Chicago Wedding & Indiana Trip

On Saturday, September 19 we drove up to Fort Wayne, IN, Andrea's birthplace and the home of her humongous extended family. The original purpose of the trip was to go to Robbin Hsuing's wedding, a friend from growing up in NY, but I was able to get more time off and we stayed through Wednesday. There was a lot of driving, 10 hrs to IN, 7 hrs the next day to and from Chicago, and then three days later 10 hrs back to NC.

We had a blast at the wedding and really enjoyed spending time with Andrea's family!!! Eli was a trooper, with the change in his schedule, and as always was super cute and entertaining.

Entering Chicago, we missed the first few minutes of the ceremony because we had to stop and buy a tie, because I left mine on the bed in NC, and there was Bears traffic! :-(

The view from the reception. It was a great hotel
and a beautiful wedding and reception.

The meal was great!! The steak is mine and the chicken is Andrea's, it was a great steak!! Andrea was full on appetizers, which were also amazing!! Crab cakes, coconut crusted shrimp, and tenderloin with cream cheese and a pickle (or something of the like)!

Cake time!

The first dance!




We were seated next to a Cello and Guitar player who were playing some wonderful music. Eli loved it!! We was dancing the entire time they were playing and after almost every song he would turn and face them and clap! He was entertaining our whole table and the musicians!

While in Indiana Eli loved walking around while holding your hands. He probably did a hundred circles in Andrea's Grandparents house and definitely cruised the wedding.

The three guys.

Anne, Robbin, and Eli. Eli loved being held by Robbin and it was great to see him again. Anne is so sweet, while we were eating dinner a present was delivered for Eli just in case he needed more entertainment. He loved the toy and it was a fun surprise!

Robbin's family loved Eli and Eli loved them just as much. Robbin's dad danced with him and took him all around the room. Robbin's mom and sister also played with Eli. As we were leaving Eli was still reaching for Robbin's dad wanting to dance more...

The Gwinn's at the wedding. I have a crazy lean
in this pic because Eli is a big boy!

We didn't take many pics outside of the wedding but this was a fun afternoon at Michelle's new house playing Cranium Turbo.

Austin, the little guy upside down in the pic, and I enjoyed wrestling at Michelle's. Another day we went for a "Nature Hike" on a very cool green way with Andrea and Angie and found some acorns, hickory nuts, and a buckeye.


This video is Eli being silly at Grammie's. He does the crazy face when you ask if he is excited. He also tells me "down" and does the hand motion, like we do for Doc, during the video.