Robertsons & Daughters: Wedding Prep Trip & PA!

Wow, it's been busy around here! Elden is almost done with school, the kids are doing different things for the summer and now it's time to plan for a wedding! Shanna needed to be in Utah for her FSY training so we went out a few days early to get started on wedding things. Before we left we met with a caterer for the wedding reception. So we have something done!

When we went to Dublin and Scotland I used SpotHero for parking. It's getting more expesive at Dulles. Plus we had to park two cars. We used parking at a local hotel there and I decided to go ahead and use them again for this trip. They guy at the front desk even invited us to have breakfast! Both types of eggs were a bit weird for me, but ah well...

Nate if you are reading this blog before Aug 8, 2026, you are banned from it till then! No peeking!

Hot cocoa for the plane! I just asked for hot water and creamer. I brought my own.

Here's our little rental. A Mitsubishi Mirage...I think. Clark picked us up at the airport and brought us to the car rental place. Yay for a direct Breeze flight to Provo! First stop after getting the car, Walmart.

We arrived Tuesday and I left Saturday morning. I stayed at Clark and Chloe's apartment at Wymount. I bought air mattresses, a pump, sheets and pillows. Clark had everything set up and had even washed the sheets! It was so thoughtful of him! I bought groceries so Shanna and I could eat at their place, and also made dinners for them.

After shopping and putting things away, we went to our first appointment for wedding dress shopping! This is where Chloe found her dress.

She found one she liked! We have two more places to check out!

I dropped Shanna off that evening so she could hang out with Nate. Nate thought I was going to dinner with both of them. But no, haha. I wanted them to have time to themselves. We had pizza at Clark's apartment and I went on a walk. I called Shanna to find out about when she would be back to Clark's and she was officially proposed to by Nate!!! Finally--I can tell people about Shanna and Nate gettting married! I texted a lot of people the next day!

The Rock Canyon Temple! This was where the Provo Temple was.

I walked up past the temple everyday, up by Rock Canyon. Really pretty and awesome houses!

Day two! We went to two places today. First up was GBP Bridal. The owner was super cute! Shanna found a dress here that topped the other one!!!

Last stop we were back in Provo at Affordable Bridal. Not a very clever name haha.

And she found the dress!

I was getting a bit stressed about finding someone to alter the dress and add the different sleeves Shanna wanted. I couldn't reach the first lady that the store recommended. I was able to chat with Kelly Engstrom's friend who was happy to take on the job, but she couldn't meet with us that weekend because of Memorial Day. I asked my friend Sylvia in Virginia. She was willing, and said she would get back to me but never did. The orginal alteration lady old got back with me and said she couldn't meet till June. Shanna called a shop in Orem and she could meet us! Yay! I was leaving Saturday so I needed to get the dress altered with Shanna available before she started FSY.

Leaving with the dress...no returns accepted! Shanna is talking to her friend Emily about everything!

Where Lena and I lived one summer!

The flowers from the proposal.

Working out with weights, not weights. Hey it weighs 9 pounds which is something!

The fun ring from Amazon!

My walk!

We went to the bookstore to get some candy (and I sent pictures to Lee Lorimer to tease him because he doesn't like BYU). Then Shanna also talked to an advisor about her major. Sounds like she will change it to Communications with an HR emphasis or to Nutrition. She'd not digging accounting.

Dropping her off again!

Pickup time!

Another walk.

I also took them to their engagement photos at Little Dell Reservoir. We got a lot done this week! I snapped some pictures. Nate injured his knee his freshman year and had surgery right after school was done.

Here are a few from the photographer. She did a great job. She is going to do our family photos in July and Shanna's bridals the night before her wedding.

Another cool house!

Nate spent the night at Clark's on the couch and the next morning he and Shanna took me to the car rental place and then the airport. Back to Virginia! I was kind of laughing at myself. I brought ramen on the plane to eat on the way home--go free hot water! And I brought peas to put in the ramen. And I had my trashy Altras on. Giving off luxury vibes for sure!

My shoes have paint on them and holes too.

