C&D get married (2 of 3)

[This post covers Chris & Dharma wedding day plus Saturday; prior post (via this link) covers the week prior; subsequent post (via this link) covers temple ceremony and following.]

Could this setting have been nicer?

Friday 17 November  - wedding day has finally arrived!  PJ and I start with breakfast-on-patio with Barb, Therese, Mark, Jim, Carol.  Then it's time to get busy - PJ joins the girls for all the prep and dressing stuff; I head to Walgreen's to pick up a few family photos for display at the reception; elsewhere the groom's party is doing this and that (golf simulator, lunch, etc.)

Leading up to photo shoot . . . 

Once properly dressed - we start gathering for the photo shoot with the professional photographer.  But prior to this is a nice moment as Chris gets his first look at the bride.  With the groom's party as witnesses.  The photo process does take quite a while - but everyone looks rather nice - especially impressive/unique is the attire of the bride and her party.

. . . photo shoot samples . . .  

. . . and more photo shoot samples . . .

The group next moves on to the staging area outside/back of the main lobby area as more and more guests arrive.  Yesterday was sunny and almost hot - which worked well in rehearsal garb - today was a bit cloudy but perfectly room temperature - ideal conditions.

Walking up to the wedding ceremony area.  A nice moment for us with CPG.

Then the wedding party formally enters the lovely outdoor area that they've set up and - once Sreedhar has escorted Dharma to the front - the ceremony starts.  Rose - as officiant - seems to have a real knack for this kind of thing (the wedding planners were inquiring whether she would take on jobs for others, which seems like a good sign).  Steve and Barb (godparents of CPG) do a fine job with their readings.  Short, lovely ceremony.  Happy.  We walk out in order; paperwork is signed - all is official!

I much like this view of the ceremony.

And also this alternative long view.

It was lovely.

Making it official (#1)

Making it official (#2)

The wedding arrangers at the Legacy resort did a really fine job in the outdoor reception area - it was absolutely lovely - and the perfect November evening temperatures were a plus as well.  The guest list included - in addition to family and locals - a long list of Chris's friends who we've known for so many years, plus a long list of absolutely delightful friends of Dharma's (OK they're all friends of everyone but you know what I mean), some of whom we've known for a while now, all of whom we look forward to remaining in contact with.

This fine grouping seems to be handling the transition from "wedding
ceremony" to "dinnertime" quite well.

That's a long way of saying it was just a fantastic group, and a group that certainly knew how to celebrate a wedding.  And that's what everyone definitely was in the mood to do - all were very obviously happy for C&D.

Dinner/dancing area  . . . outdoor settings were perfect.  Overall, the
resort has an old-time Arizona feel.

Indian food courtesy Marigold Maison - they did a great job.  Plenty of other refreshments.  The DJ did a great job.  Dancing.  Photo booth fun.  Dancing.  Plus a chance to say hello to so many of the guests, we truly enjoyed just wandering around trying to catch up with everyone.  Dancing.  Pretty hard to beat.

Another view of the reception area . . . the dinner portion is just getting started here as our heroes arrive.

Yes the dance was this much fun (#1)

Yes the dance was this much fun (#2)

Yes the photo booth was this much fun.

We had arranged for the golf club bar (right on premises) to remain open after the reception ended - and we had a great turnout there - ridiculously fun, as a few of the photos here might suggest.  Everyone is HAPPY about the wedding, and being together.

For some reason PBR was the featured brew.  For some reason we posed with
same.  For some reason people kept joining us.

After-reception party, with Elephant.

Several efforts were made to capture the next gen folk on film, so to speak.  As
with PBR photography, additional folks kept showing up.

That bar eventually closes, and a good chunk of the party moves onto a guest room where things continue for quite a while longer.  Yes this part also was quite fun.

After the after party.

We were sorry when it finally ended!  A great day.

Saturday 18 November - some of the Midwesterners arise early for South Mountain hiking (Fat Man's Pass) - not us.  Breakfast with PJ; then we gather in [somebody's] resort room where a good-sized group was assembled; we recap the previous day's events and chatter in general.  This generally was a "free day" for guests to do whatever.

The prior day's events left us with quite a bit to review.  Which we did.

Many gathered at the resort pool and ended up hanging out there for many hours - perfect weather, again - this was a good setting for catching up and whatnot.  Some gathered in Charlie's hotel room to watch ND football.

Perfect pool day.

In the evening - we proceed into downtown Phoenix for a gathering at the DeSoto Central Market - a fine turnout here as well, the place works just as planned - games, food, drinks, room to mix and mingle, etc.  Another full, fine day.

