Well we’re home from our little holiday in the country to attend a family wedding. And I think we’ve come home fat! Retro daddy declared he’s gained 2 kgs over the weekend. Ouch. I blame our love affair with country bakeries. There is something so good about walking into a bakery in the country – for me it’s all about the vegie pies, neenish tarts and my all time favourite – vanilla slice. And so we were in heaven down in Echuca. Thank goodness I don’t have any bakeries like that near me. Or I’d be in trouble. I’m also going to blame eating our annual consumption of McDonalds in 4 days. I think that has something to do with it. Or the big family dinner on Saturday night – tim tam cheesecake anyone?
So yes it was all about the food but really the wedding was all about family and getting together. Retro daddy has 6 brothers and sisters and we just don’t get together all that often. And there are lots of cousins to play with so my little ones are already asking when we’re going away again so they can play with them all again.
The wedding was lovely. How could it not be in such a beautiful church. My own parish church looks very ordinary compared to this beauty. And we were sitting in the front row so I managed to get some great pics and soak it all in. Why were we in the front row you ask? Because we were late! It reminded me of a scene from 4 weddings. The bride had just stepped out of the car smiling and there we come running through the church gates flying into the church late. Everyone was sitting down and we had to walk in the side and take the last seats available. We had been looking at a slow clock in the house so we left home at the time the wedding should have started. Oops.
Tillie decided to have a big tantrum during the ceremony. She decided that a random group of children in the church were her cousins and she wanted to sit next to them. Retro daddy was letting her be noisy and I was giving him death stares. It had been a bad morning for Tillie. Everyone else was so excited to get into their new clothes for the wedding but she was not into it at all. She spent almost an hour pulling her cardigan off and howling. Her lovely new french cardigan. Then of course at the end of the day she didn’t want to take it off and travelled back to Sydney wearing the same outfit. You can’t win with that girl.
After mass it was onto the church hall for a lovely little reception. A great time to catch up with everyone. Elodie slept through it. Such a good girl that one. The highlight was getting most of the cousins to sit together for a photo. Oh and daddy since Finn is a Daddy’s boy.
Now this was a big family wedding as the groom is one of 7 and the bride one of 8. Yes, I know what you are thinking. Good catholic families. Yes, you are right. I love being part of a large family especially when there is a lovely crafty lady in the mix. And that means lots of children. So thanks to some lovely girls and ladies all of the children were entertained with colouring, disney dvd’s and their own food for the whole reception. It was wonderful. So wonderful that no one wanted to come home. Even Tillie didn’t want to leave.
After the reception we had a quick break before we headed to Julie’s little town for a big dinner with the family. The restaurant put on a huge spread for us and it was just delicious. I loved that the chef had baked a lemon curd tart and sat it on the restaurant counter still in it’s pan so you couldn’t resist having a slice for dessert. My little ones had a ball with their cousins but it really was a late night and we were back in the car before 9pm to head home and get ready for the big drive home.
And that was the wedding! There is nothing like a wedding whether you’re 20 or 40 something. Don’t you agree? It’s always a special event for everyone involved. But we travelled over 2,000 kms over the weekend and today I’m taking it easy. There are suitcases and bags to empty, clothes to wash, groceries to buy, things to put away, photos of my Bendigo haul to take – so thank goodness for school holidays. We’re staying in our PJ’s till lunch and taking it easy!
p.s I just loved being in the country. I’m ready to pack my bags and head down to live near Julie. I even had a dream that a shop opened up for me to open my own retro mummy store. Coming back into Sydney with all the traffic and crazy drivers was a bit too much after those quiet country roads.
p.p.s another highlight of the weekend – all of that coaching I’ve been giving Elodie to say mum mum finally paid off. Now she can’t stop – mum mum mum mum mum!
p.p.p.s thanks Julie for the extra photos!
Oh wow – looks like you had a wonderful weekend. The kids look very cute (even mid tantrum).
Does this mean you’re getting that urge to move to the country again? I think a retro mummy store would be fab-tastic.
What a wonderful weekend Corrie!
What a fab weekend! The children were soooo cute. Living in the country is the life and getting your own store would be awesome! Hugs!
I love Keira in the background of the tantrum photo posing 😉 Yes, I would have to agree with how good the country bakeries are….but I would be extremely biast!! Hahaha
You must be exhausted! Thanks for taking the time to write this post.
What beautiful photos! I’m loving Finn’s pose in that first photo. Aside from the tantrums, it sounds like it was a great weekend. I’m sure the Tim Tam cheesecake and vanilla slice was worth the weight gain! xxx
Perhaps your dream was a premonition!!!!! I can just imagine what a beautiful store Retro Mummy would be : )) Looks like you had a wonderful (if exhausting) weekend . . . . LOVED the kids outfits, they looked perfect!
Oh what wonderful photos. I cant believe that there are such big families nowadays as my dad is one of 7 and you dont really see them all that much now. Your children look beautiful in their outfits. Weddings are always nice for family get togethers arent they. I cant wait to see all that you bought from Bendigo. I always spend too much there when I go as I cant resist all the colors on the shelves. I could just imagine a retro mummy shop too, how lovely would that be!
What a full weekend! Well done to you and Retro Daddy travelling that distance and back in just a few short days WITH FOUR CHILDREN!!! You both deserve a medal – I’m sure your Bendigo haul will more than suffice
Can’t wait to see pics – I love Bendigo wool.
I have a few photos of my children in the old truck outside Beechworth Bakery in Echuca from our trip there in January
Jasmine
Isn’t it so lovely to be part of a big family and all those cousins!! So delightful! Well done on completing the mission and enjoying yourselves along the way (even with the odd tear!).
It was a beautiful wedding. I didnt get to catch up with you. We were a bit busy in the kitchen. I did see your beautiful twins. So sweet.
fantastic pics!!!your doughter is so nice
I’m youngest of 8, 26 grandchildren on my side… yep, catholics too!!
Anyway, I wanted to say that it was so lovely for you to have a family wedding where the children were included. My own wedding 18mths ago included all the ‘kids’ (mind you only about 10 under 10 now) but I have been quite disappointed with my nieces who are having weddings with no under 18s, especially when they have an out-of-town wedding and expect you to go but not your kids. My husband had to stay at the holiday accomm and babysit while I went to the reception… Seeing your brood altogether at a family event is so lovely.
dxx
WOW Corrie, these are beautiful photos! I LOVE big families, they are so much fun and it looks like your family has a ball at these events. As one of seven myself, I thoroughly enjoy weddings and parties when my siblings and their fams get together, just lovely!
I particularly like your pic of all the cousins… someone did an excellent job to have them all sitting so well in a line like that ;o)
Sounds like many wonderful memories were made on your trip… and I had to laugh at Tillie’s performance, every family needs a drama queen and she looks so cute playing that role xo
Small Small world, we know that bride! She teaches at our children’s school
Glad you had a lovely time 
Is that Will sitting next to Keira? He goes to school with Ryder!
Small world.