Cara and PJ got hitched!!

This past Thursday we packed up the car and headed to PA for one of the most anticipated events of our 2011 (I say "one of..." because we also have 2 other fantastic weddings coming up this year)! PJ and Cara got married on Friday April 29, 2011 (might as well have been William and Kate for how much we were looking forward to it)! After an event-filled car ride we arrived at Mom and Dad's to drop off the kids and hurry to get ready for the rehearsal. Mammaw and Pappaw were kind enough to keep the kids while Brian and I were out for the two nights. Thanks Mom and Dad!!


We went to Cora's for dinner following the rehearsal and then down to the bar for drinks after that. Good thing it was an evening wedding because it sure was a late night.

 
 
 
 


The evening wouldn't have been complete without Michael dancing to "Bye, bye, bye."

The 7 am wake-up call from Nate was unwelcome but we were up nonetheless. Brian played golf with the guys in the morning, and then it was time for the wedding!

Brian and I were honored that PJ and Cara (mostly Cara I'm sure) asked us to read a beautiful prayer called "The Blessing of the Hands" at the beginning of the ceremony. Brian read his part first and I made the mistake of glancing at the happy couple - Cara was beaming, as she was the entire night, and PJ had tears in his eyes - and I wasn't sure that I would make it through my part. By the grace of God I read without crying. The mass was beautiful and Cara even more so. Mrs. and Mrs. Dougherty were announced for the first time!!!

After checking on the kids we joined the festivities at the Settlers' Inn. It was a great party downstairs and then they opened the bar upstairs for us to continue our celebration. After another drink or two the happy couple headed to their room and then rest of us headed to the Dougherty's house to celebrate just a bit longer. When Brian and I realized that we are just not built to party like we were in college (perhaps we realized a little too late) we called Dad who so generously put on his shoes and came to pick us up. Thanks Dad!!!

On Saturday our alarm (otherwise known as Nathan) went off at 7:30 am. Mimi and Nate went to Grami's house for a bit (thanks Grami!) while Brian and I finally got to ride the quad. It was nice to be able to run it for longer than to just plow the driveway. Saturday night found us sleeping on the couches (see above about realizing that we are not partiers any longer) after putting the kids to bed. What a wonderful weekend with wonderful friends! Congratulations to Cara and PJ!!! May you know a lifetime of love and happiness!

Easter 2011

Finally, here is the Easter post. Sorry, we've been a little busy and the blog takes a back seat to other things. We started our Easter with an egg hunt at Ida Lee on April 9th. It was a chilly and rainy day, but Emilia did a great job "hunting" for the eggs and had a full basket when we left.  I say "hunting" because it was more like picking up the eggs off the ground.

She even found 2 special numbered eggs that she traded in for a chocolate candy and little rubber duck with bunny ears.

She was not too crazy about the Easter bunny. This was as close as she would get...kinda reminiscent of the Santa episode.

She felt much better once she started to play in the bounce house that they has set up. It was a little tricky getting her to come out!

Nate was just along for the ride - as he usually is. He had some quality time with LuLu!

 

Our next Easter activity was another Easter egg hunt at a friend's house. Thanks so much to Lisa who sat and filled about 100 plastic eggs and then scattered them around her backyard for the kids. We had a lovely morning and Emilia got another basket full of eggs to bring home!

Finally we got to Easter Sunday and another Easter egg hunt (Emilia is a egg-hunting pro now)! Daddy was in charge of filling and hiding the eggs this time so they were really hidden and not just scattered in open space.  I filled the baskets and put them and their presents out for the morning.

 

If you will, please take notice of the Easter basket that Emilia had this year. Mammaw offered to get the kids' baskets while we were at Joann's in March when they were visiting. They had some cute duckies and bunnies but Mimi chose the soccer ball and could not be swayed!

Nate was up first and played with some eggs while we waited for Mimi.

When Mimi finally got up she found her basket and presents first so that she could hunt for eggs with her basket.

LJ even got in on the action and did his annual Easter egg hunt. He never forgets how to open them!!

Shortly after the egg hunt and while I was making breakfast Brian said, "Uh oh, I hear eggs opening". Sure enough Emilia was going to town on her candy. She conceited to a short break for a bagel and then we portioned the rest to last at least a couple of days. We spent a lazy day at home and finished our Easter by going out to dinner.