A great weekend in Michigan

We just got home from the airport and Rich is settled in watching football and I'm on the couch for some much needed computer time. Let me tell you about our long weekend in Michigan for Russ and Stacey's wedding festivities.

Wednesday: Off work, yay!! We had good intentions of getting up for a run, but instead ended up sleeping in until about 8:30 which was really nice. We dropped the dogs off at the Pet Resort and they were excited to be there and see their buddies who work there and take good care of them for us when we're gone. We got lucky and had a direct flight into Detroit, so by 3pm we were there and Russ (Rich's brother) and Stacey picked us up. Wednesday night about 14 of us went to dinner then to the Tigers/Twins game. The Tigers won and a good time was had by all.

Thursday: Rich and I got up and went for an easy 2 mile jog around the neighborhood. Then I went with Stacey to a hair salon for a test run of her wedding hair and makeup. Then Thursday night her parents hosted a cookout for family and out of town guests. The weather was beautiful and her grandma makes a mean apple crisp!

Friday: The weather is no longer beautiful, we woke up to a cold rain but I went out for another 2 miler anyway. It was actually really pleasant and I remembered how much I like running in the rain. Some of the girls went for mani-pedis then we all went and checked into the hotel where the wedding was held. The wedding was supposed to be outside, but the weather was very iffy with showers off and on. We went ahead with the rehearsal outside, then had a yummy rehearsal dinner there at the hotel. A lot of the wedding party stayed up and shut down the hotel bar, but I turned in early for a good night's sleep.

Saturday: Wedding Day! The weather was better than predicted: cloudy with a chance of showers instead of full out rain all day. Stacey committed to an outside ceremony and we all crossed our fingers and did a no-rain dance. It worked! The ceremony was short and sweet and perfect. One of their close friends became ordained on the internet and performed their ceremony. It was touching and funny, which we all loved. After the ceremony there was cocktail hour, then dinner (best filet I think I've ever had!) where Rich made his very sweet best man speech that had us all in tears. Then it was party time as the DJ got going and everyone moved to the dance floor. After several hours of dancing and celebrating, there as yet another round of food. Hot pretzels, chicken fingers and pizza so nobody would be sent away drunk with an empty stomach...smart thinking! Stacey's family definitely threw a great party, that's for sure.

Sunday: We slept in a little, packed our stuff and then Stacey's dad took us all to the airport. I may be extremely jealous that Russ and Stacey are leaving for Antigua in the morning. Yep, definitely jealous!!