destination...wedding!

It was not actually the sunflowers that brought me here…in case you have not already guessed my vacation destination, Manitoba is where I am! The land of sunflowers, lilies and potatoes…that, my friends, is where I seem to return to on a regular basis. And while flowers and French fries may be great drawing cards…it is family that always brings me back. We have had a most wonderful time over the weekend, celebrating the wedding of my niece, Gillian. Our vacation has been all about the wedding…bringing out flowers from B.C.…and visiting with family from all over who are also here for the special occasion.

We made the trip out here with precious cargo on board. Our last mission before leaving home was to snip hydrangeas…lots of hydrangeas…and arrange them in buckets of water for the journey.

The shower seemed the most appropriate place to store them…and we checked the water level frequently. Although they may be able to grow world-famous lilies and sunflowers right here in Brookdale, Manitoba…hydrangeas do not do so well. Since Gillian wanted hydrangeas for the wedding…and we were driving out with the motor home…we offered to bring out the flowers. Our biggest fear was that they may be rather wilted before the big day…

...but they stood up beautifully and looked lovely on the tables at the reception.

Gillian and Chad were married at the farm where she grew up…and there couldn’t have been a lovelier garden setting! Kathy…my sister and mother-of-the-bride…always has beautiful gardens, and this year they were even more special. There were a few tense moments the morning of the wedding, when the skies opened up and the rain came down for hours. But they decided to take their chances, rather than moving to an indoor venue…and all was well. The sun came out shortly before the wedding started …and the lawns were dry in no time.

The parking attendants had great fun shuffling the guests from the 'parking field' to the wedding gardens...in a little Kubota truck.

The groom's sisters placed flowers down the aisle just before the ceremony began.

The preacher and the groom (and friends) arrived right on schedule...

...as did Gillian's friends...bridesmaids in blue.

We weren’t the only ones from B.C. at the wedding…the flower girls flew out just for the occasion. Emerson and Spencer have been so excited about Gillian’s wedding…and they had so much fun!

Brother Ryder decided weddings were OK too. He found a friend...a ball...and a large expanse of lawn, and he had a fine time.

Here comes the bride...

...smiling even more than usual...and looking stunning in her beautiful gown!

Before long, it was all over...Chad and Gillian were Mr. & Mrs!

No one seemed in a big hurry to leave the gardens...


...no one seemed to be watching the sky. Suddenly it became very dark..and it was time to leave for the reception. We were barely off the yard when the rain began! How was that for timing?

It was a special day...from beginning to end...and we were so glad we could be part of it. I wish Chad and Gillian a lifetime of happiness together!

Jeremy and Broni (and family) flew home yesterday..we are packing up the motorhome and starting the trek back today. We've seen lots...I have scads of pictures...and I'll tell you all about it once I'm home.