So many little details are woven into our special day. If you're really curious, we're happy to share. Here are a few highlights.

The wagon our sweet flower girls and ring bearers used was also used in a family friend (known through Jen & field hockey)'s wedding. In that "small world" moment, mine & Jen's field hockey coach's own baby, little George Nonos, was a ride-along. We were thrilled to find it and then customize it for our own event. But that's not even the cool part yet.

The green-based quilt that was inside the wagon is very special and brings five generations together! My mom Laurie's Grandmother, Lois Moore, was quite a seamstress. She sewed a variety of dresses over the years for my mom and many other relatives and community friends. My Aunt Jamy thoughtfully took some of mom's old dresses, handmade by their Grandmother, and turned them into this quilt when I was born. I've kept it in my room among my sentimental treasures all my life and on our special day, topping it with such sweet baby nieces literally sitting atop a long legacy of strong, thoughtful, faithful, God-fearing women symbolized in that special piece - wow! The mini quilt was layered with others with symbolism in our lives, too, like an OSU blanket my Grandad Taylor enjoyed late in his life, and my own "baby blanket" prepared by long-time family friend Rebecca (from Texas), AKA "AbeccaATecas." A favorite childhood toy of Kirk's was also in the wagon! Now you know that the sweet moment at the beginning of our ceremony was made even sweeter in the tiniest details - all topped off with those nieces and nephews of course!

Kirk will occasionally do some work/chores in boots he got from his dad, Bryon, who tragically passed away when Kirk was a teenager. Touched by this, and wanting to find just the right way to honor their relationship on our wedding day, we swiped those boots from Kirk's closet during our recent move. We also snuck away with a plaque - a commemorated note Bryon wrote to Kirk years ago that his brother (and talented woodworker) Garrett carved into wood. We put it all together and placed the boots/simple memory scene to signify that Bryon is with us, behind us, supporting us, and dancing through this life with us always, if even in spirit and gratitude-filled memories

Speaking of Bryon & Kirk's connection, Bryon's wedding ring is split between the wedding rings now worn by Kirk and Garrett. I am thankful for these good men and looking forward to many good times ahead, never forgetting to appreciate each day and the loved ones around us, including those who've gone before.

We hope you felt well cared for and loved every minute of our party with you! Here are some recipes & back stories, if you're interested.

Kirk's Brisket

("Mama's Way" recipe,

notes my mom Laurie took when she learned it from Grandmother Dodee)

Rub Lawry's, garlic powder, and onion powder generously into uncooked brisket. Use light Worcestershire and heaving liquid smoke and rub that into the meat as well.

Place the foil-wrapped brisket on a baking pan that has a shallow covering of water across the bottom of the pan, (but not submerging the meat completely). Cover whole pan with foil if space allows and other foil coverage isn't sufficient. Please another dish below to catch drippings if that looks likely.

Bake at 200-250 for 7 hours

Let it cool enough that you can slice it. Use a serrated knife cutting across the grain of the meat.

Trim away and discard fat.

Slice brisket into serving portions and cover with head country original barbecue sauce (made in Ponca City, Oklahoma!).

Heat when ready to serve.

For our wedding, we served it with sliced buns for you to be able to easily it it like a sandwich. Mom made it all.

It also pairs well with homemade rolls, my Aunt Mikala King's twice-based mashed potatoes, my Aunt Jamy's baked corn, and grilled asparagus.

Our Wedding Cake

The bridal cake featured layers of traditional white cake with homemade buttercream frosting nobody gets as perfect as Grandmother. Mom and I try.

1/2 C (1 stick) soft butter

3 3/4 - 4 C (1 box) powdered sugar

1/2 t vanilla

3 T milk plus a teaspoon at a time until it reaches desired consistency for what you're trying to do

Swigs Sugar Cookies

Grandmother is a baker, mom is a baker, I'm a baker - we love to all be in the kitchen together. My Nana Pearl was a baker. There are all kinds of fun family recipes, but sometimes we pick up a new one, too. Grandmother found the Swigs recipe years ago - learning of its story of a "drive by dunk shop" by Dixie State University known for fun drink concoctions, and then the "social cookie" that was seen as an accompaniment. The first time she made them for us, we were all hooked. They've since been served at my signing party for committing to Georgetown lacrosse, my sorority events, and more. At our reception, we colored the perfectly salty-sweet frosting into the festive pastels that added just the right look. Thankful for these baking traditions and all that we pick up and share together along the way.

Cream

1 C butter

3/4 C vegetable oil

1 1/4 C sugar

3/4 C powdered sugar

2 T water

2 eggs

Whisk

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t cream of tartar

1 t salt

into 5 1/2 C flour

Combine in mixer

Shape into balls, place on cookie sheet, press

Bake 350 for 8 minutes

Cool

Chill

Frost

1/2 C butter

3/4 C sour cream

2 lb powdered sugar

1/4 C milks

1 small dot (traditionally red) food coloring

This recipe makes 50 cookies.

Slushy Punch

This pretty drink is a family tradition at weddings and one of our favorites for Christmastime and other family gatherings. Kirk has now helped make it for four years' of events. We hope you love it as much as we do.

Dissolve 3 3-ounce strawberry jellos and 4 C sugar into

6 C boiling water

Add 7 C cold water

1 16-ounce bottle lemon juice

2 46-ounce cans pineapple juice

Freeze (we use gallon ziplocks and lay them flat for easier thawing)

Thaw 20 minutes+ before serving, chunk it up a bit, pour ginger ale on top. Entire recipe could take 2 quarts ginger ale.