Jun 25, 2009
Jun 24, 2009
Jun 23, 2009
The Sunderland-Kreider Wedding, June 20th, 2009
Many of the Kreider Klan were able to gather at a resort near Leavenworth to celebrate Bill and Alyssa's wedding on a beautiful sunny (and somewhat windy) Saturday afternoon. Here are a few pictures of those of us officially seated on the bride's side of the aisle. Two professional photographers looked after the official photos, but Mark and I really enjoyed hunting for those elusive casual shots at meal times or during quiet conversations. He has promised to send me a CD of (hopefully 100s of) his shots.
Our reunion began a day before we were to gather at the resort. Janice and I joined Vivian, Aaron, Stephen and his mother for dinner in Seattle. Then, completely on whim, Steve suggested that we all pile into the car he rented for the weekend and visit the happy couple in their new home. Off we went, totally unannounced, and found not only Bill and Alyssa but also Paul, Kay and Kara, all getting ready for the big weekend. They dropped everything and we had a great mini reunion. Stephen's mother just had knee surgery and remained in the car, but people kindly stooped to chat with her. The house is really interesting and fit for hikers (it seemed like a three-floor hike just to get to the front door).
It would be understandable if you assumed Aaron flew out to WA just for the wedding. However, he was born and raised on the west coast. For as long as he can remember, he has been fond of local wild berries. He knew the salmon berry season should be underway, so he kept looking for them as we drove by miles of woods and forest. Suddenly he would urge us to stop. Here we see the intrepid hunter-gatherer (well, vegans don't hunt) gathering about a pint of the precious berries, both red and yellow. They were at their prime. He intended to save a few to show to a berry lover in Philly.
Most of my shots were taken during meals. The wedding party and guests had their own special large sunny room. Meals were simply excellent, not at all what I expected to receive in the middle of the forest in the middle of nowhere. The only problem was deciding how to pace yourself gastronomically. People coped superbly, usually lingering at tables or moving from table to table. My favourite time was breakfast. The morning sun poured through the tall windows, offering superb light for photographs. However, I quickly discovered it was best to wait until my brothers were well into their second cup of coffee before shooting.
This shows Paul, Kara and Grandma Sutter, who read from 1 Cor. 13 at the ceremony. It was so nice to see a grandparent used in this significant way, representing the other grandparents, each of whom was mentioned in the programme.
At Friday evening, Bill and Alyssa hosted the rehearsal dinner. However, everyone was invited, so there were far more people than just the customary wedding party. At the end, Kara spoke of the happy couple from her sisterly point of view. I could see why she is an excellent teacher. Her Aunt Debbie is seated, obviously enjoying the show.
I was honoured to be asked to officiate. Unfortunately, since I'm not ordained, let alone an ordained minister in WA, I could only perform the religious service. Alyssa and Bill were understanding and procured the services of a local clergyman to oversee the quiet official signing of state papers at about 9:00 the morning of the wedding.
This meant that they were now Officially Married . . . time for a few of life's wonderfully tender moments.
We then had several hours before dressing for the wedding, so Mark and I took the Father of the Bride (Paul rather enjoyed that appellation) to see what we could see. Mark drove his rented Bat Mobile, some muscular black car that caught the attention of all male car lovers. It had the sort of acceleration that recalls a jet taking off. Anyway, we went into the mountains looking for paths to beautiful scenery. I entitled this picture, "Where angels fear to tread".
The following picture is a bit out of order, because rehearsals are of course be held the day before the wedding, but I insert it here to show the setting for the wedding. Bill and Alyssa were on the stage, the musicians on the side. If you got tired of looking at stationary people on stage, you could always looks at stationary mountains. And if 'stationary' got boring, you could watch either the clouds move by or the guitar player's knee bounce wildly up and down.
Finally, the ceremony. People started gathering from across the grounds. This shot shows the cabins in which we stayed. It also shows Mark in his spiffy suit, elegantly escorting the love of his life to the wedding.
We were more leisurely. Here we see Kara, Aaron and Amy, but in the background you can also just discern some of the Sunderland family, including Bill's father (far right) and mother (white hair, third from the left). I was impressed by the Sunderlands and the obvious love and affection they and Bill share.
Yes, for the record, they did indeed get married. Here are two shots of people relaxing afterward in the afternoon sunshine. Paul just beamed, reminding me of the pure joy I used to treasure seeing in his face more than half a century ago. His smile could transform my day.
Our reunion began a day before we were to gather at the resort. Janice and I joined Vivian, Aaron, Stephen and his mother for dinner in Seattle. Then, completely on whim, Steve suggested that we all pile into the car he rented for the weekend and visit the happy couple in their new home. Off we went, totally unannounced, and found not only Bill and Alyssa but also Paul, Kay and Kara, all getting ready for the big weekend. They dropped everything and we had a great mini reunion. Stephen's mother just had knee surgery and remained in the car, but people kindly stooped to chat with her. The house is really interesting and fit for hikers (it seemed like a three-floor hike just to get to the front door).
