where to begin??

I guess the beginning is a good start...heeeere i go!!

[sidenote:the lack of pictures can be attributed to my camera deciding to malfuntion at the exact time i decided to buy a new memory card for it, and contractually not being able to post pics of the wedding til the episode of The Rachael Ray airs. But believe me, there are plenty coming!]



So i arrived in Houston on Friday night. Future bro in law and my dad were there to pick me up and take me back to Justin and Sams house. Within minutes of arriving there i was greeted by....CONNOR!!! It was truly love at first site for both of us. He is the most beautiful, sweet, easy going baby in the universe. I didn't hear him cry at all until i had been there for 3 days! I can't wait to work my way into his heart and becoming his favorite aunt. ;)

On Saturday me, my sister, and my mom all ran last minute errands in preperation for the wedding(!!!!) the next day. We started off by getting our nails done(which, btw, has not made typing this any easier), then off to The Galleria for some shopping! I'd never been to this place before. Lemme tell ya, it's HUGE. There are TWO Macys in this "mall"! It's also super expensive. The average cost of a pair of jeans was probably $200. In otherwords, not a place i would frequent if i was a resident of Houston,TX. We had to cut our shopping short(short meaning after 3 hrs)because my back was aching so bad, i couldn't stand walking at all. After The Galleria we headed to Davids Bridal to pick up Samanthas dress,jewelry, and garter for The Big Day. I was very excited for this event because I was previously super bummed that I wouldn't be able to do these special things with her, living so far away and all. But here I was,helping my sister decide whether to get the bracelet that twisted, or the one with the pearls. By this time, the two Vicotin I had taken at the second Macys we visited had kicked in, so i was feeling much better.

Sunday was THE BIG DAY!!! Justins side of the family came over and we all got ready to go to Minute Maid Stadium, where the wedding was to be held. Samantha, my mom, dad, and Justin all had to be at the venue by 3. The rest of us (Justins parents, brother,sister,their significant others, and Justins BFF Cary) all got there about 330. We went through security and were brought to a waiting area where we were greeted by yummy "to hold us over until dinner" appitizers including fondue, some fancy meat and cheeses, hummus, and an assortment of beverages. After about an hour of waiting we were taken by groups down to the field. The wedding was held in the middle of the field at Minute Maid stadium. How effing cool. There's no way i can really explain the decorations. We walked down an aisle that had rows of trees and lights that reminded me of a winter wonderland! We were escorted to our table where we waited for the ceremony to start. A few minutes later, Rachael Ray(!!) walked by us as she and her husband were escorted to their table close to the stage,where priests/rabbis/pastors/any religious affiliated person you could think of was standing, with perfect view of all the action.

At about 7 o'clock the brides and their escorts/fathers walked down the same winter wonderland our party previously did to meet their grooms at the end. All 44 brides looked AMAZING. They really were provided with a great team of hair and make up artists. Each religious affiliate said a piece and after a couple minutes,and vows everyone was married!

TIME TO EAT!!

It was great having all that down time with justins family because i learned that they are a great group of people, and we share a similar sense of humor! which made the night that much more fun. Anyways, back to the food...we were served a goat cheese tart appitizer, with our choice of white or red wine, AND champagne, a main course of beef tenderloin, some fancy chicken, delicious pork,roast potatos, green beans...and that's it...i think...it was all great!

After eating, the Rachael Ray provided photographer came to our table and announced it was picture time! If you know one thing about our family, it's that we loved to be photographed, so of couse, this was welcome.

Pictures were fun, Rachael even jumped in for a few of ours and now it was time to eat cake! Each couple got their own half chocolate/half vanilla cake. THEN it was time for the special musical guest!!!

WYNONA JUDD!

Now, I'm gonna be honest when i say i was a tad bit disappointed. I know she's a big deal, and it's amazing to be able to say Wynona Judd sang at your wedding. But I was just kinda like...eh. She sang 3 songs, all covers...the only one i can remember is At Last...

So Wynona got off the stage and the couples were surprised even more!! Everyone was given a flip video camera thing i don't remember the name of, and a trip to an all inclusive resort in Mexico for their honeymoon!! So YEA, everyone was excited for that, fireworks ensued, and people resumed dancing on the dance floor. My sister and Justin are quite the dancers and drew quite a bit of attention, I'd be surprised if they didn't make it to the final cut. Justins best friend even grabbed Rachael Ray and danced with her!!

The whole night ended at about 1130. It's really something i, and i'm sure everyone involved will never forget. Rachael, many times, expressed how she was so happy to provide these couples with the special wedding night they had dreamed of. I'm sure the couples reciprocated her happiness!! After everyone got home that night, we were all so wore out...we fell asleep insantly!

Monday I flew home and blah. it's back to normal, every day life.

The wedding is going to take up the whole hr of Rachael Rays show when it airs sometime at the end of this month. When I find out an exact date, i'll let you know for sure!

Anyways, sorry this is so long, thanks for reading it!! Pictures to come soon!!!