Lily is becoming a regular traveller these days and such a trooper on the airplane! We were really fortunate this trip that we had an empty seat (unheard of!) in our row both going and coming home. On the way to Chicago, Lily was all smiles and just as happy as could be. She played with Daddy for a while before wanting to nurse.
We tried to get her to sleep, but she wanted nothing of that and instead we laid her down on the empty seat, gave her the Southwest Menu to play with and she was content for nearly the entire flight.
She was actually so quiet that the guys in the row behind us didn't even know there was a baby with us. Way to go Lily!
Once on the ground we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Longmire's home. After a short night, Grandpa Longmire took the day off and we headed over to Chicago and the Shedd Aquarium.
I have never been to the Shedd and it was such an experience. It is right on Lake Michigan and looks out over the beautiful water and the Chicago Landscape. I wasn't sure whether or not Lily would get anything out of the experience, but she most certainly did. Once I got her out of her stroller and started to point at the fish and turtles, she saw them.
Of course, they had to swim right by her face, but it was so cute to watch her eyes get bigger with each fish. Many of the fish were actually really freaky looking and the poor little one clung to me like "Save me Mommy, Don't let the big scary fish get me!" One even made her cry. Okay, so maybe an aquarium wasn't the best place to take her. We all had a really great time though and it was such an awesome experience to see the jellyfish, dolphins, turtles and fish, fish and more fish.
That night we headed over to the Hills to get ready for the rehearsal and dinner. Isabella and Lilyana (Lily's step cousins) were there and they all had such a good time either hanging out together or playing with Bob and Shawn.
We had a great evening catching up with some old faces and celebrating with the soon to be newlyweds.
Saturday got started with a bang. After a 4 mile run we left the baby with the Longmires, headed to brunch with the Hills and then got dressed for the afternoon wedding.
Bob and I decided that it would be much easier on Lily to spend it in one place so she got to hang with G and G L all day long. I missed her tremendously, but it was really nice to be able to socialize and be out with Bob in a fancy dress with no baby puke on it. We did bring her to the church after the wedding so that she could be in family pictures, but that was the extent of her involvement. While waiting for pictures, Lily got passed around some of Bob's old friends and family.
The Hickerson's and their daughter Kimmy were there and we were so excited to see them.
Kimmy's older brother's Bryce and Ryan were Bob's best men at our wedding and it has been years since we have seen them. What a blessing! Kimmy is a nanny so she just stepped right in and took charge of the little lady. Bob and I loved it! Once in the church I gave Patty the camera and we got a couple of shots. Isn't this one cute? It was taken by accident and Lily's little face just fits perfectly between us.
Once pictures were wrapped we delivered the baby back to the Longmires and headed over to the Paramount Theatre for the reception. The theatre is an old landmark in the city of Aurora and was a perfect place for a nice reception. With a grand staircase, wonderful dance floor and open space we all had such a great time.
Melissa (the bride) had taken photos of family weddings and placed them on all of the tables. She had a note that read something about how "these couples are the ones that inspire David and I and who we look to for examples of beautiful marriages." It was so humbling to see Bob and my wedding picture on one of the tables. Such a sweet tribute and we don't take it lightly!
Bob and I were blessed to finally meet Daniel's (Bob's other stepbrother) new wife Laura and we got to reconnect with all of the Abens.
Lauren Abens (the blond next to Bob) was the flower girl at our wedding 7 years ago and here she is all grown up. Bob and I spent a summer nearly 8 years ago with this family and it was really awesome to reconnect with them! Before ending the night we couldn't help pulling the Hickerson's in for one last picture! They are such a special family and we miss them constantly!
Bob and I knew that if we were out past 10pm we would turn into pumpkins so at around 9 we said goodbye to the happy couple,
grabbed our shoes and headed home to the baby. Now onto Iowa......
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