After not posting for months this summer, you deserved an explanation of what I was doing instead. Last week I shared what kept me away in May and June. Now it’s on to July highlights!
We kicked the month off on the 3rd with a trip to visit the oldest son and his family in Arkansas.
4th of July
We got to meet our newest granddaughter.
She’s very adorable! We stayed at a local hotel where everyone enjoyed the pool one morning.
We had most meals together during our 4 days there. Friends of our “kids” even invited us along to a fourth BBQ that was fantastic with all kinds of smoked meats, sides, and desserts. Delicious food but I ended up with lots of mosquito bites from sitting outside so long.
All too soon it was time to say goodbye. 🙁
I was supposed to travel to New York state for a two day business trip early the week of youngest son’s wedding but after sitting on a plane a couple of hours, the flight was cancelled (mechanical issue) and there was no way to get there that day. I called into the meeting instead of being onsite.
Wedding
My ex’s wife and I planned the rehearsal dinner together; fortunately we really enjoy each other’s company and made the most of it with two separate outings. First one was to plan and then the second finalize details at the venue.
This was the setup before we all arrived.
It was a gorgeous patio at Old Venice restaurant and as you’ll see the little white lights in a couple of photos later, very romantic and private.
I put together the seating “charts” for each table. The photo of the couple was the head table indicator while M brought gorgeous potted flowers.
Then we headed over to the ceremony site (Barracks 17 at the old Naval Training Center) in Liberty Station.
We then headed to the dinner which was very enjoyable (so much so that I don’t even have any photos of food). This table below includes the groom’s brother (my oldest son) and his wife along with (right to left) the groom’s aunt, godparents and stepbrother. All part of our extended family.
This is the only photo I have of all the parents and the bride and groom; even though we weren’t posing together.
Other tables included the bridal party. Afterwards, the younger people all went out and we headed back to our hotel for the weekend, the Sheraton Marina where we enjoyed a view of the downtown lights.
Saturday morning, I couldn’t sleep in as we had appointments!
Hair and makeup started at 7:15 am! Fortunately the moms were all later.
They did a good job but I’m not a fan of false eyelashes! All too soon, it was time to dress and head to the ceremony site.
I don’t have photos of that but hope to get some from the bride and groom once they get their photo package. My son walked me down the aisle at the start of the procession to my seat and it was an emotional hug. The ceremony was wonderful; even the fact that the flower girl didn’t make it down the only (just to her mom) was special!
The bridal party took photos prior to the ceremony but the family photos with the bride and groom were after. By the time it got to my grouping, the groom was tired of posing and we never got one with just Steve and me and them; or just me and my son. 🙁
Here’s a family shot someone else took and sent me (sorry for the poor resolution).
F. was a beautiful bride and son was a handsome groom. Also, her dress was amazing!
A better photo of Steve and I was taken at the reception.
Of the few photos I’ve seen of the bride and groom so far, this is my favorite taken by their photographer as they are introduced at the reception.
They look so happy!
It felt weird when the wedding was over after a full year of planning and discussions. I can’t wait to see how their life together evolves and we become even closer to our new daughter-in-law.
How was your August?
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