This weekend we left California for the first time since arriving two months ago for a family wedding in Kansas City, MO. It was Valerie's first wedding and wonderful to see family, including some we hadn't seen in over a year.
We were there when Sara and Dannon got engaged in Big Sky, Montana, last July and it was so much fun to be there for their wedding as well. Sara was a gorgeous, glowing bride and we all had a lovely time, though it was bittersweet to see her walk down the aisle without her father, who passed away of cancer in February of 2014. There's something about a dad being able to give away his daughter and dance with her at her wedding that is especially poignant to me now that I have a daughter. Life can be so cruel. But Sara and Dannon were surrounded by love and supportive family and friends and we knew her dad's love for her remained on that beautiful day.
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| here comes the bride |
It was sunny, bright and clear, with a crisp early fall chill in the air. I went for a short walk before the ceremony and saw some flowers I couldn't resist snapping pictures of with my phone; the light was just perfect. The ceremony and reception were at the
Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs and it was a gorgeous setting.
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| Valerie and Grandma before the ceremony |
Valerie was the most excited to spend time with her cousin Aubrey who is
about a year younger and was the flower girl. She spent most of the
ceremony asking "Where did Aubrey go!?" though she was also very happy
to spend time with her grandparents Opa, Tutu, Grandma and Noi and
rotated between their laps.
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| waiting for the ceremony with Kelly, Whitney, Opa and Tutu |
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| coloring with Grandma |
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| she loves her cousin Aubrey! |
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| too cute |
She filled up on phyllo-wrapped brie appetizers as we waited for dinner and dancing -- she could not WAIT to get on the dance floor! As anticipated, she loved every minute and danced her little heart out. I thought she might make it all the way to the end of the reception at 11 pm since it would only feel like 9 pm Pacific (her usual bedtime), but she wore herself out and asked to go to bed around 9:30 so Rich took her up to bed.
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| at our table with Tutu, Opa and Whitney |
She sure loved her first wedding experience! I asked her on our way home what her favorite part of our trip was and she said "Dancing!" No surprise.
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| may I cut in? |
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| dancing with Noi as Grandma looks on |
On Sunday we drove into Kansas City for brunch at Chaz on the Plaza in the Country Club Plaza area before our flight home. It was a pretty chilly and overcast day but we lucked into the perfect brunch scenario. The restaurant has live jazz on Sundays until 1 pm and we arrived at 1:30, so although we missed the jazz, we were the only diners there and had the most beautiful private table all to ourselves! Rich had the lobster benedict on fried green tomatoes with caviar, I had the smoked salmon benedict and a mimosa and Valerie devoured pancakes and sausage. We were three happy campers!
It was another successful trip with Valerie, who is getting better and better at traveling. As long as I have all the essentials (pacifiers, water, crayons, snacks, and phone/tablet for shows) she is generally very well behaved and a pleasure to have along.
We will have great memories of this weekend and wish Sara and Dannon a lifetime of health and happiness together!
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