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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Wedding Bells Were Ringing

First of all, thank you all so much for your words of congratulations yesterday after I passed my thesis defense! Let me tell you, it feels like such a HUGE weight off my shoulders. After my defense, my committee took me out for lunch, then I went home and relaxed for the afternoon before going for a celebratory dinner at M&Ls and heading to bible study for the evening. What a great day!

Warning: Picture heavy post!

I may or may not have mentioned that this past weekend we were in the FD's hometown to celebrate his cousin's wedding. His cousin, Caley, is my frousin. That's because she's more my friend than his cousin.

We arrived Friday afternoon and got to work on setting up the tent and everything else for the big day.

Then we had a BBQ for the rehearsal dinner and practiced the good old wedding processional in the pouring rain. It was actually kind of nice because it meant that the rehearsal wrapped up very quickly and we were all back to Caley's place just after 8 to spend the evening pampering ourselves and getting rested up for Saturday.

On Saturday, the hair dresser and makeup artists came to C's house to get us all ready. That made for such a relaxing day! It really cut down on the busyness of going going going everywhere. We got to sit around and watch chick flicks while we were waiting for it to be our turn.

After I got my hair and makeup done I stopped for a little munchie and I tried to convince Caley that the outfit I was wearing would be just fine for the wedding.

We all got to choose our own style of dress for the wedding. Thank goodness, since I was just barely pregnant when we bought them. I ended up choosing the same one as one of the other bridesmaids but we looked a wee bit different in them. Can you guess which one is me? (Em - I stole this pic from you ... oops).

Around 3:30 the limo arrived to pick us up so we (well, the rest of them) drank some champagne and headed to the wedding. We were a few minutes early so we did a little drive by the ceremony site, and I stood up out of the sunroof and screamed the whole way past. Leave it to me to cause a scene.

The ceremony was beautiful and the sun came out and began to shine just as soon as Caley stepped foot out of the limo. Could not have been more perfect! I don't have any pictures of the ceremony because, well, I was somewhat preoccupied and the Dude left the camera in the truck, but I do have a few that we snapped in between ceremony and reception.

I got a picture with all of my nieces and nephew on E's side:

The reception was held in a tent at the same location so there was no crazy chaos trying to get from point A to point B. That's just how I like it.

The reception tent was decorated white red, white and burlap. They used cupcake bouquets to double as the centerpieces and as dessert. It was so fitting since Craig had used cupcakes to spell out "Will you marry me" when he proposed!

The food was delicious, the speeches were great, and the dance was so much fun! I "officially" welcomed Craig to the family with a gigantic kiss on the lips. He was so embarrassed but I think he needs to get used to it. This family likes to kiss!

We were about to call it a night when the limo arrived to pick up the lovebirds, until we realized that he locked his keys in the car and had to call for help! An hour or more later, they were finally in the car and ready to leave for their honeymoon!

The next day, we decided to hop over to my sister's to meet our brand new niece. She only lives about an hour from the FD's parents so we could not be up there without going to see her. Let me tell you, she is absolutely perrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrfect! And now that he's a big brother, Little H does not seem so little anymore! He is growing up!

And one last thing to share ... There is a house en route between my sister's house and my house that we affectionately refer to as "the teddy bear picnic house". Every time we drive there, I think I should stop and take a picture but I always feel way too rude to do it forget. This time, I did it! Click on the picture to make it bigger if you can't see, but, their entire yard is decorated with teddy bears. All different shapes and sizes. Just sitting around chillin' out. Crazy, right?

21 comments:

d.a.r. said...

You look absolutely amazing. I understand the whole "pregnant women glow" thing after seeing pictures of you!

Lisa said...

First of all, you are the cutest pregnant lady ever. Second, that baby is absolutely adorable. Third... those teddy bears are creepy! It must be a Canadian thing. ;)

This Texas Momma said...

You were BEAUTIFUL at the wedding! The dress looks perfect!

And I am truly speechless when it comes to the teddy bears. Really? REALLY? Those people think that's cute/cleaver/charming/just plain okay? Reminds me of this crazy lady that goes to our church. I avoid her at all cost. And I could imagine her living there.

Carey said...

That wedding is just beautiful! And I love the pic of you and the other bridesmaid belly-to-belly :) Too cute.

Ok, and that house -- hilarious! Even one of the stones is shaped like a teddy bear! Wow!

Aunt Shelley said...

hmmm...you must take a different route than we do. I've never spotted that house on the way up in the 20+ years we've driven up there.

jv726 said...

I don't think I have ever commented, but I couldn't NOT comment on this one. What the heck is up with that house?? Creepy! What happens to them when it rains, don't they get all wet? So weird!!
And you look great!!

Gwen said...

You are adorable!!! All of the babies are too precious!!! I'm glad you had such a great weekend and congrats to the happy couple!! XOXO

Annie said...

haha!! the teddy bear yard is too funny!!
you look SO beautiful hun!! you are totally glowing in the pictures!
the bride looked very pretty as well!
glad you had a great weekend :)

SnoWhite said...

I love the photo of you and FD with the hearts, kissing. You should frame that one!!

That Teddy Bear picnic house made me laugh -- how crazy!

Courtney said...

#1- You are like the most adorable pregnant girl over. #2- What the heck is going on with the bears?? That is SO weird!

Hillary said...

It looks like it was a beautiful wedding and you looked fantastic!

Your niece is adorable, too! What a cutie! :)

Unknown said...

Everyone looks terrific including you.
Congratulation.

Gina said...

Wow, you lucked out with such a gorgeous dress...although you could probably wear a potato sack and look beautiful!

You gotta get the story behind those bears.

Brittany Ann said...

You were such a gorgeous bridesmaid!

And that teddy bear house?

Gah! Whoa! Eek! What else to say?

Jackie said...

You looked so pretty! Love the picture of you and your hubby, belly to belly. So cute!

The bear house--just plain weird!

Shaina said...

You look so pretty!!!

And the teddy bear house? Effed out. For realz.

Brooke said...

you are positively radiant! :)

Emily said...

You looked so pretty as a bridesmaid.... that color suits you well. Very pretty wedding too.

Those teddy bears are wild... someone is having a party and didn't invite us!!! LOL!

CAC muffin said...

oh my gosh that teddy bar house is out of control!

Kayla said...

You looked too cute in your dress at the wedding! :-) I hope I'm that cute when I'm 6 months along!

Also, the teddy bear house is unreal. I cannot believe someone would do that... I'm very curious as to why they would want to!?!?

Lucky in Love said...

The pics of you and E at the wedding are so gorgeous!!!!! Love them :) And those teddy bears are the weirdest thing ever..