Too Blessed to be Stressed: Beautiful Bride

This past weekend, Brian's sister got married. It was a beautiful weekend and I know Jennifer and Lyle are so glad to finally be married. The wedding was held in Birmingham, so we were up there all weekend. Brian and I were a little concered about having Hayden in a little hotel room all weekend, but she did wonderful. She really liked her new surroundings and enjoyed running around the room and playing and talking to herself in front of the mirrored closet doors, it was precious. She even slept pretty good in her pack n play both nights. This is encouraging for our family beach trip for next week, although the condo we stay at is larger than our house :).

The weekend started off with Jennifer's Bridal luncheon, it was held at Olexa's Cafe in Mountain Brook and lunch was delicous. I took almost zero pictures all weekend. I had my camera with me, but was unable to take many photographs as I was busy chasing Hayden around most of the time. That evening their rehearsal and rehearsal dinner was at the wedding location and the food was outstanding: we had stuffed pork loin, some kind of chicken (i think) and wondefully grilled vegetables that were marinated in a zesty dressing, yum - and of course more cake and to top it off they had my favorite cake STRAWBERRY, what could be better than that?

Saturday was the wedding day and it was super hot - the wedding was outside, did I mention that? And rain threatened all day, but fortunatly for the bride and groom (and the guests) the rain held off until moments after Jennifer and Lyle said "I do" and were safely under the cover of the house. Perfect timing if I must say so myself!

The wedding was not until 6:00 p.m. which meant that Hayden and I had to find something to do all day. We got up early with her that morning and fed her and played in the room for just a little bit then Brian and I took her downstairs to the lobby and had breakfast and Hayden ran all over the place, too cute. I left her in her pj's and she had a blast. After that she took a two hour nap and once she woke up we got ready and headed to the Galleria. Hayden and I strolled for over two hours and she really enjoyed the ride and looking at everyone that was shopping. Hayden has never sat in her stroller for that long, but I think she was hot and tired so, she was perfect.

At 5:00 p.m. we headed to the wedding and had our little family photos made and sat inside and waited on the ceremony to start. The wedding director took us, my parents included, downstairs to where the groom was waiting and told us this would be the best place for us to enter and then leave the wedding if necessary. I agreed! And yes we had to leave the ceremony, Hayden was squeeling with excitement once Jennifer walked down the aisle and the music stopped. And everyone kept turning around looking at me like - really you brought a baby to the wedding?? I know they didn't know we were family, but I prefered everyone to be able to hear the ceremony and not Hayden, so we got up and walked a little ways to the back and Hayden safely played in the rocks. And the rest is history! Congrats to Jennifer & Lyle, such a sweet couple! We wish you nothing but happiness and the best life has to offer.

A very few photos from the weekend!

Here is one of our family after rehearsal dinner and right before leaving for the night!