choke Hold" he's got on me..... YIKES!!!!! Hey Howie wipe that grin off that face... You are about to do something you will wish you never started!

Okay...okay... I guess I started it BUT.... You're not going to win it Howie!

Let the Games BEGIN!!!
Hey....LOOK OUT Howie.... We have witnesses to this abuse! :)

You better watch it or we will have to take this fight outside :) or to the hotel room!

Hey help Ashlee.... Don't just stand there laughing at us. Come rescue your mom! This is about to get UGLY!!! This is not just a spectator sport so just JOIN IN! HURRY HURRY.... I'm going down!

This is the best way to eat a cake! Just in case you were wondering!

It's finger lickin' Good!

YUUUUUUMY!

I thought I'd better let the people in charge at the Heritage House know who started this whole thing and who made this BIG MESS! You are in Big trouble now, Howie. You broke our agreement to be soft and gentle. What's up with that!!! I love you! That tux is a MESS. You are suppose to keep the cake IN your mouth! I have a lot to teach you BUD!

Oh NO....Papa Howie! You made a mess of your face. That cake is suppose to go into your mouth! Why did you let Grandma "T" win you?

YOU ARE IN BIG TROUBLE PAPA!!!

Is there any cake left to share with our guests?

YEP..... Brayden behind Howie picking up the chunks and eating them. WAY TO GO Jack Jack! Hurry and pick it all up before the people in charge see it and get mad. Can you believe the mess your Papa Howie just made!

HEY MOM... Let me down! That cake is sooooo yummy!

For some reason all of our friends and family members told Howie that he should NEVER have trusted me. They ALL expected such behavior from little ole me. I still have not grown up and I LIKE IT that way. I believe life is to be enjoyed. We had a RIOT that day and it gets better every day we spend together. Lots of fun and excitement. Never a dull moment with Howie around.

We visited for a while longer with our family.....

Hayley and Lyssi

My brother Darrell

My nieces Celine, Emilee and Lori

Heather and Hayley

Steve's Mom with her kids....

Jeff, Mike, Randy, Jan, Debbie, "some sexy man" and Mom

April and Lyssi...

HEY wake up Alyssa! It's PARTY TIME!!

Grandma "T" with her girls

Smile for the camera

Karah with her Grandma "T"
She was my little shadow today. She went everywhere I went!

Our Wedding Dance.....

Hayley sang a beautiful song for us. She sang "Natural Woman" and it sounded beautiful. Thanks Hayley..... We appreciate you sharing your talent with us on our day! Thanks for coming. It was nice to have you with us .

Heather went to join Hayley in a song for us but got quite emotional and was not able to finish, but we were so happy to see them so willing to help make our day special.