Celebrating Jeff & Simone's upcoming marriage

We all feel very excited that Simone is joining our family. I can see why Jeff chose Simone; she's smart, sensitive, and a wonderful companion. Their actual wedding vows will occur later this year, and it will be a very small ceremony. (Scott and I are hopeful that we'll make the cut and get invited!) My mom cooked a lot of meals to host our family and special friends for a weekend-long celebration, and the big event was a dinner at an Irish pub. The whole weekend turned out perfectly!

Coca and my cousin Cathy became fast friends. Both Cathy and Coca are important additions to our family.



Ron and Cathy's sons Aaron and Zach also spent a lot of time playing with Coca.



Scott caught Jeff, Simone, and Uncle Larry laughing. Someone must have told a great joke; my guess is that it was Uncle Larry! I think Aunt Yvette's is just to the left of the frame.



This is a great picture with everyone as we prepared to go to Jeff and Simone's party:



My mom and dad opened the evening with toasts. Jeff and Simone requested that guest give to two charities meaningful to them instead of giving them gifts. Mrs. Salassie explained the hospital that Leelie is working to set up in Ethiopia, and Prof. Gotteil explained the memorial fund honoring their son Josh and providing fellowships for nurses. Here Jeff and Simone describe how they met and fell in love.



It's very special that Mike and Jeanine came all the way from Green Bay to celebrate with us.



Uncle Larry, Aunt Yvette, Judd, and Nina came all the way from New Jersey. They faced snow, airplane delays, and a mysteriously cancelled flight.





Uncle Paul and Aunt Sue also drove all the way from their vacation in Florida.