This past weekend we went to Toronto for a Hindu wedding ceremony!

Jared and Nirosh – the groom – work together – and he invited us to go!

We were so excited!

We got to Canada about 2 PM and found the banquet hall and our hotel.

We unpacked and tried to find lunch – Good Friday is a Holiday in Canada (the way it should be here in the US) – so we had few options to choose from.

We got pizza and wings – disgusting wings that we couldn’t finish – and Jared took a nap – his favorite thing to do!

The ceremony started at 7 PM – Nirosh had given us a table right at the front of the room!

The invitations were beautiful …

Nirosh walked in after a blessing – I think – from his family. He sat with his attendant and the priest for a while – praying and going through the traditions – I think …

Women dressed in blue sari’s came out before the bride to form an aisle among the elephant statues.

The women waiting for the arrival of the bride …

She was guided on each side by Nirosh’s sister and sister-in-law – followed with her maidens …

I love this shot – the smile – the color – she was so breathtaking!

This one is another favorite …

Nirosh – the one seated – waiting for his bride …

The ceremony continued with the family involved much more than a Christian wedding.

Halfway through the ceremony the women in blue sari’s brought out a portion of the meal.

Mathy leaves to put on her wedding dress …

Nirosh is hooking the necklace that seals their marriage …

This is the image I posted earlier – GORGEOUS!

They eat and change once more – then cut their cake!

We got a picture with the married couple – and left the wedding at about 11:30!

It was a great experience and we are so thankful to have been able to go!

Yesterday was Johna’s birthday – HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNA!

Saturday night her mom had a party for her – and of course I took my camera!

We had such a great time at Zach & Layne’s wedding!

Like I said – I was not the photographer for the Yoder wedding – but I couldn’t resist taking my camera – and Indica was AWESOME in letting me tag around! I told her that if Vive and Barden ever have to work together – it will be a great result!

Jared’s speech – he did a great job!

Loved the fireworks – such a great mood to the photos!

Zach & Layne – I wish you happiness beyond belief. Keep your relationship with Christ as the center of your marriage – you can do great things through Him who strengthens you!

Talking about sweethearts – *M* is such a doll baby who steals my heart everytime I see her.

A few weeks ago – *J* wanted some pictures of her sweetness – so we set up a quick photo session …

She is an incredible child!

Layne’s dress – the night before the wedding …

A beautiful dress for a beautiful bride!

Thursday afternoon, after getting the rental car and getting all the packing ready – we headed out to Zach and Layne’s – we chilled out a bit and went over to the hotel where Zach’s sister and her family was staying. Zach and Layne were trying to get some last minute details in order – so we got pizza and wings to enjoy once everyone returned!

We crashed Thursday night and got up early Friday morning to get some other tasks done and out of the way – Jared and I took a walk on the beach – more pictures to come later – and talked about the shock of being pregnant and how excited we both were. God has such perfect timing!

We went to lunch at a BBQ joint – mmmmmmm ribs – and then I went shopping with Layne and Tiffany to get some other last minute things – final ring fitting – earrings – flowers. I made the boutonnieres while Layne and Tiffany made the bouquets for the girls. 

We made it back in time to change and head to the rehearsal and dinner! The girls went out – asking me to go – but I don’t really go out anymore – if I ever really did – and I am so tired lately and can barely make it past 9 PM let alone getting ready to go out at 12. Christy and I got a hotel room for the night – right on the beach! 

Layne brought her wedding dress to hang out in our room for the night – pictures to come later – and I just had to take some shots while the sun rose over the beach the next morning!

In the morning we got around and went to the nail salon – meeting Indica – the photographer for the wedding. I got short tips on my nails – even though they cut the heck out of my fingers. I haven’t had my nails done since my own wedding – so it was nice! They are still on too!

I went back to the hotel with Indica and Christy – getting another hotel room for the night – switching Layne’s dress to the reception site and grabbing some lunch. 

Jared grew up with Dave, Dan, and Zach – being a really close group of friends. Christy is married to Dave – and is such a sweetheart! We had a great lunch and Indica joined us – it was so nice to sit outside and have lunch in FEBRUARY! I rode back to the reception site with Indica to grab some shots of the girls getting ready – the guys before the ceremony – then before you know it – the wedding was set to begin!

Jared took these shots with my camera while I was trying to set up the video …

Mindy is the mother-of-the-groom and a kindred spirit! I noticed that her necklace was on backwards so I was fixing it for her!

Christy and Dave …

Zach – the groom himself …

Dan and Dave …

I’ll post more about the wedding and reception once I get those pictures up!

