The Wedding!

This one isn't about the kids...okay, maybe a little.

Of the three people who actually read this blog, I would guess that only two will be interested in this post...on the other hand, you were there...so maybe not.

LORI AND KYLE GOT MARRIED THIS WEEKEND AND IT WAS WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL AND SO EXCITING THAT I HAD TO WRITE THIS ALL IN CAPS!

Now, here's the "behind-the-scenes" perspective - shout out Theresa!

Thursday, we spent the afternoon and late into the night packing the U-haul with everything that we'd need to decorate at the wedding site. We rolled silverware and started making the first version of the programs (a second was designed, because we had no time to make anything complicated). By midnight, we were losing people and had only gotten 22 of the programs done.

Friday, we got up early, grabbed breakfast at the hotel and headed back to Lori's house to drive the U-haul over to the Greenbranch, where the wedding and reception was held. That place was beautiful and I HIGHLY recommend it if you're having a wedding in the Bryan/College Station area - especially if it's outdoors! We got everything we needed to do that day done by about 3 and broke to get ready for the rehearsal that night.

After the rehearsal, we had a amazing dinner at Christopher's in Bryan. A lot of the guests spoke about Lori and Kyle and how great they are...I think Jimmy's was the best. He has the interesting perspective of having lived with both Lori and Kyle. Jimmy doesn't get nervous about talking in front of groups, he just doesn't like to, but always manages to have the right thing to say. I think it's funny that he seems to do better talking to large groups than small. My "speech" was just welcoming Kyle to our group of loud-mouth Brady spouses (it seems to be a pattern). It was a really late night. Jimmy walked the hall with Natalie almost the whole time. We probably should have left, but it just seemed too sad to leave your own sister's rehearsal dinner early!

Saturday came early, but I think we all had so much adrenaline that it wasn't too hard! Jimmy was going to go play golf, but we slept until 8 and thought he'd just go see if his mom needed help. THANK GOD HE DID THAT. There were a lot of things going on and she was really appreciative of having him there to put to work.

Lori's new sister-in-law, Sarah, and her family honored Lori with a bridesmaid's brunch and then we headed over to get our hair done. I'm always anxious about those sorts of things. I never know what to do and I'm always afraid I'll come out looking like I'm wearing a helmet. BUT - I was really happy with it. I had the girl cut my bangs and she curled it, doing her best to spray it enough to hold. Amanda (Queen Matron), Meredith and Laurie (two of my fellow lower-levels) had their hair done, as well and all looked really beautiful! Amanda and I were the last to leave the salon and we were really cutting it close. We were supposed to be back at the Greenbranch in 20 minutes and still had to go back to the Amanda's hotel to grab baby Grayson, Josh and their stuff. I still had to do my make-up and we both needed to get dressed. Of course, these things always work out and we got there with plenty of time, took pictures and then had about an hour and a half to just sit.

That's when Lori's nerves kicked in. Not too bad though. But it was just the typical "okay, now it's happening, everyone will be watching me, woohoo" kind of butterflies. Kyle seemed a little on edge, though I know he'll never admit to it. He just seemed anxious and not his usual smooth self. No worries though.

Ceremony time! It was beautiful. I teared up and let my chin quiver. It was just so great to finally see them get married! I mean, these two have been dating off and on, secretly and openly for at least 10 years! I think we all had some nervous excitement going on because we've been anticipating it for so long!

The reception was the best! (I even danced - well, my version, anyway!) I really enjoyed getting to see everyone and having a really great reunion of "the guys" from Beaumont. The core group of guys have all gotten married and started having kids and it isn't often (hardly ever) that we all get to see each other. It's fun how things never really seem to change. Those guys are so sweet and have always made me feel like I have a bunch of big brothers.

All four of us were in the wedding and Natalie and Cody were great! All night we kept hearing about how adorable our babies are and stories about what they were doing during the ceremony. We're so proud of them!

Well, as you can see, I don't have any pictures at this point, but I so wish I did. I can't wait to see them!