Nebraska & Katie's Wedding

 A couple of weeks ago, we embarked on a 1,000 mile road trip to Nebraska for my cousin Katie's wedding. We had the BEST time celebrating Katie and RJ and spending time with my extended family. I lived in Lincoln for all four years of high school, so it's a joy to visit and reconnect with my friends there.

Our first stop on the way: Indiana. We had pizza burgers and orange jello with my Grandpa Dan, Gayle, Aunt Sally, and Uncle Bill. The boys were in heaven to ride in the Ninja Turtle Jeep while eating snowcones.

 

Stopping for lunch the next day at Culver's in Illinois.

Butterburgers and hot fudge sundaes--Mmm!

We were on I-80 driving through Iowa (only about an hour from Nebraska) when we heard our tire suddenly pop. We had driven over an S-hook that destroyed our tire. Steve changed the spare on the side of the very busy road. I made a few calls and found a tire center at a Walmart about 10 miles away. It was 6:30, and they closed at 7, so we made it just in time. I took this photo of the boys at Walmart when we saw our first sign of being close to the Cornhusker State.

Back on I-80 after losing an hour and a half, we drove into the worst thunderstorm of our lives. We were stuck in heavy rain and lightning for a couple of hours, and finally reached our destination safely. The next morning, our car wouldn't start. Go figure! :)  

We stayed with my friend Abby, her husband Kyle, and their daughter Flora. (Somehow I ended up with zero photos of them, but we had such a great time at their house!)

 

Friday afternoon, I went with Katie, the other bridesmaids, and the moms to get our nails done. Steve brought me lunch: Pad Thai from Noodles & Company (a particular pregnancy craving which we don't have at home). Yum!

Bright and early at 7:30 am on Saturday to get our hair and makeup done! Sidenote, Trisha just had her new baby girl Isla yesterday :)

Mother and daughter getting ready.

 

Trisha, Katie and I - ready to go after a full morning at the salon.

Saturday also marked the halfway point of my pregnancy - 20 weeks!!

 

 

Trisha made us the cutest bride & bridesmaid shirts!

 

Getting dressed at the church. Katie was stunning!!

The most beautiful bridesmaid's bouquet with coral and light pink flowers. I absolutely loved it!

The boys trying to sit still at the church ;)

 My cousin Tim escorting Aunt Tina into the sanctuary.

  

Watching Katie walk down the aisle. Our Uncle John performed the ceremony.

A sweet moment where Katie greeted her two boys, the ringbearers.

Married!!

The reception was at a fancy lodge on a golf course, just down the road from my old high school. The coral, gold, and white colors were gorgeous!

Relient K lyrics :)

I had Steve take a couple of photos of my hair from the back. I wish it could look like this every day!

Steve did such an amazing job with the boys all day. It's not easy keeping them entertained at a wedding and reception!

Dancing with cousin Mackenzie :) 

My sweetheart.

I am so in love with this photo, and I'm glad we took it right before they got in the car to leave.

 

 Katie, Aunt Evie, me, and cousin Andrew on the dance floor.

 

Taking a dancing selfie with Andrew, Aunt Meg and Uncle Brian

One last photo of the hair and makeup (and the bump!) before I went to bed.

The next morning, we went to Uncle Paul and Aunt Tina's house for brunch.

Donovan, Ephraim, Nolan, and Liam!

 Because they had forgotten the day before, Katie and RJ needed their wedding license signed and witnessed. Katie asked me and her cousin Andrew to be the witnesses, so we were pretty jazzed to help make it official :)

After this, it was time to continue our road trip on to Minnesota!!

Thank you, Katie and RJ for letting me/us be a part of your special day! We had a blast!

 I'll post the second half of our road trip tomorrow!