So this happened...

I have heard from a number of people. But I thought that you were married?
We were as close to actually being married as you could be, without actually being married. Common-law for 9 years, legal name change, two children and a life together. Just no priest, no ring and no paperwork.

Well that changed and in a week we decided to get married.
We didn't tell anyone, just immediate family, Jennifer the kids daycare provider, my best friend Lisa and her kids, and a friend from work, who found out we were getting married and couldn't stay away (unless you count getting lost).

All of these people came together and brought something to make our wedding perfect.
We didn't really have a wedding party, everyone who attended was a part of the wedding.

In a week of running around and working regularly, with some appointments in the mix and a big paper due, the day arrived and we were getting married!

Hair and makeup done and ready
Melissa made me get my makeup done, I said that it wasn't necessary (but it was)

At home we had a handsome boy looking all dapper in a bow tie (because bow ties are cool) and some suspenders

And a new dress and a gorgeous little girl.
And the kids did some crafts before the wedding so that Nick and Katheryn could act in their respective roles

Then it was off to the church!

Flowers were provided for everyone by my mother-in-law, and a lucky horseshoe

And my dad to walk me down the aisle

Katheryn was not very happy about going in first

And none of the kids thought this whole wedding thing was very exciting

After 9 years, we didn't just do it quietly at city hall or anything.
We were in a church, with a Catholic Priest. And a Catholic ceremony (which may or may not have been involved in the above pictures)

Can't forget the rings

 It was very small and intimate, about 20 family

But really it was just Kyle and me

We had some papers to sign

And we are done!

Oh wait, one more thing

And the official (really, really official) Mr and Mrs Ridding

All of the photographs were taken by family, the scenic ones were taken by Lisa my designated photograph (I wish my camera had worked better for her)

We got a couple of quick family pictures
(Kyle and I had a class immediately after the wedding, so pictures were cut short)

Katheryn was very specific about when we could take her picture. Luckily we got one before everyone had to leave for dinner

We went to the Keg for dinner of course, just a family dinner (Thanks Dad)
 There was even a kids table

All of the photographs I got was thanks to people who were there.
And a typical wedding picture taken by Melissa

 We even had a wedding cake, Thanks to my sister Laura

But a little exhausting... 

It was a perfect wedding day for us!

Oh yeah, we're here for a Wedding

So now it was my baby brother's turn to get married.

 

 

It was a beautiful day, and I took lots of pictures!

This one is my absolute favorite!

 

 

Nick loved having 'pikey' hair!

And of course I needed a family shot!

 

 

The bride was beautiful, and I think the smile on Mike's face really tells the whole story!

 

 

While the bride and groom got their pictures done, Nick wanted to lay on the beach 

 

And Katheryn and I grabbed some pictures together

 

Nick was too busy entertaining the ladies!

 

He had a whole audience for his magic show

 

 

After a bit of a nap he was loving being the center of attention for a while!

 

And Katheryn took some time to play in the surf. And if the bride doesn't mind getting her wedding dress wet and dirty, what can I say about Katheryn's white dress.

It was a perfect day!
Complete with Katheryn eating her carrots, and Nick eating *gasp* salad! And liking it!

Sun and Sand

That's right!

We were ready for some sun and sand!

This is what Punta Cana looks like during the day! (Yes I took this picture)

  

We stayed at Ocean Blue and Sand resort. It was very child-friendly, all-inclusive, fully accessible (except for the golf carts), most of the staff spoke English, everyone was friendly. It was great!

The kids were all prepared to spend a whole week in the water!

 

And Kyle and I were all ready to do a lot of this...

 

Thanks to Jill and her discussion about the puddle jumpers I went out and made sure we had some for our trip.

When we were at Easter Seals Camp in the summer, the kids loved the water. But life jackets are very bulky. I probably wouldn't have got them, except Jill raved about them.

OMG! These are the best inventions EVER!

Nick could swim! By himself!

It took about 1 day for him to be comfortable, and that was it. He was off!

 

We did got to the beach as well.

I don't remember really liking the ocean, but I couldn't get enough of it. I loved just riding the waves.

I would have spent my whole day at the beach if I could.

 

Nick wasn't that happy with the beach, or at least in the ocean.
I may have been responsible for that.

Our first day, Nick and I went down. I carried him in and we ran into the ocean. We rode the waves and played. Coming back in, I had him in my lap and was coming back in on my bum (getting sand everywhere). A big wave hit us, we both flew over backwards as the wave rushed over us.
We both came up sputtering.
Nick would not go in the ocean again.
But he loved the sand

And Katheryn loved the surf!

We spent most of the time camped out between one of two pools, in the shallow end, and the beach. My sister and family usually had 4-6 spots saved. And my parents were usually around. The party animals (my brother and friends) were usually at the other pool by the swim-up bar.

The kids really liked going up to the swim-up bar and ordering apple juice or chocolate milk.

The sun got hot and we all had at least 60 sunscreen on (luckily only Kyle and I burned) the kids still got dark.
And every afternoon we all went in for a siesta. The got all dressed up for dinner.

Nick travelled in his wheelchair the whole trip.
The resort was very spread out and we did a lot of walking. So we spent the day in the water, no braces. But put Nick's braces on at dinner time so he could get out of his chair and move around.

 

I knew that this trip was the perfect opportunity to get some family pictures. And it took a while to get what I wanted. I got a bunch of excellent pictures, but never quite what I had in my mind... 

 

 

I took over 700 pictures between 3 cameras, so I got all the pictures that really count.

Nick was not very happy that the wave got him!



 

Not that I'm complaining. I have a beautiful family and we had such an amazing time! I can piece all kinds of pictures together that shows how much fun it was!

 

I could stay here forever!