babies, proposals, and some escaping

It's exiting times in our family.  One sister is having a baby, another is getting married.  And we did some escaping, but neither from parenthood or marriage, just escapes an escape room.    

This is back from Spring Break... good grief.  Welcome summer break!  My sister and mom came into town and my sister did the gender reveal.  We voted 3 mustaches and 2 red lips.  

The mustaches won. The cupcake was blue. 

Bee was thoroughly concerned.  A boy!  A boy cousin!

I'm  pretty pumped about this aunt business.  I don't have experience, but I think I've got this. 

The tallest little sister came too and asked up to be in her wedding party. Full proposal with rings and everything.  We said yes. 

Then I took hubby and the sisters to the escape room in town.  Oh man, it was seriously the most fun I've ever had!  We played in a pirate themed room.  We lost.. but we were so close.  It was loads of fun! I can't wait to go back! So much fun!!! 

Babies, proposals, and in other adulting news, our family is up for another move.  We are staying local this time.  But moving is seriously hard adulting.  There are big decisions and lots of paperwork and serious choices.  Blah.  It looked for awhile like we might spend part of the summer homeless in between houses, but I think we've got it figured out. We should know a lot  more next week.  

The big day

The day started early.  I snuck out of the hotel room at 6 am to visit the fitness room because I knew the day would be long and I'd have more energy if I could exercise first.  Then we headed to the reception venue to set up.  They opted for cupcakes for the guests and a small gluten free cake for their cutting cake.  

Here's the gift table, just awaiting gifts.

These were left over decorations that we found a spot for on a mantel in the entry.

Here are the center pieces.  My mom did all the flowers.  My sister collected the jars during their engagement. They cut wood slices from the woods on the farm but all theirs cracked and split as they dried.  They ended up borrowing from a friend. 

I'm sure she got them online somewhere, but these little coloring books were on the tables with kids.  I thought they were a fun touch.

These little paper bags were just waiting to be filled with candy...

At this amazing candy bar!  It seriously was the most well stocked candy bar I've ever seen.  I indulged more than I should have!  She ordered most of it online in pink and white to match her color scheme.  My mom and I moved the jars around for 20 minutes before we got it just right. 

I did most of the chalkboard text last month when we were in town for the shower.  

I loved the guest book table.  I don't think I've seen this idea before.  She asked the guests to write a little note on a card and stick it in a special box marked for different anniversaries.  

I saw people visiting this table all evening adding notes. 

This chickenwire window piece was borrowed from a friend and looked so great as you walked in.  Two sections are engagement photos and the other is the seating chart. 

After we set up, the girls headed off to get their hard done.  Bee liked getting her hair done better than getting her nails done the day before. 

I liked Bee's hair best of all the girls. 

My youngest sister snuck away from camp to join us.   We had some fun together. 

Lots of pictures to follow.  The church was beautiful, the bride was lovely, the guests were all pleasant, it was just a really nice day. 

Then it was off to the church for a wedding.

Sweet hubby and I were enjoying each other's company!

Family selfie.

My sisters and I recreated a photo from my wedding.  Here's this weekend. 

Here's from my wedding in 1999.  

It was one of my favorite photos from the whole day.  Someday we'll do it at the littlest sister's wedding too!

Here's three of my favorite guys, my brother, Lou, and hubby.  Lou and my brother were ushers.  Hubby was one of the groomsmen.  There was drama with the vests, but in a month no one will remember. 

The girls are ready!

They shared a quiet moment together before the ceremony reading the letters they wrote each other in their premarriage classes.  Super sweet. 

The ceremony was held at his family's catholic church.  My sister isn't catholic so it wasn't a mass, just a shorter service.  For those of us who aren't catholic, we were thankful it wasn't 2 hours long. 

I couldn't take any photos during the service of course (this was from a friend), so we'll have to wait for the photographers photos to come in.  Bee did a great job as flower girl and everything went perfectly.  

The church had a huge set of stairs outside and their exit was beautiful. 

Then they came back in for photos.  Lots of photos. 

The kids weren't needed for the next round of photos so they didn't get to ride in the limo with the wedding party.  The driver let them take a little trip around the block though just so they could say they'd ridden in a limo.  I never had either so I was just as excited. 

My mom took the kids back to the hotel for a little down time and the wedding party went on location and took photos all over.  We went to campus and took photos in fun spots like the student union building and other landmarks.  It was a hot afternoon.  Hot.  Hot.  We were so thankful the barn location she wanted as a venue had been booked two years out. So thankful.   

This photo was a sneak preview photo from the photographer Erika.  

First married selfie!

The reception was really wonderful as well.  The candy bar was a big hit.  I gave a toast and didn't vomit before hand.  Dinner was terrific.  And turns out Lou is a dancer!   I was having so much fun I didn't take many pictures.  

As we were leaving, I noticed Bee's well wished for their 5th anniversary.  Good advice.  

rehearsal dinner

The big weekend has come and gone!  Little sister got married!  I thought I'd get rehearsal pictures on one post and wedding in the next.  There were just so many photos!

The practice went well, one of the brides maids and I kept whispering during it and the priest kept giving us the eye.  I guess teachers talk as much in class as the students.  

After the big practice we went out for dinner.  Lou received a gift of the game Beanbozled.  You spin a little spinner and it lands on a color.  That color of jellybelly could be coconut or baby wipes, peace or barf, etc.  Gross.  We all got the gross ones!