More Gieser Christmastime

Noah arrived on the 26th, so here are a few photos during the two days that the 8 of us had together. Dinner out; crazy time at the Wheaton College Rec Center followed by some acrobatics at the house; some board games (pictured is Chinese Checkers).




Oh and of course we got to enjoy a meal over at Katie's house! Along with digging into a great meal we always love to 'snoop' around and see how she's so amazingly decorated her place for Christmas. Here's Jul with Kate in her kitchen.

Gieser Christmastime in Wheaton

Christmas Eve: about 6 inches of snow today! Jim and Steve kept busy shovelling the driveway and front walk. Ah quality time for the two brothers to shovel and talk and sweat together.


Christmas Day night we all bundled up and took a walk around the neighborhood. Yep it's cold! And of course we need the exercise after a big breakfast of cinnamon rolls and before a big dinner of pizza.

Jul with Steve and his wife Tiffany and Katie.

Dad G cutting into the thin-crust Barone's pizza. Can't see it in this photo but of course we had Chicago-style deep dish too! YES!! This was definitely a food highlight of our trip.

G. Scott with Phillip Scott

Dad, such a cute one of the two of you - taken during our family time at Lake Gaston - so I thought it deserved a post. And Phillip actually looks like he's reading along and concentrating so seriously!

Wedding Day, 20 Dec: the Bride is ready!

...And she is beautiful!



Instead of a veil, Rachel wore this headband and flower-hair piece - Theo's creation, which turned out so lovely and perfect with Rachel's short hair.

Okay, okay, this isn't a bride photo - it's me and Ellie. But it's such a nice photo of our dresses and the flowers (and the crazy earrings from Rachel!) that I couldn't resist.

Wedding Day, 20 Dec: preparations

Early afternoon on Saturday we gathered together in the Blacknall church parlor (and women's bathroom) to dress and get ready for the wedding ceremony. Though there were 4 bridesmaids and 1 bride, there were also about 8-10 other women (and 2 children: Lillian and Phillip) in the parlour helping to get ready! It was a bit of a madhouse at times. "Where's Mom?" and "I'm hungry...is there any food around?" and "Oh man this ribbon is hard to put on." and "Rachel, you look beautiful!" were frequent comments. From my side, it was a strange feeling to see my sister preparing for her wedding day in the same room of the same church as I and Katie had both done 7 1/2 years before.

Below is Mindy, Rachel's friend from Appalachian State U days, who was an amazing lifesaver on the "day of" - among other things, she did Rachel's make-up.



Rachel with Theo Roddy, who made the bouquets and Rachel's headpiece. SO lovely.

Ellie (and Monica reaching in from behind) helped Katie fix her hair.

Okay, Rachel, are you almost ready?!