Brian and Nancy's Wedding Weekend

Off we flew last week, back to North Carolina! The difference this time - Brent traveled with Brock and I traveled solo on a different route! Yippee! First time I was able to read a magazine AND take a two hour nap on a flight in over two years!

We arrived at my Mother's house on Wednesday and used Thursday to adjust to the time difference and help my mom with some last-minute errands.

Of course, Brent made time to see his buddy Adam on Thursday night. I think he had a little too much fun. ;)

Apologies for the "language", but this was the only picture of the two of them ;)

Friday we hit the road for Nashville, North Carolina.... with a lunch stop for some local eats - "Bojangles!!"

Practicing for the big day!

The weather was GORGEOUS! It had been in the 90's earlier that week, but Friday and Saturday both called for 79/80 degrees and lots of sun. Not as hot as North Carolina could be this time of year!

It was wonderful to see family we haven't seen in quite awhile at the rehearsal dinner and start meeting some of Nancy's relatives as well. Brock hadn't quite napped that day, so he was in a rare mood, but took a liking to the colorful balls on the pool table. Good thing everyone was a good sport about him when he INSISTED on holding the black 8-ball and carrying it around with him the entire cocktail hour.

That would be a slab of butter on his plate.....

We even got some time in with Uncle David!

The grooms cake - a surprise from Nancy to Brian - a recreation of their house in Annapolis (complete with "construction worker Brian" standing on the driveway)

After a sermon speech from my father giving marriage advice to the happy couple, we dove right in to our meal. Very nice salad wedge starter, finished with grilled pork tenderloin and horseradish mashed potatoes (others had salmon on a bed of cheese grits).

Following dinner, my mother unveiled the project she's been working on since January. A slideshow video of pictures compiled from family and friends set to music. It was perfect - encompassed the usual amount of baby pictures and kid pictures; following with pictures from college and while they were dating. My mother also included pictures of grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, and siblings from their wedding days - a really nice touch bringing the families together. It was so good, it received an encore and played at the reception too!

A wonderful start to the wedding weekend!

The following morning, we had to take advantage of Cracker Barrel being right next to our hotel!!!

Brock loves his Uncle Mike!

After a quick dip in the pool (a little too cold for Brock and my husband!), Brock was down for a nap. This was a necessity if he was going to complete his ring bearer duties later that evening!!!

Brock did okay. The wedding planner had me drop Brock off with the Bridesmaids before the ceremony so he could just hang out with them and feel more comfortable walking down the aisle with Chelsea, the maid-of-honor. Apparently, he just wasn't feeling it and had to be carried. He loved his ring pillow though - held on to it with his life! The smallest of the bridesmaids carried my 34 pound toddler down the stairs from the bridal suite of the Plantation house, out through the sun porch and around the house to the backyard where the wedding ceremony was taking place! Then proceeded to carry him down the brick path with her 4 inch heels! What a super-woman!

Brock stayed pretty quiet through the ceremony too - only started his "Do again!!" when the music started to play and Nancy and Brian turned to walk back up the aisle. We all have to remember - he's not yet 2 1/2 so he did really well for his age!

Nancy looked beautiful. Her wedding dress was tailored wonderfully and her hair was perfect. Everyone loved her flowers - they smelled great!! Her hair piece was made from a section of the dress.

Look at all the flowers surrounding the gazebo and hanging from the ceiling. Just beautiful!

Brian and his groomsmen were looking quite dapper too! I loved their tie colors and pattern! Very elegant for the event. 

Then it was time to party at the reception!! Brock was handed off to a babysitter and headed back to the hotel - kudos to Helen for recommending the best babysitter ever! She was great with Brock and even though I had never met Lindsey before this day, I felt completely confident Brock was in great hands! Thank you Helen!!

First Dance

After Chelsea (Maid-of-Honor) and Jesse (Best Man) gave their toasts, Brian stood up and gave one more toast to his new Bride. It was so sweet and right from the heart - good job little brother!

The Reception Hall was decorated amazingly (although the venue itself was gorgeous). The centerpieces of flowers immersed in water in tall clear vases reminded me of Jill and Scott's wedding eight years ago! After a nice light salad, Brent and I both chose the filet tenderloin with potatoes - delicious! Our table was fun; I sat with my older cousin Jeffrey and his wife Jenny, a high school friend of Brian's and her husband, and Nancy's step-brother and girlfriend. We laughed and talked all through dinner.

I guess we are getting old because we couldn't make it to the end. Oh yeah.... did I mention I was officially nine months pregnant that day? ;) I am so glad my doctor gave me the okay to fly all the way to the other coast to witness my brother marry this wonderful lady. It meant a lot they wanted Brock to be their ring bearer as well. I am so happy you two are officially married and presently enjoying sunny Antigua!

Sunday was more recuperating from our busy weekend. We had a full house for dinner on Sunday evening and an Oreo birthday cake for Brent. I can tell I was tired this day because I did not take any pictures of the family hanging out with Brock (nor did I really help my mom with my requested scalloped potatoes - sorry Mom, love you!). Regardless, it was another fun day just sitting and talking with family before our early flight out the next day. We'll see my mother again very soon when she comes out for the arrival of Baby #2!