Distinguished guests on patio at DeSoto Central Market.

DeSoto Central Market

Saturday dinner at DeSoto, complete
with chattering.

C&D get married (1 of 3)

2017 was filled with major blessings - the three most significant being (i) the March wedding of Kerry & Luis (see here, and also here); (ii) the November wedding of Chris & Dharma (initially noted here, and I'm adding more description and photos starting in this post (and also in this post, and finally in this one); and (iii) a certain arrival in December (via this link).

Long-awaited:  we get to meet Sreedhar and Janu!  (Dinner at The Parlor.)

C&D wedding utterly unique among our four family weddings in terms of the setting, the ceremonies, the guest list; yet utterly similar to the other weddings in terms of the amazing turn-out from around the country (family traveling cross-country twice for 2017 weddings!), the enthusiasm of all of the guests, the perfect weather - the overall pervasive warmth and happiness.

Getting all legal.

And the best news of all from the wedding weekend:  Dharma officially becoming a family member!

Here's what happened -

Through Wednesday 15 November

Sreedhar and Janu arrive in Arizona from Bangalore on Wednesday 8 November; we meet them for dinner at the Parlor on Friday 10 November - seems like we've been anticipating this meeting forever, was great that it finally happened. So nice, in fact, that we gathered with them at Richardson's the next day; then PJ made dinner for them plus the in-town family group on Sunday 12 November.  A big plus that Sreedhar and Janu arrived early and we had some time together before the main events kicked off.

Artistry.

Lots of wedding prep activities during these days; I didn't contribute much to the process though PJ and I did meet up with Sreedhar, Janu, C&D on Tuesday 14 November for wedding license acquisition.

More out of town folks start arriving on Wednesday 15 November - Kerry & Luis; Patrick & Shane.  Bride-focused activities ensued - nails; henna (at C&D's house).  Also: tailoring on our kurtas.  Etc.  That evening there is a large and fine get-together at C&D's house - family, friends, food, fun.  During which the Houses arrive - the first Midwest family arrivals.  Sreedhar presents me with an outfit for Sunday's temple ceremony - the fathers will be pretty similarly outfitted, so thoughtful, a nice moment!

Thursday 16 November

The "day before" is always pretty wonderful.  Guests are arriving steadily; we are getting organized at the house to relocate down to the wedding hotel; PJ and I head down in early afternoon (and chauffeur Jon Blaha).  Rooms are lovely at the Legacy Golf Resort - in fact, the entire facility is.  Wonderful November weather.

Wednesday evening party at C&D's house - (1) sisters; (2) cake; (3) Sreedhar's gift
to me (to be worn at temple ceremony).  Nice.

Rehearsal . . . 

Group-of-seven at rehearsal dinner.

The wedding crew meets up at the main lobby area, then on down to the rehearsal area.  Officiant Rose seems to have things under control; we work through our paces; beautiful space for the ceremony.  Final tune-up - we dress for the rehearsal dinner and head over to Quiessence (just a mile or so away).

Some fine folks at the rehearsal dinner.

Rehearsal dinner attendees . . . 

This place exceeded expectations (which were quite high).  We start with drinks on the patio; it is wonderful as always to mingle around and say hello to everyone.  Then we move inside for the meal (the menu is amazing, see EPG's photo posted at bottom for details).  The pace is quite leisurely, so we start the process of greeting the guests and having them say a thing or three about C&D.

Sreedhar presents EMG with what I'll call a "shawl" - yet another mark of recognition 
and respect for the wedding's elder attendee - this was a nice moment.

Something about the crowd, and the small/rather intimate room, and mostly how everyone feels about C&D - but this part was really quite fine.  Lovely, thoughtful remarks from so many folks.  Sreedhar brings a shawl-type garment for EMG - their respect toward him throughout the weekend was as touching as it was gratifying - this was a nice moment, one of many.

Patrick did a fine job capturing all rehearsal dinner guests-at-table.

Back to the hotel!  Where a group of C&D's friends had taken charge of what we billed as a henna party - but it involved much more.  The henna part of course was quite fun, and many were able to participate.  The food-and-drink part also was quite fun.  Plus it's a much larger group of folks now in comparison to the rehearsal dinner, so we have a chance to catch up with many more people.

The henna party was FUN!

Let me repeat:  the henna party was FUN!

I really liked (so "borrowed") this collage of the skit etc. (originally appeared on FB).

We also learn that these parties often include skits - and the presenting team did a pretty wonderful job putting together a skit recounting C&D's courtship - just a great job, everyone much enjoyed.  Also a "quiz" for the betrothed couple.

