To Chicago for Catie's Wedding

Catie is a Mayo grad school friend who got her PhD in Mike's lab a couple of years after me.  She has always been very thorough and conscientious, and has been one of the few people I know who always wanted to continue on in academics. She got a postdoc in a pretty high functioning lab out in La Jolla, CA back in 2014, I think, and met someone working in the same building.  He is a 6 foot-something gentle giant, who likes to open the door for her and take her to restaurants. I met them last year when I was there for a conference and they make a fine couple. 

Catie and Brandon got married this year in California. She is Catholic and he is Jewish, but they had a fusion-y wedding that worked very nicely.  They had the ceremony in a hotel, where a lady rabbi and a Catholic priest married them under a chuppah that Brandon and his brothers made.  Then he broke a glass with his foot and we all cheered.  I'm pretty sure I made up some of this stuff because I didn't see any of it and only heard bits and pieces. (Rowan and Mina were chittering and squirming throughout, so we had to sit in the very back row.)  

Flying to Chicago.  The kids love flying because they get to play games on the Ipad. 

Hanging with Mallory Auntie at the hotel pool

Reception at the hotel

First dance

A quick stop over to Steve Willemsen's house. He has at least four children, but who can can keep track. I must say that they were the sweetest kids.  They were super kind to Mina and Rowan, really well behaved, and played the piano very bravely for us.  One of those very wholesome family types. We also met Katie briefly at the end; she does some volunteer work with the church that keeps her busy.