Back from St. Louis

We're back from Sarah's wedding.

Sarah looked beautiful, of course. And so did my kids, I must say.

We arrived on Thursday and went up in the Arch. That was pretty fun. No line, even. We just showed up and walked on. You have to ride up in little pods. The pods looked like something out of a cheesy science fiction movie. Four minutes up in a hot pod, get out, look around, feel the Arch sway in the wind, back down.

We went on a horse-drawn carriage ride, too. That was pleasant and touristy. People waved at us.

Friday we had the bridesmaids' luncheon. The kids ate cookies, apparently. I thought the sandwich was good. I hope that they someday stop turning their noses up at things and just eat them even though they're not chocolate.

Later came the rehearsal. People were screwing around and Kelsey got lost in the shuffle of the walk down the aisle. It was very upsetting for her. I don't think people without kids understand how hard it is for a young child to be thrust into an adult situation. This was a really big deal for her, an important thing she wanted to do just right. She was pretty nervous, and to have someone else blow it and screw it up for her was frightening and disappointing. She did OK in the wedding, but she was sure not smiling.

Not like the flower girl, who was utterly giddy. Very cute.

The rehearsal dinner was enormous and the food was delicious. There was even tiramisu that wasn't soggy. Thumbs up.

Wedding day came, lovely ceremony (Kayleigh was blessed by a nun), and afterwards the girls traveled around the city with the wedding party taking photos. It was hot and sunny and they all got a little pink. Short break, then the reception.

Again, good food. Also a good jazz band. The kids were tired, so we bugged out about 10.

Kayleigh will be glad not to wear that dress again. It was a bit snug. I bought her her pants size, and should have gotten her a size up. She has smaller hips than she does chest and gut – she has that apple shape, not the pear. Eric's side of the family has these big, barrel chests – huge rib cages and broad shoulders. Kayleigh got that. I'll have to remember that when I buy her clothes. She looked great, though. I kept telling her that women's clothes get more uncomfortable the better they look.

Sunday was a brunch with the parents of the bride. Again, good food. My, St. Louis has good eats. Afterwards we went to the zoo. We were told it was nice, and it was. It was cool and drizzly, which was also nice. The thought of 95 degrees and St. Louis humid would have kept me away.

Quick (relatively) and quiet drive home. I'm spending today putting things away.

I came home to my first story on the front page, which was pretty cool.

I'll post pictures later.