What a long weekend!!!

I had a very long weekend, and not in the sense that I had a lot of time for fun and resting. In fact, I had no time to rest whatsoever. On Halloween I drove up to West Jordan and spent the night at my sister's house so she could take me to the airport the next morning. My flight left at 6 in the morning, so I didn't get much sleep. I flew in to Bismarck around 1pm. My dad picked me up and took me to the house. I ran some errands and spent a little time with my sisters before Heather's sister came and picked me up so we could drive to Sydney, Montana.
We got in to Sydney at 10:30 but were not able to go to bed until late. The next morning we had to be up early to finish some preparations for the rehearsal dinner and the wedding. We went shopping, made meatballs, and finished bouquets. (Right - Erin, Ashley, me, Heather, Danielle, and Angie. Bridesmaids and the bride. Erin and I have been friends with Heather since the third grade, Ashley is Heather's sister, Danielle has been friends with Heather since High School, and Angie is Mike's sister) The rehearsal started at 5:30, but we needed to be there a little earlier. Than we had the rehearsal dinner at Mike's parents' house (Mike is Heather's husband). They have a beautiful house and the dinner was delicious. Heather asked me to pray, and afterwards, people started clapping. That was the first time anyone has applauded me after praying, it was very interesting.
We ate and then Heather gave out presents. I got a t-shirt that says, "I was a bridesmaid in Heather and Mike's wedding and all I got was this crappy t-shirt" as did all of the bridesmaids. We put our shirts on and went out. That was interesting because it was my first time in a bar. We went to one bar first. Most people weren't drinking (which was fine with me). They had some casino machines in the bar, so Erin and I went over there. It was really weird. I won $.70!! I can honestly say that it wasn't very appealing, but was interesting anyway. Its not something I would choose to do for fun. After a little time there, we left for a different bar where supposedly EVERYONE was. Erin and Angie (Mike's sister) went home to put their kids to bed, but the rest of us went to the Triangle. There weren't that many people there, but pretty much everyone there was from the wedding. The others started drinking, and we each had a shot (don't worry, my shot was root beer, free because I was designated driver). We were there for awhile. We danced some, but mainly sat around and talked. The guys were all pretty much drunk. (Left - me, Danielle, Ashley, and Heather, toasting our shots) That was uncomfortable. It reminded me of a few experiences from my mission, but there was no one there to tell me to ignore them. Anyway, though it was an interesting experience, it is not one that I intend ever to repeat.
We didn't get home until late, around 1:30am but then we had to finish some decorations. I didn't get to sleep until after 3 and then we had to get up to be at the church to start decorating by 9. I went with Heather and Danielle and a few people showed up to help. We didn't have a lot of decorating to do at the church, so we then went to the Triangle (where the reception was going to be held) to decorate there. That took a little longer, but we finished relatively quickly. Then we went back to the house to start getting ready. I hate getting dressed up when I have to do it all myself. (Left - the wedding party) I never know what to do. But somehow we all managed to get ready to be to the church by 3:30 for pictures. A few people worked on my hair after we got there, and then began the long task of pictures. We were in a few, and then the bridesmaids went out to decorate the car. That was a lot of fun. We tied a cowbell to the rear, wrote on the car, and put balloons inside. (Right - the decorated car) It was really cool.
We hurried back in and then waited for the ceremony to begin. The ceremony was short, which was nice. I read a traditional Irish blessing after the unity candle. We then headed over to the Triangle. We had a nice dinner, and after cake, the dance started. We stayed for a few dances, but after the bridal party dances, we left. (Left - Heather and Mike cutting the cake) We (my dad and youngest sister came to the wedding) got back to Bismarck around 1:30, but we had to be up in time to be at the church at 9am. I did not get enough sleep this weekend.
Oh, I got to see the change that was made to the Bismarck temple. They changed the entry-way. It is pretty nice.
My flight left Bismarck around 7pm. (Right - the changed temple. Can you see the difference?) We got in to Denver early and I was upset to learn that my flight to Salt Lake was delayed an hour. I was supposed to get in at 10pm, but didn't get in until after 11. Becky picked me up from the airport, I went to get my car, and drove back down to Provo. I got in around 1:30, but I had to get up to be to work by 7 this morning. I definitely did not get enough sleep this weekend, but it sure was an adventure!

Currently Reading:
Brothers Karamazov
by Fyodor Dostoevsky