It would be understandable if you assumed Aaron flew out to WA just for the wedding. However, he was born and raised on the west coast. For as long as he can remember, he has been fond of local wild berries. He knew the salmon berry season should be underway, so he kept looking for them as we drove by miles of woods and forest. Suddenly he would urge us to stop. Here we see the intrepid hunter-gatherer (well, vegans don't hunt) gathering about a pint of the precious berries, both red and yellow. They were at their prime. He intended to save a few to show to a berry lover in Philly.
Most of my shots were taken during meals. The wedding party and guests had their own special large sunny room. Meals were simply excellent, not at all what I expected to receive in the middle of the forest in the middle of nowhere. The only problem was deciding how to pace yourself gastronomically. People coped superbly, usually lingering at tables or moving from table to table. My favourite time was breakfast. The morning sun poured through the tall windows, offering superb light for photographs. However, I quickly discovered it was best to wait until my brothers were well into their second cup of coffee before shooting.
This shows Paul, Kara and Grandma Sutter, who read from 1 Cor. 13 at the ceremony. It was so nice to see a grandparent used in this significant way, representing the other grandparents, each of whom was mentioned in the programme.
At Friday evening, Bill and Alyssa hosted the rehearsal dinner. However, everyone was invited, so there were far more people than just the customary wedding party. At the end, Kara spoke of the happy couple from her sisterly point of view. I could see why she is an excellent teacher. Her Aunt Debbie is seated, obviously enjoying the show.
I was honoured to be asked to officiate. Unfortunately, since I'm not ordained, let alone an ordained minister in WA, I could only perform the religious service. Alyssa and Bill were understanding and procured the services of a local clergyman to oversee the quiet official signing of state papers at about 9:00 the morning of the wedding.
This meant that they were now Officially Married . . . time for a few of life's wonderfully tender moments.
We then had several hours before dressing for the wedding, so Mark and I took the Father of the Bride (Paul rather enjoyed that appellation) to see what we could see. Mark drove his rented Bat Mobile, some muscular black car that caught the attention of all male car lovers. It had the sort of acceleration that recalls a jet taking off. Anyway, we went into the mountains looking for paths to beautiful scenery. I entitled this picture, "Where angels fear to tread".
The following picture is a bit out of order, because rehearsals are of course be held the day before the wedding, but I insert it here to show the setting for the wedding. Bill and Alyssa were on the stage, the musicians on the side. If you got tired of looking at stationary people on stage, you could always looks at stationary mountains. And if 'stationary' got boring, you could watch either the clouds move by or the guitar player's knee bounce wildly up and down.
Finally, the ceremony. People started gathering from across the grounds. This shot shows the cabins in which we stayed. It also shows Mark in his spiffy suit, elegantly escorting the love of his life to the wedding.
We were more leisurely. Here we see Kara, Aaron and Amy, but in the background you can also just discern some of the Sunderland family, including Bill's father (far right) and mother (white hair, third from the left). I was impressed by the Sunderlands and the obvious love and affection they and Bill share.
Yes, for the record, they did indeed get married. Here are two shots of people relaxing afterward in the afternoon sunshine. Paul just beamed, reminding me of the pure joy I used to treasure seeing in his face more than half a century ago. His smile could transform my day.
Jun 15, 2009
Mark & Amy in Vancouver
Mark and Amy just visited Vancouver for about three days. We were flying back to Vancouver on Tuesday, and since they were driving up from Seattle, they knew they would get here first. The painters had the house open (to work on windows), so Mark and Amy moved in, as instructed. But then they did an unbelievably kind thing: they bought groceries and had supper ready for us when we arrived home. That is the kind of house guest I adore.
On Wednesday, after a leisurely start, we took our traditional 2-hour walk, this time going from our place to the VanDusen Botanical Gardens on Oak Street and about 38th Avenue. After a lunch in the Gardens, we enjoyed strolling and shooting. On Thursday, after yet another leisurely start, we walked around the Stanley Park sea wall (about 9 km), which offered still more opportunities for taking pictures.
I enjoyed sneaking a few shots of Mark taking pictures. I'll begin with a few shots showing VanDusen Gardens. Mark's camera was an incredible ability to zoom in on things.
His camera is also excellent for taking closeup shots (macro photography). Amy was enjoying fresh salmon berries which are native to the area.
Mark and Amy were right at home with the ocean and English Bay. I still don't know how Amy managed to stay out of the water nearly the entire time.
Amy and Janice patiently waited, or walked on their own, while Mark and I photographed everything that moved or stood still.
