Two weeks of family events - Sister Visits

The week after the funeral and missionary homecoming, two of my sisters came to Provo for a visit.  Lynette arrived first for a few days of fun before the BYU graduation of her SIL.  Janis arrived a few days later to retrieve her son and his things at the end of his freshman year.  It's been nice to have the Provo townhouse for the extended family to use for their comings and goings and BYU needs.

Lynette and I headed out on a very rainy Tuesday morning.  Lynette's daughter Brittany came along but with a book in hand.  She knew that the morning would be a quilt shop hop.  It was a good time for a hop as in hop out of the car and dash for the store door.

First stop, My Sister's Quilts where the prices are fair and sales are often.  I bought pillow case kits on clearance to round out the number of pillow cases my church group will be donating to a charity as part of the Million Pillowcase Challenge.  Brittany didn't seem too bored.

Second stop, Thimbles and Threads where many of the fabric bolts are displayed by color rather than fabric line.  I love this store in the historic part of Draper in what used to be an egg distribution center.  Glen's mother grew up in Draper and there is a bit of family history around every corner.  Lynette bought an Aunt Grace "Circle of Friends" complete block of the month kit with fabric in its own special bag which she found down in the basement on a clearance table.

Third stop, Elaine's Quilt Block where each room has a definite theme.  I was in search of Prairie Paisley II fabric for the borders and backing of my Schnibbles small quilt made from a charm pack of Prairie Paisley II.  I was panic stricken when I couldn't find the fabric on the shelf where it was just a week ago.  I finally found it stacked along the side of a cutting table.  Lynette helped me select the best three for my project.  Brittany chose to remain in the car with her book.

By now the rain had stopped and it was time for lunch.  We headed to downtown Salt Lake City for lunch at the Lion House (the above is the view from the window at our table), a walking tour of Temple Square, and a first visit to the new City Creek shopping district.  All that rain had washed everything pristine and left behind wispy white clouds and a clear blue sky.  Nothing is better than Spring tulip time in downtown SLC.  Enjoy the pictures!

Janae, there is now a H&M store in SLC!  I even bought myself a really cute summer top. (Don't tell anyone but it was in the maternity section :)

Sister time in SLC

Our monthly visit to Utah was extra sweet for me this month. My sister, Lynette, had flown in from Kansas to visit the same week. She was there to see her daughter, Brittany, and son-in-law but she was also very happy to hang out with me. So while Glen worked with his clients, Lynette and I added a few miles to Brittany's car.

We visited quilt stores (for as long as we wanted :), had a personalized tour courtesy of Brittany's MIL at the Bloch exhibit at the MOA (I so enjoyed it again), spent a delightful couple of hours in the BYU bookstore, and remained in-house on Thursday working on projects together that we had found in those quilt stores.

By Friday we were out and about once more as we made our way to downtown Salt Lake City and Temple Square. First stop, the distribution center so the Leavenworth Primary president could stock up. Second stop, the Relief Society Building where we were given a tour by Lynette's college and lifelong friend, Annette. After our tour, Annette turned us loose in the basement where quilter Lynette posed in front of the Primary themed quilt. We also traveled to the other side for Relief Society inspiration.

We then met up with Annette once more for lunch at the Lion's House. Always so good! Lynette and Annette were roommates (along with Jeanette :) in Washington, D. C. when doing internships back in the late 1970's. They have kept in regular contact ever since!

During lunch we were seated in a lovely little nook under a window. I loved the old paned glass windows. If you look at the upper left pane, you will see a reflection of the Lion House where we are dinning.

This trip, the weather was a bit cold but the sun was shining! We had traveled through blowing snow (like 40 mph blowing snow) from about Scipio to Santaquin on the way to Provo. That was NOT fun!

After lunch, we walked across Temple Square to the Church Art and History Museum. I took this picture through a window in the museum. I just loved the view through the leafless trees.

Several new exhibits have opened for children. Upstairs has many hands on activities that the little ones will love including dance instruction with costumes, ship building with Nephi, and feeding dinner to the missionaries. I hope to take my grandchildren soon.

But it was the children's artwork downstairs that touched my heart. When the call went out for entries, they received almost 2000 from around the world of which 250 are on display.

This baby blessing watercolor by a five year old just took my breath away.

After a visit to the Deseret Book flagship store where Lynette found beehive inspiration for decorating her new home (you know, "Bunker Bees" and all that and I can't wait to see it) we were done for the day. Even with parking validations we still had to fork over $4 each to exit the parking garage. It was a great day and an almost perfect week. There is nothing like hanging out with a sister!

Brittany's Bridal Shower (Ostler style)

The Friday morning before the wedding Aunt Janis hosted a traditional "Ostler style" shower for Brittany. Most of the friends and family had arrived in town and the female members joined together at the townhouse for a yummy brunch. Both mothers were in attendance, Lynette and Kennedy, and that is Carmen, Dane's sister holding the gift bag. Brittany is wearing the apron I had made for her.

My traditional shower gift is an apron and a cookbook of easy meals (the best kind for busy students.) I don't always make the apron, but this time I had a special one in mind for Britt.

We had a fun crowd of friends and family. Most ohhed and ahhed over present was Lisa's bikini made of latex rubber gloves. Such talent! (That is Dane's other sister, Claire, in the hat.)

Aunt Becky's crew also gave Britt matching pajama pants for she and Dane.

Janis and Jenny out did themselves assembling and purchasing the perfect "going away outfit" at a thrift store. This is an Ostler tradition which thankfully began after my marriage. Brittany's had a special flair appropriate for her Costa Rican honeymoon. I offered her $100 if she could show me proof (picture) of her wearing it in a public place in Costa Rica.

