Caroline Carter sounds famous to me.

So last weekend, we headed to Morehead City, NC for one of my very best friend's weddings. I'll just let this post be a recap, because that's about all I have energy for right now.

Caroline and I danced together our freshman year of college for the NC State dance team...and we literally were best friends after about five minutes of knowing each other. We did everything together in college, including living, eating, drinking, sleeping, and dating.

Andrew and I met because he lived in the same apartment building as us, on the first floor. He later moved into a different apartment in the same building, and one of his roommates was Chad, who Caroline then began dating. And now, eight freakin' long years later, she and Chad finally tied the knot. Meanwhile, Drew and I got married (Caroline was my maid of honor), and had two children.

This is completely out of chronological order, but should you decide to read no further because you do not know Caroline and Chad or care to hear about our weekend at the beach, I felt I had to share this one picture to brighten your day. Hysterical.
So I headed down in the morning on Friday for a luncheon with the ladies...here is Caroline's big huge bridal party...the restaurant was on the water in Beaufort. Beautiful place.Later that day, Andrew and my mom brought the kids down, and my mom stayed with them for the weekend in the hotel as Andrew and I trotted off from one event to the next. Here we are at the rehearsal dinner and after party. I can't remember the last time someone took a picture of us when we weren't wearing dirty t-shirts. It was a nice evening.Being the detail person that she is, Caroline thought of everything, even for the kids. She had personalized buckets waiting for them, filled with sand toys and goodies to play with for the weekend. Hailey loved the sunglasses.See...even their shovels had the appropriate touches!Big bucket for Keeks to fill...though she did.The hotel had a pier, and though my time was limited, I did manage to squeeze in a lunch with the family on Saturday in between breakfast at the salon and getting ready at the church.The kids loved the pier, and walked each of us up and down numerous times. Then Mom and Drew got to play with the kids for a while at the two pools.It was an awesome hotel.Unfortunately, if you hadn't already noticed, I only took my point and shoot camera. Just too much to lug around and keep track of with the other when I was supposed to be doing things other than taking pictures. But this one is still nice for the detail on her dress. Caroline was stunning.The reception was at a beach club, and so much fun. They had a great band, great food, and lots of room for dancing.We also got to catch up with some friends whom we haven't seen in ages. It was so nice. Melissa, I do respect the jazz hands, darling.Like how Brandon and Brandi as a couple are each about six inches taller than us? (And I am even wearing 3 1/2 inch heels!) I need to remember to do this sitting down next time!Now, my mom swears that the kids were wild all evening both nights in the hotel room, but when we got home, this is what we found, so I have absolutely no idea what she was talking about. (Yes I do. The second they are in a hotel room, they instantly lose one half of all brain cells. They run around like monkeys.) (And when I say "they" I mostly mean Keelyn.) (Keelyn is a monkey.) (Mom is a saint.) (Thank you Mom, for keeping them alive.)
There were lots of other really great details...the theme was coral, and the colors were coral red and turquoise blue, and those things touched every piece of everything. They had a beautiful red and blue candy bar for guests to fill boxes with their names on them as favors. The wedding party got to ride in a red London tour bus from the wedding to the reception. (I rode on the top, which is so unlike me, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity with the warm beachy air...and we only went about ten miles an hour, so it was fine.) Their first and last names now all start with "C", so there were "c's" on everything. The girls wore turquoise dresses, and Caroline gave each of us a red parasol that we held in photos on the beach. I can't wait to see the professional photos when they are done. Should be beautiful.

It was a joyful day, and I was so happy to be a part of it and to share in a beautiful ceremony and celebration to follow.

The weekend was a great chance for us to get out of Raleigh as a family for a bit too, even though it was a little disjointed. Sunday offered beautiful weather, and lots of peaceful play on the beach one last time this season before heading home.