About a year ago, my cousin Jeremy proposed to his girlfriend, Ally. Of course she said, "yes" and wedding plans were soon being made. We knew immediately after their engagement that Ally would want the wedding to be in her home state of Texas instead of Wisconsin where Jeremy is from. So I knew that this was a possibility for us to attend because the wedding would be so close! The date was set for December 31st, New Year's Eve.
Wisconsin is where my mom's family all lives except for my mom and us - my sister and me, Cody and Noah. Usually once, and if we're lucky twice, a year we make a trip up north. It's a good 13 hour drive from here. Ally is from Bryan, Texas which is just outside of College Station. It's about a 6 hour drive from here.
Aunt Terri, Jeremy's mom, was quickly making plans to stop here at our house on their way through. They arrived the 28th of December to stay the night before making the rest of the trip down to Texas. In one car came Uncle Steve, Aunt Terri, Cousin Holly and Erik and Grandma Stoner. (They are my mom's brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew and mother.) Then behind them in another car was Aunt Terri's sister, Beth, Beth's husband, Alfredo, their 4-year-old son, Charlie and Alfredo's mother, Esperanza. Our house was packed-9 adults and 2 kids! But it was still comfortable with so many people stretched out across our 2600 square foot home. Mom and I made dinner - lasagna - for everyone that night and brownies and ice cream for dessert. We had a great time visiting and catching up. We'd last seen each other in October for my cousin Kate's wedding in Luck, Wisconsin. Charlie and Noah becamenfast friends even though they had never might prior to this visit. They played and watched Kung Fu Panda 2 twice while they cuddled on the air mattress on the floor of the playroom. Grandma spent the night at my mom's house. Beth, Alfredo and Charlie took the playroom. Esperanza took Noah's room. Steve and Terri slept in the man cave. Holly and Erik took space in the living room. Cody, Noah and I all slept in our king size bed. About mid-morning on the 29th, they all loaded back into their cars and headed to Texas. It was so good to have family here for a visit.
Then on Saturday the 31st, New Year's Eve, Noah and I loaded up in my car and headed south. Cody had to work at the fire station (and was up all that night), so he couldn't go with us. Noah was excited; however, because he knew Charlie would be at the wedding and they would get to play again! I had everything I might need to occupy Noah within his or my reach. He had movies galore on the portable DVD player, Mimi's Kindle Fire to play Angry Birds or other games, coloring books, toys, books to read, snacks, juice and his tickle-ly blanket just in case he got tired. The trip went so smooth - no fussing, no getting lost. We only made one stop just across the Texas border and made the trip in 5 hours!
Then on Saturday the 31st, New Year's Eve, Noah and I loaded up in my car and headed south. Cody had to work at the fire station (and was up all that night), so he couldn't go with us. Noah was excited; however, because he knew Charlie would be at the wedding and they would get to play again! I had everything I might need to occupy Noah within his or my reach. He had movies galore on the portable DVD player, Mimi's Kindle Fire to play Angry Birds or other games, coloring books, toys, books to read, snacks, juice and his tickle-ly blanket just in case he got tired. The trip went so smooth - no fussing, no getting lost. We only made one stop just across the Texas border and made the trip in 5 hours!
We stayed at the Best Western in Bryan. It was really nice! Noah and I each got our own queen size bed in the room. He was very excited to have his own big boy bed at the hotel. We got there a few hours before the wedding so we spent time visiting with family before getting ready to watch Jeremy and Ally say their vows.
I think I have a future model on my hands. Noah wanted to do a photo shoot showing off his outfit for the wedding. He's such a ham!
Jeremy and Ally were married in a small church called Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Everything was kept simple with lots of candles. The church was packed. There are lots of people who care about the newlyweds. Ally looked simply radiant, but I didn't watch her as she came down the aisle. I watched my cousin. Jeremy had the sweetest look on his face as he watched his bride walk toward him. He couldn't stop smiling. It reminded me of the time when I locked eyes with Cody at our wedding. He couldn't stop smiling either.
Mr. and Mrs. Stoner and Grandma
Uncle Steve, Ally, Jeremy and Aunt Terri (Jeremy's parents)
Aunt Terrie, Cousin Erik, Ally, Jeremy, Cousin Holly and Uncle Steve
Erik was a groomsman and Holly was a bridesmaid. 
I praise God for the iPhone. It kept Noah quite and occupied during the ceremony when otherwise he would have been flopping around in his seat like a fish out of water. Noah was eager to show the games off to Charlie, the ring bearer, after the ceremony was finished.
The reception was held at The Mansion, a gorgeous old mansion now used for banquets, parties and receptions. There was an open bar and an hors d'oeuvres table filled with fresh fruits and crab cakes outside underneath a massive white tent that also covered the dance floor, DJ and several tables for guests and the bridal party. The ceiling of the tent was adorned in giant reams of fabric that matched the colors of the wedding and beneath the fabric hung white paper lanterns. The tables were dressed with fresh flowers or candles.
There was a ice tea bar and a coffee bar with multiple brews and flavors. A buffet for the sit-down dinner which served pork tenderloin or chicken with twice-baked mashed potatoes, asparagus and hot rolls. The kids had a special meal of chicken nuggets with mac and cheese. There was a three-layer white wedding cake and a red devil groom's cake shaped as state of Minnesota where the Mr. and Mrs. live. My two favorite things at the reception were the photo booth -Noah, Grandma and I had a lot of fun! - and the s'mores bar. Ally and Jeremy met at a bible camp in Texas a few years ago. Their friendship grew and now they are husband and wife. Around the open fire pit were rocks painted much like what you would see around a fire pit at camp - bright colors saying things like, "Jeremy Loves Ally", "Lutheran Bible Camp". So sweet and very sentimental. Not to mention good! Noah and I had a grand 'ole time making and eating s'mores!
Noah and Charlie getting tickled by Alfredo.
Us with Mr. and Mrs.
(By the way...to all my other cousins on the Stoner side, I'm now the favorite...You should have come, too! This wedding was awesome!)
Noah got his fill on the groom's cake.
After the cake was cut, Noah told me he was ready to go back to the hotel. So we started to say our goodbyes. I knew Noah was tired. It was nearly 10 o'clock! But just then, they opened the dance floor. Noah said, "Momma, we have to stay now. I need to dance!" I don't know where Noah gets his moves. It's certainly NOT from me or Cody. He must get them from his Aunt Terri. They danced a lot!
Noah got his fill of dancing and we headed back to the hotel - just us two. We got settled in our jammies and our beds. And then what do you know? We slept right through the New Year! The wedding party carried on until nearly 2 am with sparklers, toasts, kisses and Whataburger. Though I'm sad I missed out ringing in the official New Year with my family, there is no way I would put Noah through that! As Cody would say, "it's just another day."
So I spent New Year's Eve with my sweet three-year-old son snoozing away in the bed next to me. We had a blast at this wedding! We wish Jeremy and Ally all the happiness in the world. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Stoner!! Here's to many more years to come!
