Well, it's taken me long enough, but I've finally been able to sit down and post the second half of our vacation. It was spent celebrating with my sister-in-law as she was winding down the days before her wedding. My mother-in-law picked us up from the car rental place on a Wednesday and we began our journey of what was SUPPOSED to be a 3 hour drive to the east coast, Fort Lauderdale. We stopped for lunch part way through our trip, thankfully, because my bladder is the size of a walnut and I had drank a LOT of water that morning. After lunch, we finished the drive to Ft. Lauderdale. We said our quick hello's and chatted briefly before we got to work. We had to make her wedding favors. It took about 3 people and 3 hours, but they were finally finished, and gorgeous! We didn't end up checking into our hotel until about midnight. We got to sleep in, and then it was a day of people arriving, jobs being done and duties being filled (my husband was the best man). We had a BIG family dinner when the groom and rest of the bride's family arrived. It was nice to sit around and chat and meet the family of the man who would be my brother-in-law in just 2 days. We got a chance to walk along the beach and enjoy the sunset that night. It was gorgeous. (Nothing like Siesta Key though, I do have to admit!!!) Friday was a surprise shower for Lenae, and then a brief time spent at the pool before we had to get ready for rehearsal. Rehearsal was like none other. The rules this church had were ridiculous. No pictures were allowed to be taken from the altar, which means all the wedding pictures would be of the bride and groom's rear ends! So not what ANY bride wants!!! They said you could reinact the moments...I'm not sure if they were ever married, or it was just so long ago they forgot...but the moments in your wedding, the emotions on your face...uh...you CAN'T reinact that stuff! After the rehearsal we went to this amazing restaurant for the rehearsal dinner called Chima. SO SO good! Then the party bus took everyone downtown to the Hard Rock Cafe. It was a neat little town within a town with shops, art galleries, bars, restaurants, and a smoke-filled, disgusting casino. My husband and I walked around a little and it was getting late. I am NOT a late night person. In fact, my body shuts down at 10pm. Don't believe me? Ask my husband! We were up so late every night in Ft. Lauderdale, and up again early each morning. Saturday morning we got up and got ready for the wedding. It was beautiful, despite the guestapo that headed it through the church. The reception was beautiful as well. We danced and ate all night, literally. I think we got in around midnight, and had to be at the airport by 8am the next morning. Needless to say, I was a wreck! We finally got home around 6:30 that night after landing, and going to pick up our dog. Home Sweet Home, there was nothing like it after being away for 10 days!!!
Our Hotel/Resort we stayed at in Ft. Lauderdale
Our view....gorgeous!
The pool at our hotel/resort
My friend from college (Ev's) sister worked at our resort!!! Such a small world! She sent up a bowl of fruit and champagne to our room for us! How sweet!
My mother-in-law and niece at the family dinner Thursday night.
My nieces and nephew ate breakfast with us in our room each morning.
The surprise shower for my sister-in-law.
My husband and I the night of the rehearsal.
Ha, my sister-in-law playing duck, duck, goose at the rehearsal dinner.
The lights shone done all over Hard Rock with different phrases. This was my favorite.
Part of the party bus.
The bride and groom!
Tyler got down on one knee and presented Gianna with a cross necklace saying that he wasn't just marrying her mother, but her also! Not a dry eye in the church!
They released doves after the ceremony.
They arrived to the reception on horse and carriage.
My husband didn't take long to get comfortable and ready to dance!
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