They met us in the driveway, barely letting us out of the car before they surrounded us with hugs.It was a pretty great way to be greeted. We all talked over each other for a bit, sharing stories, giving souvenirs, showing crafts, looking at pictures.
Then we headed off for the rehearsal for ourniece's wedding. She had asked Maggie some time ago to be a bridesmaid, but a few weeks ago, she asked if James and Sean would be groomsmen/usher and ring bearers and if Mary would be the flower girl. Everyone was excited. Some were more nervous and reticent and grumpy than others,*cough cough Mary cough cough* but all were happy to be included in such a big day.
After the rehearsal, we had the dinner and then headed to my sister-in-laws to visit. As people sat around chatting and having cocktails, my brother-in-law mentioned that he should get out the go-karts. I'm pretty sure we all thought he was kidding. People had consumed some alcohol and the light was fading, after all. In fact, my niece, the bride-to-be, who is in med school said to her dad "Sure dad. Booze, go-karts...just throw in some firearms and we'll really call it a party." I'm pretty sure that she's seen something like that. I don't think you work very long in a hospital without seeing stuff like that.
A little later though, as I was standing with my SIL, Heather, by the pool, we heard the karts and saw my brother-in-law go flying down the hill and toward their pond. She shook her head and we both headed out front to cross through the testosterone bubble that was gathered on the driveway. Guess who was at the front of the line?
He was closely followed by this gentleman.
I was having small heart attacks while I was watching them, but I couldn't look away. Both were very careful, however, and I can happily report that the only casualty of the night was my beloved's shirt that was spotted with mud after an encounter with a rather large and apparently sneaky mud puddle that jumped out in front of him.
The other kids took turns petting my nephew and his bride's dogs and running down the hill to the pond to see if they could catch any frogs and to watch my niece and her intended feed the fish.
After a bit, we headed back to my folks' house, because we needed to be up early for pictures the next morning to be ready for the 1 p.m. wedding.
You can dress them up...
...but apparently you cannot take them out.
Then they wanted to have their pictures taken while they pondered.
I took pictures while having camera envy of the real photographer's equipment. It was fun to discuss stuff with him. I even kinda sorta knew what he was talking about. ;)
The bride, who was the flower girl to her brother's (the recent groom) ring bearer in our wedding 20 years ago, looked beautiful. Like a movie star from the 1940's.
The groom and groomsmen were all very handsome.
And fun-loving.
My kids did a great job in the ceremony. Mary however, walked so fast and wouldn't smile to save her life, I couldn't get a decent picture. In fact, I was betting with myself right up to her turn about whether she would even go down the aisle. Heather laughed later and said she thought she did great and was really quite surprised that Mary hadn't gone down the aisle flipping everybody off. Not that she knows how to do that--she doesn't--but the girl carries some serious attitude.
Afterwards, everyone was more relaxed and ready to have some fun.
The bride and groom shared their first dance.
Then the bride danced with her father.
They danced to "You Never Can Tell" by Chuck Berry. They did the John Travolta/Uma Thurman dance from Pulp Fiction. It was awesome. My niece said they chose that because it was fun and if they had chosen something sentimental, both she and her dad would have dissolved into tears.
My dad danced with Maggie. (He danced with me, too, but I am the photographer in this family, so there are no pictures.)
James asked my mom to dance.
Meanwhile, Mary and Sean played an epic game of tag with the bride, the groom, some of the groomsmen and my nephew and his new wife all through the reception. You never knew who was it.
We had a great time and were honored to be included in such an important day. We wish the newest newlyweds much happiness. Congratulations, Boop and Bryan!
