I am so fortunate to have grown up with a big and fun extended family on both my mom and my Dad's sides. The only downside to such a big clan is that we are spread out among about 10 states. Which means we do not get to see each other often. So when my cousin, Yvonne, announced she was getting married I just knew I had to be there. The only problem was that it was going to be in Detroit. We debated over 17 different plans on how to get there, when to go and who should/could go. The plan we settled on was that I would fly with my parents and take Emery with me since she still flies free.
So early on the Fourth of July we flew out of LR and headed to Detroit. I was sad to leave my boys but so excited to spend time with my family. Most of them I have not seen in 2 or more years so I knew it would be such a fun reunion.
Here is Emery around 6:30 in the morning at the Little Rock airport. She really did a great job throughout the whole trip. She had a few moments but don't we all.
She feel asleep as soon as the wheels lifted off the ground and slept the whole way to Chicago.
We had a short layover before we boarded our flight to Chicago. We were so fortunate to have a vacant seat next to my dad on this flight. Miss Independent thought she was big stuff in here own seat. She also had orange juice for the first time so she was sugared-up and entertaining everyone around us.
Once we arrived we got our rental car and went to check into our hotel. We then let Emery take a nap before heading over to the church for dinner with my family.
Emery was so happy to be free of airplanes and cars that she ran around the Fellowship Hall the whole night. And it definitely helped that two of my cousins little kids were also running around playing.
After dinner us girl cousins took the bride out for a night of fun!! We hung out around downtown Plymouth. Such a cute little area. We so much enjoyed catching up and laughing the night away.
I got back to my hotel room about midnight and I had been up since 4:00 a.m. that morning so I was dragging. All worth it though.
The wedding was not till Friday evening so on Friday morning we drove literally across the street to IKEA. We were in heaven. Papa helped manage Emery. She would much rather push the cart than ride in it.
Around lunch time we met up with my extended family and we went to the reception hall to help do some decorating.
Then we grabbed some lunch and headed back to hotel to get ready and head to the wedding. I got to sneak a peak with the bride before the wedding.
After the wedding the kids played while the wedding party took pics.
Then we headed to the reception. It was at a beautiful reception hall.
A toast from the Father of the Bride.
My dad and his twin sister, Phyllis. Her daughter is the one who got married.
Here are all 20 of us there who could make it. If my calculations are correct we are missing about 20 family members who could not make it.
Then the fun began with about 2 hours of dancing!
I took lots of video but only these pics. Emery was such a great sport. We stayed till 10:30. By the end she was out on the dance floor with her paci and lovie just dancing around.
She slept in till 9:30 the next morning!
Saturday my aunt rented a pavilion at a park with a splash pad so we grilled out and played.
All 5 kiddos little booties :)
Later that evening we ate dinner together and said our farewells.
Sunday we headed home. While we waited for our plane in Detroit, Emery enjoyed walking around and showing everyone her baby doll.
By our 2nd and last flight home she was D.O.N.E. Can you tell?
We very much enjoyed our trip!! I thankful I had some quality time with my mom and dad. And all their help with Emery!! I loved seeing my extended family and catching up. Thankful for family. And especially my girl cousins - they are all like sisters to me!
Happy Wedding to you guys, Morgans! Welcome to the family Mike! Glad to have you join our crew!
The boys had a big time while we were gone. I'll have to post about their time soon.
