One Big Holiday: Hunt-Baumann Wedding

The Haywood's had a full house this past weekend, even though Mama and Katie are getting tans down in Myrtle Beach. Doug, Jodi, Jake, and Ted all crashed at the house for Adam and Bethy's wedding and while it was crowded it was a really enjoyable time. The rehearsal dinner went off without a hitch, and afterward a large group of us went to Sportstime for some drinks while Beth and Adam ran around doing last minute things. As we were leaving, I casually mentioned to everyone that the bar right next to Sportstime (which is basically the same place) was recently ranked the 6th best beer bar in the world by ratebeer.com. Now, I've never heard of ratebeer.com but at least those guys can say that Nick Haywood took to a bar next door one of the top-10 bars in the world. I also took Jake and Ted over to O'Sheas after we put the old married couple to bed. It should be known that apparently living just one year in Atlanta can give you an excellent accent. Jodi sounds like she was born and raised in Georgia, although Doug sounds like he was born and raised in Chesterton. A bit odd.

The next day the groomsmen and ushers met early to try on our tuxes (like we could do anything if they didn't fit) and then went to Wal-mart to buy chocolate brown socks to match our chocolate brown suits. The idea was to grab some lunch and head over to Churchill Downs for a couple of races. Since Adam requested something "light" and I didn't want to do the standard Panera meal (I mean, it's his wedding day...I'm going to try my best to make it memorable), I suggested we head over to Stevens & Stevens Deli. We ended up going to Ditto's instead, and Doug decided he wanted the opposite of "light" and got a plate-full of mashed potatoes. We also decided to skip Churchill because we would have been rushing everywhere, and instead spent some time in Ear X-tacy (from where Adam got me a gift certificate for being a groomsman). The sky decided to finally stop looking gross and actually be gross and it started pouring rain for a while. Then we all went and took naps. Short naps. For like 13 minutes. It wasn't the best nap I have ever had.

After the rain, the skies cleared and it was time for a wedding. The ceremony took place at Beth's Aunt's house in the knobs. It was humid and I have bug bites on my neck, but Rob from Campus House gave one of the best "messages" I have ever heard at wedding. He included quotes from Beth and Adam about each other, and made it sound like they actually loved one another. It was nice. The reception took place at The Forest Discovery Center and included a surprise entrance by the wedding party. Bethy and Adam are off to South Carolina/Florida for a week in sun.

The weekend prior to the wedding, the men in the wedding party (plus Josh minus Styf and Doug) went up to a vacation home on Lake Michigan. We ate at expensive restaurants, went to the driving range, got in the hot tub, listened to records and hung out on the beach. The house was pretty old and had a lot of random doors and hallways. I'm thinking Undergrand Railroad for French Canadians trying to get into America. There was also a creepy basement that probably housed a serial killer at some point. It was a lot of driving, but a good time.