Weddings Galore!

In a one month time span, we had three weddings in St. Louis!  It all worked out pretty well with our house being for sale and our move, that we were able to be in town for all 3 weddings.  We began in late June with the wedding of Amanda, Mat's cousin.  She had a gorgeous wedding at the Lake of the Ozarks.  Not only was the wedding lots of fun, but we made a weekend trip out of it and joined most of the Keyes Gang down at the Lake.  Mat's Uncle Jerry and Aunt Debbie were sweet enough to offer to share their cabin with us, along with their children.  Grandma and Grandpa Keyes and the rest of the aunts and uncles and cousins were all in surrounding cabins.  It made for good cookouts, playing with cousins, fishing, and pool time.  A couple highlights include MJ catching his very first fish on his own, Charlotte falling into the swimming pool with out floaties on and me jumping in after her (with Cooper and my cell phone in my pocket..aghh), the family getting to love on Grandpa and Grandma (Grandpa had just recently been in the hospital), and of course seeing the beautiful bride on her wedding day.  So thankful we could be there!

A little pre-wedding fishing...MJ's first fish!

 My handsome big boy at the lake

 Grandma Keyes with two of her great grandsons.  MJ felt like quite the big boy trying to hang with the big cousins a bit.  He stayed at the wedding reception till 10PM, which was quite the feat for him!

 Charlotte with the beautiful bride, Amanda and cousin Andrea.  If you couldn't tell, she was eating up all the attention just a bit.

 The wedding photographer actually captured this photo, and I loved how MJ was showing off his baby brother to his cousin, Lily.  He's so proud.  MJ and Lily always play so cute together.  They liked to chase each other around!

We were all so glad that grandpa could make it to the lake for the weekend and enjoy the wedding.  He was quite the trooper and really wore himself out, but he seemed to really enjoy having the family together.  He's such a good grandpa, and I loved capturing him and Mat in conversation. 

Our second wedding was to the reception of Mat's cousin, Jeff.  They actually had previously had a destination wedding, but had a beautiful reception in the Soulard area.  For some reason I don't have a single picture, but I'm pretty sure it's because Mat and I went by ourselves!!  No cute little ones to snap pictures of or chase around meant I was laid back and not documenting a thing obviously.  It was a special night though for the obvious reason.  Mat has always thought so highly of Jeff, and we are thrilled to see him so happy with Anna.  She seems like such a great girl and wonderful addition to the family!  Mat and I offered to drive Grandma and Grandpa to the wedding reception, and I'm so glad they took us up on it.  It allowed us to have a little special time with just them.  Good memories! 

Our last wedding of mid-July was for Mat's sister, Kelly.  Our whole family was so honored to participate in Kelly and Allison's beautiful wedding.  We are so happy Kelly has found her partner in Allison.  They complement each other so well, and it was wonderful to get to be a part of their special day.  Their ceremony was intimate and special, and being the very brave souls that they are, they incorporated ALL of their nieces and nephews into the ceremony.  It kicked my anxiety into high gear, but everything went off without a hitch.  It was pretty stinkin' adorable!  It made me a bit sad that we don't get to spend more time with this side of Mat's family.  His sisters played such a special part in his childhood and particularly his adolescent years.  When they're all back together, it's like no time has passed.  Our kids just adore all the attention Kelly and Allison shower them with of course, too!

 Jessica, Kelly, and Mat getting ready for the big day

 We clean up every once in awhile 

 The whole fam decked out and ready for the wedding!

 Aunt Jessica made these adorable onesie tuxedos for the three baby boys that were in the wedding.  Cooper was adorable!

 My girl and I.  She was a total girly girl and enjoyed every minute of the wedding festivities.

 One of those rare special and beautiful pictures that I couldn't create myself if I tried.  I love when they're sweet when they think no one is watching.  

Just look at these little heartbreakers making their way down the aisle

 Not only did Allison and Kelly include each of their nieces and nephews, but also each of their siblings and spouses.  It was truly a family wedding!  Us four couples had quite a bit of fun as their wedding party!

Kelly and Allison bring out the silliness in us all

Total reality...love it!  Kelly's arms so full, boys everywhere, one crying on the side...ha!

Just a little peek of how the night went down!  Aunt Kelly can dance!!!  The kiddos actually all left before the reception (thanks mom and dad for taking them home), and we had a wonderful adults-only meal at the reception, beautiful speeches, an awesome serenade to Allison, and then the dancing began!  Such a great night. One funny side note that I'll always remember is having to totally take down my bridesmaid dress to pump throughout the night.  It was quite the ordeal but so worth it.