Family time: what better than a joyful wedding to bring family together?

There is nothing quite like celebrating a greatly anticipated family wedding: my niece Lisa and her new husband Mike. And in a lovely setting (in mid-field below, so close I could hear my daughter Julie rehearsing the song she sang for the ceremony), Carlsbad Flower Fields near San Diego, with ocean in distance.

Lisa's brother Kevin and my niece Olivia

Kevin's twin, Brian and Shea

Mom Miriam and three daughters: Anne, Emily and Julie

My brothers Roy and Brion and my son Peter are jokesters!

Daughter Julie Carlston and her girls, Stephanie, Elise and Phoebe with "older" cousin Lucie Taylor

Julie (who sang for the ceremony), Phoebe, Lisa and Olivia

The Curry family pays tribute to their daughter and new son-in-law, and all enjoy the food and enthusiastic dancing!
My sister Elaine (pictured with her family) did all the table floral decorations, which added so much.

Our immediate and extended family love to dance

So in love and such a wonderful couple (Lisa is a social worker, Mike a fire captain....we hope he doesn't have too much business this year....last year was terrible for California fires).

Before and after the wedding we all enjoyed the beaches with swimming, boogie-boarding, surfing, food and talking. The water was warm as was the family closeness. Almost all my cousins and many grandchildren and kids were able to gather. Below are some of them...

Anne (daughter) Peter (son), Rebecca (his wife), Irene (sister), Lisa niece/bride), Nancy (cousin) Emily (daughter) the day after the wedding.

So great to see family enjoying each other's company
Lisa and Mike before taking off for their honeymoon trip!

The beach is always a happy place! 

Grand-daughter Cordelia in ocean and eating!

So fun to spend time with my sisters (Irene and Elaine) and cousin Nancy after everyone else returned home.
Now we are all back to our everyday lives, but don't have much to complain about generally, despite life's challenges, which we try to meet with optimism and faith in One who has a bigger perspective than we do. Every happy experience fills our cup with joy and resolve to be happy, and to help those around us to find happiness, too.