Rehearsal Dinner Photos

It was a nice time, from the sister-in-law's point of view. Mary Helen got to town around noon; I'd taken Maeve to the doctor for an ear infection (that's all it was, and I was beginning to really worry about her health over all), and so we met after that and went to Viviano's for spaghetti and cheese to go with the other groceries she'd brought. Then we went over to my parents' house and started getting everything ready. Three tables were involved--there were 18 adults and 4 children on the list, although in the end we had 19 adults somehow. Dinner was spaghetti and meatballs, one of those Baudino recipes that is the same every time--I mean in a good way. I grew up in a house where very few meals repeated themselves. This is not so with my in-laws.

The girls played with cousins and the adults ran errands, cooked, and set things up. I picked up tulips and they brightened the table nicely. My mom's good china ("Friendly Village" if you know that set by the Johnson Bros) mingled with her plain white everyday to make enough sets--her Aunt Emily's silver mixed with pieces she'd picked up along the way. Almost enough chairs--I had to bring two from my house. Everything was set and ready for Mike and his dad to watch (along with kids) while the rest of us went up to Pius.

Quick little rehearsal.

And then we were back on Pestalozzi, the house filled with folks, most of them younger than me and unknown, which was a little strange for some reason (for me, I mean--suddenly I'm one of the adults, or something...).


As at all weddings, there were tensions, but I don't think an outsider would have noticed (I only did because I happened to overhear two tense conversations, and then a couple of knowing glances--but I wasn't involved, so I handed Leo to my sister-in-law and ate dinner).
Mary and Steve are so dang cute, really.


Maeve was feeling bad halfway through dinner, though, with that ear infection coming on strong, and so soon after this photo she went upstairs and fell asleep. I took Sophia, Leo, and cousins back to my house to hang out while I did Sophia's hair (Irish Dance stops for no wedding); Mike brought Maeve home later. Needless to say, nobody went to school on Friday.