"In his domestic administration my father had this system . . . to keep a journal and insert in it all occurrences of any note . . . A record very pleasant to look at when time begins to efface the memory of events, and very well suited to get us out of perplexity: When was such and such a thing begun? When completed? What retinues came? How long did they stay? Our trips, our absences; marriages; deaths; the receipt of happy or unhappy news . . . An ancient custom, which I think it would be good to revive, each man in each man's home. And I think I am a fool to have neglected it." (Montaigne, Book I, Essay 35 (publ. 1580))

Monday, November 30, 2015

Mike & Ally got married

Most of us (PJ and me; Nicole and POC; Chris; Kerry and Luis) traveled to Florida for Mike & Ally's wedding over Thanksgiving weekend.

(Photos mostly courtesy CPG . . . still don't have one of the bridal couple!  Will add.)

Thanksgiving dinner in Naples, Florida.
We traveled on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 26) - which worked quite smoothly.  Flew into Ft. Myers; the hotel and wedding were in Naples.  Long day of traveling; we checked in and then went out for Thanksgiving dinner; then we joined other arrivers in the hospitality room at the hotel for chatting, beer, cards, the usual fine things.

Godfather and god-daughter . . . Yuengling and Brocial-Vibe . . . good combinations abound all weekend. 

Friday, November 27 - hotel breakfast and some milling around; then we visited Jay, Gisele and family - they live within 10-15 minutes of the hotel.  They had put together a really nice lunch, and it was pretty much nonstop talking and laughing; perfect weather; we sit out on their patio and look at some photos etc.; much enjoyed the event.  Had never met them but it was unusually easy to (immediately) get acquainted/comfortable.  In the evening, Charlie & Beth hosted a quite-fine rehearsal dinner at a hotel up the road - they treated us all very well, I'd say.  More fun in the hospitality room later in the evening.

Nearly 100% turnout from this crew!  Great to be together.

Saturday, November 28 - another gorgeous day; after breakfast we had some time to wander; our group (Steve, Liz, Cecilia (the birthday girl), Jenna, PJ and me) went and ooh'd and ah'd at some very nice beach housing, then took a walk along the beach.

With my sister and brother on beach . . . Naples, Florida (Gulf of Mexico).
This grouping f/k/a/ "Big Guy Club."


Milling around back at the hotel; eventually we make it to the wedding ceremony (#2, actually) and reception at a lovely Naples country club.  We all were treated very well again (a theme for the entire weekend).  Weather, food, drinks, company - all absolutely nice as could be.

Random photo at the ceremony . . . 

Us, at the reception.

Return flight on Sunday, November 29 - PJ and I left very early (around 6a) in a pretty successful attempt to somewhat get ahead of the Sunday-after-Thanksgiving crush.  Airports full, but all went smoothly.  POC, Kerry, Luis also departed; while Chris and Nicole hung around Florida for a day or two - visited the Wentlings up at Sanibel and were accosted by no-see-ums while otherwise having good-times.

Luis and Kerry perhaps thinking wedding-ish thoughts.

This was a quick but fun trip.  Fun to be together in this kind of setting after all the activities during 2015.  Missed having Grandpa and Grandma there.  (Not to mention Patrick, PJr, Nedda.)

Sanibel - still laughing as bug bites hadn't kicked in.
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)