Dave and Lina's Wedding / New Years 2008

We travelled to Iceland on December 27th for Dave and Lina's Wedding. Everyone met up in the Baltimore Airport and flew to Reykjavik. The picture may make the country look like a giant ice cube. Coincidentally that's what it felt like the whole time.



Everyone loves a good troll, especially tourists. There were plenty of shops and stores in Reykjavik but beware, they like to do inventory on January 1st.






Hallgrímskirkja, Church of Hallgrímur, is where Dave and Lina were married. I don't know if this is portrayed in the photo but...its huge.


Before the wedding. Dan looks deceptively calm because he's really nervous about losing the ring. This was a popular group, everyone was snapping up pics of this scene. Its probably the man in uniform.


Exchanging the rings. Oops, wrong finger. Twice.


A few pics of the newlyweds walking out.






Everyone in the wedding. I don't know what to say about this. They look good.


The Marl family. Whats a get together without a group photo?


The grandparents. Glad they all decided to fight the elements and come to Iceland!


The Erickson family looking photogenic and patriotic.


Dave and Lina being bombarded with rice as they enter the reception hall. Note: The guy gave me rice at least 5 minutes after they walked in the door, past the acceptable throwing time frame, but I just threw it in the crowd anyway.


The head table at the reception. Its Icelandic tradition that the parents of the bride and groom sit at the head table. Its also Icelandic tradition that if you stomp your feet during dinner then the parents have to kiss. There was plenty of stomping.


Rich and Lori during dinner.


The guests were making attempts to get pictures of Dave and Lina kissing so, to make it easier on everyone, they stood up.


Dave and Lina before cutting the cake.


Kathy being a good friend and trying to hold Lori back. Notice the two drinks. (One must have been Kathys)


Looks like David is getting gray hair already...


Dave, Lina, and the Wisconsin Crew!


Stevensons! (Missed you Jim and Tim!)


The Fathers, Richard and Ari.


Andy, Heather, Lina, and Dave.


Busting some moves on the dance floor. Go grandma! Hiding behind Ruthie is "Gene, Gene, the dancing machine", a.k.a. Steve!


Hustle time! Nice boots, Linda and Heather!


A few days after the wedding everyone took a trip to the Golden Circle. Between 2 vans and one car we had 38 people making the trip. First stop was a volcanic crater, second stop was the first Icelandic settlement. This picture shows the third stop, geysirs!


Al and Ruthie


Final stop was the Gullfoss waterfalls. Beautiful winter scene. Some brave souls made the walk to get closer to the falls. They came back wet, red-faced, and VERY cold. A spectacular area!

Maribeth and Dan


Breathtaking!


Rich, Grandma, Dave, and Lina



New Year's Eve in Reykjavik! David and Lina's dad started the celebration at 10:00 PM with our own private show. Here we are gathered around "the kids" apartment watching. The real show started at about 11:30 with fireworks around the entire city. Everyone, and we mean EVERYONE, shoots off their own fireworks and it is spectacular! As far as you can see, and even right next to you, it is impossible to see them all. We stayed by the church where David and Lina were married and watched for over an hour. Unfortunately we can't put the videos on the blog... Guess you will have to go and experience it for yourselves!


Andy, Heather, Kevin, and Tom


Ruthie, Aud, Linda, and Steve


Ahhhh, finally, the Blue Lagoon! Relaxing, soothing, memorable! We had snow, sleet, wind, sunshine and rain while we were in the water. The grandmas had a massage while the rest of us relaxed.


Note the lava rocks all around the edges.


Kevin after his swim sporting his new Iceland souvenir.


Last day in Reykjavik. Shopping for souvenirs, lunch, and then off to the airport. Grandma with the siblings after lunch.