Congratulations all around to Matt & Julie on their wedding and to Sara on baby girl, Laney!
We left last Wednesday for our trip to Missouri for Matt & Julie’s wedding. We got a late start but still made it to KC in 8 hours and 15 minutes even with the occasional downpours. I’m sure a lot of our good timing had to do with the awesome gas mileage we were getting. Our first stop wasn’t until Salina which is over 400 miles from COS and where we were reacquainted with sticky humidity. We were able to catch dinner at The Outback with his parents, Grandma, and Lew. It was nice to be able to get to see everyone if only for a short while. Our total time to Washington, Missouri was only 12 hours and that includes a twisty, turvy road behind a semi where the speed limit fluctuated between 30 and 55 miles per hour. After three states it was a relief to check into the hotel and get a full night’s sleep.
Thursday while we were waiting for Matt arrive from his last day at UPS (yay!) in Louisville we went shopping for a new dress. We managed to find the most expensive mall in St. Louis but since it was the closest and we only wanted one store – JCrew – that’s where we went. I wanted a new dress for the wedding and managed to find the perfect one! Matt met us at the mall and after saying hi to Julie and getting in the FX we went and paid the deposit on Matt & Julie’s new apartment while Julie went for a mani/pedi with her family. We had plenty of time to spare afterwards and I drug Casey & Matt around another mall looking for wedding shoes. The entire time I had my heart set on heels because my dress wouldn’t match the shoes I brought. But when we got back to the original store (because I never buy shoes at the first store that we park near because I don’t want to commit without seeing all of the options) the boys started talking about dancing shoes and jumping and while I could perform all of the stunts and was adamant about not dancing, I caved and bought some super cute flats that I can also wear to our next wedding this year! This was one of the longest mani/pedi’s in history (sorry Julie) but we also managed to go to Grolwer’s and get appetizers and a couple of beers and then go to Trader Joe’s where we got some two-buck Chuck to not bootleg back to Colorado and we still managed to beat Julie back to her parents house. For dinner we went to the Trainwreck for yummy food and drinks before heading back for a wicked game of ping pong. I’ve never played before and have to say I’m the exact opposite of awesome but we all had a ton of fun trying while Jo and her boyfriend, Matt #2 (hereon referred to as #2 to avoid confusion).
Friday morning among all of the chaos, we managed to pick up the boys tuxes and get back out to Washington and the hotel. We had a little downtime hanging out before heading over to the rehearsal. For the rehearsal dinner we went to a restaurant with a name I don’t remember the name of where I got to meet Matt’s family, before we all headed back to the hotel for more drinks and hot tubbin’.
Saturday, the BIG day, we indulged in the Belgian waffle continental breakfast before playing Taboo in Matt & Julie’s room. We did girls vs. guys to even out the teams because, well I’m really awesome (and not the exact opposite this time) at Taboo. Then we went to finalize plans with the florist (who had two cute, fat, bullies – it made me miss mine even more) and then went to lunch at the American Bounty which is now officially off of places I’ll ever go again because of the lackluster service and sub par food which worked out because of the dinner and open bar awaiting us. When we got back to the hotel we managed to squeeze in a quick nap before I had to get ready for the wedding. The wedding party got ready at the carriage house near the church before taking pictures all over the pretty vineyards and river views. I ended up being the assistant to the entire wedding party and family by the time the night was over I had other people’s hairspray, comb, cell phone, keys, sewing kits, sunglasses, and a marriage license. But I’m not complaining, I was useful. Before the ceremony I got to meet the rest of Matt’s family and we all hit it off so well I became an honorary McKahan. Everything about the ceremony was beautiful, especially Julie. We had so much fun at the reception and even against Casey and I’s protests that we wouldn’t dance, we did and had so much fun doing it! Now we’re considering taking dancing lessons! After the reception we all met back at the wedding the after party in Julie’s parents room. The night went by too fast but it was one of the best wedding’s we’ve ever been to!
Sunday we planned on getting back on the road early but after the open bar and after party we deicded we might as well enjoy the free breakfast and sleeping till 7:30 before leaving. Matt kept insisting we wake them up before leaving but we ended up not needing to and managed to have breakfast and say goodbye. Our trip back only took 12 hours and 15 minutes. Thank God for the $900 plane tickets + rental car + hotel because driving afforded us the chance to stop at Bryant’s for lunch and more BBQ sauce (we ended up with 6 assorted bottles and rubs from various places by the time we got home) before picking up Stoli. It was just so much fun!
I’ve given you enough to read for now. Unfortunately we don’t have many pictures to post as I took most with Matt and Julie”s camera but when they get back from their we’ll post what we can! Happy belated 4th to you all!