Sick, sick & more sick plus a Prost Wedding

If you haven't guessed, I'm sick.  I think the long, long, busy, busy week might have been the straw that broke this camel's back.  That didn't stop me from heading to Perryville yesterday for my cousin Kelly's wedding.  Now one would think I would have a photo of the gorgeous bride and her new husband, but nope, I don't.  I've converted to the "don't take pictures during the ceremony" crowd after my own wedding.  It's really best to keep out of the real photographers way and don't flash out the professionals.  But Claire?  Yes, I have photos of Claire after mass.

 

The reception was all kinds of fabulous - though I don't have any photos to prove it.  I was way too miserable to be scurrying around with my camera.  I did indulge on 2 glass of pineapple/orange juice - a little vitamin C can't hurt, right? - and gummy bears a la the candy bar. 

 

The theme was "One Night Only" so the men wore bowties and the women were in black with bold gold necklaces.  The centerpieces alternated between spray painted and sparkled wine/liquor bottles with candles and tall sparkly twigs and beverage glasses turned upside down with glittered candles.  Again, a picture would be so much better than my jumbled description, but blogger fail.  Oversized gold ornaments were strung from the ceiling over the head table and the visual effect against the black & white backdrop was beautiful.  Every detail was black, gold and shiny perfect.  Loved it. 

 

Congrats Kelly & Kyle!

 

Update:

 

Totally stole this photo from the bride's facebook page and it reminded me how gorgeous her flowers were - stunning - just like the bride!

 

 

 

 



Whirlwind Week

If a picture is worth a thousand words, here's a mini novel....enjoy!

Monday -  Christmas with the Wilmes family

 

 

Tuesday - Christmas with the Lanwermeyer family

 

 

Wednesday morning - Christmas at home

 

 

 

Wednesday afternoon - Christmas with the Pingels

 

 

 

Wednesday evening - Christmas with the Prost family

 



 

 

Thursday - Christmas with the Pates

 

 

 

Whew!!  What a week of fun with family.  We are both so blessed with large families that live close.  And we do have family that live far - love you uncle Eddie family, uncle Bill family and aunt Faye family.  Hope we get to see you all soon!







Baby's First of Many First Christmas Parties

As told by Claire Louise:

I attended my first Christmas celebration today at my great aunt Debbie's house.  Mommy got me all dressed up in my Christmas jammies and big Santa Claus bow.  I definitely won the award for most festive attendee. 

We ate lunch - milk for me! - and then I participated in a Pingel family tradition - the after lunch nap!

 

 



I chose uncle Brandon for my bed.  He is so cozy and since he is extra tall, I have more room to stretch out.  Others also participated in the napping including my uncle Grant:

 

 

 

After nap time, it was time to play.  The adults played sjoelbak....

 

 

 

...and the big babies went on blanket rides...

 

 

 

I smiled with my mom....

 

...and made funny faces with my dad...

 

 

 

I got my first presents!

 

But mommy had to open them because I was snoozing again.  (She did put the cutest feather barrette in my hair - thanks Miss Jennifer!)

 

When I woke up I was ready for some fun...

 

 

 

Cousin Gavin wasn't too interested in playing...

 

 

 

...and the twins were sleeping...

 









 

 

...so I decided to crash their party...

 

 

 

...and then I did lots of other things but my mommy's camera died - bad mommy blogger.

 

 

I've got another party tomorrow night and a week full of festivities.  I can't wait!