Not a super interesting day.
Okay, that's giving it too much credit.
Better described as one of the most boring days ever.
Our departure from Zion was delayed by a irritatingly long line at the dump station, so we were 30 minutes later than anticipated getting on the road.
We drove seemingly endless miles through the corners of Utah and Arizona, past Las Vegas, into California, and up I-5 through central Cali.
Oh, within an hour of beginning the drive, we had to pull over for Annika to vomit again. Ugh. It was only twice today, though, thank God. It must have been some sort of car-triggered sickness.
We parked for the night at a KOA in Los Banos, CA.
Day 8: October 22
I was exceedingly happy to get a nice shower early in the morning - as there were no showers at Zion and our trailer shower is basically like standing in a bucket with your head hunched over. Plus we had had no water hook-ups there, so we had to conserve water.
We drove to San Jose to drop off the trailer at Grant's parents' home and spent a little while visiting with them, plus getting organized and packed up in the Sequoia for the next three days.
It was fun to meet Grandma and Grandpa's 6-month old Golden Retriever, Mack.
We took the slightly longer route to Napa to cross the Golden Gate Bridge - something I've wanted to see for a long time. Traffic through San Francisco was pretty bad, but it was interesting to see a small portion of the city.
After crossing the bridge, we circled around to this look-out point to take some photos. I'm glad it wasn't foggy!
That's Alcatraz off there in the distance.
We stayed in the Best Western Premier Ivy in Napa for three nights - with two adjoining rooms. Hurrah for all that space! Grant's parents were just a few doors down, and his brother and sister-in-law were downstairs. Aunt Julie and her family stayed there as well.
We joined some of the family and bridal party at the house Jessica was renting for a fabulous dinner she had cooked for everyone. The girls especially loved meeting their little second cousin, Ares (also known as Kicker). Sweetest baby ever!
Jessica (the bride) with the kids.
Day 9: October 23
We didn't have any obligations that day except for the rehearsal dinner in the evening, so we took a few hours and drove over to Fairfield, CA to tour the Jelly Belly Factory.
Free tours, free candy - how can you go wrong?
They have a sample bar where you can go through and pick three candies each time, unlimited times through. Along with all the normal flavors, they also have super gross ones, like stinky socks, boogers, vomit, dog food, and grass clippings. After smelling his stinky socks pick, Corban decided to just lick it.
They didn't allow photos in most of the tour, but I did get a few at the beginning. They have some amazing displays of famous characters made entirely of Jelly Bellies. Some of them are composed of over 14,000 candies. Impressive!
They require hats for the tour. The day we were there, the flavor being made was Buttered Popcorn.
It was a rather strong odor. Our tour guide told us that in an earlier tour, a kid had vomited from the smell. Nice.
The girls at the Sample Bar. They went through the line a few times.
The backyard of Jessica's rental house - where the rehearsal dinner was held. Isn't it beautiful?
The family with Grant's lovely Aunt Julie. It was the girls' first time to meet her, and Corban's first that he could remember (he was 18 months old last time). Everyone just loves her!
It was fun to have breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa every morning. The hotel had a really great breakfast, and the best part was, I didn't have to cook or clean up! :)
Ellia and Miranda were flower girls - posing with the bridal party before the wedding.
Like my dress? I do. :) My sister Anna gave it to me a few weeks before the wedding. She had gotten it at a thrift store awhile back and it didn't up fitting her just right. I was thrilled that it fit me really well!
I did have a bit of a wardrobe malfunction, however. We had just arrived at the wedding venue for family photos and Grant noticed that one of the halter straps was ripping from the dress. Ever resourceful, he jogged off to find the hotel lobby (which was a little ways down the road) to get a little emergency sewing kit. Upon his return, he quickly made the repair (he's great at hand sewing jobs) and we were off to take photos.
Cute little flower girls - Ellia and Miranda, with their new friend Maddie.
Annika and Marissa
Marissa with Grandma at cocktail hour
So pretty!
Cousin Drew with Ellia. She absolutely adored him.
Drew's son Alessio with Corban. Those two hit it off really well.
Miranda with Grant's Uncle Randall
Grandpa and Grandma all dressed up - looking fantastic!
Here come the flower girls!
Jessica and Rick - amazing couple!
The dinner was simply fabulous. I had the Sea Bass and it was some of the best fish I've ever eaten.
The wedding was just an exquisite event. We had so much fun spending time with the family, dancing and feasting and making wonderful memories.
I didn't get good photos during the dinner and dancing because the lighting was a bit dim, so we'll just end it here.
Whew. Longest post ever.
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