Chris and Kendra get married.....Welcome to the family

Well wedding day has arrived, April 19, 2019 for Chris and Kendra. Our grandson, Aiden, was the ring bearer for the wedding so our daughter, Heather, Paul and Aiden flew in from the Chicago area for the wedding. Our son in law, Paul, had several hotel points that he knew wasn't going to be able to use so he booked us a room at the same hotel they were staying at for the wedding. This made it much more convenient access to the wedding venue since the hotel was only about 2 miles away. 

Aiden has been taking swim lessons and the hotel had a pool so we spent much of the day prior to the wedding enjoying some pool time in the sun. It was great spending time with family. Of course I have no photos since I was in the pool having fun. 

The wedding was at 5 pm so we started getting that afternoon and headed to the venue. Chris and Kendra booked wedding reservations at Ocotillo Golf Club in Chandler, AZ. The golf club has a separate garden area for the wedding and a well appointed club house for the reception. It just happened to be the hottest day of the year in AZ so far this year. Temps approached 100 degrees however by the time the wedding took place there was some shade from trees around the garden area. 

The photographer started taking photos of Kendra and her bridesmaids prior to the wedding. 

Then it was time for everyone to take their seats. We got to sit right up front which provided me with some nice photos. Here's a series of photos as the wedding to place. 

Enlarge the photos for best viewing

Chris and Kendra's friend Jared officiated

The groom and groomsmen

The bridesmaids

Aiden looks so handsome

Kendra and her father walking down the aisle

Vows exchanged

Rings exchanged

The kiss

And it's official....Mr. And Mrs. Lowry

Aiden has had a big day

Glenda and Chris

Heather, Paul and Aiden with the newlyweds

The newlyweds enter the reception

First dance

Father and daughter dance

Mother and son dance

After dinner the dancing started. First the newlyweds then father and daughter then mother and son. 

Then my phone died.....yes I didn't have my phone fully charged. I did get the most important shots though. The rest of the evening was dancing, drinking and fantastic fun and celebration. We couldn't be more happy to welcome Kendra into our family. From the very first date to the wedding we knew Chris had found his match. Very happy to have another daughter in the family. 

The next day we had breakfast at the hotel then we took a drive to the RV Resort to show Heather, Paul and Aiden where we stay each winter for the last 5 years. Aiden liked the cactus in the park. 

We walked around the park and showed them our site, the park models and Casitas in the park. We walked around by the pools and the club house. I think they were impressed with our winter home. 

The new took them to The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert. They have some trails around 7 different ponds and it's right off the canal multi use path. We walked over to a neighborhood where a gentleman runs an animal rescue for donkeys, potbelly pigs,goats, a tortoise and a couple bulls. He puts out food pellets that you can feed to the animals. They love the attention and the food. Aiden was a little leery of feeding the animals but enjoyed watching them. 

It was pretty hot so we headed back to our cars and drove to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, Rancho De Tia Rosa just down the road from the Preserve. The food is always good and the service is great too.  Paul and Heather were going to change hotels to be closer to the airport. They had a very early flight back home on Sunday. 

We had to say our goodbyes after lunch and then it was over. The wedding was done, we got to spend time with family and now it was time to prepare to make our slow roll to Georgia. We wish our daughter, Sommer and Todd and the other grandkids could have been there but we will be seeing them soon in Georgia. Sommer's daughter, Brooklyne lives with her Dad in Georgia so we're excited to share this event in her life with her. 

Our next stop is Patagonia State Park. Time to see some new scenery.