Darby Wedding Part II

Kona, HI
Eric had a blast in Hawaii! He says he can't remember the last time he had that much fun. Apparently, everything was as close to perfect as it could have been - the sealing, the setting, the activities, the people, all of it!

Eric didn't think he'd be able to attend the wedding until the last minute, but he's glad he did. He even got to share a room with Darby (up until the wedding night of course).

Is it just me or is this picture hilarious? A bunch of men in a human pyramid and skimpy red shorts - classic!

On the second day, they got to go on a snorkel cruise on this cool glass bottom boat.

Erik & Sara were sealed in the temple, but they also had a gorgeous beach ceremony at sunset.

I was there in spirit!

Strangely enough, this was a friend of Eric's from high school that happened to be at the wedding.

I missed him terribly, but I'm so glad he got to go be a part of Erik and Sara's beautiful wedding. Thanks again & congratulations!

Darby's Wedding

I'm posting these pictures from Erik & Sara's wedding b/c I'm a sucker for 3 things - beautiful weddings, beautiful settings & beautiful photography.

After I drop Eric off at work I'll make a 2nd post with some fun pictures that he took while in Hawaii.

My own father...

I'm pretty terrible when it comes to "opening up", and I'm not a very emotional person, but I usually get a good cry in at least once a year. Father's Day. My dad passed away the day before Father's Day in the year 2000, and to this day I still miss him on a daily basis. But I also still enjoy the memories...

Teaching me how to set a volleyball
Playing catch with me, even after a long day at work
His laugh (his hysterical laugh that always ended in coughing and a bright red face that always generated more laughs)
Watching him on the bishop's stand (dozing off a bit)
Helping me with that darn math homework

Always being there for my games

Teaching me to drive...uphill...on gravel...with a stick shift

Bringing us home goodies (Friday donut day at work & Rotary auctions)

Eating random things like graham crackers with tuna fish

Teaching me a good work ethic
Always building things for us: a beautiful art box for me...a deluxe tree house, with an elevator and zip lines!

Carrying me from whichever random spot I fell asleep all the way up the stairs to my bed.

His sweet, simple testimony

His unconditional love

"Father of the branch"

Eric feels a little strange when branch members refer to him as the father of the branch. He says he feels more like the annoying younger brother, but we all know better. Since becoming branch president, I've been amazed by all of the time and effort that Eric has invested into making the members' lives a little better and strengthening our little branch family...

The man is well-loved by everyone he meets, and I'm so grateful for who he is in my life and in so many others' lives...

Some of the members were so sweet and made Eric a head & ti leaf lei for Father's Day

Should I be mad?

Ok, not mad, but maybe a little jealous. Not only does Eric get to go to Hawaii without me, but he also gets to go to South Korea! Let us not forget his recent trip to Atlanta sans wife. It was actually during that trip to Atlanta (for the HS mock trial competition) that Eric met S Korea's mock trial coach and has now been selected to judge a mock trial competition in Korea. That stinker.

Kona, Hawaii

Seoul, South Korea

Tis the season to be married

First up - Erik & Sara. "Darby" is one of Eric's best friends & former college roommates. They had entirely too much fun together. So much fun in fact that Eric was put on behavioral probation. Prank war.

10 years later, Erik & Eric are still friends. And now Darby is marrying his girlfriend of almost 11 years. Eric gets to go to the wedding later this month in HAWAII!

Sara Little & Erik Darby

And yes, my brother Tyler is in fact getting hitched this summer! His fiance, Tiffany, has bright red hair just like Ty! They look more like siblings than a couple & they get tons of comments about it, but they'll have some cute little gingers. Love these engagement shots! I really hope we can make the wedding.

More Manila (viewer discretion advised)

I love having a professional photographer in our branch! Del captured these stunning shots during our time in Manila. The poverty & living conditions in PI is unlike anything I've experienced before. Shocking & humbling.

And yet these kids all still seem so happy. (I love the girl's sweet smile on the bottom right)

I warned you! I apologize, but this type of thing isn't uncommon to see in the Philippines. They even have "male urinals" right on the sidewalk (below). There's no plumbing inside that thing...not even a hole...just sidewalk! It's a place where the bus drivers and jeepney drivers can relieve themselves w/o exposing themselves (entirely).

The billboards in Manila are a bazillion stories high.

These last 2 shots are unbelievable. Heart-breaking & beautiful at the same time. (Click to enlarge)

Manila

Our temple trip definitely met some obstacles along the way, but we did it, all 35 of us! And I think we learned a lot about ourselves and each other throughout the process, and I'm so glad Eric was able to put together this seemingly impossible adventure.

It was a spiritual & humbling experience. And fun too - thanks to good company.

These top 2 photos were taken by Del Benson. Missing from the top pic: Del obviously, Gloria & Liz. (Also, Kim & Wandalyn Wally who, unfortunately, couldn't make it to P.I. because their passports never arrived, despite being expedited/over-nighted. That was probably the biggest disappointment of the trip since their family was sealed, but I know they'll have another opportunity.)

Mark & Elias Magabo. (sealed to their mother/wife who was sick and passed away while they were taking the discussions)

Ice Skating at the Mall of Asia. They even had snow falling from the ceiling!

Mall of Asia

Tagaytay Volcano

All of us crammed into a small jeepney for about 6 hours total. (No A/C, just windows and "Would you Rather?")

Streets of Manila

Zip lines in Tagaytay!

And, finally, our celebrity sighting. David Archuleta & David Cook had a concert @ the Mall of Asia on Sat, but that's not when we saw them (we were at the mall on Fri.) David Cook was on our flight back to Tokyo, and we actually spotted David Archuleta at the temple! Apparently, he just popped into a youth group's baptism session and caused a little bit of a frenzy with kids and even temple workers requesting his autograph. We saw him as he was leaving the temple to get into a van with tinted windows. We didn't get any autographs or pictures...Diane Esplin and I just ran up to his van right as the sliding door was closing so we just waved, and he waved back.

I can't take credit for this photo, but it was taken just a few minutes before we saw him.

CLICK HERE for more pictures from our trip.