Smalls

On Thursday of wedding week, Eric drove down to Toledo, OH to visit his friend from college, Robert.  I spent the morning grocery shopping and running errands for my mom.  That evening, we had the Orzechowski sisters, Danielle and Judy over for a night of We Are The World and Newsies.  My mom, aunt Alecia and uncle Ron joined in on We Are The World.  I think we ended up doing 6 or 7 rounds – it was awesome!

The house was pretty crowded with Mary and Josh, Eric and I, my aunt Alecia and uncle Ron and of course my parents.  Eric and I decided to let everyone else have the beds and we camped out in the backyard.  The weather was perfece all week and it was really fun to sleep out there!

My dad had spent the previous 4 weeks in Falls Church, VA for his judge training.  He arrived home around 5:15 PM Friday evening, just in time to change and leave for the rehearsal at 5:30 PM!  Here he is arriving home to be greeted by his sister, Alecia.

The rehearsal went very well.  There were 18 bridesmaids/groomsmen plus a flower girl and, of course, Dan and Katie in the wedding party.  We went through the ceremony twice and then we were good to go!

My new brother-in-law striking a pose!

Dad and Katie.

The rehearsal dinner was at Jack’s.  We had a very nice dinner in their newly renovated party room.  Katie gave a gift to each bridesmaid that night too!  We received a beautiful green and brown necklace that we wore on the wedding day as well as a fabulous Land’s End tote bag with our names embroidered on them.  The straps on the tote bags are green to go along with our dress colors and all of the bridesmaids used them the next day as well!  Here is a pic of Eric and I.  My husband is so gorgeous and looked fabulous in that vest!  I’m such a lucky girl!

Here is a pic of Katie and Dan opening the gifts from the bridesmaids.  We all chipped in on a shower/wedding gift for them and, since there wasn’t a shower where we could all be in attendance, we gave them the gift at the rehearsal dinner.

Next up, wedding day!