Weekend in NY

This past weekend we spend in Rochester/Syracruse NY at Niel’s niece’s wedding. We arrived in Rochester on Thursday, Sept. 25th…Brian’s birthday. I think I called him four or five times during the day…still can not believe he turned 21. I have a 21 year old….am I really that old? Does not seem possible to have a child that is 21….but I guess I do & when I look in the mirror, I see that I am old enough to have a 21 year old. When did that happen?

Well…back to Rochester… We landed and headed directly toward the nursing home to see Niel’s mom….she was asleep and personally unaware that we were even there…so, we were going to stay at Niel’s sister’s house, she left us the key (she had already headed to Syracruse to help with the wedding planning). Well, when Niel was unlocking the door to the house…the key slipped out of his hand behind the cement stairs. We did try to retrieve the key but were unlucky…so off to a hotel we went. Once we unpacked we headed over to Rick & Laurie’s house (dear friends of Niel’s and now mine). We had a wonderful dinner but more important, fantastic fellowship. We love to get together with them…..such great friends. Sure wish we lived closer.



Friday after having a wonderful breakfast at the hotel we checked out to start our trip to Syracruse for the rehearsal dinner & then the wedding. Before we headed out of town, Niel wanted to help his dad with putting on a storm door. Niel said, it would take an hour or two and then we would be off to the mountains to look at the foliage. Well, 4 ½ hours later the storm door was up & we were having lunch at Applebees before we headed out of town toward Syracruse. The morning weather was beautiful, so a good time to put on the door but once we headed out of Rochester, it started to rain…so no luck in tromping through the woods and taking pictures of the foliage.

I did get some pictures from the car. Now, we arrive in Syracruse and get ready to check into our hotel…except they said our reservations were canceled by Expedia (which is strange since I book straight through them and not expedia). So….they hooked us up across the street at a hotel called the Maple Wood…we got a queen bed instead of a king…but at least we found a room. Mind you, by now…my morning blown, my hotel room blown, the weather is raining….I am wanting to head back to Florida. But..we came for a purpose, a wedding of a wonderful young lady and young man…..so after taking a nap in the hotel room….off to the rehersal dinner we head. Wow..the food was so good and everyone was wonderful. Joe (Jen’s niece’s fiancé) family is wonderful. They made everyone feel like family.



Next day was wedding day!!! It was suppose to be an outside wedding..but the rain just would not stop. The wedding was in a lodge that had the most breathtaking overlook. I can see why they picked the place and why they wanted an outside wedding here. Since the lodge was so beautiful, they were able to get married infront of the fireplace. Very romantic. I really loved how the tables were decorated. Since they both have a love for gems….each table was named after gems. Really a cute idea. Again..the food and fellowship was wonderful!!! We had a great time being with friends and family. This was the reason we came to NY…to celebrate with family and celebrate we did.


Above: Geoff, Karen (Niel's sister & husband), Jen, Joe, Joyce (Joe's mom), Stoyll (Niel's dad)



Above: Lauramay & Niel


Above: Renee', Jen, Tia (sisters...Niel's nieces)

Sunday we headed back to Rochester and on the way back we stopped off at Senica Falls and I was able to get information for my government classes. It was a nice touch. Niel saw it on our way up and thought I would love to see that. He knows me so well. Once we arrived back in Rochester….we went back to Niel’s sister’s house …this time we were able to get in, since she was home….we then visited for awhile & then headed to Rick & Laurie’s to watch the Bills play. Again…a wonderful time of fellowship.


Today…we spent time getting ready for our trip home and visiting with Karen (Niel’s sister). We also were able to go to the nursing home and see Niel’s mom again. This time she more awake and in a very good mood but again, do not think she realized who we were.

David’s team won his football game this weekend…so that was good. It is a conference game. This week is David’s homecoming week. His game is Thursday. He has the homecoming dance on Friday. I will be busy getting back into the swing of teaching again and getting ready for our homecoming the following week. A lot to do!!!