A Beautiful Wedding Weekend

FINALLY! After all the planning and work and time put into this one big event, it has come together for a beautiful (though exhausting) wedding weekend.

I took half days at work on Thursday and Friday to help get everything set up. We had chair covers to put on and tulle bows to tie around each chair, flower petal pouches to tie up, and lots of other odd jobs and decorating. Thursday was rehearsal night and it was super chilly! Thursday also happened to be Craig's and my 4th wedding anniversary! We obviously did not celebrate, but we at least acknowledged it and will go out just the two of us sometime soon.

As for the wedding day, I have no idea what I would have done without my mom. She was soooo helpful with Will. He ate a big breakfast and took a good morning nap for me. Then I gave him a bath and took him over to my mom's house while I headed to the salon with the girls and Craig went to Kelly's for last minute set up. Mom fed him lunch and got him down for an afternoon nap. She then brought him over to Craig's parent's house where we were all dressing and Will & I got to ride to the ceremony in a horse drawn carriage with the bride! Later in the evening, mom took Will home around 9:30 or so to get him to bed for me so Craig & I could stay and remain involved. Sunday morning she fed him breakfast and got his morning nap in before I picked him up on the way back to Kelly's for gift opening. What a woman! My mom bends over backward for me time and again and always unselfishishly tries to make my life easier. She is the best! I love you mom!

We could not have asked for prettier weather... a smidge warmer perhaps, but it was just gorgeous. And so was the bride. Kelly is a timelessly beautiful woman and she looked stunning all made up in her dress and veil.

Will was very good the whole day. He rode gallantly up the aisle in his white, decorated wagon and sat pretty well during the ceremony. He did spot Craig standing up at the front and excitedly repeated "Da!" over and over. But other than that, he was quiet.

The food was delicious. The flowers were amazing. And the whole event went off without a hitch.

I'm sorry to tell you, I don't have a ton of pictures at the moment. I didn't take any with my own camera except some initial set up pictures at the farm while the place was still empty. But I have a few from my mom to post and will have many more from my friend Jill soon. So look for more pictures later! But here's a handful to tease you with:

Initial set up.









The bride getting all made up at the salon.



Getting ready to head to the ceremony.



Arriving at the ceremony.



Craig escorts the mother of the bride up the aisle.



Here's my entrance.



And Will.



Here comes the bride!



The handsome ringbearer.



Our friends Mike and Jill.



Our little family at the reception.





Will dances with Grandma & Papa Riedeman. The expressions in this picture crack me up.



On Sunday, we had a big brunch/gift opening/cleanup party. My whole body hurt by the end of the weekend and I anticipated the exhaustion. So I took Monday off from work and relaxed at home. I also got a wonderful massage using a gift certificate from my birthday back in January! Now the new Mr. & Mrs. are off to Hawaii for 2 weeks and life as we know it can get back to normal!

Racing for the Cure

Sunday was a perfect morning for the annual Susan Komen Race for the Cure. My mom and Will and I walked the 5K in downtown Toledo - well, actually, Will "rode" on my back. The weather was beautiful and there were over 17,500 people walking/running!



Will's excited to be here - can't you tell?



He was really good though and had fun clapping along to the music and crowd cheering along the route.

A Trip to the Pumpkin Farm

Last year, our trip to Fleitz Pumpkin Farm wasn't till mid October. That seemed like barely enough time to even enjoy our pumpkins. So this year, Casey and Will and I went early to pick out our pumpkins. We had such a good time, I definitely want to go back with Craig in a couple weeks. (He was busy working at Kelly's again today in preparation for the wedding next weekend!)

Will picked out a pumpkin that was just his size and I got 2 larger ones for decorating. I have a cute idea for painting pumpkins this year instead of carving and I can't wait to try it. Will called the pumpkins: "puppies". It was so cute!

The Fleitz's had all kinds of kiddie and adult activities set up around the farm. Will loved the slide and all the colorful gourds to touch and looking at the goats. But he wasn't such a fan of the super tiny straw maze they had set up for kids under 6. They had some delicious, hot apple cider and when we go back with Craig, I'd like to try the hay ride and the bigger corn maze.

It was such a fun way to welcome fall!

Will is 15 1/2 months!

Wow! I've been a lazy blogger lately. [Hides face in shame] Sorry.

Will went to his 15 month well check appointment last week and weighed in at 23# even and 31 1/4" long. He's right around the 50th percentiles for both and looked great on his exam. He got 3 more shots and is scheduled to go back at 18 months.

Will's new favorite song is "If you're happy and you know it" and he claps his hands and stomps his feet on cue. So cute! He also points to his nose, ears, belly and head, and stick out his tongue on request. And he loves to make "car noises" when he sees a car or truck go by.

Here are some picture updates.

Our country clubbin' baby.



Farmer Will has to start earning his keep around here. So he's on lawn-mowing duty.



"Yep, I farm these here parts. Every last acre."



My two boys playing a little pigskin.