Monday, October 06, 2008

Brian and Jessica's Wedding Weekend!

Brian and Jessica got married in San Antonio on 10-4 (good buddy). We decided to make a longer weekend of it by going to our favorite Hill Country Hyatt Hotel!

Hill Country Hyatt Hotel - San Antonio

Mari, Madelyn, Marek and I drove in on Wednesday - daddy was working so he flew in later.
When we got there, we went straight to the lazy river! It was still warm enough for us to be in the water - gotta love Texas!
Mari and Marek floating in the lazy river . . .

Mads and I floating. . .

Mari and Mads relaxing in the shallow waters of the lazy river . . .


Marek didn't want to pose - he wanted to play!


Madelyn wanted her own tube to float in . . .
Mommy and Marek floating together - round 2 . . .

True relaxation for a 4 year old. . .


Building sand castles . . .


After floating we headed to the playground . . .



My little monkey . . .

Thursday

Sea World? Scratch that - San Antonio Zoo!
So Wednesday night, after putting the kids to bed, I got online looked up the times and prices for Sea World. I felt like Clark Griswald pulling up to Wally World when I saw that they were closed during the week and only open on the weekends since school was back in session!!! I had talked about Sea World and Shamu all week. Mari was disappointed, too! We opted for the San Antonio zoo instead . . .

Mari and my babies!

It may not be Sea World but they didn't seem to care . . .

Madelyn's favorites - the flamingos . . .

My little caterpillars are turning into butterflies!




Marek immitating the monkeys . . .

We went into the butterfly exhibit at the z00. . .


Gazing at all the fluttering in the bushes . . . Marek was a little unsure about all these crazy butterflies . . .

Madelyn loved this - the butterflies flocked to her!


Madelyn was loving all the butterflies landing on her - Marek was excited but definitely didn't want them landing on him . . .

Marek keeping a safe distance and his eye on that butterfly . . .

Mari LOVES butterflies - she was also in heaven!

Madelyn is so sweet - they're drawn to her. :)


Marek giving me big smiles (notice the black eye forming). :)


more butterflies on Mads . . .

Marek was a little nervous about all the butterflies "attacking" him . . .


My babies and me . . .


Mari was so excited to see the giraffes!
Wedding Weekend Begins!!
Hotel Contessa on the River Walk
We met Mimi and Dziadek at the hotel Thursday night for dinner with Tommy. We ran into Justin and Ashley at the hotel and they joined us for dinner!


After dinner, we headed to the Groom's party in BJ's presidential suite!

The groom with his men . . .


Friday 10/3


Lounge by Pool

Rehearsal

Brian teaching the kids the "check me out" pose . . .


All the Bridesmaids and House party on Friday - we got to relax by the pool!


With the mommas . . .


Ahhhhhh - relaxing . . .

Madelyn got to join in on the girl time since she was in the wedding! Mika played with her in the pool forever - she's a natural!


Daddy and Marek catching some Zzzzz's before the rehearsal . . .

Ahhhhhh - perfect - Marek had two black eyes just in time for the wedding and pictures!! It was the result of going to the park with daddy the week before. He fell and hit his forehead on a wooden step. I watched as the bruise made it's way down his face each day and then into each eye . . .

Waiting for the buses from the hotel to the church for the rehearsal.

Madelyn riding up front like a big girl on the bus next to the groom!

Focusing on her big moment . . .

Mari and I on the way to the rehearsal . . .


Our extremely gracious hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Karam, for the rehearsal dinner at their absolutely stunning home.


The beautiful bride at the rehearsal dinner. Everyone wore boots! The theme was the "OK Corral" (for Oley/Karam). So cute and everything was decorated perfectly!


Madelyn and one of her favorite second cousins, Jacob! She was smitten!


Theresa sitting on Dziadek's lap!
Me, Gena, and Mimi . . .



The Karams and Oleys . . .


Big shoes to fill . . .


Saturday 10/4


The BIG Day!

My babies and me on the river walk . . .


Mari posing with my babies . . .

Checkin' out the water with uncle Brian, the groom. . .

So stinkin' sweet!


Our FamOLEY posing on the River Walk. . .

Madelyn sitting perfectly still while Mimi fixes her hair. . .

It was a big to-do getting everyone ready!

Gena and me after our hair dresser (mimi) fixed our hair! Everyone said we looked like twins all night!
Gena, Mads, me and Jessica after getting our do's done!


My princess flower girl!

Leaving the Karam's castle. . .

Hair done, make-up on, ready to go! On the bus ride over to the church


Mari and Marek before the wedding . . .
Mimi, Gena, me, and Mads finally dressed!
The beautiful bride. The sun was at that perfect point in the early evening for pictures - sunset. The colors, the weather, the day - everything was perfect!


The groomsmen and ushers . . .
The groom and our sad looking little boy!


Madelyn LOVES the camera.


Trying to get some family shots . . . WITHOUT Marek sucking his thumb . . .

Attempt #1


Attempt #2


Attempt #3 (close but doesn't count)


Attempt #4


Oh forget it . . . suck away, Marek . . .

Mads getting some love from uncle Brian . . .
The flower girls posing with Jessica before the wedding . . .
So excited for her 2nd flower girl performance!

Madelyn looking on as Jessica gets primped . . .

Just before walking out!!
The "after wedding" photos . . .
Stavinohas
The new Bride and Groom!!
My little girl was so excited for the reception but just couldn't take it a minute longer. She fell asleep before the band even started playing!

Group photo of the girls at the reception . . .


Sunday 10/5
With the big day behind us, we decided to stop at the Karam's to say goodbye and thank them for such a wonderful weekend. Brian and Jessica arrived shortly after us and we made a day out of it! Playing in the pool - what a treat!
Mads and Mari lounging by the pool . . .


Me doing backflips into the pool!! I give me a 10!

CONGRATULATIONS, BRIAN AND JESSICA!!

A beautiful and memorable weekend with family and friends.

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