Wedding Week

One week ago, I flew to New York BY MYSELF for my sister Hannah's wedding.  In the past, Greg and I have gone away for a night or two at a time, leaving our children with relatives, but since having children, I've only had one trip completely alone.  I fly back to Texas tomorrow, and it has been a nice break from the emotional work of raising children, but I have to say -- I miss them SO MUCH!!!

This trip has been very labor-intensive -- our family decided that, as our wedding gift to my sister and her new husband, we would coordinate and cater the entire event.  Since I landed last week, my parent's kitchen has been in full gear, making spinach pie, vodka sauce, boiling pasta, prepping chicken, making salsa, etc.  My sister also made her own cake.  Yes.  Yes she did.

All of this was just as crazy as it sounded, but the upside was that we had a lot of serious family bonding time as we worked together, and the food at the wedding was fantastic.  I've also never really gotten a chance to hang out with my littlest brothers, because I've always had my children around to take care of.  It's been a great visit, overall.

Here's a little bit of a photo journey through the past week...


Running errands with Grace and Joy


Setting off fireworks in my parents' backyard


Grace entertaining with sparklers






Jonathan, Caleb and Christopher processing 200 lbs of chicken 




Hannah, sitting us all down to plan out the last two days of prep before the wedding (all of my siblings in one room!!)


Joy practicing a song at the rehearsal




Rehearsal




With Chistopher and Caleb at the rehearsal dinner




Joel, re-styling his tux




One of the most terrifying moments -- transporting the cake tiers from my parents house to the Bed & Breakfast


Hannah, assembling and decorating her own cake, with the help of Hailey, Aunt Terry and Aunt Mary Ann.






The angry sky, which quickly turned into quite a rainfall...


Setting up the reception area under the tent while the rain poured down








Hannah with her son Isaiah, her new step-daughter Little Hannah, and Rachel




Rachel, Joy and Grace


Waiting to walk...

By the time everyone was seated outside and we were ready to walk down the aisle, the rain had stopped, and the sky was perfectly overcast.  Not too hot, no bugs flying into our hair -- perfect.


Photo courtesy of Liz


Photo courtesy of Liz