Charlotte and Anthony

Charlotte married Anthony on November 21, 2009, in Houston. The Spendlove family gathered to celebrate. The David Spendlove clan included David and me, Michael, and Lisa with three of her children--Kirsten, Bryce, and Alyssa. Lisa planned to just bring her girls, but Bryce was appalled that all of the younger half of the Flindt kids were invited, except him. Lisa relented, and we were delighted Bryce was part of our Houston gang.

We spent Friday exploring Janice's beautiful new backyard and helping her get ready for the reception at her home Saturday night.

The last minute jobs incuded tying coral ribbons on chairs that had already been slip-covered in white...

setting out the serving platters...

and putting out the bows.

Friday night was the wedding dinner hosted by Anthony's parents at a Turkish restaurant in Katy, Michael's first area on his mission. The food was fabulous and the guests friendly and excited about the wedding.

Anthony's sister told about Anthony's foibles.

On the way home from the party, Michael drove through his old mission areas. We stopped at a grocery store to buy some Blue Bunny ice cream and check out the Baptist "23 Minutes in Hell" books.

Janice's next-door neighbors offered their upstairs for our family and Nancy and Darrell to stay in. It was a big slumber party for Bryce and Alyssa.

Charlotte was a beautiful bride! The wedding was totally festive, despite the rain.

As Janice and Vincent married one daughter, they hinted that another engagement is around the corner--Joshua and Ashley.

The junior bridesmaids and flower girls, including Kirsten and Alyssa, were splendid in their costumes.

The group milled around the temple, chatting and waiting for pictures--Grandma Spendlove and Ben, Jennifer, Mike, Lisa, Vincent's mom, David and Darrell.

Anthony's mother is Dutch, with an Indonesian background, and Anthony's favorite food is Indonesian.

The photographer took pictures of Janice's family with and without Ashley, Joshua's girlfriend.

We took a break, Saturday afternoon, to tour the Houstin Museum of Science with Lisa and her children. My favorite exhibit was a simulated trip inside an oil well as it was being drilled!


Janice's reception was magical, from the flowers to the harp to the food to the candles floating in the pool.

On Sunday afternoon, Dave and I visited the Houston Fine Arts Museum and then stopped for Southern cooking at a fast food joint--fried oysters and corn, washed down with a strawberry slurpee.

On Sunday night, Charlotte and Anthony stopped back at Janice's house to open presents and say goodbye to our family, Nancy's family, and Grandma.

Bryce and Kirsten relaxed with Coco, Charlotte's dog, who lolled about on the floor.