The Rehearsal Dinner

 A very special evening.  An evening that brought the McCormick and Boynton families together.  It was such a pleasure to meet Ashton and Alwyn's family and friends.

The rehearsal dinner was held at a beautiful old house in Old Saybrook.  The grounds were so green and beautiful!   Everyone had a great time.

Such beautiful flowers!

This yard swing was a favorite with the kids and adults

The beautiful "bride to be"

My mom with Alwyn's mom and grandmother

Alwyn's dad and Uncle Woody

A Most Perfect Wedding

The Dahl, Cook, and Brotherton families traveled to beautiful Old Saybrook CT for Ashton's wedding.  Not only was it the perfect wedding.....we had the perfect vacation.   It was truly magical.

Here are some moments from the wedding.

Not so alone

This house feels to big tonight.  As I look up our high ceilings, they feel way to high.  I feel the air and it feels cold.  I wrap my arms around myself and shiver.  I look toward my children's rooms.  Their night light is on and I say a simple prayer for them.  A mother's prayer.  I take a deep breath.  Then, I pray for myself.  I tell God how alone I feel without Bryan.  How big this house feels, how big this city feels.  And, as I breath again.  There I said it.  It feels good to say exactly how I feel.  Only then does God start to take the burden off my heart.  I close my eyes and let his warmth soothe my soul.  I breath deeply.

I look around with new eyes.  I see books strewn on the couch.  Books we purchased tonight from the book store.  Mercer Mayer.  Juni B Jones.  The images of all three boys cuddling with me on the couch as I read, warms my heart.  God whispers, "you would have missed that moment if things would have been different".

My eyes drift into the kitchen.  Big popcorn bowls are still on the counter.  The measuring cup used to melt the butter still sits where I left it.  Popcorn lays strewn on the counter.  The images of three boys cuddled on the couch watching Wiggles and eating popcorn fill my head.  The moment where we jump up to dance to "Rock a Bye Your Bear" runs through my head.  Eli has the biggest smile on his face as his brothers show him how to do the actions to the song he loves so much.  I take another deep breath and start to feel joy creep into every cell in my body.

My house does feel empty without Bryan.  The responsibility of taking care of three little boys is more then I can do.  But, God reminds me of all the joy.  I COULD have missed this joy.  I COULD have continued feeling lonely but, I didn't.  I allowed God to take a hold of my heart.  And, in a few short breaths he opened my eyes.  He opened my eyes and helped me to see the afternoon he created for me and my precious boys.  I take a sigh of relief and then I start to get ready for bed.  Ready for tomorrow.

Playing polo

Drum roll, please.  This is what we have been working for, waiting for, all summer.  Being able to play the big game.

Gabe did really well with the mallet and ball.  I am so proud of him.  I am proud that he is such a great horseman.  I am proud that he learned so much this summer.  I am just plain proud of him.

Polo school......next summer.  Here we come.

An afternoon ride

An afternoon riding.  Getting ready for Polo School the next day.  It was so fun spending time together horseback.  Riding at the most beautiful spot imaginable.  Spending time with one another.  Chatting about our day and learning from our horses.

Polo Fever

The little ones have polo fever.  How can you not as you watch the horses, balls, and mallets, run by you at lightening speed?  You can not ignore the excitement of the game.

Here they are practicing polo.  Waiting for that moment when they are big enough to ride a galloping horse down the field.

An afternoon of Polo

An afternoon at the polo field.  Riding horses, playing stick and ball, and enjoying the breathtaking scenery.  It doesn't matter how many times I have been out to the polo field.  The view never gets old.  It is just spectacular!  This is a picture taken from the club house.

After Poncho was saddeled and ready to go, Gabe wanted to ride first.  He always wants to ride first.  We pulled the stool over and my little cowboy crawled up on Poncho without help.  He took the reins and said "see you in a minute, mom".   "What"?  "Were are you going?" I cried.  "Mom, can't I ride over to the club house by myself"?  he said  Um....this question I wasn't prepared to answer.  Was I ready for him to ride down the field by himself?  I took a deep breath and said "Sure", just like it was no big deal.  And, I watched my little boy ride away....all by himself.

Then, I watched him ride back.  He did great.  And, from that moment, all he wanted to do was ride by himself across the field.  I still can't believe what a good horseman he has turned out to be.

Owen loves to ride also and even though he can't ride by himself yet, he still loves it!  Here he is learning how to use the reins.

Amaya's riding skills have also impressed me.  When it is her turn to ride, Gabe wants to ride also!

 I can't leave out our up and coming polo star....Miss Adaline Cook.  Here she is practicing stick and ball.