Here We Go Again--One Last Time

Remember how Megan and David were painting frames?

Yep, we had one last event--our Billings reception.
The newlyweds, along with us oldyweds, spend a few hours or so reception-izing the depot, the old train station-turned event center we rented.

  We did our own simple decorating

using rented table clothes and vases, Costco flowers, the artistically painted frames, turquoise blue "diamond table sparkles", and disposable tea lights.

You'll be relieved to know Megan still fits into her wedding dress despite all that Christmas Mud Pie we consumed.

 

This was her Billings cake, all Styrofoam except the top layer.

 Compare it to the Utah cake.  Each cake decorator got the same picture to work off of, yet the cakes look almost nothing alike.

 The gift table, with my fake present and fake cards, strategically placed to help people realize where to leave their real gift or real card.

 Our end table from home, cleverly disguised as a sign-in table.

Despite my fears, we had a good turnout. I was sure everyone would be gone for the holidays, leaving us to down food for several hundred by ourselves. I should have know Megan can always draw a crowd....

 We used a catering service for the food. In addition to various finger foods such as shrimp, wraps, cheesecake and brownie bites, breads and spreads, Megan wanted a hot cocoa bar.

 It turned out to be a perfect idea, considering how cold it was outside.

 The caterers were sneaking food to the bride and groom between guest arrivals.

 Ironically they didn't think to provide the same service to those of us who actually wrote their check...

 Hey, look! I saw this girl at our last reception! Nice shoes, Hailey!

And I'm pretty sure this cute child is a repeat, too!

 Now the real fun begins--opening all those gifts and writing all those thank-yous. They still have another pile of gifts to open, currently in Rexburg storage. Can anybody say "writer's cramp"??

Sadly, on Wednesday, January 3, the time came for David and Megan to head back to school.

We offered to "store" their wedding gifts, wedding cash, and wedding gift cards for them, but unfortunately they managed to get every dang thing into their car.

Good bye, Butlers! We love you anyway!