Catching up...the wedding!

Philip refereeing Andy & Ashley's wedding!

For the fifth weekend in a row, last weekend I got X-rayed by TSA and boarded an aircraft for locations beyond the TX state line.  This time it was a quick trip one state over, but I knew I had to be there.  My Godson, Andy, asked me to be present at his wedding to Ashley at my mom and dad's house.  How could I say "no"?!

This is a second marriage for both of them so the setting was much more relaxed and very much non-traditional.  Well, for south Louisiana, maybe not so non-traditional!  Andy and Ashley both love the Saints so they had sport-themed nuptials.  Although Andy's brother Philip did hold the whistle in his mouth during the ceremony, there were no flags on the play and the Justice of the Peace pulled off the union without delay :-)

Ashley, Andy and Bryley.

The wedding was small and limited to close friends and family, but the small size kept it meaningful and joyous.  Ashley's daughter Bryley dressed up like a cheerleader and wore herself out running around and celebrating.  As usual, my mom put in a ton of time and love to make sure everything was just right from the yard to the food.  She always downplays her role in these events, but Mom puts her heart and soul into accommodating her children and grandchildren.  As always, the decorations were great, the food delicious and her yard looked amazing.  I don't know how she does it!!

It was great getting to meet Ashley's family and getting to know the important people in her life.  I'm looking forward to many more celebrations that bring the two families together.

The groom's family.

I was only in Louisiana for about 24 hours, but each trip home is worth every minute I get to spend with my family.  I hope that Andy and  Ashley have many years of happiness together and that they tackle life's challenges together as a team.  Yes, that pun was intended!