On Wednesday, after a leisurely start, we took our traditional 2-hour walk, this time going from our place to the VanDusen Botanical Gardens on Oak Street and about 38th Avenue. After a lunch in the Gardens, we enjoyed strolling and shooting. On Thursday, after yet another leisurely start, we walked around the Stanley Park sea wall (about 9 km), which offered still more opportunities for taking pictures.
I enjoyed sneaking a few shots of Mark taking pictures. I'll begin with a few shots showing VanDusen Gardens. Mark's camera was an incredible ability to zoom in on things.
His camera is also excellent for taking closeup shots (macro photography). Amy was enjoying fresh salmon berries which are native to the area.
Mark and Amy were right at home with the ocean and English Bay. I still don't know how Amy managed to stay out of the water nearly the entire time.
Amy and Janice patiently waited, or walked on their own, while Mark and I photographed everything that moved or stood still.
Jun 12, 2009
A visit to Jackson to see Frank and Lori and family
Last Sunday we were able to drive to Jackson to visit Frank, Lori and Nick for the afternoon and early evening. We were really glad that we could also see Michael, Michelle and their daughters, Katelyn (Katie) and Elizabeth (Lizzy). Here are a few pictures from that afternoon. If you haven't seen the children for a year or more, you will see they certainly have grown.
I always look forward to seeing what Lori has done this season with her living room. It is a good place to begin our conversation each visit. Janice liked the touches of summery green in this room.
Grandpa (Frank) and Katie.
Michael was enjoying a rare day off work.
The girls certainly get along well, and I was struck by how Katelyn is so helpful to her sister Lizzy, watching her on stairs, entertaining her, etc. Her red hair is eye-catching.
I liked Lizzy's matter-of-fact pensive attitude. She was an excellent model.
I shot this while Mike was on the back deck, chatting with Nick, who was grilling NY strip steaks (I may have the wrong name . . . I never see cuts this fancy at home). Mike has been kept busy at work with many hectic orders coming in recently. He has been overseeing shipping (orders received, orders sent) for a large plant. He and Michelle now live in Jackson, not far from Frank and Lori.
This shows Nick quietly biding his time until he was given the signal to fire up the grill on the back deck. I saw his (?) golf clubs at the front entry and wished I had gone to Jackson about five hours earlier, but it was out of the question.
The Grillmeister at work. Need I add that the steaks were done 'to perfection'? His uncles, known for honing their skills in grilling for decades, would have been proud. I was simply thankful. Nick indicated he was looking forward to good leftovers this week.
The TV room was originally a screened-in porch that is now comfortably winterized.
I should have started with the front entryway and hallway, but didn't.
The kitchen has the theme of red running through much of the china Lori has collected over the years.
We always look forward to our annual visits, or as close to annual as we can make them. Our poor GPS went berserk when we ran into a long parade which cut us off from our destination, but we finally made it by following some irritated locals who seemed to know useful shortcuts. If I remember correctly, Forbes reported that Jackson is the worst-hit town in the US this recession. Fortunately, the Mom-n-Pop store seems to continue keeping its head above water (knock on wood).
I always look forward to seeing what Lori has done this season with her living room. It is a good place to begin our conversation each visit. Janice liked the touches of summery green in this room.
Grandpa (Frank) and Katie.
Michael was enjoying a rare day off work.
The girls certainly get along well, and I was struck by how Katelyn is so helpful to her sister Lizzy, watching her on stairs, entertaining her, etc. Her red hair is eye-catching.
I liked Lizzy's matter-of-fact pensive attitude. She was an excellent model.
I shot this while Mike was on the back deck, chatting with Nick, who was grilling NY strip steaks (I may have the wrong name . . . I never see cuts this fancy at home). Mike has been kept busy at work with many hectic orders coming in recently. He has been overseeing shipping (orders received, orders sent) for a large plant. He and Michelle now live in Jackson, not far from Frank and Lori.
This shows Nick quietly biding his time until he was given the signal to fire up the grill on the back deck. I saw his (?) golf clubs at the front entry and wished I had gone to Jackson about five hours earlier, but it was out of the question.
The Grillmeister at work. Need I add that the steaks were done 'to perfection'? His uncles, known for honing their skills in grilling for decades, would have been proud. I was simply thankful. Nick indicated he was looking forward to good leftovers this week.
The TV room was originally a screened-in porch that is now comfortably winterized.
I should have started with the front entryway and hallway, but didn't.
The kitchen has the theme of red running through much of the china Lori has collected over the years.
We always look forward to our annual visits, or as close to annual as we can make them. Our poor GPS went berserk when we ran into a long parade which cut us off from our destination, but we finally made it by following some irritated locals who seemed to know useful shortcuts. If I remember correctly, Forbes reported that Jackson is the worst-hit town in the US this recession. Fortunately, the Mom-n-Pop store seems to continue keeping its head above water (knock on wood).
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