Another Right-of-Passage

My sister provided me with all the advantages of 5 daughters (well nieces) without having to give birth or raise them. My sister also married a Brown so I could claim the girls on occasion. What I have gotten is the joy of watching them grow up and to participate in their rights-of-passage. Yesterday my niece Natalie celebrated her wedding shower.

Four of my nieces and two grand-nieces: Kendra, Abigail, Emily, Cadence, Natalie and Amanda.  Vanessa was seriously ill at the time of the party. In fact, she was in the ER and later admitted to the hospital. 

Amanda, the oldest and mother of 3, surprised us by flying in from Nevada.

 Cadence, Amanda's daughter.  The boys stayed home.

 Second oldest and mother of twins: Kendra

 Kendra with daughter Abigail (again the boys stayed home)

 Abigail

 Bride-to-Be Natalie

 The youngest: Emily

My sister and wonderful mother of 5 daughters, Linda with Emily

 Emily with Abigail

 Natalie with Cadence

 Emily, Cadence and Natalie

 Best friends since grade school.

 The bridal party

 Of course there were the gifts...

 and the rehearsal bouquet.

 The Brown girls: Linda, Kendra, Abbey, Emily, Cadence, Natalie, me and Amanda.