Third Person: November 2010

Last weekend was the much anticipated joining of two fabulous people: Erin Manning and Steve Maio. Woo hoo! When Steve told me in the summer of '09 that he had bought a ring, I remember thinking that she must be some kind of chick since that was by far the most grown up thing Steve had ever done on his own. And as we've gotten to know Erin better since then, she truly is awesome. Funny and easy going, she and Steve are a perfect balance. Plus she's got a great sense of style so of course I heart her.

All three of us were part of the wedding party with Matt as best man, me as bridesmaid, and Genevieve as cutest flower girl ever. She joined up with Erin's niece Samantha for their flower girl duties and practiced their task at the rehearsal:

Wait, what do you mean the bride is the star of the show? We think not.

Parents of the groom

I told Matt on the drive to the rehearsal that I would be going after as many family pictures as I could get, so please just deal with it. Here is the first.

The bride and her proud pappa

The rehearsal went well and the dinner was fabulous. Matt stayed with Steve at their parents' house so I was on my own with GG on Saturday morning. We got out the door and I deposited her with her daddy, then Kathy and I were off to the salon to get beautiful. I scurried a few members of the bridal party here and there, and finally drove Erin and her mom, April, to the church. The boys showed up just after we did but the couple held to tradition and didn't see each other before the ceremony. We ladies got ready in the big bridal room, including the flower girls of course.

"I brush my hair"

Me and Geeg

Why yes grandma, you may put my shoes on

Ready to hit the aisle!

Samantha and her mom, Julie (Erin's sister and matron of honor)

I don't have any photos of the ceremony because I was otherwise committed for that hour. But it was a lovely ceremony and there was barely a dry eye as Erin walked down the aisle. Genevieve and Samantha did fabulously and didn't seem to even flinch as they headed down. I was a very proud mama. Plus I got to walk with not one but two groomsmen. Jealous? Should be.

We did photos after the ceremony and then hopped into a trolley to head to a covered bridge in Cedarburg for more outdoor shots. I grabbed a couple shots of the newlyweds as we got the party started:

Outside the church - so happy!

Who's got the bride's drink?

Fellow wedding party members (Erin's brother and sister-in-law) Leah and Eric

Erin and I bonded over footwear immediately

Steve hasn't yet realized this is what he'll be seeing the rest of his life

Made in the shade

Mixologist Eric takes over for Matt

Me and the groom

Sisters-in-law!

Julie's hubby Brian. He may or may not have consumed his fair share of adult beverages.

We finally got to the covered bridge (how did we ever get anywhere before smart phones?) and while the light was perfect for pictures, it was really, really cold. One gust of wind up the skirt is all it takes to chill a bridesmaid to the bone!

Check out the bouquet - hand made by bridesmaid Ashley. I see a new industry on the horizon...

The lovelies. Side note to photographer Matt: next time you see a port a potty in the background, just ask the subjects to scootch over.

F is for fish. F is for fricking freezing.

Smooches

Erin switched shoes with a groomsman. Klassy.

Four Maios

Here is what happens when you let drunk boys play in a covered bridge

GorGEOUS!

Steve had to ask, "Dip her? What's a dip?" No wonder Erin is holding on for dear life.

After the fab photos, we trolley'd back to the reception where the bride and groom welcomed their guests and we chowed down.

Grant and Kristen

Who let this guy in?

Best man

They've arrived!

After dinner it was time to get down on the dance floor. Genevieve actually couldn't wait for dinner to end...she was on the floor running in circles while the rest of the guests ate. With such a big day and no nap to speak of, the girl was running on pure adrenaline, but was having a fabulous time.

Taking a floor break. I am so showing this picture at her wedding.

The lovely bride and groom

I'm getting a litttttttttttttttttle cranky...

...and she's back! Gee, if only there was someone paying attention to her, like a doting grandparent.

Or great auntie

Or another great auntie

Ha ha suckers, can't get me off the dance floor!

Jammin' with Kristen

Showing Shawn how it's done

Mel and Steve take a breather

Mother/son dance

More adoring fans

Reason #184 why we adore Erin

2005 vs 2010

At 11 p.m. I had to physically carry my child off the dance floor and take her home. She absolutely freaked out about leaving, and up until the second she fell asleep in the car she was saying, "Mama, more dancing. MORE DANCING!".

All in all it was a fabulous day, and we were so glad to be part of it. Congratulations, you crazy kids!!

The Renaissance Princess made it out for Trick or Treat last Saturday night. Like many neighborhoods, ours has a scheduled period for the kids to run about, but unlike many neighborhoods, our neck of the woods takes it pretty seriously. People are on their lawns with props, accessories, spooky music, plus lawn chairs and fire pits to stay comfy and warm. It was f-ing freezing so Genevieve wore her fleece-lined jeans under her dress, just as a true Renaissance Princess did I'm sure. I topped her off with my scarf which she thought was the coolest, and after a brief walk to the action we wrapped her crown around the hat. Note to self: buy a size too big next year to accommodate for bulk.

Matt and I kept cozy with a couple of adult beverages and loved watching GG get her goodies. At first she was shyly whispering, "trick or treat" and "thank you" so I would nudge her to say it louder. Apparently there is no middle ground as her response to this was to yell TRICK OR TREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAT! and THANK YOU!, which got laughs all around.

When all was said and done the girl came home with a surprising amount of loot which we immediately raided. Why does a Snickers taste so much better in miniature?