Guests Are Headed to the Hotel

The guests are headed to Hotel Monaco for the reception.   Adele made arrangements for the wedding party to travel together to the reception.  The hotel is only a couple of miles from the church.  All vehicles in this story, except for the PT Cruiser, were purchased from local thrift stores over the years.  All cost less than $3 each.  Please forgive the black van.  It is in the process of an overhaul, that I didn't quite get to yet.

One section of the church parking lot.  The vehicles on the left were turned around for the story.

"Do you know how to get there?"  (Kara)

"It's right in Old Town, just a few blocks away."  (Chris)

"Boy, oh boy.  Too bad he's married."  (Lydia)

"Girl, you need to stop.  He is married,  so you need to let that go."  (Paulette)

"Are we the only single people in this town?"  (Lydia)

"No, there are plenty of single people.  Just remember we are happily single.  It is only at functions like this that we dream about the other side."  (Paulette)

"You are so right.  Let me snap out of this.  That's why I am not fond of going to weddings." (Lydia)

Lydia's momentary object of desire is David, Leslie's husband.  He knows he is being checked out, and he's actually enjoying the attention.

"Uh oh, honey.  We forgot we were blocking the cars."  (Lisa)

"Let's go Miss Missy.  Your dad needs to get in."  (Kara)

"I want to ride up front with you."  (Jolisa)

"In the back and buckle up."  (Kara)

"We are so sorry for blocking you in.  We expected to leave a little early, but totally forgot about the car." (Lisa)

"No problem.  It's a beautiful day out and we were just enjoying the sights."  (Lydia)

Paulette wants to laugh, but knows that will cause even more confused looks.

"Get in Tyler.  Where is your mom? " (Keith)

"Oh yeah, she told me to tell you that she was coming."  (Tyler)

"Here they come." (Christopher)

"Hey Toni.  Did you happen to see my wife?"  (Keith)

"Hey Keith.  She was right behind me.  I'm sure she's on her way." (Toni)  

"Okay, thanks" (Keith)

My husband, Keith, hates to wait around.  I think subconsciously I make him wait sometimes, even though I know it upsets him.  I'd like to think I am not doing it on purpose.  I must admit, he's a little sexier when he's a little miffed.  Well, maybe it's not subconscious at all. 

"Buckle up, young lady."  (Kara)

"Let me tell you about the temper tantrum your daughter had while you were doing hair."  (Chris)

"Why is she my daughter, when she acts up?  She only acts like that when she is with you." (Kara)

"We were in church.  I thought it was best to let it play out.  (Chris)

"Honey, if you stop letting it play out, she will stop doing it." (Kara)

"I'm sorry honey.  I lost track of time."  (Vanessa)

"Well it's nice of you to grace us with your presence." (Keith)

"

"Mommy, can I ride with Aunt Toni?" (Jessica)

"That's fine with me.  Toni, is that okay with you?" (Sylvia)

"Yes. That's fine." (Toni)

"Do you need help with her?"  (Darren)

"No.  She's not sleep.  She's just pretending.  Too much excitement.  She's afraid she will miss something if she goes to sleep."  (China) 

"Mommy, can I ride up front because it's going to be too crowded back here."  (Zahara)

"The cops will get me if I let you ride up front."  (Toni)

"Really?  Why?"  (Zahara)

"They say you are too small to ride up front.  Let's let Jessica ride up front.  After all she is our guest."  (Toni)

"Bye Daddy."  (Jessica)

"Bye honey.  I'll miss you."  (Dad)

"Da-ad, I'm going to see you when we get there."  (Jessica)

"I'll still miss you."  (Dad)

"Oh, Daddy.  Bye." (Jessica)

Joseph is peering out the window into the Taylor car.

(This was another unposed shot.  I tell you these dolls do the strangest things at times.  I just threw him in the back, while I got Olivia seated.  When I looked back, this is how I found him.)

'I think I have a couple of admirers."  (David)

"Yes, only in your head.  You were always thinking that someone was checking you out.  I thought you were over that phase.  Newsflash, you are not all of that, big brother."  (Olivia)

"I'm just saying, you can be very inconsiderate at times.  If you know we are waiting out here, why would you stay there talking."  (Keith)

"Honey, I've apologized.  It's over.  We are not going to ruin a wonderful day over this.  Come here."  (Vanessa) 

(Yes, we kiss in front of the kids.  Don't judge.)

"Do you forgive me?"  (Vanessa)

"Well, since you put it that way."  (Keith) 

"Daddy, can you come back here with me?" (Taylor)

"Taylor, we are going to be there in about five minutes.  Okay?" (China)

Next up....Hotel Monaco!

Rod and Danielle's Wedding Photos

Shantavia was hard at work taking the wedding photos.  There were major lighting issues inside the church.  She hopes to get some outside shots later.  Here are a few of the wedding photos.  I put together a quick 1 min slideshow, which has quite a few more of the photos.

This picture is one of the last ones taken.  Rod and Danielle started getting a little too comfortable.  Hey, there are still people in the church!

Luckily all the ladies, except for Sunni, were still in the church.

Shantavia meant to retake this picture without the table.  Oops.  It's one of my favorite shots, though.  Look at little Ms. Ciana.  She got the pose and the smile going.

