A Tale of Two Flower Girls - Part Two

Everyone in the Ridge family was delighted when Andrew proposed to Sarah. While the girls that Andrew had dated before where super nice, Sarah seemed to be the perfect fit. We were even further delighted when Sarah called and asked Eliza to be a flower girl. We knew that she was a little young, but Sam, one of Eliza's favorite cousins, was also a flower girl. And, in the past, Eliza followed Sam like a little duck; therefore, we hoped that it would also be the case with the flower girl job.

We began preparing Eliza by reading tons of flower girl books. We discussed what she would do. Eliza even helped pick out her flower girl dress. She was very, very excited.

The wedding was two parts. On Friday, Andrew and Sarah were married in the DC temple. Eliza didn't really have any responsibilities this day, but she was a bit surly.

On Saturday, Andrew and Sarah were having a ring ceremony and reception at the Union League of Philadelphia. The day started well. Eliza let her Mimi (my mom) do her hair. She was excited to put on her dress and carry her flowers, but this is where the fun came to a screeching halt. We had to be at the Union League early to prepare. Eliza laid in Sarah's bed, but only got about half of her nap. Picture time came around and this is what we got:

She refused to stand with the wedding party (of which her dad was a party). She refused EVERYTHING! Time comes for her to walk the aisle for the ring ceremony. Here is the picture:

Wait! That's not Eliza you say! Well here is what Eliza was doing:

Like mother, like daughter I guess. I may have had a shiner, but at least I made it down the aisle and in the pictures. Here is an example group shot:

Yup, no Eliza again. This is the closest that we got:

Fail, fail, fail.

The reception starts and someone gets excited. Here she is welcoming the bride and groom.

By the time dancing comes around:

Did she make up for it? Welllll... I still feel like I should regularly apologize to Sarah, but thankfully, Sam was there to take up the slack. What have I learned? If I have any more girls, we do not accept flower girl positions!

A Tale of Two Flower Girls - Part One

When I was little, I was in my Aunt Nancy's wedding. I was not a girly girl type. I did not enjoy dressing up and being fussed over. I did however enjoy rough housing with my brothers. The night before the wedding I was jumping on the bed with Tony. He pushed me off and I ended up with a big, shiny black eye. They tried to apply tons of makeup to hide this, but it was pretty futile and I was pretty resistant. To make matters worse, I refused to walk the aisle; and eventually, I think my mom went with me. Later, I refused to allow the photographer to take my picture telling him that my Daddy would take care of it (and that Daddy took better pictures anyway). Here is the evidence:

Funny thing is these are the "good pictures" from my Dad.

Coming up: Eliza's tale.

Andrew's Awesome Wedding: The Outtakes

Andrew & Sarah asked me to take a few pictures of them to have for the Open House. So, I was glad to break out the new camera and help out. I got a lot of pretty good pictures. It is easy when you have beautiful subjects. Here is the funny thing, they kept making faces at me. So, here they are:

I did get permission to post these.

Andrew's Awesome Wedding: Sea Holly

Sarah asked me to be on the look out for flowers to take pictures with at the temple. On Thursday, I went to visit my cousin, Melissa and her beautiful new baby girl, Nina. (Which I stupidly did not take any pictures of.) On the way home, I stopped in Chichester at the Produce Junction to look at flowers. There I saw these crazy blue/purple flowers that I have never seen before. I asked the sales girl what they were. She didn't know but got her inventory sheet. It listed them as Eryngium. They are commonly known at Sea Holly. They are from South America.

Here is Eliza with one. The bottom side of the petal is green.
I gave them to Mom Ridge along with some white roses, and she put them together. Here they are:

Andrew's Awesome Wedding: Getting Ready

I have been accused of never posting pictures of myself. Well, people, unfortunately, I take the pictures. I tried to take a few, and I snapped this one when we were getting ready. The mirror was in the closet; hence, the tuxes.

7 Years

Seven years ago today on a cold, snowy December morning, I married the love of my life. He is caring, kind, sweet, forgiving, loving, passionate, tender and giving. I am thankful every day for my dear Claron. Happy anniversary, honey!

In a strange turn of events, my friend, Kristy and her fiance (now husband) Chopper, also got married that day... in the same temple... at the same time! We did not plan this. Happy anniversary, Kristy & Chopper!

The Wedding Dancer

Last week we were able to attend a lovely reception for Mr. & Mrs. Sam Shipley.

Eliza had the best time. She danced with everyone. Here she is dancing with Katrina:

Dancing with Luke, the brother of the groom:

Dancing with the Sam, the groom:



And of course, dancing with Kaisey, the bride:

This isn't the best pic of her, but check out the dress. I love this dress.

She loved it so much that she didn't want to leave. We had to bribe her with Skittles.