Everett's Blessing

Busy weekend continues.....

We got to bed late after Noelle's feast, so we enjoyed sleeping in a bit. Not too late though, because Matt Kelley and the family came up for a breakfast of pancakes and sausage. Then we quickly made more food to take to my brother Lane's house where we were gathering after church for the blessing of his grandson Everett. It was an occasion put together quickly as just 4 days before, Lane was still in Israel where he is stationed in Jerusalem. When his father-in-law Everett Baerwaldt passed away, he was able to arrange to come home for the funeral. Since he was here, we all gathered for the blessing of Jenni's little baby. 

 The guest of honor is on his uncle James' lap! 

 Two Everett's on the couch! 

Lance, John, Matt, and Logan share a laugh about global warming..........

24th of July Celebration

Today was a big day! In between all the preparations for Noelle's feast,  I took the kids to the park for for some 24th of July fun! 

Aislinn had fun at the fishing booth - but kept checking behind the curtain to see what was going on back there! 

She also went fishing for a duck and earned a prize! 

Michael asked the balloon man to make him a dragonfly. He had never done it before, but after a moments thought, proceeded to make Michael an awesome dragonfly! 

While all the food was cooking, we kept the kids busy with watering my yard - and each other! 

Noelle's Big Day!

Noelle had an exciting weekend, to say the least! She proved with expertise, knowledge, talent, and amazing dedication to her craft that she deserved to be given the title of Laurel in the Arts and Sciences. It was a very big deal, as will will be able to tell if you have the chance to look at all the photos! 

Here she is at her vigil. She greeted guests throughout the day as they came to congratulate her and have a private moment to talk with her. We made Welsh cakes for her to serve to her guests. We couldn't attend the vigil because we were at home cooking up a storm. Read on! 

Noelle's Laurel Feast!

Noelle's Laurel Feast was incredible! Matt Kelley spent many hours over the past weeks getting ready for the feast - including raising the rabbits and peacock that was served! He spent all day Saturday at our house smoking the meats and getting everything ready. Matt (Pettit) and I were busy cooking all weekend as well.
It was a delicious and authentic-to-the-time-period feast!

Some of the foods you are looking at in the photos include:

gold leaf covered roasted peacock

smoked Cornish game hens

roasted rabbits

stuffed mushrooms

turnips, beets, carrots and onions and other deliciousness

And yes...I was serious when I said the peacock was covered in gold leaf. It is real, edible gold leaf which we carefully applied to the roasted peacock! 

It was a stunning feast, to say the least!
Noelle also made the pavilion/ tent in these photos. Yes - I mean all the green and white awesomeness you see was made by Noelle.
Personally - I love the scallopy things that hang down.

As we were setting everything up, all Noelle could say was WOW!

Since we did the cooking at our house and Noelle was already at the event, this was her first look at the food for her feast!

She and Michael were very impressed at the spread!

As the guest of honor, she was the first one served!

She pronounced the peacock very delicious!

We had worked so hard, that it was fun to see her enjoy it all!

Noelle and Kao feasting their eyes upon the glorious feast!

Noelle greeting guests as they arrive to her feast!

The founder of the feast - Matt Kelley!
 He was so amazing - in planning and carrying it out.

 Anne looked so gorgeous in the dress she made for the occasion.
Also, notice the beautiful pearls Noelle hand sewed on her outfit.

Logan got home from his National Guard drill just hours before this.
He and Anne were a big help in getting all the feast food carted to the event site. 

Getting Ready for the Laurel Ceremony

After the feast, it was time to get ready for the actual reason for all the fuss - the Laurel ceremony! 

Pictures don't do Noelle's outfit justice, but check out the details! 

Noelle and Kao looked so amazing from head to toe! 

Noelle, Kao, and the whole Kelley family - minus Melia who sadly was in London during this grand occasion!

Anne, Noelle, Holly, and (of course) Aislinn!

Anne made this authentic outfit for the occasion under Noelle's guidance. She even learned how to draft the pattern! Awesome job! Logan got home from his National guard drill just hours before this photo.

Noelle's friend Janene drove clear from California to be there with her. 

Laurel Ceremony

Noelle and her entourage heading to court!

Noelle being escorted by her handsome husband Kao! 

Don't they look amazing!?!

These are the incredible shoes Noelle was wearing! She carved them out of cork and did all the detail work you see. 

Patiently waiting for the other business of court to be done. 

Still waiting.......

It even got dark while we were waiting! 

Kiss for luck before the actual ceremony. 

Kneeling before the King and Queen.

The actual dubbing. 

Presentation of the scroll. 

The scroll is fabulous with lots of details of Noelle's life in it.
You can check out close-ups of it on her blog. 

National Guard Training

 Logan spent 2 weeks at Camp Williams doing some leadership training with the National Guard. He most have enjoyed it - look at that smile!

(He's the one at the back with the awesome grin!)

4th of July

Logan, Anne, Matt and I went camping at Lava Hot Springs with our friends the Daniels, as well as Nancy and Jen Hole from Wales. It was a blast! Unfortunately, we didn't take many photos - guess we were having to much fun to record it! We did get some shots of us tubing down the river!