While I was flying, the kids and Lee went back to Sheryl's to go shooting. It was supposed to rain that day so they weren't going to go, but the weather cleared up a bit to go. Some fun shots!

A really sweet note I found on the inside of my laptop. Thanks Clark! I have the best kids!

Sunday we went to the Franklin Ward for two farewells, Sawyer Apple and Emma Hartman. Lee was at Skyline Ward, so we missed having him along. They had an awesome lunch after too! Sounds like we broke the record with 114 people in attendance. They have a lot of Hartmans in their congregation and they come back for a huge family reunion. Guess we still topped them!

The stake YM and YW presidencies just happened to be there that day. Too funny. Cal with Chantell Ray and Caralee Sanders.

Emma and Haley! Emma is headed to Salt Lake City!

I thought these little money boxes are cute. I am getting one for Shanna and Nate for their reception.

This dessert was pretty yummy!!!

One of Lee's patients works at a chicken farm and they get double yolk eggs a lot. They can't sell them though so the employees get to take them home. The guy gave some to Lee! So nice!

For Memorial Day we did some things around the house and went on a little hike in Shenandoah National Park. There are some old cabins up there. We didn't see all of them, but I think it would be easier in the winter without all the leaves blocking the view. It rained a little, but wasn't a downpour which was great! Lee made waffles for breakfast!

I realized the night before that Cal would of course be gone during his birthday. We went out to eat at Old 33 Burgers for a birthday lunch.

Haley made an awesome cake!

That night we went to the Whiting's Barn for a triple celebrations they hosted for their 2 kids who were recently married and their son that just graduated from high school. It was also nice because I got to see the barn for Shanna's reception! My friend Jenny told me that they do rent out the barn and it's available! YAY!

Very excited to have her reception here! It's perfect!

We get to use decor too!

I couldn't stay long as I went up with Cal to my parents. My mom found out she has breast cancer and we went up to help out. Our drive up to PA!

Fun to have a Buc-ees so close!

Cal stayed with my dad that day and I took my mom back to Lancaster for her surgery. We were kind of worried about the time, but then found out on our drive--while we're stuck in traffic because of an accident--that we didn't have to be there till 10:30am. We were going to arrive about 9:00am. Whew!

Getting ready to go in!

I hung out during the surgery and then we got back about 5:00pm. It went well!

Shanna at her FSY training at UVU!

Stephanie was so sweet and had a ton of food delivered from Costco and did take out three times. So sweet of her! I went home Tuesday night after the surgery so I could work at the temple the next day. Then back up to PA that night!

I made a fun lunch...my lazy sweet & sour chicken.

Cal made it more interesting with AI!

We found out that Kylie and Serena were doing a piano recital and we got to go it! I say by Katie in the back. It was fun to hear them play.

Flowers to my mom from some of my siblings!

Cal making sure everything is neat and tidy at home...

I found a desk on the side of the road when I went out walking by my parents. I loaded it up and brought it back. My mom's desk was moved into the office, but she needed something by her table. And the desk was free!

Seatbelt for the win!

On Saturday after the young men's campout, Cal, Elden and Haley came up for the weekend. Loved having them here. I "made" Elden help me weed and Cal willingly said he'd help. Haley got into some poison ivy at Lee's office pulling out little seedlings and was starting to react quite badly to it, so I didn't aske her to help.

While at my parents I am mainly taking care of my dad, doing laundry and meals. I have been walking a lot which I've loved. My parents watch the news every evening which I think is depressing to watch, so it's a great time to go on a walk. I also got Shanna and Nate's wedding annoucements, thank you cards and temple sealing cards all done!

This isn't quite the thank you note, but close. Got the idea from Clark and Chloe. So fun they had a picture on their thank you notes. And VistaPrint postcards for the win! Got such a great deal!

A little treat! Not very good, haha.

Also that Saturday our friend Steve was baptized!!! We are so excited for him! Lee stayed back in VA for that, plus Stake Conference training, Stake Conference and Seminary Gradauation. Elder Pingree was the presiding authority. I kept for getting about the adult session and the Sunday session so tuned in late to both of them. But what I head was great!