Waffles and Weddings

Our cousin, Laurie Edwards' daughter, got married and had her reception at our aunt Janice's house above the avenues.  It was a gorgeous day and the view can't be beat. 

Look at this handsome guy we ran into at the reception. 

With limited parking, they had golf carts arrange to drop off and to pick people up.  Sara, Jena and Jacob thought that was fabulous. 

After the reception, we went to the Olympus Hills area to enjoy Friday night waffles and gelato.  

There was a beautiful sunset . . .and Maia took these artistic shots of the lights. 

We got quite a few kinds and they were devoured pretty quickly.  

Jacob, Sara, Melinda, Dad/Grandpa, Aiden, Emma, Kristen, Jena (focused on her waffle) and Maia. They were delicious!

Annual Stake Clothing Exchange

Now that I serve in the Stake Relief Society, I get to be more involved with our annual service projects.  I have often volunteered, but never been there the whole time to receive, sort and then help distribute the clothes.  I think this was the 7th year for the  Annual Clothing Exchange.  The idea is that everyone goes through their closets and donates clothes that are still in good condition, but that they don't use.  People bring donations to the stake center during a 6-hour period on Friday.  We have volunteers to help sort and organize everything.  The most popular time to drop is between 5 and 7 pm. . . and it extended a little longer as we had stragglers for a few hours after.  

Someone even donated a wedding dress

Kara found this sweet ensemble - plus a pedometer that was donated that she used to track her steps back and forth.  We walked a lot!

Kara brought this wagon, which proved to be very helpful as we delivered clothes to various places around the church. 

Janell Cropper and Nicole Morris, who helped volunteer

Another volunteer, plus Jana Conrad, who serves as the 1st Counselor in the Stake Relief Society with me. 

Our Stake RS President, Carol Ann Snow, spent lots of time sorting the baby clothes. 

Carol Ann had these snacks right by her side as she worked all day long

Carol Ann Snow with Monica Smithee, the Stake RS Secretary

The line starts forming more than an hour before we open the doors on Saturday and it wraps around the church.  It's quite a site!

Then the Stake President offers a prayer and welcomes everyone in to take what they need

The area with the little girls clothes is one of the most popular

We were able to help lots of people.  And, at the end of the day, we load up a trailer with everything that's left and donate it to the D.I.  Man, was I tired at the end of all that.