Cameron and Jessica Get Hitched

Chad's baby brother, Cameron, who we all affectionately refer to as Booba (I'm sure much to his wife's chagrin), married his sweetheart at the end of May.  

We all made the trek to Washington D.C., which was kind of cool, since that's where Chad and I promised forever ten years ago.  

The traffic was atrocious.  The bride and groom deeply in love.  And I found out that weddings are not as much fun when you're trying to keep two kids happy in the heat, especially when one needs a nap.  Even so, I'm so glad we were able to be there to share in the joy of Cameron and Jess' special day.  

Oh.  And did I mention Chad was also the photographer?  With me as his (insert sarcasm here, due to previously mentioned motherhood responsibilities) assistant.    

By now, we should all know that Joycious throws a killer party, and her planning skills did not disappoint at the reception the following evening.  While Chad shot the reception mostly sans assistant, I spent most of my time trying to keep a toddler's grimy hands out of the mint receptacle. I was also privileged to have a come to Jesus meeting with a very grouchy, sassy Kaden outside right as the party was starting (which Jim Walker got to witness, so that's fun).    

It's not coincidental that there's a mint in his hand.  He had one there all.  Night.  Long.  

Even though I shot fewer than 1% of the photos at this shindig, I did manage to capture these two, which are some of my favorites!

This is my "you can't be in the bridal party, the groom's family, have small children, and be a wedding photographer" face.  Never again.  

The boys were pretty fascinated by the drinking fountain, until they got a sampling of Gigi's punch.  Then it was game over.

Cousins at the wedding.

First dance as hubs and wifey.

I told them to dance on the railroad tracks at sunset.  You're welcome I did that.

And just like that, baby Cameron is all grown up and married.  We feel so lucky to have Jess as a new sister and friend!  We hope that, given time, she will grow accustomed to our loud and obnoxious ways.  

Watching these two starting out on such a great life adventure, my heart is so thankful for the choice I made a decade ago.  I don't think Chad and I had a clue what we were doing.  In fact, I know we didn't.  Ten years later, I've seen others go through the unfortunate pain and sorrow that follows an unlucky choice in love. Neither of us is perfect, but I can honestly say I love him more today than I did on that hot and humid July morning in 2005.  Even with all the craziness life's thrown our way, I like to think I'm happier, too.  He is still my best friend, the one who believes in me when I don't believe in myself.  As Ben Folds put it during our first dance as husband and wife, "I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you . . . And I know that I am . . .  the luckiest."

Congratulations, Jess and Cameron!  We are so happy for you both!    

Flashback Friday, Camping Edition

Kaden just boarded the minivan express for his first father and son camping trip.  To say he was psyched is putting it mildly. All day long he's been asking me when Daddy would be home, and when Mr. Andy was coming to get them.

When Chad and I got engaged, I excitedly added tons of camping gear to our wedding registry.  I was raised on family camping trips during the summer, so I thought a tent, Coleman lantern, and sleeping bags were standard items on all wedding wish lists.

In contrast, Chad grew up with tent camping being something you had to do for Boy Scouts.  It's really not his thing.  Can he do it?  Yes, and exceptionally well, I might add.  Does he love it?  Not so much.  Does he love me? Yes.  So, occasionally, he has humored me with overnight excursions into the great outdoors.  

Our first camping trip was over Memorial weekend in 2006.  We had been married less than a year.  It was memorable.    

It was memorable, because when we pulled into Yellowstone National Park, and stopped at a little store to buy some ice, the people laughed at us when we said we were going to be camping in a tent.

It was memorable, because shortly after we drove away from their chuckling faces, it started to look like this:

It was memorable, because by the time we reached our reserved campsite, which was HOURS away from the main gate we entered through, it was pitch black.  We'd never set up our tent before.

  

It was memorable, because we'd planned on sunshine and flip flops.  I had camped at Yellowstone with my family as a child, and I had memories of tank tops and sunscreen.  I obviously forgot to consider what mountain weather is like in the spring, as opposed to the summer.  I had honestly packed my bathing suit, planning to lay out and catch a few rays.  We had each packed one hooded sweatshirt and a pair of jeans in the warm clothing department, which we slept in and wore while driving around looking at bison from the heated car the next day.

  

It was memorable, because we cut our trip short, packed up in a rush, and booked it out of that frozen death trap.

While we were still in Utah, we tried camping again in Arches National Park.  This trip was also chillier than we would have liked, but with better preparation, we were at least warmer.  

However, this time around we didn't reserve a campsite ahead of time.  So we got stuck with a primitive campsite, with a rather interesting toilet situation.

My favorite part of this trip was when this rugged fellow camper saw us walking and told Chad how lucky he was to have found a girl willing to "rough it" in the wilderness with him.  After the man walked away, Chad reminded me that in this regard, it was me who was lucky to have found him.  

And he was right.  I am so lucky.

  

I'm not sure Kaden will sleep a wink in the tent tonight next to his daddy.  But at least things can't get much worse than an unexpected snow storm, or a toilet seat on top of a hole in the ground.

I can't wait to hear about their adventures tomorrow.