Colorado-bound for Stowell Wedding

A good friend of the Coppola family got married in Colorado in August so we went there for a quick Thursday-Sunday trip to be a part of the festivities in Colorado Springs. It really was a whirlwind weekend....but wanted to post a few photos!

Wedding Bells

The BIG day was finally here! Jeff and Aubree were getting hitched! This wedding kind of smacked tradition in the face, and although I love traditional weddings, it was super fun to be a part of something so fun, different, unique, and well, non-traditional.  Aubree is a super easygoing bride with very few requirements to be pleased and happy so it was so nice working with her. She asked for advice, included us in decisions, liked our suggestions (or at least pretended to) and appreciated our help! Hopefully we didn't step over any boundaries!

On Friday, my sister's family and my parents met Jeff and Aubree to decorate. Then, we all met at a really neat BBQ restaurant for a BBQ buffet with both families. The food was delicious! We got to meet all of Aubree's family, too- everyone was so nice. And, Aubree's pregnant sister let Saylor touch her belly all night long....

The venue was called Vox Theatre and it was an old refurbished theatre. It had old wooden floors, tin ceilings, a little theatre ticket window that I loved, big old wooden tables for serving, a small kitchen, and big huge insets on the wall where movie posters and such used to go. In the front, it had a really neat old stage for the band. It had so much charm and character- it was perfect and intimate. Then it had a little grass terrace with hanging lights and fun outdoor games. Take the charm and character of that place and add it with all of our ideas and little extras, and it turned out to be darling!

The ceremony was private and only open to immediate family members. There was the exchange of rings and written vows - it was short, sweet and simple.

The reception was a ton of fun. The band was so, so good. We could have listened to them all night. They  had a great assortment of drinks and a taco truck! The kids partied and danced hard in the beginning, so by 10 p.m., I had some really tired kiddos. We left at about 10:30 and the party ended at 11.

It was so much fun being with all the cousins on both sides of the family, watching everyone dance and laugh and have fun together and watching the kids have a blast. It was just an "easy" wedding- everyone was relaxed, there wasn't a lot of stress or fuss over anything. And, Aubree's dress and hair were to die for. She was a beautiful one-of-a-kind bride....who makes my brother very happy. We're so happy he found her.

And, one last note on the wedding- this dog was a part of it all...and she participated in the special day in her own very special (and smelly) way. You're welcome.

Cheers to the very happy couples! I wish you many, many years of wedded bliss (and lots of babies).

Baby Brother Got Married!

Well, July has been a whirlwind since we got back from Ely. We've been preparing for two big events in the Coppola family- Joe's youngest brother, Kyle's, wedding AND Cary and Ali's new baby! Pretty happening around this family right now!

But, first thing's first - Kyle and Emily's wedding. Joe was a groomsmen and our 3 kids (and all the nieces and nephews) were ring bearers and flower girls. So, needless to say, it was a long day! We got up early in the morning, practiced walking down the aisle, got dressed and dolled up, and off we went for photos. We had to be at the church at 10:45 and the wedding started at 1! All of the sister-in-laws said a nice little prayer before we went to bed on Friday night-  no meltdowns, and it would be nice if the baby could wait to make its appearance until Sunday! : )

Here's a few photos of the "real" stars of the wedding:

And, yes, I captured THIS moment. For her future wedding day. I love it.

Here are a few more fun moments caught on camera! 

The wedding went great. ALL of the kids walked down the aisle much to our surprise! We have a bag of Mike and Ikes and the big brothers to thank for that! Saylor walked with Joey most of the time and then ran to Joe! Then they came to the pews and sat with us. Joey brought the rings up and then did a special handshake with Uncle Kyle which was cute.

The ceremony went off perfectly and it was on to the bus for some drinks! Heather and my parents took my kids back to the house for some down time for the boys and nap time for Saylor, which was perfect.

The wedding reception started at 5 p.m. and the kids went home with Heather and Guthrey around 9:30. Joe and I stuck it out until 12:30. The kids danced and danced and it was fun watching them. The speeches were great and Kyle's speech made me cry. He just seemed so happy and it's such a good feeling to see your sibling so happy. 

 It was a great night - we really enjoyed every minute of it! And, mostly, we're just so happy that Kyle found such a beautiful and kind bride. She's a great fit for our family and a great aunt to the kids! 

Now, on to the next order of business: bring on the new baby!!!