Minnesota trip

June 4-7, we went to Fergus Falls, MN for Kayley and Nick's wedding. Kayley was one of Katie's roomies in the Pink Lady house during college and Nick was one of Phil's roomies in the '3 Kings' apartment.

We left Midland in the early hours of Thursday morning and arrived in Minneapolis around noon. We had talked with two of our friends and coordinated flight schedules, so we all arrived within an hour of each other. So, we landed first and then minutes later, Kari arrived from Seattle. About an hour later, Rachel landed from San Diego, we loaded our things into the car and we were off! Since we were going through St. Cloud, we stopped for a quick visit with Grandma Katie and then made it to Fergus Falls about 6pm-- just in time for bachelor/bachelorette festivities! The girls headed to Zorbaz for dinner and drinks while the guys went to Kayley's uncle's cabin for an evening of grilling and beer!

Friday, everyone had a relaxing morning, then we got ready for rehearsal. Phil was an usher and I was a bridesmaid. Everyone learned what to do and where to go for the next day's activities and then we went to the groom's dinner. After dinner, Phil and I met up with my mom and Phil's parents. Both had arrived that afternoon and were staying at the same hotel as us.

Saturday started out early with the bridesmaid's hair appointments at 7:30am! But, everyone looked beautiful and the hair stylists did a great job making sure our hair would stay put, as it was a cloudy and rainy day. Things ran smoothly for pictures and Nick and Kayley finished up their outdoor pictures just before it started to pour. The ceremony was beautiful and the bride and groom did a wonderful job with everything! The reception was at the hotel that we were staying at, so we were able to dance the night away!

Unfortunately, Phil and I had to leave early the next morning to catch our flight back to Midland. It was a quick breakfast with our parents, some goodbyes and then back to the airport.

Nick and Kayley's wedding was such an amazing weekend and we were so blessed to be a part of their day. Even though we've only been married for 9 months, the wedding was a good reminder to keep things as new as they were on the day of our wedding. Whenever I think of our wedding, I think of the laughter and smiles and just the wonderful memories from the amazing friends and family that were there to support us. It was just a great couple of days for us to experience and we hope that we can continue to grow more and more in love, each and every day!

And Philip's turn...

The same weekend that Katie headed to CO, Philip headed back to Iowa for a friend's wedding in Des Moines. Unfortunately, he got a late start since his flight was cancelled, but everything worked out okay and he made it there only a few hours late!

Friday was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, so he was the main man and showed everyone his amazing ushering skills :) Later that night, Sheryl and Warren arrived, so it was a few hours of catching up before heading to bed for the big day.

(The picture is of Phil and two of his best girl friends from high school-- Lindsey and Hillery)

Saturday was the wedding and Philip had a great time seeing all of his old friends from high school. His friend Andy was the groom and has been one of Philip's oldest friends (Philip has
many stories of adventures from childhood that include Andy). Philip kept saying how great it was to be back in Iowa (or as he stated 'it was great to be back in heaven'), but unfortunately, he had to head back to Texas on Sunday afternoon, in order to work on Monday.

(The group picture shows the George gang, with a few additional 'add-ons')

Because I had the camera for my CO trip, Philip's dad was able to capture a few snapshots of the weekend, so I could see what kind of trouble Phil was up to :)