After we took the 3rd pregnancy test on Thursday morning – we left for the airport.

On the way we noticed a crack in the windshield of the Jeep – we called the insurance company and they set up an appointment for Monday morning. We are pretty sure it started when we went to get Schrute – the weather was horrible that day and we got stuck behind so many trucks!

We got to Elmira pretty early – just to be sure – and made some more phone calls to let people know about the pregnancy tests. The flight seemed to be pretty packed with not many seats in the airport lobby. We met out traveling buddies – Zach’s parents and sister and her family – and waited in line. 

I HATE FLYING – but I knew that I had to keep it together and not freak out!

Waiting to take off in Elmira …

Again – waiting for take off – I got so sick on the flight down – I didn’t eat any breakfast knowing that I would probably get sick. When we flew to Wyoming three years ago – I took Dramamine but knew that I couldn’t take it this time. I felt horrible – but usually getting it out of my system makes me feel better. We had a seat right on the wing with the emergency exits – more leg room!

It only took about 2 hours to get to Orlando-Sanford – AMAZING!

Zach’s parents got a rental car along with his sister and her family – we returned the car to the airport Sunday morning while the rest of our travel buddies went on to Disney for a few days!

Jared fell in love with this little car – a Nissan Versa!

Mindy is so excited about seeing Zach!

I also have TONS of pictures to blog about from the wedding – but I am waiting to get my NEW COMPUTER and photoshop installed to showcase them!

I think I might get some AWESOME actions that go along with PHOTOSHOP too!

Friday night we dropped off Schrute with Jared’s parents and went to the NCA basketball game before heading to my parents in Athens to stay the night. Our wake-up call was 4 AM to catch the 7.20 AM bus in Scranton heading to NYC!

We thought for sure we would sleep on the way to the bus station – but no luck. Jared, PM, my cousin Matt, my Aunt L, and I were so excited to get en route to see CHICAGO! The bus ride down was good – we watched Gran Torino – the new Clint Eastwood movie – luckily the volume was a little “wonky” during the first half so I missed out on all the swearing – good thing! It is a good movie – great message – and the best part was – it is a brand new movie and we got to see it for free – granted it was on a tiny little screen – but still!

We arrived at the bus station a little after 9 and grabbed breakfast. Then we ventured out on the streets of NYC! We hit the M & M store – where we saw every color imaginable and a $3000 diamond-encrusted jacket for the ULTIMATE M & M lover!

Aunt L met Morgan Freeman

at the wax museum …

We walked up to Central Park and got some pictures on the edge!

PM had mentioned that the APPLE store is close to Central Park – so we HAD to go in and check it out – Jared was in HEAVEN!

We saw the computer that I am going to get soon – and a new iPod – that Jared wants to get soon.

We walked through a fur protest at SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.

We managed to make it back to CHICAGO early and stand in line waiting for the doors to open – it was COLD!

Our seats were in the upper balcony – second row – in a VERY tight fit!

The show started and I was shocked that there was not much room on the stage – since they had the entire band on the stage as well. It was a good show – but not great – I was expecting something of BROADWAY proportions – and I thought that the movie version was MUCH better!

Melora Hardin – Jan on The Office – was playing the part of Roxie Hart – so that was AWESOME to see – since we had met her at The Office CONVENTION!

After the show we went to the NBC store to get a DUNDER MIFFLIN beanie and scarf but they were all sold out – so we got the next best thing – A DOG LEASH for Schrute – which is so fitting since he is named after Dwight Schrute on The Office! There were tons of great shirts too – but not for the price they wanted!

Then we went back to the train station to grab dinner and wait for the bus back to Scranton! The ride home was not non-stop so we did not have a movie waiting – which was all the better since we were all TIRED! We made it to Scranton shortly after 9.30 and then started the 2 hour ride back to my parents and then the hour ride back to Mansfield – PM dropped us off at about 12.45 AM – made for a long day – BUT A FUN DAY!

CHICAGO didn’t turn out to be the show I thought it would be – but we had great company!

Sunday after chuch we celebrated Jared’s dad’s birthday with lunch and then picked up Schrute – who was so excited to see us! Jared helped me move my office downstairs and set up a new room for Rutie.

I’ll post new pictures of my office space soon!

Last night at our church prayer – our friends called to let us know about their son – Silas. He is 2 years old and has been diagnosed with Diabetes Type I. He was life-flighted to Geisinger last night and his parents and grandparents are there with him now.

Please pray for a miracle in his life. Pray for his family – for strength.