Upstate New York

Remember that time I went to New York and it took me a month to blog about it? Yes, I'm finally getting around to it.  
So I won't lie and say that the start of our trip to New York was perfect because it ended up being the furthest thing from it.  I learned that the bf does not function well under minimal sleep and lots of stress.  It all started with a phone call at 11:30 pm that our 8 am flight from Indianapolis to Chicago was canceled. After an hour of both waiting on the line and straightening everything out I made the executive decision to take the 6:30 am flight, which would take us to Detroit and then to Upstate.  The other option was to take a 1:40 pm flight but that would get us there rather late and my thought process was well I would rather be with my family and tired then still be in Indiana. But the bf had a lot going on at work and really wanted a good nights sleep in his own bed, which I get but I don't get to see my family that much so my mindset was just to get the hell home! Anyways we got in a fight and I ended up driving us to the airport at 2:30 am because we couldn't sleep and it's about an hour and 20 mins to the airport anyways.  Fights happen especially under stress but it is all how you work through it together. After talking through it, he apologized and we moved forward.  When we got there my brothers Sean and Liam and his wife and 2 kids were there. It was such a gorgeous day and we spent it outside drinking beers, playing corn hole, eating yummy New York pizza, and laughing about old times.  Couldn't have been more perfect!  

Corn hole with my brothers Liam and Sean! And yes my mom has flamingos in her yard...

Friday all the ladies went and got mani and pedis while the men did some honey do list items in preparation for my moms wedding. (Number 79 on my 101 Things List)  We stopped and got a cocktail before heading home, because well we all love to drink and why not? The rest of Friday was spent getting things done outside prepping for the rehearsal/wedding!  All the guys wanted to do was play cornhole, needless to say they were somewhat useless.   At this point I was still freaking out about the toast I would have to give because that's what I do I stress myself out for no apparent reason at all other than to raise my blood pressure. After the rehearsal run through and hanging with family it was time to get away for a little bit. Phil and I went into town to meet up with my sistew Erin and meet her new BF!!!

Sister in-law! 

Saturday was obviously all about the wedding!  For those that don't know I don't have your typical family.  My Mom and Dad were married for 25 years, had four kids and then my mom came out of the closet.  So now I have 2 Moms.  They have been together since I was 12 so my Moms now wife has been a big part of my life.
I wanted to be there for my mom and help her in any way.  For the most part all the flowers were set up it was just finishing all the last minute touches, lighting all the candles, talking to the caterer, and getting ready which took way longer for me than it needed to.  I had a hair crises because the lady showed up late and didn't have time to do my hair, which I would have been fine with but I didn't have anything with me to do my hair but my bf went and got me bobby pins and my Aunt saved the day and helped me out.  The wedding itself was just beautiful and comical.  2 year olds are just so unpredictable.  My lil nephew was supposed to walk down the aisle with me but he decided that was not happening.  So Martha, my moms wife picked him up and he was kicking and screaming the entire way they walked down the aisle, everyone was cracking up!  Haha and then half way through the ceremony my little niece fell on the stone and started screaming.  It was simply perfect because it just sums up our family. 

My family! 

Decorations!

The Toast (Which I have to say is all about the delivery) It was a huge hit, both with tears and laughter!  

Good evening family and friends!   First off, congratulations to the newest married couple of Trumansburg.  You both look beautiful tonight.   I can’t express how happy I am that this day has arrived, that you two are finally able to stand here as a married. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time and I can only imagine that these two have been waiting even longer.  It truly is such an honor to be part of this special day and a moment I will never forget.

Martha, welcome to the family officially, even though I already considered you to be, you’re a brave one because we sure haven’t made it easy. You have supported me through good times and bad.  We have had many fights but yet so many more hugs.  You truly have become a parent figure in my life.  Most importantly you have brought laughter and joy back into my mom’s life and when I see you two look at one another it’s obvious of the love and happiness you both share.  So I thank you for being an incredible partner for my mom, but also thank you for considering me the daughter you never had.  Please take care of her and treasure each moment you have together.  I love you.

To my beautiful mother and best friend, I can’t express how happy I am to be a part of this day with you. There isn't a time looking back that you haven't been there for me or supported me in the newest crazy idea that I seem to come up with. You truly are an inspiration to me and I find myself being more and more like you every day and I am so proud.  You stand up for what you believe in and fight for what you love.  So today I am here to support you and your love for Martha, I couldn’t have been more honored to stand by your side when you said “I do”.  I love you to the moon and back!

To the two of you, you've both worked hard to get here today and when life handed you difficulties, it did not make you bitter, it made you better. Your marriage to each other is a true triumph and example of a love that I look up to.  I’m a big believer in the idea that when it comes to the person you’re meant to be with, when you know, you know. (Thats when I looked at Philip) Today’s beautiful bride and bride, are the perfect example of this.  Congratulations and enjoy each day of your marriage together. Be friends to each other, share each others hopes and fill each others dreams.  Let’s raise our glasses to the happy couple, to my Mom and Martha, Cheers and I love you both.  

 

The Toast!  (Number 92 on my 101 Things in 1001 Days List)

 
The rest of the wedding was spent mingling with everyone, eating, and of course drinking and dancing!

Sister!!!

My mom knows how to get down!

My Mom and the Maid of Honors!

Paper Lanterns.

Sunday Phil I get to spend all day with my sistew, her new man, and her family.  We walked the Watkins Glen gorges where we got the booty workout of the week with the 2 miles of stairs, had lunch on Seneca Lake, hit up some wineries for tasting (Number 13 on my list), went to a family friends pool, and ended the night with a bonfire/hot tub party in the pouring rain. It was a fun filled drunk fest of a day!  This my friends was the day that I consumed far too many adult beverages and the pool was about the time that I bawled my eyes out on my best friends lap because I miss her.  

Seneca Lake

Best Friend and her Man! 

Friends

The rest of the trip was spent being with my family and showing the bf around all the local joints! It was so nice to be home for 6 days because I don't get the chance to be home that often.  It's a 10.5 hour drive or an expensive plane ticket, aint nobody got time for dat.  

Just playing cards with my cat....jk Fun night playing skipbo and drinking beers with the family and Phil

The rip roaringggg Falls 

Ithaca Guns

House built by Frank Lloyd Wright behind us.  

Now I am back home and its already been a month because I suck and I'm still sad because I miss my family and friends!  I'm glad the bf got to be part of it, I'm glad I got to spend so much time with my sister and her new boo, which by the way I approve, he's a keeper, i'm happy that I got to be with all three of my brothers, i'm so happy to have been part of my mom and her partner's wedding (Number 7 on my list), and I got to check off lots of items on my list, which is a good feeling!  Good news is both my Mom and Dad will be visiting in November, but not at the same time of course and I get to see sister on a cruise for a whole week in 3 months! Party dance! :)