Cliff and Kate's Wedding!

It has been a busy and fun couple of weeks!  2 weekends ago we headed to Madison to celebrate Kate and Cliff's wedding.  Cliff has been one of closest friends since the first week of my freshman year of college and Kate has been his "dream girl" since the moment they met.  I was so honored to be a bridesmaid in their wedding and to have Christian as an usher and Madison as the flower girl.  We decided it would be more enjoyable for everyone if Julianne did not come to the wedding, and were so thankful that Nana and Boo offered to spend the weekend with her.  I think it was very special time for the 3 of them as well!
Friday morning Christian, Madison and I jumped in the minivan and started our 6 hour journey to Badgerland.  Madison did a great job with the drive and watched quite a few shows. It was a wonderfully uneventful ride and very nice for Christian and I to have some time to just chat with each other!  Friday night we arrived, picked up Christian's tux, checked in to our hotel and headed to the rehearsal at Blackhawk Country Club.  The view was beautiful as was the location.   I got to meet a lot of Kate's friends from Chicago who I had heard a lot about, but had not gotten a chance to meet.  After rehearsal we headed to Cliff's parents house for rehearsal dinner. They had a pork roast catered and it was absolutely delicious. Kate and Cliff gave very generous gifts including and amazing Alice in Wonderland pop-up-book that Madison LOVES!

After rehearsal dinner the majority of the bridal party headed to the Terrace, but unfortunately we didn't feel like Madison could handle a Friday night on the Terrace at 9:30pm, so we decided we would drive campus so Madison could fall asleep in the van if need be.  We went to the top of Observatory Drive and looked out over the lake.  I remember going there so many times in college to just think about life and it was so neat to go there with my husband and daughter.  I asked Madison if she thought she could ever live in Madison, and she responded,"  No Mom, you told me I could never live more than 2 hours away from you, and I like our house we live in right now."   Looks like we may have to move closer to Madison if I want Miss Maddie to be a Badger after all! :) Ha, we will see how she feels 14 years from now!

The day of the wedding Madison and I headed to the hotel to get ready with the rest of the girls in the bridal party.  Next came pictures and the ceremony and reception and all of the fun.  As Mads didn't get her typical 1-3 nap, it was no surprise that she passed out in Christian's arms shortly after walking down the aisle during the ceremony.  She slept for about 2 hours during the cocktail hour and reception which was perfect because she lasted until Midnight!  Madison had such a great time dancing with her "Prince" aka ringbearer.  I think they danced for over an hour and even got a shout out from the band.  I had a phenomenal time catching up with my friend Allie who has lived in San Diego since our Senior Year.  I got to meet her boyfriend, who is great, and truly enjoyed seeing her and catching up.

Sunday morning we had breakfast with everyone at Cliff's parents house and then jumped in the van to head back to St. Cloud.  We were missing Julianne so much by then!  It was a great trip and hopefully just 1 of many for Miss Madison :)

Family fun!

Last Friday night the girls had their last night of swimming lessons at the YMCA.  They both really enjoyed them and I know they are both getting so much more comfortable around the water.   Madison is still a little bit iffy about going under water or putting her face in the water, but she has definitely gotten better!  Julianne loves to splash and giggle and try to put every toy in the pool in her mouth- you know the usual for a 21 month old. :)
    Saturday we woke up early to head out to the Stearns County Breakfast on the farm in Watkins.  My stations are sponsors of the event and I knew the girls would have a great time.  They loved petting all of the animals (especially the little puppies) and we enjoyed a homestyle breakfast of pancakes, french toast, sausage and eggs.  I couldn't believe the crowds of people there; it is always nice to see so many people at an event my stations are involved with :) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our way home we stopped at Fleet Farm to pick up some flowers to add to our landscaping. The girls were super helpful and loved seeing the butterflies flying around the marigolds!  Julianne would run up to flowers and say, "cute" to everyone, which made me giggle.

 

     After a nap the girls were ready for the sprinkler and they sure had fun!  I love when all of the neighbor girls get to play together- they are so cute to watch :)

    Saturday afternoon Christian's friend Nick's daughter Amelia came over for a sleepover as he had a wedding.  We went to the Inaugural St. Cloud Rox baseball game (the team that used to be the Riverbats)  They are a part of the Northwoods league, which is what the Madison Mallards are a part of, so it always brings me back to college a little bit as we used to have TONS of fun at the Mallards games :)  This game was the first time I had ever been in general admission, so I got a different angle on the game.  The girls were stir crazy after about 3 innings, so we decided it might be a better idea to head back home.

     Sunday we went to church and then Nick came up and we grilled for lunch.  It is always fun to catch up with him now that he doesn't live in St. Cloud.  We definitely miss him and wish he lived closer!

     Tuesday I had my 32 week Dr. appt.  I have been feeling much larger than I did with the girlsat this point and pretty uncomfortable.  This little man is much stronger than the girls were, and him movements can nearly brings me to tears and sleeping is hit or miss at this point.  When I laid back to be measured my thoughts were confirmed- I am measuring a little over 35 weeks already.  It is pretty strange considering I consistently measure a week or 2 behind with both of the girls, and little man is just jumping right ahead!   I expressed my concern that I would have a 15 pound baby and of course my midwife laughed and said she's not too concerned about that.  She warned me to take it easy and try to eliminate stress factors in my life as much as possible.  I'm trying to work on that right now, but crazy to think that if I stay on this track I will be measuring full term the first week of July!

    Tomorrow we are heading to Madison for Cliff and Kate's wedding. I am so excited to see them and celebrate their wedding!  I am also excited to introduce Madison to the town of Madison! :)  I am hoping pics on Abe's lap, Mickey's breakfast and some Babcock ice Cream can all be achieved!  Jan and Morgan are generously watching Miss Julianne for us as I am a bridesmaid, Christian is an usher and Madison is the flower girl.  Although we will miss JEM like crazy, it would have been so challenging for her to do the drive and we don't really know what we would have done with her during the ceremony, so it is probably best case scenario. Plus, she will get some special Nana and Boo bonding time- lucky little munchkin :)