Brown Eyed Girl Meets a Blue Eyed Boy: a grover wedding

This past Saturday we had the fun honor of being a part of my sister in law's wedding! Jimmy's little sister, Jena, got married on Saturday and we had a fun filled week of wedding activities and just hanging out with out of town family.

Our activities began last Sunday. After spending some time at home as a family in the morning after our weekend away the few days before and squeezing in some furniture shopping for little man's room, we spent the afternoon and evening celebrating my other sister in law's birthday! Jimmy's aunt, uncle, and cousins from Texas arrived the day before so we were able to spend time at the farm catching up with them, riding 4 wheelers and gators, and just playing outside. We were also able to celebrate the youngest Grover sibling, Jalissa turning 20!

Monday we found ourselves entertaining family at our house with fun on the lake with our jet ski! His cousin's had never been on a jet ski, and only been tubing a few times so off to the local lake we went. Lily, his aunt, uncle, and I enjoyed relaxing on the beach as we watched them ride by over and over again on the jet ski. I think it's safe to say they enjoyed themselves! After that we hit up a local pizza place that happens to be one of our favorites, Doughy Joeys, and then home to bed to rest up for the next day!

Tuesday was spent at home catching up on things around the house, working on the baby's room, and then heading to Cedar Rapids to have dinner with one of Jimmy's childhood friends and his wife. Because what else did we have going on this week - right?! Even though it was a hectic week and probably not the best to squeeze this in it was great catching up with them, they enjoyed seeing Lily, and we were able to see their brand new house that they in the process of unpacking!

Wednesday after a full day of doctor's appointments, a hospital tour (yeah!), wedding errands, and a hair appointment we were back to the Grover's to see more family and this time to celebrate his mom's birthday! Jimmy's other aunt, uncle, and cousins from Colorado arrived earlier in the day so we were anxious to see them and enjoy some more family time. After staying way too late, that always happens doesn't it?! we were back home once again.

Thursday all his family joined us again at our house for the day. The boys spent the day in the music room and playing video games while us ladies spent some time outside and got in on the video game playing as well. We had intended on hitting up the pool but didn't quite get to it. We then met up for dinner out with some other extended family and once again found ourselves pushing our limits with our child's bedtime :)

Friday I was off to spend some time with the ladies in the wedding getting our nails done, decorating for the reception, and then getting ourselves ready for rehearsal. Daddy had Lily for the day and spent the day at his parents with the boy cousins and uncles getting into trouble - I'm sure.

We all met up for rehearsal - including Lily, since she was the flower girl and after a short run through at the church were off to the rehearsal dinner. The reception took place in the groom's parent's backyard and while it was absolutely beautiful it was absolutely HOT! They decided to have the rehearsal dinner there as well and I'm pretty sure I spent the whole time chasing a 1 year old around and sweating! Jimmy was busy running the zipline - yes they have a zipline in their backyard running from a treestand, over a pond, into a grassy area! So of course my hubby was all over that! Lily also enjoyed her first taste of steak at the rehearsal dinner. I am not a steak eater so I'm pretty sure I have never made it but she sure loved it. At one point I think she picked the whole thing up with her fingers from her daddy's plate. Guess this means I may have to learn how to make steak :)

lily getting ready to go down the aisle

lily and the ring bearer mason

lily and i at dinner

lily and daddy eating steak

Then came the big day - Saturday! Of course it'd be the only day in the last month or so that we would see any rain. While my farming husband and father in law were thrilled it always makes things a little nerve racking knowing so much of the wedding is taking place outdoors. However, by wedding time it had mostly cleared up and of course instead of cooling things off the humid was back in full force!

We had "hired' my mom for help with Lily on wedding day since both Jimmy and I were a part of the day as well and that was for sure the best decision we could have made! I had to be there bright and early for hair and makeup, Jimmy had to be there a little bit later for lunch and wedding party pictures, and then a little bit after that came Lily's time for pictures. So with much help from my mom Lily made it there all ready to go and smiled away for her pictures. She actually kept going back up front to be in more pictures - such a little ham!

Come wedding time both Lily and the little 18 month old ring bearer walked/ran down the aisle and were as cute as could be. Lily then took off with my mom to get a nap before the reception while Jimmy and I stayed at the wedding.

The reception was beautiful - so many neat decorations and fun things for kiddos to do but once again it was just so hot! I don't think I stopped sweating the entire time! Lily and my mom joined us around the dinner time, mom stuck around for a few hours after that to help out with Lily and then off she went. Lily loved playing with the other kids on the swingset, in the sandbox, by the pond, on the trampoline, and with sidewalk chalk. To say she was one messy girl is for sure an understatement - I am actually pretty sure she ruined her dress she was so dirty! But she loved it. After enjoying the dance and catching up with family and friends Lily and I hit the road around 10pm to crash for the night while Jimmy stayed back to party!

Lily fell asleep before we had even pulled out of town and after a quick shower I was right behind her. I don't think daddy joined us in bed until 3am or so!

We had such a fun week catching up with Jimmy's family and seeing people we don't see often enough. The stress of a wedding, especially outdoors is so worth it when that day finally arrives! Jena looked absolutely beautiful and we were so happy our whole family could be a part of their special day!