The "quiz" was quite entertaining . . . 

All this extends late into the evening; after which we visit NOC/POC room where a fine party is going on; after which we call it a (great) day.

Rehearsal dinner menu (Quiessence)

a wedding in the family!

Will post much more as additional photos become available . . . in the meantime here's a placeholder with just a few photos - Chris & Dharma were married on 17 November!

Another incredible wedding.  Another batch of so-fun events before and after.  Another unbelievable turnout of family and friends.  Our family/friends set is pretty much a known quantity at this point when it comes to celebrating weddings (i.e. unbeatable) but there was a plus factor:  Dharma's family and friends (OK we consider them our family and friends now as well) - they made everything better.  Including a Sunday (19 November) ceremony at the Hindu temple (in Tempe) that no one will forget.

Slightly adapting what I wrote several months ago:  "an immense feeling of gratitude that we have Chris, and Dharma, and all the family and friends (old and new-ish, in both categories), and such warm and wonderful times together."

Swan Lake

Here I am at age 61 and had never attended a ballet performance.  Nedda has been planning to correct this, and it happened on Saturday 28 October - Ballet Arizona put on Swan Lake with the Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall (PJ, Nedda, PJr me attending).

PJr/Nedda had lined up seating in one of the little balconies - which I think made a big difference - the unobstructed view from somewhat overhead made it much easier to see the various patterns.  Plus the extra space was nice.


My low expectations were way off the mark - I don't know enough to judge intelligently, but I definitely thought it was a great show.  Tchaikovsky's music certainly is pretty wonderful, and Nedda advises that the lead ballerina was quite good.  The combination of dance and music was surprisingly effective.  Glad we went.

Followed by a late supper at Taco Guild - a converted church with entirely satisfactory food/drink. 

New Jersey - New York

Direct from our visit to K&L in Virginia, PJ and I moved onto New Jersey/New York:

Thursday 12 October
Uber to DC's Union Station and Acela Express to Newark.  Found our way to the "quiet car".  The train is billed as topping out at 140 mph but I'm confident we never approached it.  Still - quick, easy, and rather unusual for us.  Dave Kollar picks us up at the Newark station and we go directly to his/Sonny's house in Newark metro area - nice! - we don't know this area of the world at all, never quite got used to the Manhattan skyline views that would jump out unexpectedly, whether from a window in their house, or just when touring around area streets.  Initial chatting and snacking, then I go back to the airport with Dave to pick up Dan & Cricket.  This get-together has been oft-discussed, hard to believe it actually happened.

Initial rounds of appetizers (many fine choices but Sonny's dumplings really stood out) and we tried Dave's Manhattan(s); then a pretty wonderful dinner with kabobs 'n sides, tiramisu, wine, espresso and other goodies I'm forgetting.  Dave & Sonny outdid themselves for sure.  Lots of chattering, including planning for the rest of the weekend.

Friday 13 October
The day's agenda:  hang out in Manhattan.  Starting with public transportation (several segments, this alone is rather fascinating to automobile-only folks like us) into the station at the new World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.  We wander the area; Dave has lined up tickets to the 9/11 memorial - kind of amazing - we've not been in NYC for quite some time and the 9/11 references are widespread.

Subway to Greenwich Village area where we stop for some small-shop pizza - it sure looked and tasted NYC-authentic to us, a treat.  Dave's brother (Ron) ended up out of the country during our visit (which was a disappointment though his excuse seemed legit) - but we used his Greenwich Village apartment as a stopping point - neat all around - we rest there a bit.  Then start walking around the Village, eventually wandering for quite a while along the Highline Trail - impressive, especially the landscaping.  Walk back to Ron's place; change; walk to Minetta Tavern - a classic NYC restaurant experience; some of us had better luck with our orders than others, but the experience was exactly what we were looking for.  By coincidence Nicole was in town getting together with some of her friends; they were in roughly the same area and we missed by minutes.  After Minetta we walk back to Ron's place, then reverse our public transportation route back to Newark.  With a stop for views of the city looking across the Hudson - lovely, new to us.  Back at Dave/Sonny place and we do some planning for the next day.  This one was fun.

Saturday 14 October
Some go to pick up rental minivan and Dunkin coffee.  After this we drive up to Ron's place in Rhinebeck - our first opportunity to look over the Hudson River valley north of the city.  Easy trip up, no traffic issues, we arrive and check out the house.  Wander through a few shops and settle into a little place (Gigi) for lunch - fought off some annoying-but-not-stinging bees and moved inside - fun lunch.  The town, the area, the fall color (OK not yet hitting in full force due to warm weather or whatever, but very noticeable) - all this really struck our fancy.