Right about this time, Rod and Danielle started looking at each other all googly eyed.  Then it got a little heated in the church.  Hence, the picture near the top.

This was not a wedding picture.  Shantavia just captured these two as they were waiting for another photo.  Jacob has set his eyes (and hands) on Nicole's earring.  

Awww, such a sweet couple.  Actually Ian is being asked about the woman in the back.

Antoinette finally gets to have a word with Tony.  She didn't really want anything.  She, too, is feeling a little nostalgic after the wedding and just wanted a moment with her hubby.

"Are you okay?" (Mike)

"Yes, I am just exhausted.  I can't wait to take a nice long bath and crawl under the bed."  (Adele)

Deep down this is not what Mike wants to hear.  He was really hoping to have a nice romantic night with his wife that he hasn't seen in about a month now. 

"So now does that mean you have two moms?"  (Jessica)

"She's my stepmom." (Nicole)

"What does that mean?" (Jessica)

"I don't know." (Nicole)

More Wedding Photos (Quick Slideshow)

Food, food, and more food

I am in mourning, not ready to talk about why.  But in my efforts to keep busy and my mind off my sadness, I made some food.   If I had some extra money, I probably would have gone shopping.   If I wasn't being weighed in a couple of days, I probably would have gone to an all-you-can eat Chinese buffet.   Instead I cooked.... in miniature of course.  

I made a supreme pizza, which I put in the Etsy store a few hours ago.

There's Halle and Diego. 

I made a few things for the reception.

These are little ravioli styled appetizers.  They are pasta triangles, stuffed with ricotta cheese and herbs, topped with a tomato sauce. 

These are spinach and cheese stuffed pasta cups.  I want to make sure I have enough food for the vegetarians that will be in attendance.

These are heart shaped, chocolate glazed cookies.

I also redid the chicken and waffles and the eggs, bacon, and hasbrowns.  I am still not happy with the bacon, so that won't make the store just yet.  The waffles need a little more syrup before I can list it.  They work perfectly fine in my dios though.

The last thing I made was small bowls of cottage cheese.  These will make the store, once I get some good pictures.

This is the second post of the day.  You can see the first one, After the Wedding Ceremony, here.

After the Wedding Ceremony

A number of the guests have left the sanctuary.  They are either in the vestibule, the restroom, or headed to the hotel.  The guests that are left are waiting for the wedding party to reappear.  Shantavia will be taking some of the wedding pictures here.

Sydney has fallen asleep.  Mike has decided to wait here for Adele.

"Wasn't that the most beautiful ceremony?" (Tina)

"It sure was.  Where's Harrison?" (Shantavia)

"Oh, he went to get the car.  So honey, when are you going to settle down?" (Tina)

"Oh mom, please don't start that."  (Shantavia)

"My heart is still fluttering after that." (Kara)

"That reminded me of our wedding." (Chris)

"We did have a beautiful wedding, didn't we?" (Kara)

"What do you say we skip the reception?" (Chris)

"And do what?  Never mind.  We are not skipping the reception."  (Kara)

"Jada, mommy is getting ready to go back to work.  I will meet you and grandma at the hotel."  (Shantavia)

"Can't I stay with you?"  (Jada)

"No.  Not this time.  I won't be long."  (Shantavia)

"Hello."  (Jolisa)

"Taylor, don't go any further than right there."  (China)

"Okay, mommy."  (Taylor)

Hmmm, Chad has plans for his little sister.

"What's taking them so long?  I want to wait, but I want to make sure we get a good seat at the reception."  (Lisa)

"I hear there were a lot of people in the overflow room.  I think we should head out and catch up with Rod and Danielle later. (Charles)

"Honey, get Chad.  I don't want him waking up Chelsea." (Lisa)

"Mom, are we going  home now?"  (Tyler)

"No, we still have to go to the reception."  (Vanessa)

"The what?" (Tyler)

"It's called the reception and it's where they have lots of food and drinks."  (Vanessa)

"After we leave there can I go to Dillon's house?"  (Tyler)

"It will be way too late to visit when we leave." (Vanessa)

"Are we leaving now?"  (Nikaya)

"No, I wanted to wait to see your dad.  I'm going to take Zahara and Kenaz to the restroom.  Are you coming?"  (Toni)

"Yes.  Can Jessica ride with us?"  (Nikaya)

"It's fine with me, but she needs to make sure it's okay with her parents."  (Toni)

"What's wrong,  Jessica?"  (Sylvia)

"She lost her money."  (Christopher)

"What money?" (Sylvia)

"Daddy gave me $3."  (Jessica)

"Okay, I'm ready.  We just have to make a quick pit stop before we go."  (Michelle)

"I figured as much."  (Frank)

"I know I told you guys this earlier, but you two really look nice."  (Mom)

"Thanks, mom."  (Ian)

Raven's thank you is somewhat distracted.  She is wondering why the lady in the back keeps staring at her.  

"Who is that with Ian?  (Olivia)

"If I were a betting man, I would say it was his woman.  She's cute."  (David)

"She's alright.  (Olivia)

"Do I detect a little jealousy?  You didn't think Ian was here twiddling his thumbs waiting for you to come back, did you?"  (David)

"Of course, not."  (Olivia)