Norah and I went to Syracuse to visit my college gal pal Kari and her two little girls. We got to tour their lovely new house (Congrats Kari!) and visit the zoo. This zoo is pretty small scale compared to the Denver Zoo – but admission was also about half the price and I think it was just the right size for a toddler to cover. We had perfect zoo weather and particularly enjoyed the penguins. 
Norah bought Bryan a membership to the Children’s Sciencenter for Father’s Day. He said it was just what he wanted.
The Wedding!!!
They were married in the Island Bed garden in the Cleveland Botanical Gardens at 10:30. It was a beautiful ceremony with vows written by the Bride and Groom and an original poem by Matt’s sister Julie. The bridesmaids were Katie, Natalie, myself and Emily was the matron of honor. Matt’s groomsmen were Ram, Christian, Nick and his best man was his childhood friend Brian. It was a gorgeous sunny day and everything went smoothly. I intended to take lots of pictures between the ceremony and the reception but Norah was flipping out so Bryan and I snuck out to give her a nap. I did manage to take some pictures at the reception but the Bride and Groom were busy visiting each table so I mostly just snapped pics of Norah being cute.
Matt’s Mom and Sisters made these cute favors
Grandpa Dean and Norah spent a lot of time together
The pile of Bridesmaid bouquets on our table
Ashley’s friends Katie and Tom
Ashley’s Friend Maggie and her husband. Matt and Ashley’s first date was to their wedding.
I really like this picture.
Norah was mesmerized by the Jazz trio “Up” 
Norah swaying to the music
The food was amazing. I loved the grilled vegetables and green salad with beets and pistachios.
I love me some wedding pie. So much more delicious than cake.
Tired from Dancing
Evie was wiped out
Norah destroying Bryan’s boutonniere
The only picture I took of Ash. 
In the butterfly garden. Butterflies were kind of the theme of the wedding. I kept trying to take pictures of them but they were so fast. They were every where you looked but they didn’t hold still for a moment.
I finally got one. Everyone of those drab looking butterflies in this picture had that same brilliant blue color on the other side of their wings.
The Rehearsal BBQ
Laurie and Brian planned a rock awesome party the night before the wedding at their beautiful home. It was a lot of fun. They had a catered BBQ dinner (Bryan loved the ribs), lawn games, a band and dancing, toys for the tots and karaoke.
Norah pushed this shopping cart around most of the night.
Natalie
Ashley and Matt 
I loved this cabin. Someday Brian and Laurie’s grandkids are going to have great sleep overs in here. 
The Rehearsal
Matt’s Best Man, Brian
Matt’s little sister Katie 
Matt’s Groomsman Ram and his daughter Anushka
The Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Brian and Laurie
Dean and Ash 
Chris giving wisdom and advice
Norah exploring the garden 
The Family Dinner
We had a family dinner for just Matt and Ashley’s immediate family Friday night at an Italian restaurant near Brian and Laurie’s home in Medina. Matt’s sisters, Julie and Katie are both really fun and outgoing and super pretty.
All the pictures I took of Julie were with her helping Norah eat dinner and I didn’t get any with her eyes open. Sorry Julie.
My Parents
Ashley and Me
Matt and his Mom, Laurie. Yes – Matt made that face on purpose.
I had such a wonderful birthday this year! It totally made up for having an MRI on my 25th. Bryan surprised me by taking the entire day off and letting me sleep in. It was soooo nice. Then we spent a really nice morning together as a family and went out for a late lunch / early dinner at the Boatyard Grill. It was a beautiful day so we ate outside and our food was delicious. I had crab stuffed shrimp and Bryan had seared Tuna. Our meals didn’t lend themselves to sharing with Norah so she got her very first bowl of kraft Mac and Cheese from the kid’s menu. She LOVED it by the way. I took lots of pictures of her enjoying her first restaurant meal. After dinner we walked around the canal and Norah found some ducklings to follow around. It was perfectly pleasant.
I was teasing Norah like I was going to eat her mac and cheese. She’d offer me a noodle and then take it back for herself. Some things are just too good to share. Poor girl didn’t realize her dad was sneaking large spoonfuls.
On the left edge of this picture you can see a crew team about to pass us. It was fun to watch them practice.
Aren’t they gorgeous? 
She kind of waddles like a duck herself which made this all the cuter to watch. 
