Wedding Memories Part 4: Reception

I wish I could go to my reception as a guest.  I just want to see what everyone saw and how it felt to be a guest there.  As the bride, I loved it! It was everything I wanted it to be!  Throughout the night, I would just look around in awe that all those people were there for us.  It felt like a dream that I was actually in a wedding dress, at MY wedding reception, and married to Sean.

I LOVED the look of our hall! It was exactly what I wanted!

card box

table cards

cake and head table

After a receiving line, pictures, and some mingling, the bridal party got ready to make their entrance.  They entered the hall to Pit Bull, "Can't Stop the Party,"  The dj did a really good job of playing the perfect parts of the song when each duo entered! Each duo came up with a small dance to do- so funny! 

Sean and I entered to the White Sox theme: "Thunder" by ACDC.  

Before we sat down, we cut the cake.  I loved my cake and was kind of sat to ruin it by cutting it!  But it was SOOO delicious!!

We had 3 speeched: the matron of honor, best man, and my dad.    Loved them all!

By the time dinner came around, I hadn't eaten in a while. My emotions were everywhere and I barely touched my food which was a shame because I hear it was delicious! At least I was able to enjoy it at the tasting!  After dinner we mingled but it wasn't long before we began the dances.  My papa surprised us with a special first dance.  We had another song planned but this was way more special.  My papa played, "Wind Beneath My Wings," on his saxaphone.  It was beautiful and I will cherish that moment forever.

You can see in the background, during dinner and the dances, we had a slideshow of Sean and I through the years playing.  Sean's hair at age 16 gave people a lot of laughs =)

Next was the father daughter dance. This was such a special moment. My dad and I are very close, I am a total daddy's girl, and it was so great to spend this moment with him.  I surprised him with a slideshow of us through the years.  The song that played was perfectly described us.  "Cinderella" By Stephen Curtis Chapman.  

Sean and his mom danced to, "Stand By Me," by Ben E. King.  It was so great to see them enjoying that special moment together!

 After that dance, everyone joined us on the dance floor! 

We took a break to do the garter/bouquet toss. 

"Wannabe" Spice Girls

 "Hot in Here" Nelly

"Girls" Beastie Boys

Sean's brother caught it- and he IS getting married next =)

My little cousin caught the bouquet- with some help =) 

The rest of the night continued with a lot of dancing, drinking, and fun!!! I had the most amazing time and hope everyone else did too!!! Our wedding was everything we wanted it to be and more.  I want to do it again, with Sean of course!! =)

Lake Sara

My family and I are not necessarily "sight-seeing vacationers."  We will most likely always choose renting a house on a lake. The past couple vacations we spent on a very private spot in Door County (WI).  This year we decided to switch it up.  We did not travel far, only about 3 hours South to Effingham, IL.  We rented this fantastic house that was the perfect size for our family.  This post is mostly pictures so enjoy! =)

dining area and kitchen

parents room with bathroom

sister's room

brother's room in the basement

basement living space

bar area which we used as our scrapbooking area

view from the porch

our room

living room

We did not really "do" much.  We slept in, woke up, ate breakfast and lunch.  We spent time on the porch reading and playing games while looking at the lake.  We spent time hanging out in the living room.  We swam A LOT! The lake was very deep!  It started at about 4 feet deep and quickly went to where you can't touch the bottom.  The girls spent most of their time floating in tubes whole the boys jumped, swam, and flipped us off of our tubes.

lounging on the porch

jumping off the boat house

we rented a pontoon boat!

nap time!

night swim- eek too scary for me!

scrapbooking!

loved having so much time together! Sisters!

bonfire!

Pizza and pie over the bonfire!

jet pack joy ride!

floatinggg!

some swimming too =)

mini golf- we get excited about things like matching our clubs to the balls!

I loved this week together.  Sadly, we were missing my brother-in-law, but it was great to spend time with those who were able to be there!  I love my family and the time I get to spend with them.