Number five got hitched

Craig, the fifth of the country cousins got hitched a couple weeks ago. Woohoo! Amy and Jud spent a lot of time with their cousins when they were young. Paul's brother Larry and family lived at the farm where Paul grew up. When we went to Earlville to visit Paul's folks, we'd stop at the farm and the kids would hang out with their "country cousins". They'd play video games and ninja turtles. It was pretty cool that Craig, Karl and Kurt (the two older guys, Brad and Chad may or may not have participated - they were a little older and may have been too cool) took Amy and Jud out and about to the creek and climbing in the barn. Good farm stuff and good memories.

Fast forward a few years...kids grow up and all of the country cousins have gone on to go to college, gotten jobs and four got married. There are even several adorable grand nieces and nephews involved. Karl actually teaches chemistry at Valley High School here in WDM - I wish I could have had a teacher like him. The other guys live closer to their folks - in the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area.

Craig took a while to find just the right partner. Her was busy with his job at Rockwell Collins and training for and doing triathlons. And Erin was it! The wedding took place at a fancy barn venue just north of Iowa City in later January - and they really lucked out. The weather was perfect.

And as a side note, an HGTV film crew was on hand to record the couple right after the wedding. The team had been working with Craig and Erin the past few weeks as they readied Erin's fathers house for sale. He had passed away in 2015. They said they'd let us know when/if this pilot airs on the channel. Don't worry - when I find out it's airing, I'll let you know!

Goldsmith sibs

All of Paul's brothers and sisters made it. The ceremony was simple and perfect, and so they were married surrounded by family and friends. The reception afterwards was fabulous - super prime rib and a s'mores bar and pie! So good.

Time with family, experiencing the joy of a new marriage - so good! George and Laura would have been so proud. Congrats to Craig and Erin.