Iowa Wedding Weekend

Hello there!  After 17 hours of travel, we made it home at 3:30 AM early this morning.  Our flight yesterday from Moline, IL to Chicago was delayed, our flight from Chicago to Newark was delayed, and then after being in a holding pattern for a while we were diverted to Scranton, PA.  Eventually we deplaned and then were later told we were being sent to Newark via bus. (They said NYC area airports were closed for weather)  Phew, quite a long trip, but it was worth it!  Pat's good friend and fraternity brother married his best friend, his girlfriend from law school.  :o)

Pat and I arrived in the adorable Iowa City by noon on Friday after an easy drive across the Mississippi River in our rental car.  We got to meet up with Brandon, the groom, and treat him to a couple drinks.  Then we met up with Kristen, the bride, and a few other folks as seen here:

It sure was fun to be back in a college town.  Not that I like beer, but this pitcher was just 3 bucks!

Once they'd finished the rehearsal, it was time for the delicious rehearsal dinner at The Brown Bottle.  Here are a few of the groomsmen: Pat, Jason, and Sean.

Me and Carrie

And really what is a rehearsal dinner if you don't go across the street to a bar afterwards? Our destination was Bo James and it had super cheap drinks!  Many of the fellows were buying rounds of shots, etc.  Several pictures from the bar...

Amanda, Carrie, Andrea

Jason and Matt

Jeremy, Pat, Jeff

Phil and Pat

And on to the Wedding Day!!  I'm sure the weather wasn't exactly what Kristen was hoping for, but everything was still really nice.

Man, I wish this hadn't come out fuzzy.

Wedding Party about to load up the trolley (and me too).

The trolley drove around town and stopped for a few pictures. (luckily these were right before a rain storm came through)

And the trolley even found it's way to a bar.

I was thrilled to see a mariachi band at the cocktail hour.

Look what else was at the cocktail hour:

Then we entered the Hotel Vetro ballroom for a great dinner, followed by dancing and hanging out with old college friends.

All 4 of us gals are married to our college sweethearts. :)

I know Pat had a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends.  I hate that we live so far away from so many of them.

One thing I miss about the midwest is Steak n Shake! mmmm  We got to indulge before all our travel troubles on Sunday.

I'm very lucky that I got to sleep in a bit this morning.  Pat is working on 2 hours of sleep, plus a little from airport floors, planes, and the bus. 

United sent us both $150 e-certificates this morning, so that was nice.

I hope Kristen and Brandon have an easy flight to Hawaii today.

xo