The main event of our weeklong East Coast odyssey was of course Jeff and Chelsea's wedding at the Inn at the Round Barn in Waitsfield, VT.The setting was beauuuutiful - - classic Vermont, complete with cows. Although the weather didn't cooperate at first, the sun finally broke through just as Jeff took his place in front of friends and family. It was an amazing and touching moment, and pretty much the last that Ellen or I got to witness, since we spent most of the ceremony chasing the kids and keeping them out of the pond and away from the barbed wire bordering the cow pasture. Thankfully, Aunt Jan made a video - so we will be able to catch up when Ellen visits Portland in November.
Hope was thrilled to participate as the flower girl - insisting each day of our trip that she was going to the wedding "now, Mommy!" - although you wouldn't have known it moments before... She had taken a late, protracted nap (only 30 minutes) and awoke cranky and confused, only to be thrust into a quick bath, blown dry, and dressed in quite a rush. Hysteria set in, so I swooped to the rescue with string cheese, and explained she was going to hold flowers and be "in a parade" for Jeff and Chelsea's wedding. She held her flowers perfectly, walking over the bridge and across the meadow with her Auntie Ellen (it was quite a ways), and later asked me if she could have a parade for her birthday. (Awww.)
The kids did really well during the reception and dinner. (Rehearsal dinner, too.) Hope danced the night away - whether solo or in a group. She was fascinated by DJ Kevin Nagle (Jeff's childhood friend), who seemed equally charmed and even let her wear his headphones. A favorite moment was her participation in a dance circle for Sir Mixalot's "All The Single Ladies" (e.g.:"all the single ladies in the house wave your arms" [hope waves arms]). Hope was also very interested in the wedding cake, as she had heard it was ICE CREAM from Ben & Jerry's. (She tried to get in on the first piece.) Zane cashed out a little earlier, as expected, and slept soundly in the room, just steps away.
Really, the Inn situation couldn't have been more perfect for our little family. We were in one large room off the rec room on the lowest level with plenty of space for all of us. When the kids were napping or asleep, we (or other responsible adults) could relax just outside or in the immediate vicinity without feeling stuck in one place. Hope slept in a day bed, and we had Zane set up in the pack n'play. Both took all their naps and slept pretty well at night as well. Given all the transitions of this trip, we were really proud of how they did.
Again, photos are mostly from Liz and Martha, and we'll add to them as new ones become available. We were bummed not to have means to capture so many little moments with family over the weekend, but it was a special time, in a special place, for a special event we won't soon forget. So excited to welcome Chelsea into the family! And so very happy for Jeff. xoxox NBH&Z
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