She's married!

The she is Mackie and her new husband is Foster! These two were the reason for much celebrating two weekend ago. Yes, I know I am behind on the blog.

To say that Mackie and Foster know how to party is a complete understatement. The weekend was absolutely packed and filled with family, fun and celebration! I realized I am way too old for such long nights, but it was well worth it.

Craig and I both took off Friday so we could (a) set settled into the hotel with Madeline, and (b) spend time with family we don't see often. Conveniently, the rehearsal dinner was in the hotel, so my sister-in-law's mother watched Madeline's monitor and we were just downstairs in the event that she woke up scared/not knowing where she was. Because we were in a new place and I've learned Madeline does not adjust well to strange environments, we took her to the first part of the dinner.

   

Porota, Madeline, Craig, Noah and Lisa

 I knew if I nursed her and put her in the pack n play at her normal bed time, she would get so wound up that she wouldn't be able to settle down.  I wouldn't be able to enjoy the dinner and she would be miserable.  The best option was to get her really tired.  It ended up being a good decision and she was only in bed 30-45 minutes after her bedtime anyway. I realized we didn't get any pictures of our little family, so we tried.  Tried being the operative word. She tolerated a picture with just me,

 

but...

 

when it came time to attempt one with the family, this is honestly the best one we got. :-)  haha. Off to bed she went. She doesn't nurse to sleep anymore and won't nurse to sleep anymore, so when she's done, she's done with me.  She doesn't snuggle or rest her head on my shoulder, no, she wants to be in her crib and put herself to sleep.  She complained for a little bit, but she settled down rather quickly and put herself to sleep in a strange place and in the pack n play.  As a result, I was able to enjoy the rest of the dinner!

And this little guy, Noah, man was he ever a trooper! His mama says his Puerto Rican heritage comes out and he can party! He was definitely tired, but he also stayed awake for a long time! I think he likes me :-)

 

So I honestly do not know the relationship between Lisa (Noah's mama) and Craig/Jeff. She's referred to as a cousin, but I've long given up on understanding her actual relationship and thus the relationship between Noah and Madeline.  I guess they will be cousins, too!

 

Lisa, Jeff with Noah and Laura (who is 3 months pregnant with my newest niece/nephew!)

Now this is an actual cousin! This is Matt, of Summer and Matt, and we'll meet her later. They live in Texas. I'm totally jealous. 

Wow, this is getting long and very picture-heavy (which I think makes it more fun...and I have not even swapped pictures with family yet! I know there will be more :-), so I think I'll stop here for now.  Surprisingly, I didn't really take any photos after the dinner.  Not a single one of the whole family, BUT, I know that Josie took some that I will have to get my hands on/snag from Facebook.  I used to be so good at taking pictures, but I find myself forgetting more and more to pull out the camera.  I guess that just means I really enjoyed myself. I spent time talking to family and enjoying the moment.  There's nothing wrong with that!  

OK, I'm really stopping now. The wedding will be next!