Spring Break in Ca: Lakers Game

On the last night of Spring Break, Aaron took Corbin and Soren to a Lakers game. The boys were super excited to watch LeBron and Luka, and for the chance to catch LeBron sharing court time with his son Brony. LeBron gave his first in game assist on record to Brony and Brony hit a 3. Even though I was happy to stay at the hotel with the younger kids for a puzzle and nachos night, I felt a little FOMO knowing they were living up NBA dreams at crypto arena. I’m also so happy for them. Aaron has fond memories of Lakers games with his dad and brothers. He was super pumped to share this with Corbin and Soren. The Lakers beat the Nets 116-99 and was a perfect ending to our spring break in California.

Meet the Newtons: Wedding reception

 

Introducing Mr and Mrs Newton!!!!! 

Again, these are all from non professional photos and videos sent to me by friends and family. 

If there’s anything Willies do right it’s throw a PARTY. The crowd did not disappoint, and even in broad daylight, when the beat dropped Crank that, the people got down to some Soulja Boy. Extra cool points if you know the dance. 

Please.

Of course we know the dance. 

Reese and Logan wanted to let loose and we showed up. Shout out DJ Dora for mixing clean edits of T-Pain Low and Pitbull Hotel Service. Everybody got on the floor to crank that party up like it was, “automatic, supersonic, hypnotic, funky fresh!” We 1-2 Stepped so hard, Quincy would have been proud. 

And all the traditional reception celebratory things. Reese and Logan’s guest book is a junk journal with date ideas, advice, stickers, flowers, and cards glued in. The Polaroid film made it to the church but the camera did not, but we can print and add photos later with the Instax printer. Logan’s family set up a soda bar with flavors and creams to make dirty Dr Pepper and other favorites that Reese and Logan love to get from Swig or Sonic. Dinner was from Cafe Rio. 

The DJ brought the wedding party in with Drake Nokia “who calling my phone?!” lol it was such a cute entry.  Then she presented Reese and Logan. I loved not having to run the flow of this evening and instead got to be a guest and just feel all the love and celebrate my growing family. Annika kindly handed Bear an extra camera and he probably took 200 photos with it. It was precious. 

Bouquet toss. A stop motion story of sisterhood 😂😂

Corbin and Ryan got all the groomsmen and cousins, dads and uncles to Rambo their pink neck ties. This started as a nod to Q, because the ties were actually the same one we ordered for her prom date and EVS had it tied around his head most of the night. Nobody loves to dance more than CeeCee. Except maybe Logan. I am not surprised at all Reese married someone with such a big personality. Grammie reminded Ryan he promised Jamae we would “Go Ham on the dance floor (whatever that means) for her. We showed up big in her absense and it. Was. Awesome.  I don’t think the extended Willardson side of the family or the Newtons knew what was coming, but they caught the hype and got on board. Photos don’t do justice what a fun reception this was. Reese and Logan were beaming and everyone had a good time. [hahaha insert inside joke: well everyone except Paul 💀]

This not-so-quiet, not-so-little afternoon picnic party was sooo Reese and Logan. Lots of big fun crammed in a pretty little package.  

Willardson cousins: Preston, Henry, Sofia, Madeline, Avery, Jackson) Sadly, mid semester meant that most cousins Reese and Quincy’s age couldn’t swing a trip to LA so we were missing Mattisse, Audran, Abby, and Hanna (as well as Ella and Ethan on missions) on the Willy side, and Taylor + fam, Garrett, Parker + fam, Joey, Zack, Tyler, Brock (Quincy and Steven on missions) on the Lawrence side. Zacks wife Emma represented the Lawrence cousins, and the Schauss and Low cousins pulled up to party!

I love love and I love them so much. 

Corbin, Ryan, and Soren were ring leaders of whatever these shenanigans were.  Of all the extended Willy siblings families, ours is certainly the most unhinged. Sometimes, they don’t know what to do with us. And sometimes, they join our chaos and it’s a really good time. The bridesmaids, groomsmen [except Paul 💀], and alll the mission buddies, etc. got out there too. There were about 90-100 guests at the reception. 

cutest photog-brother

Aaron’s brother in laws Steve and Scott. 

Logan danced to Survivor with his fun mom, Amy. 

Reese chose to dance with Aaron to an accoustic version of our Quincy song Tell Her You Love Her by Echosmith. The slow version features Matt Kearney and a cello 😍. I love that in typical Reese fashion, she shared attention with little gestures toward her biggest fans. She is so sentimental and gives thought to every detail. 

Grandma Lynda cannot leave home, but Grandpa Rob bravely flew out to LA just for the sealing. Reese is the first Willardson grandchild to marry, and I know it meant so much to her that grandpa was there for the most important part. Rob and Lynda’s wedding photo was on the wedding party tables with the other parents and grandparents wedding photos. Families are forever! 

My littles and their cupcake shrapnel. 

The adorable cake topper I made got left behind in the hotel…or somewhere 🤷🏻‍♀️ I don’t even know. Oh well! Look at these two. They don’t care about a thing. 

