We left the city on Friday to head out to Oak Park for the wedding festivities. My baby brother was getting married! We started seeing family and friends as soon as we got off the train. The hotel was located just a couple blocks from downtown Oak Park so we were able to walk most of the weekend. We laid low Friday afternoon and the boys went out on Friday night for the bachelor party.

Since the kids were sharing a room, our mornings started very early while we were on vacation. Saturday was Greg’s birthday, so we walked to Starbucks for breakfast. More family and friends were getting in on Saturday and Kenley was anxiously awaiting Jack & KP’s arrival. The three of them had a ball all weekend. I was so happy to see them together, but also sad that it doesn’t happen more often.

Saturday night we headed over to Cheney Mansion for the wedding rehearsal. During the rehearsal, Kenley wore the flower girl basket around her neck and walked down the imaginary aisle (since the chairs weren’t set up yet). After her performance at the rehearsal, I really wasn’t sure what to expect the next day at the wedding. After the rehearsal we headed to Winberies for a delicious dinner!

Sunday was wedding day! After another trip to Starbucks and a couple games of euchre with the fam, the girls started getting ready around 11:00am at the hotel. We enjoyed mimosas, food, and music while we got our hair and make-up done. Kenley enjoyed the food and is still talking about the chocolate covered strawberries. She also got her hair done right before it was time to go. Meanwhile, the guys were hanging out in Michael’s room watching football and I would imagine drinking beer. After a nice relaxing morning, I was rushing out of the hotel to get over to the mansion without packing a thing for the rest of the day. I was texting poor Greg anything and everything I could think of for him to pack and bring to the mansion when he came over with the kids.

I was more relaxed once we got to the mansion and saw everything coming together and saw how beautiful it was. The girls headed upstairs to help Rachel finish getting ready before it was time for she and Michael to see each other.

We were able to see Michael walking out to their meeting spot, so I caught Rachel trying to get a glimpse of her groom. I may have shed a few tears. After Michael and Rachel had their moment together, the rest of us headed outside for pictures.

This was my first chance to see the groom too. He was so handsome.

Following pictures (and more pictures), the ceremony was set to begin! The guests started arriving and the wedding party took their place.

Kenley was the last to walk down the aisle and she did a great job. She dropped a few petals on her way down then proceeded to drop the rest of the petals where we were standing.

The ceremony was beautiful. Michael’s good friend Alex was the officiant and did a great job. Of course, no wedding is complete without the first married selfie down the aisle.

Kenley and Jack soon stole the show and the party began!

We sent the couple off with sparklers and headed to the after party at Bar Louie. Greg took the kids back to the hotel around 8:30pm after Crosby slept in the stroller at the reception for a little bit. Both of the kids were great most of the day and we all had such a great time.

Monday morning we were able to hang around for a little bit and watch the happy couple open their gifts. We said our goodbyes as everyone started to head out of town. We took a cab to Midway for our flight and the airport was packed! Apparently TSA doesn’t like you having about 50 bobby pins in you hair either. For the first time, I had to take Crosby out of the Ergo in order to go through security. I had to do the extra screening and get a pat down since I couldn’t get through the metal detector without setting it off. But, at least my hair still looked good! We were lucky to be able to have lunch and wait for our flights with Maggi & Greg. It was good to have two extra sets of hands and Kenley was obsessed with GiGi all weekend. Finally, it was time to head back to Orlando. We had a great vacation, but there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed!

Congratulations to happy couple, Michael & Rachel! We love you!