The Wonderful Wedding Weekend

What a great weekend we had in Valdosta! The trip down was easy, Sophie did really well in the car, except for asking me about 35 minutes into it: "Are we in Valdosta yet?". No...not yet dear! The Owens (Katharine's parents) were such gracious hosts, they had us over for dinner on Friday night (fried catfish, cheese grits) and Saturday night (fried chicken, field peas, rice and gravy). Katharine's nieces and nephew were so sweet to Sophie, she was like another cousin to them. Here is a photo of Sophie and Heyward. Heyward espescially took her under her wing; at 8 years old she is a full fledged "big kid" in Sophie's eyes. On Friday night I walked over to check on Sophie as she was playing on the swingset, and noticed that she smelled like bug spray. I asked her about it and she said, "Oh yeah Mom, Heyward put a bug wipe on me." How cute is that?

The wedding itself was beautiful. Marilois and Pablo were married at the Ranch House that is in Mrs. Owens family. I think it originated as a hunting lodge, and is on quite a bit of land. (Kat, feel free to correct whatever I am getting wrong) The lodge house was recently redone, and is really neat inside. The grounds outside are so pretty, the landscaping made a beautiful backdrop for the wedding. Marilois had all young attendants, I think there were 8 flower girls and a ring bearer. The girls were adorable, all in white dresses, flower wreaths and no shoes, it was so fitting for the setting. Here is a photo of some of them lined up on the stairs, the bride and groom stood at the top. Thanks to Kathie Owens for all of these pictures, I didn't take a single one all weekend.

Sophie was funny at the wedding itself. Instead of sitting with my parents and me, she chose to hang out with 3 little girls she had never met before. They were all "bubble girls"; it was their job to hand out the bubbles when the ceremony ended. She spent the entire ceremony on the swing with them. Marilois graciously asked her to be a bubble girl too, so she could be included. Thanks to Aunt Katharine for reminding her to sit like a lady....that's what you get when your dress isn't as long as the other girls!

The reception was held on the grounds, and the food again was great. Can you tell this was a real food weekend for me?? Not that I cook it all very often at all, but Southern food like what we had this weekend was just so comforting and fitting for the occasion. Two of my favorite dishes were served at the reception: fried green tomatoes and shrimp with grits. I am sure my NJ siblings are in disbelief about that, but try them both, they are so good!

And how did Michael and Emily fare without their mother and sister for the weekend? Just fine. Terry did a great job, and he was able to have some help too, which is always nice. Thanks to Pam and Yoko for coming on Friday morning, so Sophie and I could leave in time for the dinner. Thanks also to Karen and Jack and Donna for coming over on Sunday morning to help out as well.

We enjoyed a Memorial Day cookout with Mike, Kat and James today. Grandma and Grandpa Maier joined us as well. It was nice to see them again before they head back to the NL. James and Emily really hit it off today, she was in the saucer, and he was busy pulling himself up on it to get a good look at her. Just wait till the 3 of them are 2 years old, that will be a sight.