Late Christmas With the Mayes and Gaetje Families

January 2, 2017

Schedules were pretty tight this year, so our Christmas with the cousins happened after the New Year.  It doesn't matter to us; celebrating Christmas is about getting together with family no matter when it happens.  Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip:

Matthew's Senior Photo Shoot

September 29, 2012

My nephew Matthew recently had his senior photo shoot, and I think he got some really great shots.  It's so hard to believe that he's graduating from high school this year.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for him!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

 June 28, 2012

I just put Nicholas on a plane for his very first flight--and it's a solo flight!  Uncle Scott and Aunt Julie invited him out for a little visit with all the Washington Mayes boys.  After spending every summer with his sisters and all the Gaetje girls, it's fair that he get to spend a little time among the boys for once.  I was a little nervous about the fact that he has not one, but two flight changes on the journey, but he seemed more excited than nervous.  He's fifteen and a pretty self-sufficient kid, so I have no doubt that he could problem-solve if any issues came up, but still it makes me so happy to live in a time when our cell phones allow us to touch bases through out the trip just in case something were to go wrong.

I Do

April 1, 2012

In a quiet, beautiful little venue called A Secret Garden, my little sister got married. She and her husband Sean opted for a lovely and intimate setting, where they could take their vows among close friends and family. Like five years ago, when I got married at the same location, the weather the whole week leading up the the big day was beautiful and sunny, but as the day drew nearer, forecasters predicted a much stronger possibilityof rain. Even the morning of the event, much like the morning of my wedding, skies still shone favorably. Just before the music cued up for Lisa and I to lead the procession down the aisle, large droplets of rain began to fall, increasing in ferocity as the ceremony progressed. I have heard that weddings that blessed with rain are good luck, and if that's true, then Laura and Sean are lucky indeed. Thankfully, having known that the weather might be somewhat inclement, they had rented a tent and heaters, so the setting was even more intimate. And just as it had during my wedding, just after the ceremony the rain slowed, and then stopped, in time for the guests to wander the garden before jumping out onto the dance floor for the reception. Laura said she hadn't minded the rain at all--in fact, had enjoyed it. She loved the ceremony and everything about how it had turned out. She thought it was beautiful and perfect, including the rain. Having been there myself, in nearly the same circumstances just five years before, I know exactly how she felt--and I couldn't agree more.

The four siblings: Lisa, Scott, Laura, and me
The groom Sean and his mom Toni.

Cousins: Nicholas, Bailey, and Devin
Laura with the nieces
Singin' in the rain.



Me with my hot date.
More cousins: Taylor, Devin, and Bree


Three sisters, third time walking one down the aisle. He's getting pretty good at it!

Handsome brothers--Sean with his best man, Chad.
Bree and Nathan

Estelle, Grandma, and Aunt Margaret


Lisa, Laura, and me
My beautiful children, all dressed up.
Laura and Toni, getting ready for the big day.