In a little town called Hubell...

 Our baby boy Mike married his sweetheart Amanda, on September 1st.

 I will say, that in spite of all this, a destination wedding, on a budget, 400 miles away, it all worked.

WE DID IT, and it was wonderful!

We got to Houghton, Michigan on Thursday.  All the kids were traveling.  Some by plane, most by car.  Mike and Amanda had been up north for a couple of days. and that night we watched our granddaughter Penny.  SIL Elizabeth, brother Greg, their daughter Tracy and her three wonderful girls and Penny spent a while in the pool. They had so much fun. Penny slept with us as the ladies went to the bachelorette party.  The guys went to a local bar.  We slept that night, but not much.  

Friday, we decorated the Hubell Fire Hall where the wedding and reception took place.  The set up  took hours.  Betty and I, with the help of one of Amanda’s Aunts, the lovely Dawn,  transformed that fire hall. It looked so pretty.  When we were done, we left to buy cupcakes and had a late lunch before the rehearsal dinner. The Rock House was right next door to our hotel.  They took care of everything except for a few decorations I brought and the cake. It is a family restaurant with skee ball and other games.  That was a lot of fun and a big hit with the kids.  Father of the Groom handed out cards to all the guests to play the games, while the food kept coming and coming. (Appetizers, salad and pizza) We had at least 40 to 50 people, hard to count, they were all over the place.  Mike and Amanda have the best friends and Amanda’s family are very sweet. Made for a very good time. We were relieved after the dinner and headed to bed so we'd be ready for Mike and Amanda's big day.

They tried to sell me Green Bay Packers cupcakes!  As if...

These two were cool and calm.

Just a note,

Having all my kids close, like in the next room for Jon and Charlotte and an adjoining room for Kris and Doug and Penny was fun. Betty, Greg, Tracy and the girls were just across the hall. So was nephew Greg and his sweetheart. (Alert: Greg caught the garter!) Mike and Amanda were having pedicures etc...but always calling and of course at the dinner and Mike dressed in our room on the wedding day.  

The theme was Love You to the Moon and Back.

 Paper lanterns, sparking stars and mirrored balls and Amanda's Grandma provided the golden bells.

Elizabeth found the large moon on Facebook.  It took two trips up north to get the huge display up there.

We had a runner to the arbor, and Elizabeth made the arrangements on each side.  The arbor was draped in sheer curtains and tulle with white wisteria.  My photos don't do it justice. 

We had a professional photographer.  It will be weeks till we see those pics.  I was not taking many photos as I was running;-)

The wedding day was hot and humid.  Poor guys were dying in suits.  There was an amazing young lady Emi, the wedding coordinator, that was in charge, and she got everything in order.  Before we knew it, the wedding began.  I was crying ugly by the time we walked up the aisle.  Not looking forward to seeing that picture.  Everything fell into place and it was so beautiful. Mike was crying as Amanda came up the aisle.  She was so lovely.  Amanda carried a bouquet I made for her.  It contained lily of the valley, ranunculus, yellow roses and paper leaves.  In her hair she wore the same flowers I made as a half crown.  She wore her beautiful hair half up.  She had her hair and makeup done professionally and she looked amazing.  Mike looked so handsome, I can still see his baby face under his generous beard.  He has the most beautiful eyes, but I digress. Another of Amanda’s Aunts, Betsy,  was the officiant.  Betsy was all choked up and asked for a moment to compose herself.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the hall. Mike and Amanda's vows were sweet and the music they selected were some of my favorites, just a coincidence but wonderful.

The ceremony was immediately followed by Mike and Amanda's first dance.They danced to a song called The Book of Love, by Peter Gabriel.  They danced up and down the aisle, and it was magic.

The evening moved along quickly. Next, the Mother and Son dance was so special. Mike picked the song for us and I cried and laughed while he cried and laughed.  When we weren't crying and laughing he sang the words to me. We always sang in the car together when we were on our way to school or work. It was the sweetest moment. Where did the time go, my wonderful baby boy.

My Heart...

Jon our son was the best man and gave a short and heart felt speech.  Our sons are brothers and friends, something that is so important to my husband and me. They love each other, and they love their  beautiful sister too.  It was so sweet to see the hugs and tears they shared.  Made Dad and I very proud and happy.

All the kids danced every song, be it the Chicken Dance or some new Shark song. Our Penny was so happy to dance the chicken dance, she’s been practicing since she was old enough to stand. All of my great-nieces were with us, two of my brothers, two SIL’s, nieces and nephews. Elizabeth helped so very much and was there to support me just like she always is.  

Elizabeth and her wonderful son Greg. We missed you Jim!

Our Penny is on the far left.

All the tearing down started as the happy Bride and Groom left to a sparkler goodbye.  We drove a very scary and foggy road back to the hotel, relieved and exhausted. 

For all that could have gone wrong, nothing did.  It was a homespun, homemade wedding, and it was the best time.  Mike and Amanda are amazing together.  My prayer is that they keep that happiness and love for each other always. 

My dearest, the dearest  sweetest most generous man made the dreams of our son Mike and his Bride Amanda’s dream of a Upper Peninsula wedding come true.   It was sweet and magical for our whole family, shared with Amanda’s sweet family who welcomed us with open arms, and made us feel at home.  

I am grateful to all my family that traveled so far at at great expense to share our joy.  Greg and Elizabeth and family were in as soon as the wedding was announced.  My brother Larry and SIL Lynette traveled and so did their amazing girls Gina and Amy with their guys.  It meant so much to us to have you all with us.

We hope to visit Houghton again when we have time to explore.  It is a beautiful place, Lake Superior is amazing and the drive is worth the views.  Now we have family up north, and an beautiful addition to our family here in Chicagoland..  

Life is Good, and We are Grateful.

Thanks for stopping by and for your kindness.

Enjoy this beautiful day

Love, Penny