Biviano time!

We had such a great time earlier this month visiting with Matt's family in South Carolina. They are a big and boisterous group...and I LOVE it! We don't all get together that often, but when we do it is wild and crazy times. We had a whole week full of quality family time and bonding with some new additions. I can't forget the dinner Matt and I had with a college friend and his family, as well as an old friend of mine from Batesburg.

Let me introduce you to the family: Deacon Joe & Kathy (a.k.a. Mr & Mrs B. OR Dad & Mom), Oldest child - Bridget, 2nd in line - Matt (and me of course!), 3rd - Maggie, 4th - Sarah, 5th - Tony, 6th - Peter (and new wife, Kelley). Bridget and Maggie have both been in serious relationships (with Gregg and Brian, respectively) for a couple of years now...perhaps leading to more permanent relationships soon. Nudge, nudge, boys! Sarah is now living in Nashville and Tony will be heading off to Navy boot camp in mid-November. Some of us have spread our wings farther than others, but family is always close at heart no matter where we live.

The breakdown of the week (16-22 Oct):

• Tuesday - Arrived in Columbia and joined in birthday celebrations dinner with the family. (Maggie and Bridget both celebrated birthdays this month. Dad, Mom, me, & Sarah - as well as Cheyenne - celebrate birthdays in November.)


• Wednesday - I went shopping with Sarah, which included getting pampered at a nail salon. Matt and I had dinner with the Moores and Mendenhalls in Columbia. Jonathan Moore and Matt have been best friends since college. April Mendenhall and I were neighbors back in high school, out in the boondocks of Batesburg/Saluda.


• Thursday - More shopping! Matt, Bridget, Sarah, Brian and I hung out in Harbison before heading to Peter's for a sibling cookout. Brian wasn't able to stay for dinner, but Gregg joined us. We brought a bottle of Polish vodka to share and it made 8 shots even! Maggie opted to take the picture instead of drinking up. It was awesome!


• Friday - The first half of the day was dedicated to decorating the Family Life Center for the reception. With all of us working together I think we were finish by mid-afternoon. That evening was the rehearsal for the wedding party and dinner at the Bivianos. Around 30 people attended and it was nice to have an opportunity to meet Kelley's family and Peter's firemen brothers.


• Saturday - The Wedding Day! The groom and boys met for breakfast while the rest of the Wedding Party ran around getting dressed and such. The wedding took place at 3:30 at Kelley's church. The wedding party was then escorted to the Biviano family church by fire engine, with all the bells and whistles and caravan of honking cars. Of course the reception was a blast!


• Sunday - Bridget's Surprise Party! Sarah had been planning the surprise since the summer and enlisted us siblings and some of Bridget's friend to keep the secret and make sure the day went smoothly. Maggie hosted the party at her community clubhouse. The weather was wonderful and the birthday girl was definitely surprised. We ended the evening with dinner at Mom & Dad's, before saying our goodbyes and heading to the hotel for a few hours of sleep in anticipation of an early flight back the next morning.

I am not sure when we'll get a chance to go back or when we'll all be together again, but I am looking forward to it immensely.

Have fun looking at all of our pictures from the week! http://picasaweb.google.com/amber.biviano/October2007