Ohio Wedding

  So it's almost been a month since our trip out east to Ohio for my best friend Lindsey's wedding. We crammed so much in to the 3 days we were there I barely had time to soak it all in. I'm so glad for all the pictures to look back on everything we did!

Thursday afternoon Lori picked Johanna, JJ and I up and we all headed downtown to pick Jeff up from work to drive to the airport. After a tearful goodbye to peanut we left her with Grandma for the first time since JJ was born! After a delayed flight we finally made it in to Ohio and to Lindsey's house around 2am, we were exhausted. Bright and early the next morning the girls went over to get our nails done. It was so much fun drinking mimosas and catching up with friends I hadn't seen in years.

 For lunch, Drew took us downtown to this amazing place called North Market. Basically, it was this giant warehouse full of different fresh fish, meats, flowers and baked goods. We all got to pick what we wanted to eat then we met upstairs to enjoy our finds. I had an amazing lunch from a Polish stand. JJ was overwhelmed looking at everything, I think he had just as much fun looking around as we did eating!

 Later that night we headed downtown again for a quick wedding rehearsal followed by the rehearsal dinner. Dinner was held at this hip restaurant named Milestone 229 that overlooked the river. They went above and beyond with food; 5 appetizers, a giant salad, a choice of entree then bread pudding to finish it off. None of us were sure that we'd fit into our dresses the next day. My Mom and Dad had arrived that afternoon to watch JJ for us, it was so nice of them!

 Bright and early the next morning the girls met in a suite to get our hair and makeup done. Lucky for me my hotel room was literally right next door so I was able to go from room to room to check on my boys.

 Lindsey and Drew wanted outside pictures so they met before their ceremony to take advantage of the light. We all got to ride around town in a trolley as we went to each picture location. We've all decided that the best part of each of our weddings has been the party bus so after Kristi gets hitched all 8 of us will rent a party bus, wear our wedding dresses and ride around town...woo hoooo!

 After pictures we met at the ceremony location, the Franklin Park Conservatory which was beautiful! Lindsey (the bride) has been my best friend since elementary school and is an honorary Bodenmiller. My Sister was able to drive down for the wedding and it was so great to see her too. JJ absolutely loves his Aunt Lissa. We both decided that our kids always love our sisters because we both have the exact same voice and laugh, it makes it really nice knowing they will still love their Aunts even when its been several months between visits! Btw, don't you love the top left photo? haha!

 The wedding decorations were beautiful. Her color scheme was red, black and white and the flowers and table settings looked great.

 Marissa, Kristi, Lindsey and I have all been best friends starting back in 4th grade so it's been so awesome growing up together and being a part of our life milestones. Marissa's parents have also been a part of my life since forever, her Dad being my softball and basketball coach with my dad and her Mom being my volleyball coach. Mr. Fox (Lindsey's Dad) had also been my softball coach growing up and her Mom my girl scout leader. They are all family to me and it was so great seeing them all.

After a very late night of dancing, singing and catching up with my family and friends we went to bed only to wake up super early again. We stopped at the post-wedding brunch for one more meal with my family then said goodbye to my Sister who had to drive back to Fort Wayne that morning. I was so happy to see her even though it was only for a day! After breakfast Jeff and I headed back to Sylvania so my Mom and I could make it back in time for my friend Kristin's baby shower. I've known Kristin since my Senior year in high school when I started a waitressing job at a local restaurant in town. She and her husband moved to Yuma, AZ a few years ago but it just so happened she was having her shower back home the same weekend I was in town. I was so happy to see them and to be a part of their awesome gender reveal party. They opened a giant box full of pink and purple balloons to announce they were expecting a little baby girl! As usual I was wrong with my gender prediction. I had even worn blue since I was sure it was going to be a boy! I am so happy for them they will make great parents :)

 After the shower we came back to my parents house to meet my Grandma. My Dad made and awesome rib dinner that we all chowed down on then we enjoyed some banana cream pie and visited with my cousin Sandy and Uncle Brad. JJ got to jam out with his Uncle Dave on the guitar which of course he loved. After everyone left for the night I was able to stop back at Kristin's to catch up some more and talk baby talk, it was so great catching up with my awesome friend! Phew- what a long weekend!

The next morning bright and early we left my parents and headed up to the airport. JJ did such a great job on both flights, he is such a great baby! He loved looking out the window and playing with his new toys that Nana got him. We had an awesome trip to Ohio but we sure missed our little peanut. They say absense makes the heart grow fonder but I don't know if its possible to love my kids anymore as it is! She had a great time staying with her Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Tura and Uncle Russ. It's true what they say, it's much harder on us than it is for them. Thanks to everyone for helping us with our kids while we got our party on!