Blessed In Chicago

          Last weekend I had the privilege of going to Chicago for my cousins wedding. In all honesty I didn't know what to expect, all I knew was that all four families on my mom's side would be together for the first time in over a decade. It would be the first time all nine cousins got to all be together which was something I was extremely excited about. It was just such a blessing to be able to spend time with my family and also to have Ashley with me only made it that much better. Words can not express how much it meant to me that my family was so welcoming to Ashley. Overall it was one of the best trips I've had in a long time and hopefully we won't go another ten years before a reunion happens.

On Friday, Ashley and I went on a boat cruise with my cousin and cousin in law. It was something I didn't get a chance to do my last couple times in Chicago so this was a priority for me. We ended up going on the architectural tour, it was really nice to see all the buildings from the Chicago river and learning about the different buildings in Chicago. I took a bunch of photos but here a few of them.

Later that day we had a dinner where I got to see all of my family for the first time this trip. We're missing my cousin Joni and my sister who took a late flight that day. 

On Saturday, the wedding day, the family walked to Millennium park to check out the fountains and bean.

I had to head back to the hotel early to get ready for the wedding. It was my first time being in a wedding so I didn't know what to expect. I rented my tux from Men's Wearhouse on Rockville Pike which is where I tried on tux and shoes to make sure everything fit. After I left the changing room, the sales associate said she would pack everything for me and of course I didn't bother checking the bag prior to the wedding. Fast forward to two hours before the wedding, I open my bag and sure enough, no vest and no shoes. I luckily brought black shoes with me and my cousin had to tell the other two groomsman to take their vests off so we would match. Men's Wearhouse ended up refunding 100 dollars so I guess it ended up being ok. 

The wedding itself was really fun, it was a blessing to be a part of my cousins wedding and just having all the family there was the best part. I'm so happy to have Julie officially be a part of our family and am so happy for them both. 

Overall the trip was amazing and would not have changed anything, ok well maybe the whole tux ordeal. I'm blessed with an amazing family and am so thankful to have spent time with all of them.