In January, we headed to the Sunshine state, and we didn’t return until February!

But it wasn’t all fun and games at first, because we had lots of work to do, in preparation for the big event.

Well, some of us worked hard, heat pressing t-shirts for the wedding party, designing wedding favors for esteemed guests, dog sitting furry companions, keeping the streets of Gainesville safe, filling candy vending machines, and keeping the bride and groom caffeinated, while dad just took joyrides on the John Deere tractor. But still, it was a team effort. And eventually, after all the blood, sweat, tears, and child labor, it was finally time to experience what we flew across the country for and had been anticipating since Covid ruined the original 2020 plans: the CandE Factory wedding extravaganza!

And Chelsee and Ernest did not disappoint. It was like a circus meets county fair meets community event meets wedding nuptials meets every-kids-dream-come-true. Between the stilt walker, trapeze artists, hot chocolate bar, snow cone food truck, fake snow storm, magician, game show, hypnotist, caricature artist, calypso band, face painting, and so much more, we had the time of our lives!

Then, long after the sun set and all attendees were drunk from fun, the wedding party clumsily executed our flash mob assignment, and mom pronounced the happy (exhausted) couple officially plunged around 10 p.m.

It was magical. It was exhilarating. It was epic.

They were not lying when they said sh*t was about to go down. (View the video highlight reel below.) And not only do my sister and I have a new uncle to show for it, we also now have high, unrealistic expectations for all future weddings we attend.

Congrats C & E!