Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Binghamton Bridal Shower
I spent the first weekend of spring break up north with Kyle's family, who threw us a Jack and Jill shower Saturday evening. Kyle's father is one of eight so there were a lot of guests. I only have 3 aunts, 4 uncles, and 5 first cousins on both sides TOTAL, so I'm really not used to anything but small family gatherings! During the party I lived in fear that someone would follow through on threats to quiz me on everyone's name, but I'm fairly certain that I know all of them now. Too bad I still need to meet and memorize the two thirds of that side of the family who weren't able to attend!
Regardless, we would have needed an absurd number of guests to finish all of the delicious food. Kyle and I got to take a good deal of it home; I was warned that we would have no choice in the matter, and I'm not complaining. Highlights included speedies, a Binghamton specialty that has its own festival, and the bicycle shaped cookies that Kyle's father made. (The party favors were bicycle shaped cookie cutters.) I need to add that I don't care what Kyle says, he definitely ate more than his fair share of the leftover cookies :-P.
We also received wonderful gifts. We got a posh picnic basket loaded with goodies, a poster of the (only) mountains we've hiked that is apparently a family favorite, a scrapbook with supplies, and a glass pitcher and salad bowl. We also received generous financial support that will help us put a downpayment on the bicycle very, very soon. (Look for news soon; I'm so excited!!!)
First, though, we had to earn our keep in the requisite shower games. For the first contest of the evening we tried to match up movies and their romantic quotes. Even though I hate chick flicks I recognized more than most, but Kyle's sister Katelyn and her fiance Kevin teamed up for the win. (As you might have guessed, my Hollywood-challenged significant other was not much help). Then came the real main event: The Newly-Wed Game. It was a good time, despite the unavoidable awkwardness of answering the racier questions while sitting next to Kyle's mother. I laughed a ton and discovered that according to Kyle I consider competitiveness my best non-physical feature. Most prominent, perhaps... Speaking of competition, Kyle and I came in second, but we may be subjected -- I mean, treated -- to another go at the family's next bridal shower: Kyle and Katelyn were already trash-talking about it.
Everyone seemed to like our freshly printed save-the-date cards, and responded to our cross-country bike plans with the usual mixture of sentiments, ranging from excitement and awe to serious doubts about our sanity. I definitely felt welcome if occasionally overwhelmed, and they seem like a fun and tight-knit bunch. I really look forward to the next family gathering, though maybe I should request a family tree with pictures this time...
| posted at: 05:03 |
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