The Great California Vacation: Part 2

Guess who got the newest Dresden Files book and spent the last week devouring it? This lady did! So that's just one of the reasons I haven't been writing on here. So...the great vacation continues...

The Wedding

I've had the honor of being at all of my brothers' weddings (except my oldest brother who didn't really ever have an official one) and so I couldn't possibly have missed my baby brother's wedding. Even if he did have it half of a country away. When we got there, we spent some time enjoying the local sites of Ukiah, California. It was one heck of a beautiful place. The sequoia trees were just spectacular and they were everywhere! While Aaron (the baby bro) was getting his wedding practice on with the rest of the party, the rest of us out-of-towners went and found a local park for the kids to burn energy. All I can really say is: Best. Park. Ever. Seriously...it was pretty awesome. Despite the cold and gloomy weather, we had to burn the energy of several kids. Parks do that rather well.

Boys climbing on trees. Naturally.

I had a huge bruise on my shin for weeks after this from trying to jump on this monstrosity.

Later on we went to the rehearsal and dinner and spent some time at the wedding location. It was a very nice place. But the big day was upon us and off we went to the wedding! I must admit, it was strange seeing my little bro up there in a tux and all decked out to get married. But I was so happy to get to be there. There were bittersweet moments mixed amongst the happiness. With my dad being gone, it was hard at times. He would have had so much fun being there and being the center of attention (even though he wasn't the one getting married). I would have been okay, but they handed mom a flower in memory/honor of dad. I lost it. Bawled like a baby. I got the honor of wearing it on me.

My new sister-in-law, Michelle, was stunning in her dress and Aaron was looking pretty good himself. My bro, Jeremy, was in the wedding party. I love this picture of him. I know it's just a trick of photography, but he looks like Andre the Giant. He really wasn't that much bigger than everyone.

My brother: Andre the Giant.

Me and my bros.

 

In honor of Dad.

The kiddos weren't thrilled with having to sit still for the entire thing, but they did well. Josh got to walk Evie around a bit while I watched the whole thing. I was thankful for that. Why, oh why, won't she just sit in a stroller and chillax like my niece, Lexi? That girl is happy to just relax and enjoy life. Evie can't sit still for two seconds, the crazy girl.

I've never been to a wedding with a dance. Actually, I think I have, but I didn't dance because it was more of a bride and groom thing. Anyhow, I had to bust a move with everyone else. What cracked me up was that my mom, the wallflower of all wallflowers, actually went out and danced. Did someone slip her some extra champagne? (Just kidding.) It was nice. Aaron did a back flip (that nut) and I got the pleasure of watching Aaron and Jeremy dance together in the Money Dance. (You pay to dance with the bride or groom. I gave Jeremy a buck to go dance with Aaron.) We all got a kick out of that. Then a little more bittersweetness smacked me in the face. The DJ said, "Time for the father-daughter dance. Dad's, take your daughters on the dance floor for this one." I never ever thought that I'd dance with my dad when he was alive. . It just never came up in life. But when I saw all those dads dancing with their daughters, I lost it. It was the most I missed my dad since I found out he was gone. I couldn't stop crying and was struggling to compose myself. Aaron took me out there and danced with me in dad's place. I think I did more crying than dancing. But dang it all, if that wasn't a big bucket of suck.

Alex has a blast talking Uncle Aaron's ear off.

 

Jeremy pinning the dollar on Aaron to "pay" for a dance.

 When the night was all said and done, I was one more sister-in-law up and had officially seen my last brother married off (not including my brother-from-another-mother. But that's another story. :-) It was a beautiful wedding with beautiful memories. The kids were exhausted and so were our feet. It was time to call it a night. I have no idea how late that dance went, but I was drained and ready to relax in the hotel room. Congratulations to my brother and his new wife! Glad to have you in the family, Michelle!

Next up: Confusion Hill and The Redwoods