A Wedding

We were privileged to all be invited to our niece's wedding. She is the oldest cousin and the first of the next generation to get married. The wedding took place in another state about 5 hours away at 5:00pm. We decided to really get dolled up for the affair with a black, white, brown, and pink color scheme. Works for us. We left around 10:00 am and stopped at a department store where we got lucky and found suits for the little boys. We arrived around 3:00, had time to get our pretty clothes on, and made it to the church on time.

The oldest and youngest looking very fine with a sassy (in a cute way) preteen looking on.
I admit to falling down on the job with the camera. I didn't take a picture of the church or anything. But I did get a washed out picture of these two trying to stay clean before the wedding.
Okay, now Mom says everybody line up so I can take your picture. I am giving up hope that we will all have a family picture but maybe I can get the kids at least. Did I mention it was around 90 degrees and very humid? Jerrod got a white tie for the occasion. I can't remember the last time Erika wore a dress.
Here they all are together. This might be the first picture I have of all of them. Rosy is reaching for Cora's hair. Somehow I managed to get everyone's partial attention.
Not much difference in this picture but it seems to have a few more smiles although the hair pulling is still happening.
Rosy won the battle and gave Cora a good yank. This picture is so real life.
The wedding took place in a beautiful old church with a pipe organ. The bride was gorgeous and the color of the bridesmaid's dresses was sienna. I now see burnt orange in a whole new way. I loved the color. I wish I could say the babies all behaved perfectly and sat in their seats but I admit to spending about half of the ceremony outside on the steps. What to do with a 1 year old and a two year old after five hours in the car?

Not very many of the kids had ever been to a wedding so it was a new experience. Cora's dream was to dance with her daddy. Isn't she lovely?
Then we boogied down. Bob and I danced to all the party favorites. The older kids were "astounded" that their parents knew how to let their hair down. They watched from the sidelines. The younger set, however, learned how to twist and shout.
Oh yeah baby, he can dance.
Once this guy caught on, he could cut quite a rug and was a favorite around the dance floor. All the ladies tried to dance with him. He is exceptionally cute and has fancy footwork.
The reception was elegant. It was in a field under a tent. Our niece is a florist and outdid herself with the decorating. She had made gift bags for the kids with toys and crayons. The centerpieces alone were a work of art. Bob didn't make anyone wear their jacket as it was still hot. If you look at Micah on the left you will notice his head is completely wet. He really knows how to sweat. He hair was ringing wet and got extra curly.
Here are the bride and groom. We didn't have the settings right on the camera.
The wedding meal was a buffet and delicious. There was something for everyone. Our table ate a lot of pasta (fancy macaroni and cheese). Almost everyone stole a sip of champagne before the glasses were confiscated by Mom and Dad. At about 10:15, after a quick bite of cake, we loaded up the van and headed home arriving about 2:30 am after a stop for gas and coffee. What a great day. I am so glad we went, saw family, and got to experience a fantastic celebration.