Squeezing in Some Quaity Time

 

While I was in Utah for the wedding, I had a precious few moments of spare time.  Tyler's oldest brother, Jason, and his family came all the way from Logan to meet me at Temple Square for an hour.

 

This was the first time I got to meet my nephew, Andrew.  He proved to be as cute and charming as his family had always described. 

 

Even though our time was limited, we managed to squeeze in some dancing. 

 

 

Their oldest daughter, Ellie, is the most ambitious, servicable girl I have ever known.  She was featured in her local paper for her humanitarian efforts in her community.  She collects pop tabs by the hundreds of thousands and donates them to Ronald McDonald House, where they are recycled and turned in for money for the charity. I was lucky to be able to make a delivery with them and see these girls in action.  Inspiring!!

 

 

 My parents, brothers, and I visited our neighbors and ward from our Utah days.  This is where I lived from 7th grade - high school.

 

 

I am so lucky to have such a fun, close knit extended family. We are a small bunch (I have 8 cousins total), which makes it possible to really get to know each other.  I consider all of them not only family, but dear friends.  There is a fun chemistry between us all and we can laugh our heads off, or sit around and talk forever.  When we get together, it is usually at Uncle Todd and Aunt Kathleen's.  It is such a great time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Peter and Amanda Get Hitched

My little bro., Pete's found the girl of his dreams, and after 2 years of dating they sealed the deal for eternity on January 14, 2012. 

I had not met Amanda until the night before the wedding.  I had skyped with her and heard a lot of wonderful things about her, but I was dying to meet her for myself.  I am a protective sister, and as soon as I met her, I felt peaceful. 

I know my little brother is in good hands.

I flew without my little fam to join them along with many others to celebrate this cold, but beautiful special day in Salt Lake City.

My parents hosted a delicious and fun dinner at Tocano's Restaurant, a perfect introduction for Amanda to all of the Brazilian dishes she gets to learn to make.  It is always fun for our family to share with others our love for Brazilian food and culture.  And when my mom is around, you definitely get a taste for both!

 

 

 

Despite the cold January air, the wedding day was sunny and beautiful.  I have come to really love winter weddings. 

 

 

 

 

 It was so special to have my grandparents and uncle in Brazil on Skype.  They were able to see everyone and be a part of the celebration.  They are laughing here because my mom is pretending to compete with Amanda on how much prettier my mom's dress is than hers and was "stealing" the spotlight from the bride. 

 

Amanda's parents treated the wedding guests with a fancy schmancy dinner at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  Amanda and her talented brothers performed and us Sanders did what we do best- cheered them right along.

 

 

I love this collage with my parents.  We're so incredibly blessed to have these parents as our biggest fans.  My parents think the world of each of their children.  They love and cheer us along in every stage of life.  They're genuinley happy for every good thing in our lives and mourn right along with us when life gets hard.  What beautiful people they are!