las vegas: the wedding.

aaron's cousin scott & his then-fiance kelly invited all of the family out to las vegas the week before christmas to attend their nuptials. we have been trying to split christmases between our families every other year, but tickets to indy were pretty expensive (plus renting a car, boarding sadie, etc.) so we decided to spend this year's christmas in idaho & make the quick trip to vegas (where we knew we would see a little of aaron's family).

the wedding was on december 21st and took place at the chapel in the clouds which is 103 stories above the strip at the top of the stratosphere hotel. the actual ceremony took place in a beautiful little room where we watched the sunset over the vegas desert, witnessed scott & kelly tie the knot & waved to the webcam that was streaming the wedding for those who couldn't attend.

 {my in-laws: diane & sam}

 {the groom before the ceremony}

 {the groom & mother of the groom, susan}

 {the groom waiting for his bride - cue the tears!}

{the bride & father of the bride}

{the bride walking down the aisle}

{the first kiss} 

{aaron & me. sidenote: the height difference here is not normal because normally i don't stomp around in 6 inch heels. yep that's me at 5' 9".} 

{love is in the air} 

{the bride's family} 

following the nuptials there was a dinner reception where the food & company were wonderful. it was a pretty small group, so everyone got a good view of the head table where scott & kelly were made to kiss every time someone clinked on a glass. they kissed. a lot.

{the happy couple}

a little bit of dancing took place at the end: kelly danced with her dad, scott danced with his mom & kelly & scott shared their first dance. the reception wrapped up with some "we are family" & brake dancing.

{bride & father dance}

{groom & mother dance}

since the night was still young & we were at the stratosphere, some of the boys in the family decided they needed a turn on the big shot (the ride on the needle of the stratosphere). all of the boys made it on the ride with a little liquid courage & there were no shoes or meals lost on the ride (phew!).

{the boys pre-launch}

{take off!}

{at the top of the big shot}

the wedding was so beautiful & i am so glad that aaron & i were able to help celebrate the marriage of scott & kelly. cheers to the new bride & groom!

have you ever been to a vegas wedding?
M

what happens in vegas stays in vegas.

unless you have a blog.

we found ourselves in las vegas the week before christmas for a family wedding & coincidentally the boise state bowl game (darn you bcs). there are too many pictures for one post, so wedding & bowl game pics will follow.

aaron had never been to vegas before & i hadn't been in quite a few years, so it was exciting to go together for a little holiday vacation. we stayed at the stratosphere because that is where the wedding was taking place, but we spent most of our free time on the other end of the strip. it was great to see some of aaron's family in vegas since we weren't able to make it out to indiana for the holiday this year.

{flying out of boise, idaho}

{at the top of the stratosphere}

 {the stratosphere}

{waiting for the bus. yay for sunny weather!} 

 {aaron and me at caesar's palace}

{uncle mike, aunt sharon & me at planet hollywood}

 {aaron & me at the trevi fountain at the forum}

 {the mirage}

 {the strip}

 {freezing at the fremont street experience}

 {aaron & me at the venetian}

 {the christmas tree at the venetian. so beautiful!}

 {the sun shining at the venetian}

 {sitting in the revolution sign at the mirage} 

 {the wynn}

 {old vegas at the fremont street experience}

 {a beautiful christmas tree at the wynn where we brunched. i need those curtains!}

 {beautiful christmas decor at the lobby of the wynn}

{aaron won $1!} 

 {the eiffel tower}

 {the fountain show at the bellagio}

 {store front of the louis vuitton store at the bellagio}

 {polar bear at the bellagio lobby - can you believe he is made completely of flowers?}

{the revolution bar at the mirage}

we had really sunny weather during the day, but the nights were chilly. aaron tried his hand at black jack, slots & poker; i shopped at zara (no gambling for me!). three days was about perfect for us as las vegas = over-stimulation, but we are planning on going back at least one more time in the future, mostly to see a cirque de soleil show. 

have you ever been to vegas?
M

this calls for a celebration.

{jason, dad, mom & keri on december 30, 1976}

happy 35th anniversary to my wonderful parents larry & soeurette! i couldn't ask for better role models for marriage. here's to another 35 years!

{cari singing "crazy love" at our wedding}

happy birthday to my sister-in-law cari! you are an amazing wife, mother & sister! check out her brand-new blog: HERE. 

any end of the year celebrations in your family?

M

my weekend in pictures: christmas edition.

 {the christmas tree at my parent's house}

 {bentley the beagle on his favorite spot on the stairs}

 {and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care}

 {white elephant gift exchange on christmas eve with family & friends}

{my sister-in-law decorates the mounts with christmas bulbs} 

 {skeeter lounging on the couch}

{some holiday baking} 

 {say "cheese!"}

 {the christmas dinner table}

 {my christmas place setting}

 {aaron got a blister from cutting butternut squash}

 {yum, that's a good looking turkey}

 {it is amazing how attentive the dogs are when there's turkey around}

 {sadie loved her christmas pheasant. thanks auntie kelly & uncle jason!}

 {skeeter in her new christmas scarf}

 {our little family curled up on the couch watching some football}

 {aaron & me with the christmas tree}

{the whole family (minus a few)}

how was your christmas weekend?
M