Got up to the Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine, IL where we were going to stay for the next 2 1/2 weeks. A very nice little (five RV spots) campground that you can only stay in for five consecutive days. Kat was smart enough to book us there under four people names back-to-back-to-back-to-back. Closest campground to the wedding festivities. Nice bike/walking trail nearby so that we could take Bear out and see some deer:
The first night Kat and I went out to our favorite Mexican restaurant, Uncle Julio’s – I had my favorite Carne Asada – Love it!
Did I mention that I love it? Melts in your mouth!
The major concern regarding the wedding that Ari had was the rehearsal venue. See, Ari planned the entire wedding mostly by herself – and did a bang up job at it if I must say! The rehearsal venue was at our niece and nephew’s (Jeanette and Danny) house – a fixer upper that wasn’t completed yet. I must tell you about this house so that you have some perspective.
They purchased the house about six months ago and were going to fix it up and then resell it but because they fell in love with the possibilities they decided to keep it and move in. The house is in Lake Forest and was built in 1905 by the King family. The King’s had a daughter named Ginevra who F. Scott Fitzgerald fell in love with over a couple of summers. The socialite, Ginevra, ended up marrying for money and that jilted F. Scott Fitzgerald. His heartbreak caused him to model several of his characters after Ginevra – including Daisy Buchanan in “The Great Gatsby”. Therefore, this house is known as “the Gatsby House”.
So Jeanette needed some help finishing up some of the rooms that the rehearsal was going to use. So Kat and I put on some work clothes and helped out. Cleaning, painting, and polishing woodwork. Here are some pictures:
Inside pictures:
If you want to follow the renovations of this magnificent house, check out my niece and nephew’s facebook page at Belle Design, LLC.
With Keenan in town and Ari’s rehearsal venue concerns abated, we headed into the city to catch a Cubbies game:
As friends and family started to come in over the days prior to the Big Day, we were also able to take a break at the Joy’s lake house in Whitewater, WI. Since the Fluharty’s and Joy’s knew each other the Joy’s included them:
Thank you Joy’s for a great relaxing day at the lake!
The rehearsal went on without a hiccup! Their pastor was Dan Baker who both Ari and Matt had as a youth pastor. It was fantastic that he could weave in stories about their childhood during the ceremony. Here are some photos from the rehearsal:
Tomorrow is the BIG day!
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