Glenda/Liv's Visit + Kyle/Amanda's Wedding [Reader be Warned: Several Pictures Await You]

Last week Zak's mom Glenda & 11 year old sister Liv came out West. Their purpose was Zak's cousin Kyle's wedding last weekend but were able to stay with us for a few days in our humble abode. It was a very nice visit and fun was had by all.

They arrived mid-afternoon on Wednesday, and after fooling around at the mall with me and Zak, came home to briefly rest up from their travels. We had Chinese sundaes and fruit and enjoyed talking for several hours. Glenda brought us some goodies from CT, including (but not limited to) this 'amazing' green monster clown shirt Zak bought years ago and wore during our initial dating period. Needless to say, I was so excited that it is back in his possession. We made an agreement, however: I won't wear sweatpants outside (an intense rule of his) and he won't wear that shirt in public (maybe one day I'll post the picture for you all to see and judge for yourselves).

some of his old pieces of clothing; that ski mask will sure come in handy...for scaring me, I'm sure

The next day we got up, ate some breakfast and made our way down to Lewiston. Glenda had found some points of interest and once we got the GPS loaded up, off we went. Some fun facts about Lewiston: it is the only seaport in Idaho (the Snake River is accessible to some sea-faring crafts), it is the lowest point in ID AND it has a huge, freaking hill. I heard it was a size-able hill, but dang! I was not expecting that! At one point it has a 7% grade or something? There are several run-away truck ramps as well. Zak and I had to quickly run down there the day before and I was super nervous, because it was very rainy and yucky, but it was beautiful when we went down with Glenda and Liv. I got some pictures, at least.

cows just hanging out

looking back at the hill off in the distance...

While in Lewiston, we went to the Lewis-Clark college art gallery, which was pretty neat. It had a high school art show, I think, so that was fun to see. We also wandered around in some fun shops along main street. We went into a few vintage/consignment type shops. For the wedding, we were instructed to dress up in 'old-fashioned' clothes, so we were trying to at least get a hat each for me and Zak. I did end up finding a pretty sweet floral one that was cheap, so why not? Liv also found a cute hat that would match her outfit.

we decided no on this one

The coolest store was this gem store that had a TON of stuff. It was so cute to watch Zak in the store, and talking about this and that and the other thing. Glenda had brought out this Eyewitness book of gems & stones that he had when he was little and it's funny how his interests and work have kind of come full-circle. The guy running the shop was really cool, he talked to us about all kinds of gems and mining. He and the other owner I think, run digs (for a fee), since the area is so plentiful in gems (opal, garnet), so we might end up doing that this summer if we can afford it! We picked out a piece of quartz, an aquamarine piece, some raw, small peridot (one of my favorites) and some lapis lazuli. The price? Under $10, sweet!

peridot, aquamarine, lapis lazuli, quartz, lapis

We had lunch at a very good Thai place, and once we were stuffed from lunch, made our way back home. Along the way we stopped at this barn in Uniontown, WA (about 14 miles SW from us, just off the highway down to Lewiston) with local folk art. It was actually really neat. Each artist had a little room with their work-stuff for sale, or what they were currently working on, and if they were available, would be able to talk to, etc. There were two full levels of different items-watercolors, pottery, quilts, clay models, photography and illustrations. It was cool that it was in this random little town, too. We briefly stopped at the local thrift stores to see if we could get something for Zak for the wedding (Lewiston was not prosperous for him in that department), and sure enough, found suspenders & a hat for him! Glenda also picked up a skirt that would go with her outfit. We just then came home and bummed around for awhile.

Liv playing with the zen garden

The next morning we got up around 6:30 and got all ready for the wedding (let's just say that I am not the best with hair, and throwing a hat into the mix got me quite frustrated really fast, but with Zak & Glenda's help, a major crisis was more or less averted). We left by 7:45, positive that the 3.5 hour drive would be fine and that we would arrive on time; we were requested to arrive by 11:30am for the 12pm wedding. Zak and I took Liv in our car and we met up with Glenda in Spokane to all carpool together with her.

all ready for the wedding!
the back of my rad hat
somewhere along the road

We drove up to Kettle Falls, WA (decently near the Canadian border, about an hour+ out north of Spokane), and it was a very scenic, pretty drive. But 3.5 hours on our butts was starting to disenchant us. We arrived at the tine historical center in Kettle Falls and met up with everyone. I was glad to see that we weren't the only ones who had dressed up! It was nice to see Zak's grandparents and cousins again. And some people we had never met or had no idea who they were started talking to us, just because. It was sure to be an interesting wedding.

entertaining ourselves
the ceremony wasn't held here, but the reception was
what was called a 'mission' (it just had...windows); I haughtily denied any such claims, they don't even know!
Zak is cute

And then the bride's mother arrived....2+ hours later. We tried to keep ourselves occupied, the little museum there had some displays about the frontier settles and Indians, and the woods in the area were nice. But I was in a dress and wasn't up for exploring. And then we got hungry, since we had eaten several hours previous. But once the mother got there, the ceremony followed. It was actually quite a lovely, short little ceremony, out in the woods. The bride, Amanda, had a pretty vintage gown and a wreath of wildflowers, and the groom, Kyle (Zak's cousin) had an old-fashioned three-piece suit and a matching hat. They looked very happy together.

so Zak & his cousin went down to explore while we waited, only to have the ceremony start pretty soon; I called for them, hoping they wouldn't miss it, and the whole time I was worried that they were going to come up the same way they went down (right behind where the bride & groom were), but they had come up a back path and didn't miss a thing
exchanging rings
cutting the cake, mmm
Liv caught the bouquet, and then took a goofy picture...it must run in the family!

The reception following was nice, even with the slight threat of rain that eventually went away. But the real adventure was visiting their property, a few miles away. Kyle bought 20 acres about a year and a half ago and is essentially THE wilderness/frontier man. He lives on the land and does everything by hand. Zak and I drove up the (VERY) bumpy, windy road with a neighbor in a truck (thank heavens for that!), so we got a lot of information about the neighbors, land, etc. It's a very beautiful piece of land, near the Columbia River, and I was simply fascinated by what they've done with it. Well, for starter, Kyle built by hand their more winter residence, the 'mud hut', and it took him about 3 - 4 months. I was very impressed with it; it was very well constructed, the logs were uniform and it was well insulated. It was about 10 degrees cooler inside than it was outside! Their 'summer' residence is in a tent a ways off, and I guess he wants to start working on a more permanent place of residence (a log cabin, perhaps?) soon, so it'll be ready for the fall. They have some gardens, and an orchard and lots and lots of land. It was definitely an experience! And I'll give them full credit for living the way the want, but I was never more happier to sleep in my bed than I was that night!!

driving to their place, I was so glad we were in a truck!
the 'mud hut'
a close-up for all of you curious readers
inside
inside again
you can see their tent + tarp on the right
one of their gardens

little cousin Savannah was very interested in the baby chicks, she was waving and laughing at them
cousin picture [Brianna, Liv, Zak, Kyle & Brian (brothers)]
crossing the Columbia River

After that adventure, we loaded back up in the car (I forgot to mention, we all changed into jeans after the reception, so we weren't all hiking around their property in dresses, etc.) and headed back to Spokane. We said good-bye to Glenda & Liv, who then headed off to her parents' place a few hours away. Zak and I noticed a Cost Plus World Market (our favorite store, for future reference!) and enjoyed wandering about in there. And buying a few treats, too. We arrived back home around 10 and were supremely happy and thankful for our heat, running water, and comfy bed!