My cousin Kathy got married on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and what a wedding it was!  Far too much time had passed since my last visit to New Jersey and it was so great to see cousins and family I hadn't seen in years.  I also loved that Lee got to meet the rest of the Kalemba clan.  We took the train from Penn Station to South Orange where we stayed with my cousin Dan, his wife Kirsten and their ADORABLE little girl, Kelsey.  What a treat she was. Just under two and quite the conversationalist - she knocked our socks off!

Friday night was the rehearsal dinner at a delicious BBQ and Saturday night was a Mets game.  We took the bus back into the city and then the subway out to Citi Fields for a gorgeous night.  The Mets lost but it was great fun to check out a new park and snag another shake from the Shake Shack.  Saturday itself was pretty slow going.  Flights were delayed and car rental companies hid from us - but we eventually all came together by 2pm.  My parents then took us three girls and our spouses to Clifton, NJ - the town where my dad grew up.  We stopped by my grandparents old house and some other parts of town that are very much a part of my dad's memory.  The highlight of course was the Hot Grill. The Hot Grill serves my dad's favorite hot dogs in all the world.  They are deep fried and he used to eat three every night after dinner in high school.  It's one place we always have to get to when we visit NJ.  I'm not a hot dog eater, but I ate my Hot Grill cheese dog and didn't even desecrate it with ketchup (that took serious effort - not the eating of the dog, but the no ketchup part).

Sunday was the wedding.  I tell you what, east coast weddings are unlike anything you see in the west.  I'm so glad Lee got to experience one!  It started with a full nuptial catholic mass and then was followed by tasty hors d'oeuvres before a most delicious dinner and unbelievable desserts.   One thing I love about the weddings out there is how they do the music.  The music kicks off as the bride and groom enter, pauses for the different courses of the meal, but picks up in between.  You dance all night.  My family and my cousins rocked the dance floor of course - the DJ said we're the most energetic group he's ever had.  :)  We had a great time.

Monday was just as great of a day as all the rest. My aunt has an AWESOME backyard with a gorgeous pool and it was 90 degrees.  So, we had a pool party and played all day with my cousin's David's kids.  They are 8 and 9 and SO much fun.  It couldn't have been a more relaxing and fun day.  Kathy and her new husband even joined us for dinner.  I wish we lived closer to spend time with the Kalembas.  They really are terrific.

Tuesday we kicked around my aunts for a bit and then started our journey home.  Thankfully the return trip was easier than the first.  We did have a delay, but of only an hour and we made it home, bags and all.   The trip was great.  We're so glad we went and wish we were still there.  Especially with all the rain and cold we're having here at home.  You'd never know it was June in California.    Pictures from the wedding and family fun are HERE.