When Lisa and Sergio got engaged we were thrilled and when they asked Eric to be part of the wedding party, we (yes me too) were honored. They decided to have the wedding in Atlanta so began the process of us deciding if we were going to bring the kids. Since Josh is Sergio's godson and Emma is absolutely in love with Lisa, I felt like they should come. I quickly got over that feeling once the reality of airline tickets hit so instead the kids got a weekend with Grammie and Poppa and Eric and I got a weekend with each other.
We left on Thursday morning after dropping Emma off at preschool. The night before as I was packing, she cried and cried about us leaving so I thought for sure she would do the same in the morning. She surprised us though and not a single tear was shed, she even forgot to give us a kiss as she went into Ms. Carrie's house. Of course we grabbed her quickly and smothered her with kisses and hugs, which was okay because none of her friends had arrived yet to see. After doing the same to Josh, we waved goodbye and laughed because he had no clue what see you on Monday meant. We picked up our friends Erika and Carlos on the way to the airport because we were on the same flight and within a few hours were getting off the airplane in a frozen tundra (#1 reason it was good not to bring the kids). Not really, but it was cold and I being a true Arizonian hate the cold.
The first place we headed was to Jos A. Banks where Eric and Carlos needed to pick up their tux rentals. After months of drama with JAB everyone had their tuxes except Eric! His was no where to be found but the manager promised to have it by the next day which was good because Sergio and Eric both might have come unglued if not. Next we headed to our hotel and after getting settled, we met with the other groomsmen and their wives to head to dinner. All being from Arizona we had no idea what was around and settled on a safe bet with Chili's. We loaded up into a borrowed 15 passenger van and drove around never finding Chili's (which was totally okay with me) and ate at some local bar, my food wasn't the best but the company made up for it. It was a fun night spent laughing, drinking, and not worrying what time it was (#2 reason it was good not to bring the kids).
Friday, Eric and I slept in and I took the longest shower I have taken in 4 years. It was so nice to stand in a shower and not hear "mommy, what are you doing" (Emma), "mommy, how long are you going to be" (Emma), "mommy, done?" (Josh), "mommy, Sophie NO" (Josh)! All you mom's reading this know exactly what I am talking about. I didn't actually realize how long my shower was until I saw the clock afterward, it was awesome! When we were finally done being lazy, we had lunch in the hotel restaurant and then headed our separate ways for the afternoon. Eric went out to get his tux and I went to some local antique shops with Erika and Carlos. That evening was mass with the wedding rehearsal and then the rehearsal dinner. When we got back to the hotel, we hung out in the bar with everyone (reason #3 it was good not to bring the kids with us) waiting for Danielle and Kevin to arrive, who drove down for North Carolina to spend the weekend with us. Once they arrived we closed the bar down and then went off to bed for our beauty sleep.
Saturday morning Eric, the groom, and the other groomsmen left for haircuts and shaves while I headed into Atlanta with Danielle and Kevin for breakfast and a tour of the Olympic Park and CNN building. It was freezing but once the sun came out, it was a beautiful morning. Our tour of the CNN building was informative and Dani and I were only slightly disappointed that Anderson Cooper does not report news out of the Atlanta location. Our tour happened to be with a lively young boy scout troop who asked so many questions our tour stretched over half an hour long. I was a bit panicked as we got back to the car at 12:20, having not showered in the morning and needing to be on a hotel shuttle at 1:30 to make it to the wedding at 2. When we pulled up to the hotel I ran to my room and took the quickest shower of my life. I still am not sure how I managed to get ready in 40 minutes and was incredible thankful I had shaved my legs the day before. :o) Once I got on the shuttle and sat down, I realized my hands were shaking and that I hadn't eaten since breakfast but was happy to be on board.
The wedding mass was beautiful and you could truly feel the love and happiness all those attending have for Sergio and Lisa. Everyone looked wonderful including Eric (of course) who looked very handsome in his tux. After the wedding, the wedding party was off to take pictures with the photographer who just happens to be Eric's cousin. Paul shot our wedding too and I love his work, you can link to his website
here or his blog
here to see some of his amazing pictures. While they did that, the rest of us when to the reception site for cocktail hour. Looking back at the day now, I realize a number of things did me in this night (not eating lunch, getting ready so quickly, crying like a baby at the wedding) but the biggest was getting a vodka and cranberry that was 3/4 vodka and 1/4 cranberry on an empty stomach. About 2 hours into the reception my head began pounding at assuming it was hunger, I ate a small plate of food. 30 minutes later I was desperately trying to find a ride back to the hotel. My headache had become a full blown migraine and lucky for me these only end in one way, a trip to visit the if you're gonna spew, spew in this gods. I knew this is where my migraine was headed and fast so I needed to leave before something awful happened (reason #4 it was good not to bring the kids with us). Thank goodness the sweet Raus boys agreed to take me back and the rest is history (I realize this is the longest blog ever and I will save the migraine story for another time).
Sunday morning we headed to church and then over to Lisa's parents house for a BBQ. Her parents live in an incredibly beautiful house and it was another beautiful afternoon. That evening we met up with an old friend of Eric's from high school and her husband for dinner. We drove around for a bit and came upon a Bahama Breeze. Eric, myself, and the rest of my family were devastated when they closed in AZ so of course we sent many taunting texts to my parents while eating. It was nice getting to catch up with Stacey and Reggie and learned they are pregnant with their first baby!
Monday morning we headed home and I was ready to be back. I feel extremely fortunate that we were able to celebrate the sacrament of marriage with our friends and had an incredible weekend, migraine and all.
I LOVE Mainstreet, Disneyland. Mainstreet is the first place you end up after entering Disneyland park and being on that street, seeing Disneyland open up before you is incredible. I LOVE the memories that walking down Mainstreet brings. Times of being with my parents, girlfriends, sisters, cousins, Life Teen, groups of friends, Eric. I LOVE the stores on the street and how each one holds a special memory. I LOVE thinking about taking the kids one day and starting new memories on Mainstreet with them.