Their exit was darling. Bells and bubbles and hundred of parrots up in the palm trees calling out sunset bird songs that would have been deafening earlier if our dance party hadn’t blown it up. But you could really hear them as the couple drove away…until all my boys somehow got  everyone spontaneously singing “nanana naa, nanana naaa hey hey hey, goodbye!” Only brothers could pull that off.

I love these girls! Finley has been doing life with Reese since 2nd grade. There should be some Shaw representation at every good party. She was so happy for Reese, and her tears in the sealing for her life long friend got alllll of us weepy! 

Corbin gave a speech that was “vetted by Ryan” which means he got up there and winged it. It was hilarious and brotherly. He loves Logan and I am really happy they get along so well. 

One SUPER cute thing the Newtons brought to the reception was an “old” phone and a sign that reads, “answer the phone!”. Guests then hear a little greeting from the happy couple and can leave a voicemail with advice or memories for them. It all goes on a recording in a Susan drive. 

Reese and Logan forgot they put “the shoe game” on the DJ schedule, so during dinner, I found questions on Pinterest real quick and texted the the list to the DJ. No prep and they still got every single question right instantly. Friends teased that the questions were actually too easy for these two because their personalities are so different. But opposites attract, and these two are as wonderfully complimentary as night and day. I see a good future for Reese and Logan. They are both faithful, valiant, incredibly loving, obedient, and kind, and will keep the world turning for each other. 

Meet the Newtons: the wedding dress

 

Reese wore my wedding dress! This was 100% her idea. She said she was blessed in my blessing dress, baptized in my baptism dress, it was only fitting that she wear m wedding dress, too. After the house fire, this dress was one of the few things preserved by the restoration company. I remember being frustrated that of all the things to salvage, a no-longer-necessary textile item had taken priority over other things we actually use, like instruments. I didn’t realize how happy Reese was about this. When she called to ask if she could borrow and alter my dress, it was an easy and satisfying yes. I hired katie grow to alter it to make it Reese’s. We took the sleeves off and hemmed the length. It fit Reese perfectly and she was the most gorgeous bride. She is so lovely, it was an honor for her to wear it. 

Meet the Newtons: a sister FaceTime and temple pics

Kasey took video and it just captured so well everyone doing their role. We secretly called Ryan the “Mains of honor” bc he took on the role in Quincy’s absence, keeping track of the dress, carting her and Logan’s cross body bag around, fanning the bride, distributing waters to grandparents, keeping photo-tired complaining groomsmen in check. “We are here to keep the bride happy, boys. It is not your wedding, it’s hers. Now smile like you mean it.” 

Carly also was a hero when it was discovered that the bridesmaids accidentally left the flowers at the hotel 25 minutes away. An honest mistake in the room shuffle (we checked out of 2 of the rooms that morning realizing there would not be time between wedding and reception to stop by in between) As soon as they realized this, she rushed out of there to pick them up. The flowers delay is why the stairs were no longer available for photo spot, but it worked out because the boys were much funnier and more relaxed on the lawn.  

Quincy FaceTimed shortly after she got up Sunday morning  Korea time, which was right at the end of photos outside the temple. The everyone aside from Me, Aaron, Corbin, Soren, and Ryan had all left, and Reese and Logan were taking their couples photos with Annika. Our connection was terrible, but I walked over to them and the minute I held the phone up and she could see Reese, Quincy burst into the biggest cry of crocodile tears I’ve ever seen, sobbing something unrecognizable, but between her heavy heaving cries, we think she was saying, “My sister you’re so beautiful! You are SO beautiful! You did it!” 

We walked over to the VC next to the temple so Jamae could catch her breath and my dynamic duo daughters could have a minute to just be sisters and celebrate. She gave some thrilling words of wisdom to Logan, and we followed them around for photos for a bit (which is another reason I only have like 3 pics of the bride and groom). We passed the phone around and she had a quick visit with the fam and told us a wild story about dodging a creepo stalker with her companion,  then shared her testimony and what she learned at zone conference about being a consecrated missionary with us, she said one more goodbye and congrats to the happy couple, wiped her tears, dried her hair, and went to church. She invited our family to pray for her and Arnold Jamine to find anyone who will listen to them. They don’t have any friends to teach in their area, so they do a lot of  finding. Quincy is a magnet for people, I g

 

Groomsmen: Bear, Zach Lister, Skyler Newton, Logan’s brother in law Jacob, Logan’s brother in law Paul, Ryan Mains, Soren, Corbin, Collin Lofgran, “the boy Quincy” Lofgran, and Austin Lofgran 

Bridesmaids: Brandilyn, Jodee, Soyoung, Izzy Jo, Kristina, Finley, Sloane, Esme, not shown: Logan’s sister in law  Ashly in Idaho who is 8 months pregnant) and Jamae Quincy serving a mission in Korea) 

These guys were so funny. No one loves photos, but because they love Reese and Logan, they were hilariously agreeable. Corbin is so good and being a boys boy. We cried laughing over the moment when Logan stopped smiling during the groom toss 💀💀💀.  Reese quickly retracted her willingness to be thrown. 
There was so much celebration of this wonderful union.