Practice Makes Perfect - The Rehearsal Dinner!

So, just a few hours after landing, a long flight from 

Abu Dhabi to Chicago, via Dublin....I make it in time for 

the Rehearsal Dinner.....the best seeing everyone!

My kiddos!  Sheridan, Jessica, Grady, Meredith, Me and Amanda!

Many emotional moments....Julio hugging his sister Veronica

Veronica toasting Meredith and Julio.

Grady and Sheridan

Sheridan and Danielle

Ricky Jr. toasts the happy couple!

My dad with Meredith and Amanda!

Meredith and Veronica....all excited to be one happy family.

Me and Meredith!

The happy couple.

The wonderful toasts and stories made the evening special. 

Luis, Julio's friend from childhood
and the best mangets choked up toasting his friend. 

Grady, Jessica and Amanda

Grady and Jessica

Emma - poured her heart out -
a very moving speech!

the place was a hopping!

Dad, with the girls!

Dad and Dolores

My Daddy!

Billy, Amanda and DAD. 

Bernie gave a speech in English and Spanish. 

Amanda and DAD

Sweetpea....our beautiful grand daughter
Adelyn.....

The name has changed, but where Julio and Meredith met....

Three Words:  Love Conquers All!

Chicago - My Kind of Town

Chicago is an amazing city!  WE had fabulous weather! 

Great to see family and of course, enjoy the wedding!

ART Institute of Chicago on Michigan Avenue.....

Another view and in this one you can see the famous lions at the entrance. 

Buckingham Fountain....across the street from our hotel. 

Chicago River.....

Double Decker Bus Tours.....and the largest VW ad
I have ever seen in my life. 

Flowers blooming in mid September.

Theresa at Navy Pier.

Lake Michigan on a clear day!

Marilyn Monroe .....bigger than life. 

Navy Pier.....

Wendella Boats!  A must do when you visit the city!

Three Words: We'll be BACK!

They said "I DO"

The most beautiful day, when our daughter Meredith and Julio were married.  The pictures are not in order, but you get a glimpse of the magical day!

The bridal party...L to R
Jessica  (our daughter), Brittany, Stephanie, Veronica
Meredith, Amanda (our daughter), Sheridan (our daughter)
Tori and Emma. 

Brothers now....Julio and Grady (our son)

Little sis and Big Bro....Theresa and Duane

Happy Parents!

Still happy....great to see everyone!

All dressed up....

Da men....Julio, Duane and Joe

The bride and groom at their table. On the table are
pictures of both of them on the cards as little kids. 

They're married!
Beautiful dress......

My dad....turns 80 next May, hope I have those genes!

Joe and Dad

Meredith dances with Veronica, one of the
flower girls and now her niece. 

dessert is served...the flan was AMAZING!!

Julio and his mom Esther

The bride and groom...

First dance....

Flower girls.....so adorable!

Da boy....Grady

Grady and Emma!

Grady, Sheridan and Amanda!

The groom's party....

A good time had by all!

Here comes the bride!

So beautiful....just looking at her....you felt
her joy and happiness.

Vows....something they did that was so
special.  Meredith read vows in English, then
Julio in Spanish, then when Julio read his,
Meredith spoke in Spanish....so unique. 

I pronounce you husband and wife.....

Julio and his dad, Julio.

JB the ring bearer, Stephanie's son.
It was also his 6th birthday.....

Julio and his folks...Julio and Esther.

You may kiss the bride!

Luis gets emotional....so sweet that he loves them
both so much....

Amanda and Luis....best man and MOH!

Meredith and Brittany....childhood friends and
besties to this day.....

Sisters who share the year they both got married!

Meredith and ME!

My baby is getting married....How blessed we are!

Esther and I follow a tradition of placing a unity rope
on Julio and Meredith during the ceremony. 

The officiant who performed the ceremony
in English and Spanish. 

At the reception....a photo booth. So much fun and a
great keepsake for them and the guests. 

program for the wedding

Life is a banquet and a place has been set for you....
the table for bride and groom aka Merjulio!

Meredith and her gal pals.

We remove the unity rope after the vows!

The reception was at a gallery...beautiful space, lots of room. 

Having fun....the picture says 1000 words

vows.....

Maid of Honor makes a speech....and touches the hearts
of everyone in the room.

Dinner....all mexican and it was DELICIOUS.



So, what you should know is that it was a great day,
went to fast and we feel blessed we were all there
to share in the celebration of Meredith's and Julio's
wedding day.  

Three words:  We are BLESSED!