"historic" post office; Poet's Walk; Bard College . . . 

Wander into some shops; we visit the Beekman Arms (hotel) - open since the 1760s - I kind of got obsessed with their old-school low-ceiling tavern area.  Back to the house; all 'cept Sonny head out then to a farmer's market and then to the "Poet's Walk" - lovely low-key hiking taking us to the Hudson.  Dave then drives us around the area - we see Bard College, one of the local mansions (Wilderstein); lovely late-afternoon sunshine, this was really pretty.  We pick up Sonny and walk back into town, where I finally get my stopover at the Beekman Arms.  Eventually we get back to the house and settle in; Sonny converts some leftovers plus this-and-that into a pretty tremendous supper; Manhattan(s); we talk and talk and then it's bedtime.  Full day.

Sunday 15 October
Breakfast at a local Rhinebeck restaurant; then we pretty much get organized for the return trip, which is easy/smooth.  On the way back we make a stop at a Korean superstore of some kind; Dave and I have a chance to chat while waiting in the car, but it sounds like checking out the store would have been fine also.  We then pull into one of the developed/trailhead areas in the Meadowlands for a look-see - had no idea of the nice development that has taken place here - very close to Dave/Sonny house, a nice amenity.  Back to the house and we get organized for the airport.

Meadowlands . . .

This was an easy group to hang around with.  Somehow we packed a lot of stuff into a short time period, without feeling rushed (Manhattan/Greenwich Village; Rhinebeck; Jersey).  The Hudson River valley/Rhinebeck phase was entirely new to us, and a great idea.

And there's something about being around folks that we've known for 40+ years - good stuff!

Virginia visit

PJ and I had a rather ridiculously enjoyable visit to Virginia.  Here's what happened:

Friday 6 October
Easy travels per usual; K picks us up at Reagan airport and we go straight to the house.  This is my first visit to the "new" house so was much anticipating.  The Alexandria brick houses from that era are lovely, but because dating from that era - often need some modernizing - and the previous owners did everything right.  Plus a few tune-ups by K&L.  The effect is quite excellent.  K has a rather unique polo shirt gift for me, plus some goods for PJ.

Cicerone-approved Ballast Point box for toddler.

We get settled and soon are joined by Charlie, Beth, Mike, Ally and Palmer - who went considerably out of their way to work in a (pretty lengthy) trip that fit into our schedules - this was as thoughtful as it was fun.  We had a high-level beer tasting (Mike being a cicerone and all); pizza from Lost Dog; Sequence games in various combinations of teams, with the only common denominator being the consistent fails of the ND alums.  Oh well.  Great night.  After everyone left we watched a bit of the opening NLCS game (D'backs-Dodgers) but it wasn't going well.

It was a "Kiwi" beer - good.

Sequence battles ensued.

Saturday 7 October
The four of us make a breakfast trip to Le Pain; then an extended shopping tour to Target (enjoyed the "Boo-tique") and some nursery where we (rather painstakingly) selected some plants for placement around the house.  Back to the house for delivery of some spiffy furniture items (enhancing the look of our basement lair); then onto the Westover market for 5 Crowns, a couple beers, some pretty amazing nachos - lovely weather if a bit unseasonably hot/humid, just as I like it.  Later we head toward "Le Diplomate" for dinner - but stop enroute for a couple antique-type shops plus a drink at some fine spot (all these basically across the street from the restaurant).  Then to dinner - absolute perfect seating with an open window behind us; K&L bring a couple bottles of wine, nice!; my beef bourguignon is +; also loving the bread basket esp. the cranberry/walnut variety.  Very fun.  We make it home; observe a few minutes of D'backs losing again.

Le Diplomate - great spot.

Sunday 8 October
We wander the local farmers market, mostly in search of stuff for a dinner that we never did quite end up making - too much other action.  Then onto "Eastern" market - which we always enjoy - though the areas is evolving, residential development has chopped into some of the market space.  Then we walk to Belga Cafe, another tried and true spot.  Late afternoon we walk over to the Jackshaw house - very fun to chatter with Carrie & Steve (and Piper), plus their remodel looks great.  Plans for tomorrow dinner (though that doesn't happen as it turns out).

local farmers market . . .