The Ostler aunts join Brittany in showing off her bounty.

Here are the cousins and cousins-in-law who were there to show their support.

Janis had taken time to interview Dane by phone will he was in still in Washington, D. C. We found that Brittany knew him fairly well and we also learned all about their special love story. Britt loves sunflowers and Dane had sent a bunch with his mother for his bride to be. True love!

Brittany's and Dane's Wedding Day

We had the special privilege of being involved in the wedding festivities for Brittany & Dane while in Utah.

They were married in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple for time and all eternity.

Relatives and friends came from all over to help them celebrate this special time.

Dane had just finished an internship in Washington, D. C. and Brittany had spent two weeks of her summer in Haiti helping develop small business plans, but now it was their day. It was a beautiful summer day with the Wasatch Mountains in the background.

Brittany's bridesmaids, two friends and two cousins, waited to greet them along with other friends and family as they exited the temple.

High school friends from Centennial near Denver, flew in to spend time with Brittany during this special week before heading back to school in far flung places including Shanghai. They were known as the "smart" ones.

Dane received congratulations,too. His groomsmen were friends from high school in Orem and roommates from BYU.

Brittany's cousin Emily is also Dane's cousin, and thus they met! Emily is a Thorley, but her mother is a Bunker. That's Emily looking down at her flowers as Dane looks on. Her other cousin, Stephanie, is at far left. Stephanie, Emily, and Brittany were roommates their first year at BYU. Dane served a mission to Korea before meeting Brittany.

Lowell greets his beautiful and only daughter.

She was a stunning bride!

Lynette had fun joining her daughter in the hunt for the perfect dress. This was their absolute favorite. I love the bodice shirring, asymmetrical front, and beading.

The only grandparent in attendance was Lowell's mother, Rosalie. That is her peeking over Lowell's shoulder. I'm sure that the rest of them were there with us in spirit.

Younger brother, Logan, and proud mama, Lynette.

Brittany made all the hair ornaments for herself and her bridesmaids. I loved the special details on her dress including the beautifully detailed back.

After the Noon marriage sealing and pictures, family and friends meet at Mimi's Cafe at a luncheon hosted by Dane's parents Kennedy and Steven. It was a delightful meal with special remarks including the reading of a poem composed by Brittany's brother, Elder Jason Bunker currently serving a mission in the Vancouver, British Columbia Mission.

After the luncheon, we raced back to the townhouse to gather food and supplies for the evening reception. Tables and chairs had been set up the night before. Now it was time for table cloths, flowers, and food.

Guests were greeted at the garden gate of a beautiful home in the foothills of Mt. Timpanogos in Orem not far from that of Dane's parents. The backyard of this home was the perfect setting for the reception.

The guests signed the guest book where a favor bag filled with Brittany's favorite snack, white chocolate covered pretzels, awaited them.


Part of my early arrival time was spent helping to tie the ribbons.

Brittany's colors were navy blue and copper. The tables were simply decorated with lanterns and sprigs of flowers.

The bouquet.

The cake was red velvet and was served to guests.

The backyard was in two levels. The line stood on the patio.

And the refreshments and more seating were up above. The round roofed patio included an outdoor kitchen where I spent most of my time.

The bride maids and groomsmen line up just below the infinity edged pool.

The guests included: (did not get pictures of all the family:( Sorry!)

Olds cousins, Amber, Stephanie, Erin

Uncle Steven Olds and Aunt Margaret (Lowell's sister)

Brother Kyle who is writing a note to Jason about the day. Lynette had prepared note paper as well as an addressed stamped envelope for family to share with Elder Jason Bunker their own thoughts about this special day.

Kyle had flown in from Washington, D.C. where he had just completed his first week of medical school at Georgetown University.

Cousin Lisa holding her niece, Emma; Cousin Sarah; friend Lizzy; Aunt Becky

Uncle Steve and Aunt Jolene

All of my siblings were able to be in attendance. I did not get pictures of Janis and Farrell.

Cousin Rick's arm and Cousin Karl

Brother Gary, who is on his way to Indiana next week to start pharmacy school at Butler University.

Uncle Glen and again, Brother Gary

Groom and Bride with Sarah, Emma, and Lizzy

The patio is also where the cutting of the cake and the dancing occurred.


I did not see the dancing and the cake cutting because I spent the evening here in the outdoor kitchen. That is Becky in the background cutting cake. We served fresh fruit, cake, cream puffs, and in the foreground, the famous homemade ice cream sandwiches. Under each platter is a glass cake pan full of dry ice.

Brittany's biggest food wish was for homemade ice cream sandwiches. Earlier in the week, both ovens at the townhouse were used to make hundreds of vanilla, lemon, and almond shortbread cookies edged with raw sugar crystals. Then they were assembled the next day in the house next door then stored in the basement freezer of the gracious host and hostess. Lisa and Sarah took turns running the stairs from basement to upstairs kitchen to deliver the frozen treats a few at a time. They were delish!

Final flavors were vanilla with strawberry ice cream, lemon with vanilla bean ice cream, and almond with peach ice cream. Guess which kind was most favored! Almond peach, followed by vanilla strawberry. The only kind left in the townhouse freezer for Britt and Dane are lemon with vanilla.

How, you may ask, did I get these lovely pictures if I spent all my time in the kitchen? Special thanks to the beautiful Ashley, wife of my nephew Mark, for borrowing my camera.

Great job Ashley!

And Glen's job? Keeper of the flames!