Sunday, July 19, 2009

A Texas Wedding Weekend

My little brother got married on June 13th... to this beautiful southern bell, Margaret Ann Willet. What a truly beautiful couple!!!
Okay, jokes aside, they are actually an amazing couple and it was so exciting to watch them become one. Brad and I made it in time for a whole weekends worth of festivities but others were not as lucky (as it was Brad and I had to spend the night in Dulles Airport... but at least we made it in!). The weather in Dallas grounded all incoming and outgoing flights which meant that my Dad and all the groomsmen were stuck in Fresno!!! In an act of heroism they all piled into a car and drove to Palm Springs to catch a flight... everyone made it in the end but many hours were spent waiting in airports across the country, definitely worth it though!

We started our wedding weekend fun with a Texas BBQ... something Brad has been fantasizing about his whole life!!!
After our food settled, we went to Margaret Ann's house for a little family get together. These are Margaret Ann's sisters... +1! We had a great time meeting her family and learning about our new sister in law. Her family was fabulous and we instantly loved them... hope that feeling was mutual!
After dinner we girls went out for a bit of a bachelorette party. Unfortunately, we were all so full from Ann Willet's incredible food that we only got drinks and shared 2 deserts... oh yeah, and made Margaret Ann open her lingerie in public!
The next morning all the girls went for brunch at the nail salon. I had been looking forward to this for weeks... I even grew my normally stubby nails out for the event! These are the Moms... both chose boring light pink shades... very appropriate, well done girls!
I chose bright red... Yes, a bit trashy but I thought it might be the only time I'd ever have nails long enough to do it!!! Don't worry, I got the brides okay before making the decision!
Mother of the Groom, Bride and Mother of the Bride
The rehearsal dinner was hotter than hadies!!! Margaret Ann's mom co-officiated the ceremony so here she is giving some important advice to the couple.
Just my brother and I... trying to smile even though we were melting!
The girls got to wait in the shade while the boys had to sweat it out in the sun... oh well, we give birth so it all works out in the end!
Okay, rehearsal over, 1 day in counting till wedding bells!
Don't they look like mother and son... you'd think I married into their family!
The rehearsal dinner was a ton of fun... lots of family and friends... and really good American Mexican food!!! 
Cousins!!!
Father of the Groom and Father of the Bride
The Best Man... check out his awesome cowboy hat!
Oh yes... Brad definitely enjoyed the food!
After the rehearsal dinner my ever romantic brother sat down to pen Margaret Ann a letter. He does truly love her so much. It was really fun to watch them together because we have been away for most of their relationship. All of their interactions gave me a huge amount of confidence in their love and in their marriage!
I know its hard to see but this was the hour by hour forecast for wedding day... 98 degrees with thunder storms!!! It never rained but it was incredibly hot and humid!
Saturday, Wedding Day, started with brunch and then beauty. All the bridesmaids and mothers got their hair done. I have honestly never seen, or inhaled, that much hairspray... my hair was like a helmet... a beautiful football helmet!
I love this picture... dang my brother is lucky!
I can see why he fell in love with her... she does truly light up a room!
Margaret Ann was the only person who could tie a bow properly so after getting herself ready... she got the rest of us ready!
I sort of spent the whole day thinking, "Wow, my little brother is all grown up. Ummmm, what happened to little chubby cheeked JP who sucked his thumb and used a blanky?" The following are photos that I collected from other people's cameras... well done family!
The Wedding Party
The first dances...
Cutting the cake...
Toasts...
and then it was time to party... look at B.O... doesn't he look ready to get down and boogy? In his defense, it was incredibly hot and humid!
The groomsmen at the end of the evening... after the newlyweds left. These boys did a great job all day and I tip my hat to them because if I'd been wearing a suit, I'd definitely have dropped from heat exhaustion!
While JP and MA had a fabulous honeymoon cruising around Alaska we moved them into their new home in Fresno so we of course wanted to be there when they walked over the threshold and saw all of their stuff! I love it that I was able to get these pictures... what a moment! Welcome home Mr. and Mrs. Shamshoian!
Brad and I had a great 2 weeks in Fresno waiting for the CA reception. I'll post about that too but for now, I need to celebrate getting done with this post!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Camping UK

Okay, so I'm way behind in blogworld and I'm a bit stressed out about it!!! All you really need to know is that we went camping with some friends during our half term break. We went to the beach, took walks, relaxed and made some amazing food! The British countryside is absolutely beautiful and we feel so blessed to have been able to experience it!

Unfortunately, I'm at home in Fresno and there is just too much family to see to do this post justice... so here's the pictures... more words to follow!
Very windy beach = wind guard... UK beach necessity!Okay... I know it's silly but I was really excited to fill up a British gas tank!