Dancing and Cake

People have very different reactions to weddings.   I go to very few weddings, so I love going to them and seeing everyone all dolled up, meeting new family and friends, and it's a great reason to travel.  Others have been to far too many weddings and cannot stand the hoopla and small talk one must make on such occasions.  Others hate to travel or hate the commercialization of marriage.  Others go for the dancing and the cake.  Thomas falls into the last category.  His first experience with a wedding was our dear family friend Sean who got married last year.  Highlights were dancing to loud music, having cake and riding on a school bus.

Dancing with Caca

Eating with Papa

We explained the bus was a special treat and not everyone has a school bus at their wedding.  It's a good thing we took the time to explain this last year since Aunt Erica definitely didn't need a school bus at her wedding.  All of the family in attendance could have fit into a conversion van.

However, her wedding did have numerous other benefits to it.  First and foremost in Thomas' mind, was the cake.  We had cake and lots of it!

But of course, there were some formalities to take care of first before we could eat cake.  We had to get ourselves to Annapolis for the wedding.  Thankfully, we hitched a ride with Papa and Nana, who even sat in the way back to entertain and chat with the boys.

We had a quick dinner and playtime before heading to bed to get a good sleep for Erica's wedding in the morning.

Her last night as a VanDusen

Thomas helps Erica get ready!

Plastic spatulas make surprisingly good distractions when a houseful of people are trying to get ready.

Fortunately, we all got up and ready for a few pictures before we left for the courthouse for an 8:30 wedding.  

Anxiously awaiting her groom or a walk signal?

An elated groom

Miracle of miracles, all 14 people (four of whom were under the age of six) were up, groomed, fed, primped, and happy for the six minute courthouse ceremony at 8:30!

Mr. and Mrs. Drew Kohan

All four kids were amazingly well behaved.  Maybe it's because they were promised dancing and cake later? 

Come to think of it, maybe that is why all 14 of us were all so well behaved!

Aunt Erica and our new Uncle Drew lead us back to their house for some plain old fashioned fun, games, food and of course, dancing and cake.

Even Charlie Dog got decked out

Competitive corn hole game

Conga line!

Ye who buy kids Silly String...

Beware!

Thank you to Erica and Drew for sharing your special day with us.  Oh yeah, and for having dancing and cake too.