The festivities started earlier that week as everyone came into town for Thanksgiving. Friday was quite a rush with last minute details, a mani/pedi with my mom, aunt and cousin, and the bridal shower. Originally my mom was shooting for me to go to bed and be asleep by 10:30, however, due to parties and festivities, (and the fact that the bachelorette party didn't even end until 10:15), that was not achieved. When I got home we had more things to work with and after practicing a last minute song (I decided I wanted to surprise Justin at the reception, so I sang for him while Brian played), I went upstairs and talked with my best friend Kate until 3 (Yes, I'm just that smart) only to wake up at 5 in order to get to the hair/makeup artist's shop in Baton Rouge for 6:30.
The day went by way too quickly as I'm sure everyone told me it would.Since it was only my mom and I at the salon it was pretty relaxed, although I could tell my mom was realy anxious and nervous. I would almost say she was worse than I was, except I chipped off my manicure while sitting there waiting for her to get done. At 10 we drove to the temple where we were greeted by Justin and his best man/friend Brandon. The temple was beautiful and just as it should have been. But it flew by so quickly. I tried not to look at anyone for fear of raccoon eyes, but alas, that failed even if all I did was stare at the sealer.
After the ceremony we at up at the stake center while waiting for the photographer. My aunt and uncle prepared a nice little lunch for us to tide us over and after the pictures- quite the feat for our "just family" group of about 50.
Afterwards we drove down to New Orleans for my family to take a quick breather and gather stuff for the reception while Justin and I checked into our hotel, the St. James on Magazine downtown (for the record, it was a great hotel. Pretty small, but not packed and not too noisy). When we were opening the door to the room the photographer called to say she was ready and waiting at the reception site. While Justin's family was already almost there and waiting (the had just driven down from Baton Rouge), my family wasn't quite ready yet. So rush they did. While it was a little unsettling, my sisters-in-law and cousins are amazing and had everything up in a matter of minutes. While it was a little untraditional to be taking the group pictures while the guests were walking up for the reception at 6:15, hey, why not. It made it so I didn't have to do a receiving line!
The reception was great though. There was dancing, amazing food (thank you City Park catering and my mom), and just fun. I was really happy to see everyone that came, including my high school newspaper advisor, whom I have been close with since Junior year, and many family members and friends whom I haven't seen for a while either. Possibly the biggest surprise for either of us that night though was when Brandon and my brothers stole a tire from Justin's car to auction it off to get money for us. While I thought it was funny the Bush family was less than pleased. But hey, all in good fun, right? At least I didn't have to drive around with condoms and cans on my car à la Steel Magnolias.
Since then things have been good. The drive back to San Antonio was good, Justin and I have been rotating "sick duty" since we've been home (I've been sick twice), but it's all good. I love being here and being with Justin. My birthday was a few days after we got home from New Orleans and although he had a presentation in his class early that morning, he still made the day wonderful with flowers, breakfast in bed and a fun date that night.
The following Friday was the open house in Houston filled with more family and friends, my parents, Erica and Gabe drove up from New Orleans and we just had a good time. That's what you're supposed to do though, right?
David and Caroline with Elijah and Claire
Ashley and Elijah
Singing "At Last"
Brian sang our first song "Something"
my cousin Kaycee snapped a picture of me outside the temple
How it REALLY felt that day!(Just kidding)
