My Beautiful Sister's Wedding!

Ah...it feels nice to finally have a weekend to relax after my last very eventful and very exciting weekend...

MY SISTER GOT MARRIED!!!! 

Let's start from the very beginning...

Last Friday, while the men spent the day golfing at the Harvester, the girls spent the morning drinking mimosas, eating bagels, and relaxing during a wonderful mani and pedi session. The salon actually opened the place up early for us and we had the whole place to our self--thank goodness, cuz there were tons of us!

The first pedi group. From left--Aunt Donna, cousin Natalie, me, my mom, and my three aunts: Lisa, Suki, and Nancy (with her eyes closed).

Above left: bridesmaid Callie. Above right: cousin Michaela and bridesmaid Lindsay.

Below: cousin Natalie and me.

Below left: bridesmaid April. Below right: my Aunt Donna and her mama. 

Me and my grandma concentrating on our shelaks.

The groom came to deliver a kiss. So romantic.

Below left: cousins Syd and Jill. Below right: cousin Syd and me.  

After our nails, us ladies headed over to the reception site where we spent the afternoon decorating our booties off--and boy, it sure looked good when we were done!

My cute grandma ironing the table runners.

Aunt Nancy placing the menu board with help from my cousin and mom.

The bathroom sign made by my oh-so-creative-and-oh-so-crafty Auntie Rita (on the right).

The final product.

Once the decorating was done, we all rushed home to get ready for the rehearsal and dinner which was at our hometown restaurant, Country House.

Sibling love.

Aunt Lisa and someones baby...our family has a thing for holding random people's babies :/

Me, Dane, and Jenna.

That night most of our family stayed at a hotel in Ames. So, following the dinner, we went to the hotel and practiced our traditional family wedding dance (to Gangnam Style) and a wedding song (Say a Little Prayer) which we surprised the bride and groom with on their wedding night. 

This is the back of my uncle Macy's head (notice the sunburn from a long day of golf) as he practices our surprise song.

Me with my Aunt Suki and cousins Paul, Natalie, and Jill (all wearing teal).

I called it an early night and headed to my room to finish my speech (which I was incredibly nervous for) and lather up with LOTS of tanning lotion. After sleeping for just a few hours, I woke up at 5:00 AM and couldn't get back to sleep--I was just too excited to start the wedding day!

The morning started at 8:00 AM with hair and makeup. My brother's girlfriend, Jenna, was the photographer for the wedding and came to take getting ready pictures with us. She also delivered some delicious Starbucks to us. I just love her. Sadly, I did not get any pictures of the bride getting her hair and makeup done (but Jenna got plenty!). Not long after we were there, the cute little flower girl, Miss Kennedy Ann, came to get her hair done. She did sooooooo good for the first hour, but as all little three-year-old girls would, she grew tired of the tugging and curling and spraying and all else that comes with being a girl.

The stylist, Kennedy, and her mama (my cousin), Amanda.

Me putting sparkles on those tiny little eyelids of hers.

Waiting for 2:00...

Abby discovered the easiest way to pee with a dress on...AND ISN'T SHE JUST GORGEOUS!?

And finally, the moment came when we all walked down the aisle and waited for the bride.

Dave walked my mama down the aisle. Just look at how pretty she is! And that dress!

The best man, Nate, and I.

Kennedy did PERFECT! Never have I seen a flower girl do such a good job--and she is only three! Just look at how cute she is!

AND THERE SHE IS--THE BLUSHING BRIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And their kiss!

Abby and my new brother-in-law, Dave.

This is my pops.

My California family--cousin Colby and his wife, Sarah, cousin Megan and her boyfriend, Bobbi, Uncle Kris and Aunt Krista, and cousin Taylor.

Uncle Bret, cousin Jill, and Uncle Macy.

My mom, Kennedy, and cousin Syd.

Aunt Nancy and Aunt Suki with their matching umbrellas (it pretty much rained alllllll day long).

After the wedding, we took a few pictures and headed over to the Bride and Groom's house to prepare (get liquored up) for our grand entrance. The family headed to Ames where the reception was held; thanks to my wonderful photo-loving family, I have lots of pictures of them to share.

My family is so gorgeous! From left: Meyer cousins Jill, Drew, Paul, Natalie (Paul's wife), Sarah (Colby's wife), Colby, Megan, and Bobbi (Megan's boyfriend).

See what I mean!? Gorgeous! From left: Kaufman cousins (all sisters if you can't tell) Mattea, Mallory, and Michaela.

My cousins from both sides of the family. I'm so glad my cousins from another (grand)mother got to meet one another!

This is my dad, my mom, her three brothers, their wives, and my grandma.

Aunt Suki and her daughter, Jill. I love this picture.

Natalie and Paul. Not only were they celebrating Abby and Dave's wedding, but their own one year anniversary (which was the very next day). Aren't they precious? They'll be making beautiful babies someday...

After the grand entrance, there were much more pictures taken, speeches given, dances danced, etc. The best part of the whole night, though, was the surprise song we sang for Abby and Dave. This is how it went down: before we ate, my dad stood up and thanked everyone for coming. He then asked if everyone would bow their heads so he could say a little prayer. How did he start this prayer, you ask? Well, he sang, "The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup." Obviously, this made everyone laugh. Then, my mom stood up and sang, "I'll say a little prayer for you!" and the song continued as multiple people stood up and sang their own part with everyone joining in for the chorus. WOW, it was sooooo perfect! I love my family! Abby and Dave absolutely loved it! My sister is definitely not one to cry, but believe me, this did it for her (hopefully I'll have a video to post soon).

Mr. Quinn wanted to sit with me during dinner and I was more than happy to be his date.

What a stud.

Me giving my el speecho.

First dance as bride and groom.

Father daughter dance.

The surprise dance to "Gangnam Style."

Abby surprised everyone with a two-in-one dress. She took off the skirt of her dress and came onto the dance floor during the end of the Gangnam Style dance. Here she is with cousin Hanne.

Cousins Mattea and Lindsey.

It doesn't get much cuter than this.

Me and my good friend, Christy, who was such a good help at the wedding. This pretty lady is getting married next summer and I CANNOT WAIT!

Uncle Mike and cousin Kaela (father and daughter).

My Uncle Kris arranged for a "baby dance" where just me, my sister, and my mom got to be on the dance floor with all children five and under. HAHA! We really were in heaven.

Jenna and Dane. Such cuties.

Some of the Colo-NESCO High School crew.

Kaela and baby Claire (my cousin Alan and Cate's baby girl).

I love my sister.

Family friends, Deb and Jerry.

Lindsey, Abby, and April.

Auntie Rita and Uncle Steve with two of their tired grandbabies, Quinn and Claire.

The bride with cousin Kaela.

My Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike sharing a siblings dance. So precious.

Kennedy found this boa and took her flower girl duties to the next level.

One last posed picture. Couldn't help it.

Me and my beautiful cousin, Megan.

Awwww...me and Trenton!

After the reception, several of us made our way to a karaoke bar where the night continued.

:)

Me and my cousin, Mally.

Cousin Taylor serenading the newly weds.

And that's all, folks! It was such a great weekend and I am sooo ridiculously happy to finally be able to call Dave my brother-in-law. Next step: baby time--I am so ready to be Auntie Andi!