The Wedding

Joe and Lauren have been dating for over 7 years. We knew we would having a wedding eventually and Joe finally popped the question this spring. Since then Lauren has been planning the perfect wedding, and she accomplished just that.

Everything, including the weather, was beautiful. Before and after the rehearsal dinner and wedding nights the heat index was crazy hot, but for those two days we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather.

We had the rehearsal dinner at our house and it turned out wonderful. (Thank you Mary & Mandy.....I could NOT have done it without you!)

Lauren wanted a very simple, but elegant wedding and it was just that. A mix between Martha Steward and Shabby Chic, it was beautiful.  I normally always have my camera with me, but it was so busy, I didn't take many pictures which is upsetting. I will have to rely on everyone else to send them to me!

The wedding party:

First kiss (okay, first kiss as Mr. & Mrs.):

 

Ava was a ball of the reception, she can't walk yet, so she just was handed around. She was still up until 11:00 or so, then she just crashed and there was nothing that would even make her move she was so sound asleep.

Joe & Ava:

Matt and Ava:

  Sarah & Craig: (Sarah was a bridesmaid and the first one down the isle. She didn't make it half way up when she started crying. Her twin brother was getting married!)

This one was taken right before an unfortunate fall:

 

Congratulations guys! We love you and are so very happy for you and for Lauren to officially be Mrs. Finke!

For the photographer's pictures you can look at them here in 2 weeks or so: http://www.catchlightimaging.net then click on proof. The password is: finke.

Iowa State Fair

I know, I know, I can't believe I haven't written a wedding post yet, I'm waiting for some more pictures. It will be soon.

My first job at 14 was an usher in my hometown for the Wyoming State Fair. We wore lovely little red vests and escorted  people to their seats in the grand stands for concerts. We always went to State Fair. Al and I have lived in Iowa for 20 years now, but last year was the first year we went to the Iowa State Fair.  To say it's different than the State Fair I remember would be an understatement!

Wyoming has a total population of around 550,000 people, while Iowa has 3 million, so naturally the State Fair is going to be a bit larger.  I couldn't find anything from 2009 for attendance, but 2008 had over a million people that attended. It's crazy and it's crowded, but there is so much to see! I wish we had had more time.

On Friday we went to one of the free concerts and watched The Nadas. The heat index was well over 100, even after dark and it was miserable and the beer cost $8.00 each, but we had fun. Here is Matt and Matty being weird:

 

We went back on Saturday and just walked around and looked with Matt. The heat index was terrible again, but it was packed anyway.  We had a few beers, but the prices were terrible.

One of the things the fair is know for is their varied food vendors. There are over 50 things you can buy "on a stick".

We saw "macaroni and cheese on a stick" but I ran out of battery in my camera. We were trying to figure that one out, how do they do that one?

We were going to stop back at this vendor, but just didn't feel like it when we left. They had every manner of desert deep fried. I know they aren't good for you at all, but I bet they tasted great.

 

They have a big animal contest with pigs, horses, cows and sheep. It was so hot that these big guys just panted and didn't move. I'm not sure that they could move much anyway because they were so huge, but I'm sure the heat made it worse. This is Big D, he weighed in at 1,212 pounds:

 

They had every farm animal you can imagine on display: smallest horse, smallest cow, largest everything, elk, ostrich, llama, and of course a catfish.  We had to run through the chickens. I found a few breeds I will look at next spring when we buy new ones.

It was a good weekend, will have to make reservations for next year!