Parsippany, NJ home of lots of food
We're almost done with our Parsippany leg of the vacation. We were here to attend Jon's cousin's wedding and hang out with his Mother's New Jersey side of the family.
On Friday evening we arrived in time for the rehearsal dinner at an Italian restaurant. We were the last to get seated, so Jon, me, and JT, Jon's sister's fiancé, sat with a bunch of the groom's uncles. Through course after course of the meal we discussed business and politics. The uncles had some interesting insights into setting up a business with recurring revenue that flows in even when you're not there. Then when things turned to politics things got a little more heated, with comments like "Fox News is the only objective news source" and "You had some good points before, but now you are off the charts crazy." But everyone was friendly and good natured.
Saturday we had the mongo free buffet breakfast at the hotel, and then I went off to get a mani-pedi with Sara, Jon's sister, while Jon went off to play tennis with his uncle.
The wedding was in a catholic church and we heard it was going to be anywhere between 1-2 hours. We were wondering how we were going to get through it, but the pastor came out and he was amazing. He was so charismatic and positive. He told stories, made jokes, did call and response. It was quite enjoyable. And it was my first time in a Catholic Church service. We did the whole kneel, sit, stand stuff I've heard about. I didn't know they had a special padded bar that swings out for kneeling time.
There were a couple of hours between the ceremony and the reception. None of us had eaten lunch, so we went to get a snack at the restaurant in the hotel. Then off to the reception at this country club. They said, "Join us on the patio for drinks.”We went out there and there was this HUGE spread with all these food stations: antipasti, caviar, fruit, cheese, a whole salmon, pasta bar, Italian dishes, crepes, polish food, and more. Plus open bars.
I was convinced that we were at the reception and people weren't supposed to be eating. But I asked around, and everyone, including the cater-waiters, said there was a full dinner being served in the reception hall in an hour. I couldn’t believe it. We had a nice time having cocktails and hanging out.
In the reception hall there was a band playing oldies music. The Vanderhoofs are a dancing bunch. At the beginning and between every course there was about 45 minutes of dancing. I danced with Jon and Tom, his step dad, and Sara and Marilyn. Jon danced with me and his mom.
Even Grandma Van, at the age of 92, danced up until the last song of the evening.
It was fun, but the proceedings were stretching out into eternity. After much negotiation, we cut out at 9:45 for a wedding that started at 3pm.
Then this morning was brunch at the bride's family's house. The best parts were the beautiful backyard gardens and the great bagels. Today we are just chillin' in the hotel, watching tennis, and relaxing before we hit the big apple.
On Friday evening we arrived in time for the rehearsal dinner at an Italian restaurant. We were the last to get seated, so Jon, me, and JT, Jon's sister's fiancé, sat with a bunch of the groom's uncles. Through course after course of the meal we discussed business and politics. The uncles had some interesting insights into setting up a business with recurring revenue that flows in even when you're not there. Then when things turned to politics things got a little more heated, with comments like "Fox News is the only objective news source" and "You had some good points before, but now you are off the charts crazy." But everyone was friendly and good natured.
Saturday we had the mongo free buffet breakfast at the hotel, and then I went off to get a mani-pedi with Sara, Jon's sister, while Jon went off to play tennis with his uncle.
The wedding was in a catholic church and we heard it was going to be anywhere between 1-2 hours. We were wondering how we were going to get through it, but the pastor came out and he was amazing. He was so charismatic and positive. He told stories, made jokes, did call and response. It was quite enjoyable. And it was my first time in a Catholic Church service. We did the whole kneel, sit, stand stuff I've heard about. I didn't know they had a special padded bar that swings out for kneeling time.
There were a couple of hours between the ceremony and the reception. None of us had eaten lunch, so we went to get a snack at the restaurant in the hotel. Then off to the reception at this country club. They said, "Join us on the patio for drinks.”We went out there and there was this HUGE spread with all these food stations: antipasti, caviar, fruit, cheese, a whole salmon, pasta bar, Italian dishes, crepes, polish food, and more. Plus open bars.
I was convinced that we were at the reception and people weren't supposed to be eating. But I asked around, and everyone, including the cater-waiters, said there was a full dinner being served in the reception hall in an hour. I couldn’t believe it. We had a nice time having cocktails and hanging out.
In the reception hall there was a band playing oldies music. The Vanderhoofs are a dancing bunch. At the beginning and between every course there was about 45 minutes of dancing. I danced with Jon and Tom, his step dad, and Sara and Marilyn. Jon danced with me and his mom.
Even Grandma Van, at the age of 92, danced up until the last song of the evening.
It was fun, but the proceedings were stretching out into eternity. After much negotiation, we cut out at 9:45 for a wedding that started at 3pm.
Then this morning was brunch at the bride's family's house. The best parts were the beautiful backyard gardens and the great bagels. Today we are just chillin' in the hotel, watching tennis, and relaxing before we hit the big apple.
posted by Jonathan Bownds at
10:38 AM
1 Comments:
So, let me get this straight. You couldn't get enough of the Cathloic service, but you had to cut out of the dance party reception early. Are you feeling OK?
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home