Then Uber out to visit Pedro & Maga at their house; good timing, Luiso was also in town.  So the seven of us had just the loveliest evening.  Lots and lots of talk (including an update on their experiences with the recent hurricane); Maga always does such a nice job with the food; we didn't think it could have been nicer.  Great to see them.

appetizer portion (with Luiso's rum and coke) of a perfect evening

Monday 9 October
Cranberry-walnut bread and farmers market apples for breakfast (with Luis as barista, nice).  The four of us drive out into the Virginia countryside for the day - this was quite an enjoyable outing.  Stop #1 is some farm where they are selling pumpkins and gourds and stuff; also features a "corn maze" - which I've never done before - made for a nice walk in the country - we buy a few items and move onto whatever was the next town, passing through some lovely countryside; had lunch there (all good 'cept the chocolate cake disappoints).

hanging around at the punkin' farm

We then drive onto Leesburg - K&L know of it from prior wanderings - a lovely little town, we walk through some shops, end up at Black Hoof brewery where we find the offerings to be quite nice.

Leesburg - Black Hoof, shopping . . . 

Next we're driving to Monk's - famed BBQ - we stop into Adroit Theory (allegedly closed for Columbus Day) - but it was open so we try some fine hazy thing they had on tap.  Now to Monk's, where the BBQ lives up to its billing.  K drives us all home.

Adroit Theory

Tuesday 10 October
Repeating the bread/apples/coffee breakfast.  Everyone was working today though I didn't have all that much to do, and K returned in early afternoon (when she and PJ chased down El Pollo Rico!).  In the afternoon our energies were devoted to planting and arranging and stuff in the front of the house.  My project failed even after getting a pick-axe - stump grinder has been scheduled.  Leaving me feeling like a modern-day John Henry, or maybe the opposite.  By contrast, PJ's work turned out great.  Fun to work it together in any event.  We clean up, L joins us, we head to Lyon Hall for a fine evening with a group of K&L's friends (OK we think of them as also our friends at this point).  Such a good group.  Followed by an impromptu 5 Crowns game at Liberty Tavern.  Fun night.

such a nice crew at Lyon Hall . . . 

Wednesday 11 October
K gets off work; the three of us breakfast at Le Pain; then some shopping at various furniture stores; then we head downtown to the Mall.  Native American Museum (not particularly recommended though the Peru exhibit was cool); National Gallery (Dutch drawings and Fragonard exhibit); onto Old Ebbitt Grill where we had a pretty excellent lunch.  All of this hanging out was quite excellent!

wandering on the Mall . . .

Back to the house and L joins us; the four of us walk over to Westover market again for beers/snacks/5 Crowns; the evening advances quite pleasantly; we decide to forego cooking and have pizza and beer at Lost Dog - joined by Steve Jackshaw (Piper had gotten sick which scuttled the larger get-together plan) - this makes for a fine evening.  Back to the house where we hang out late into the night - we had a growler from Black Hoof; more 5 Crowns; but mostly we review all of our too-quickly-passed fun days together.  Say goodbyes to L and eventually get to bed.

wrapping up after Lost Dog . . . 

Thursday 12 October
Goodbyes to K, who is heading to work.  Sorry to be leaving K&L, glad the next get-together is just a month away.  PJ and I get organized; enjoy the bread/apples/coffee regimen one last time; we Uber to the train station for the next leg of our trip.

Couldn't have been nicer.  As with our recent trip to SF - it's just so easy to be around these folks for prolonged periods of time - and the way they treat their guests is beyond thoughtful/generous.  Not that that's surprising, but still - very nice/lucky.

D'backs postseason (two words not expected to be used together this year)

As the years pass, I find that I like baseball more and more.  This despite pace-of-play issues.  Positive changes:  "statcast" information is amazing; the super-slo-motion cameras let us see things previously unseen.

The fun has been much enhanced by POC's connection to the D'backs, and POC & NOC living right by the stadium.  Super-convenient (and cost-effective) for tickets, parking, fun before and after.  Works great.

NOC had a fine pre-game party for us.

2017 expectations for D'backs were low, but the team got off to a fast start, navigated some ups and downs, and eventually clinched a wild-card spot - meaning a one-game playoff with the Colorado Rockies.

most of our crew . . . 

Via POC, a group of us bought tickets for the wild-card game - held October 4, 2017.  Not that I've attended many high-profile sporting events - but I'm quite sure this was the most fun we've ever had a live sporting event.  D'backs won - which was important - but (per line score below) - while they always maintained a lead, they never could quite put away the game.  Long game, exciting throughout.  The single-elimination format certainly puts the pressure on both teams.  Large/lively crowd; our group was fun per usual.

our vantage point . . . full house

Within a couple days we were traveling to visit Kerry & Luis, so we missed the championship series games v. Dodgers; that didn't go so well.  But a fun year.