The Nutcracker - a Christmas tradition!

This past weekend we were able to see The Nutcracker with a group of Jim's co-students in the HESA program (from 1st year to 4th year doctoral students) - what a fun way to mark the beginning of the Christmas season and the end of the semester! Every year IU performs this ballet as part of their Opera & Ballet Theater season. Read more here. Since the university has a nationally renowned music school and a ballet theater school, this was a very well done production. I also particularly enjoyed the set design - beautiful!!

Jim's 'partner' at his assistantship position, Debbie (a 2nd year student), organized the tickets and a pre-show Wine & Cheese tasting, which Desi hosted. Here's Jim with Desi, Rebecca and Malika. We had four types of wine, two types of goat cheese, Brie, two types of Gouda, bruschetta, cranberry relish, and strawberry pepper sauce.

I was the only non-student in the group, so I felt quite privileged! Here's Debbie in the middle of the ladies below. (Oops I forgot it was Glamour Night at the Ballet and didn't dress quite appropriately...oh well, they still let me in.)

And the men of the group, standing in the lobby of the auditorium. What a very fun evening! (and thanks to Debbie for sharing these photos)

More Wedding!

The beautiful newlyweds!!

These photos are all thanks to Aunt Elaine, who thankfully kept busy snapping shots on the wedding morning. Here she is with her sister (Mom G) below.

The banner suspended in front of the organ reads, "Great is thy faithfulness", which was a theme throughout the ceremony. Auntie Marge and cousin Wendy sewed it.

The twins were very well-behaved all the way through the family photos. Look at those cute little bundles.

Jul with Susie and Wendy, two Gieser cousins who were also bridesmaids. They both live in Wheaton with their families and so Katie has grown quite close with them over the past years.

Noah (center) with his older brother, Josh, and younger brother, Daniel. All three siblings live in Memphis (as do the Brink parents).

Two of the Brink nieces were flower girls (a 3rd is not pictured). They did a perfect job walking down the aisle, and aren't they cute, too? Auntie Pat made the wreaths that they are wearing.

Noah's chocolate Groom's Cake - he loves to read and discuss literature, and two of his favorite authors are CS Lewis and GK Chesterton.

And here is the wedding cake - the most delicious one we've ever had! (except ours, of course)

Wedding Time for Noah and Katie!!

Saturday 28th November: the wedding! Katie look gorgeous, as you can see. Here she is with Jennifer, one of the College Church's wedding coordinators, on the morning of the wedding. The service was at Noon, and all the photos were taken beforehand. It turned out to be a somewhat mild day (for late November) and the sun was out, so they even took some photos outside.

Hmm... what is everyone thinking here? A brief pause before another round of photos. A Gieser family shot (sorry, it was taken from the side so Mom is not quite in view) - we've grown from 7 to 10 this year! A moment of rest after the ceremony and before the reception. Noah thoughtfully gazes at his goofy new bride. The father of cousin Ruth has this 1920s vehicle (sorry don't remember the specifics) which he kindly offered to the newlyweds as the getaway car (and then served as their chauffeur). Can you see them in the rumble seat at the back? So classy.

*thanks to cousin Melanie for these photos*

More Wedding Prep

Four Elam family siblings (center) and two in-laws (outside) were able to be together for this wedding - this is Mom Mary's siblings. She is pictured here with her three older brothers. In fact the 5th sibling (sister) was also in town for the wedding but not around for this photo.

On Friday, the day of the rehearsal and set-up work day, the bride and bridesmaids took a break to have coffee and get manicures. What fun! There were 8 bridesmaids, 4 family (3 cousins and 1 sister in-law, that's me) and 4 long-time friends. Here is Katie with 6 of her bridesmaids: me, Rebecca, Jess, Katie, Sarah, Melanie and Kathy.

After the Rehearsal Dinner, the women of the bridal party went out to a 'chocolate cafe' for hot chocolate. To help calm the nerves? It was a lovely time. Melanie (matron of honour) made sure Katie looked particularly cute, which amused us (that's Jess next to Katie).

The following morning, the day of the wedding, Tiffany did Katie's make-up.

Meanwhile downstairs in the kitchen the two brothers took care of the twins. Avery, what are you trying to tell your Dad?

Pre-Wedding and Thanksgiving family time

Yes, Noah and Katie's Wedding finally happened!!! We spent a GREAT 6 days up in Wheaton for Thanksgiving and the wedding. What a special time to all be in the same house for those days and to get to meet the new twin nieces (only 2 months old) - even with so much happening we did get quality time together.

Doesn't the soon-to-be-married couple look excited?! This was taken the day before Thanksgiving and three days before the wedding, which was also Noah's Birthday!

Aunt Katie holding Bella (Isabella). This was taken right after our Gieser Family and Friends Holiday Run (Thanksgiving Day at 8 AM). Sorry no photos of that cold morning run/walk. Got to be prepared for the Thanksgiving meal.

The new dad with Avery (you can see that she has a bit more hair than Bella, but is a bit smaller). What sweeties! They were so cooperative and happy every day, their first big trip away from home. The new mom and and dad were pretty amazing, too.

The son in-law (almost) teaching his father in-law how to tie a bow tie, which is what all the men in the bridal party wore at the wedding, and which Noah is quite 'famous' for wearing (preferring over ties). Patience, Dad. It takes years to perfect!

And here are some shots from the Friday work day at the church (sanctuary and reception hall), setting up for the wedding. Auntie Pat and her daughter Susie (on the left) created beautiful and amazing decorations using grapevines, tulle, ribbon, fresh flowers and greenery.

Uncle John and Uncle Chuck (yes there is an Uncle Chuck on both sides of the family, and both have cool eyebrows) worked tirelessly! Here they are about to drape some muslin in the reception hall.

And cousin Ellen did a superb, meticulous job setting out the place cards (escort cards), which were attached to the favor, a Cookie Cookbook with 60+ family cookie recipes.

Go, Mom! The decorations are done. Now for a final vacuum job. Then quick off to change before the rehearsal dinner.

No job is complete without duct tape (I guess). Although I'm not sure where he used it. Doesn't that doorway look nice! One day to go, Katie!