The Reception

The party really getting going-Robyn anyone?

The Ekman siblings- Asa, Niklas, Josefin, Claes and Sandra



Claes and Monika
- can't wait for her to open a bakery

Sandra and Peter (Aiden loves Peter!) Can't wait for them to come to the U.S. -right?

The beautiful couple's first dance

Finally a group shot! 11:00pm

Cake time

The older brother and sister chat

Aiden's pal Roger

I mean look at this courtyard

Aiden of course has no clue where he is playing- just being a bad guy...

The intimate reception dining area

Together.....2011

First off let us start with that we feel bad for the Swedes who came to our very warm wedding in July, outside with a bunch of Americans and we had buffet! Just joking. This wedding was at an old castle that was just amazing. A Swedish wedding is more intimate- this was 65 people and we sat in this room where the food (And booze) was amazing for 6 hours while there was many courses of food and wine, speeches, songs, programs that look like books, kisses, videos of the bachelor and bachelorette parties (so not like ours) and so much new that it was awesome. Everyone was so kind and amazed that we were there and they took a lot of time to welcome us, say there speeches in English and to include us in everything. Some new things for us were the fact that you don't sit by your significant other- even if married- you sit by new people and it is so cool because you have to talk and you become so engaged in the whole event. We caught on to most of the cheers rituals and kissing the couple things quickly, and it was a beautiful evening. Aiden did pretty well in the baby room (he was the only toddler because it was not a wedding for children just babies) until the 8 babies sort of melted down together, and all the Swedish got to him, so he joined dinner for one dessert course and then fell asleep with the Ipad and Scooby Doo (PS- the Ipad was the greatest addition to our trip). He played with Roger (Josefin's dad) forever bad guys and he loved the princess - Josefin and the pink Princesses (Asa and Sandra - her sisters). Of course he was loved by all and we were constantly being asked if he was ours:) The wedding was moved to the top floor of the castle for cake and after-dinner drinks and of course the DANCING. The dancing was so much fun and we stayed for awhile but we had a very early leave (5:30am) so we retired about 1:00ish - our rooms were under the dance floor though so we heard most of the songs still:)

IN the morning we quietly awoke and re-packed our car and left, sadly for a 3 hour trip to Gotenborg. It was again a beautiful drive and so different from the city life we had left a few days ago. We are so not in a city setting with trains, and busses and including walking time- we just get up and go to the car-always. Leaving Gotenborg was easy, London was a cinch and the plane ride home the first 5 hours , slow! Then AIden fell asleep and it went faster and we arrived to San Francisco. We felt okay until about Dunnigan and then the jet lag really caught up with Kellin and myself, so it was the longest 2 hours of my life. At 11:15pm on Sunday we rolled into showers, bed, and prayed Aiden would sleep. He did well till about 2:30am- ate some cereal, watched 2 innings of Giants baseball and went back to bed. I awoke and went to Day 1 of work and Kellin and Aiden took it easy Monday.

All in all in was an amazing trip. We have recovered fairly well. Early to bed this week, but early to rise so that has been nice. I can't believe I was in Europe last weekend and here this one! I am so proud of us for going, it was a big turning point for us from where we were two years and two months ago. To be there for Josefin was a dream come true and the start of something really special for us as a family. We can't wait to go back and we can't wait for them to come (June 2012) less than a year from now! Thank you for reading if you stuck around all this time!