Friday, November 9, 2012

THE Wedding of the Year


Woooohoooo!  Kim and Kyle are married!  We are soooooo happy for them.  It's been awhile since the last O'Brien wedding.  6 years almost to the date!  Kim and Kyle are both Gator grads.  We were so happy to be there and to be a part of their day!

Mercy was the flower girl in their wedding.  I was actually the flower girl in Kim's parents' wedding when I was three years old.  So, this was pretty special for Mercy to attempt this great task!  hahaha!  The rehersal dinner was fabulous.  It was in Summerville at a gigantic old house.  The weather was simply perfect the entire time, which was awesome since a lot of the festivities were outdoors.  Well, here you go.  Here are some pictures of the day~

Kim and Donna checking out the flowers!

Kim looked AMAZING!  She took my breath away whe I saw her!

Kim and Donna

Kim, Stehpanie, and Mercy
Mercy was so nervous and seemed very scared beforehand.  She would barely go to anyone.  At this point, I wasn't sure what she was going to do...
Kim and Mercy

Kim and the mommies


Mercy with the girls!

Go girl!

Chilling out beforehand!

So cute!

A side angle:)
As mercy chilled out in the above pictures, I was thinking that she might walk the aisle.  She was more relaxed and smiling LOTS more.  The plan was for Ryan to wait in the back with her, and then Mercy could walk down the aisle to me (on the 3rd row).  Meanwhile, the boys would have to behave by themselves on a back row.  (Which they did great, in case I forget to write it.)  Ryan said that Mercy got really scared beforehand and when it was time to walk, she didn't want to go.  They got her to agree to walk down with Stephanie, the matron of honor.  About halfway down the aisle, she started crying.  I could see her face and could tell that tears were coming!  She made it to me and I quickly pulled her pacy out!  
Josiah and Aedan were looking GOOD!  Yay for Walmart outfits!

brothers!

so sweet!
Once Mercy made it to me she sat really well with me.  My plan was to try and sneak out, but she was sitting so still, I figured it wuold be more of a distraction to leave.  She ended up falling asleep on me!  She must have been super tired for that to happen.  I can't remember the last time she fell asleep on me.  Oh, wait...maybe I do.  The last time she was really sick she fell asleep on me!  She was a tired girl!
After Mercy walked down the aisle, she was awake for a little while, but then was out!  Being a flower girl is hard work!

Josiah and I
At the reception:
the cousins!

the cousins with Mama:)
a family shot

The kids looking good!

Mercy and Emily

Aedan, the party animal, with Michael!

Aedan with Chris and Michael!

Mercy, Emily, Francie, and John

Francie and Bill

Mercy dancing with Emily.

Lookout! Emily caught the bouquet!

Cindy with the bouquet!

Josiah fell asleep with the loud music! 
Congratulations to Kim and Kyle!  We are so happy for you!
 
The morning after interview with the flower girl:
 
Mercy has gotten over the trauma of being a flower girl.  Since then, she has said that she wants to be a flower girl again and continues to practice her walk.  She has recovered from all of the "scary peoples"!  hahaha!  Emily, Mercy is depending on you!!!!!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween

Okay, I know I am late posting Halloween stuff.  I never even posted anything on facebook!  So, here are the long-awaited pictures!  We had three Halloween events this year.  Ryan and I had a party.  An actual dress up party.  We went as a tree and a tree hugger.  We were supposed to be dressed together, as a couple.  It was the first time I had dressed up since, ummm...maybe, 8th grade.  hahaha.  Here we are looking SOOOO good!  I love Ryan as a tree!
 
 
On Sunday night, we had the Harvest Carnival at Cyprus Creek.  It went well: great chili!  YUM!  Mercy was a strawberry (again this year), Josiah was a transformer (again), and Aedan was a tiger!  (which Josiah was a couple years ago!)  Also, a regular outift during football season!

On Halloween, we went to the Carnival at the church.  This time Aedan decided to be Clemson football player!!!  He also hooked me up with LOTS of Reese Cups!  hahaha!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

A fall swim

While in Lexington, the kids REALLY enjoyed swimming!  They had a blast!  They also enjoyed nightly Sweet Frog trips, and pizza! :)
 


The Natural Bridge

For several years I have wanted to go to the Natural Bridge.  I pass the exit for it when I go visit my mom.  Finally, we saw it!  woo hoo!  It is really pretty:)  With admission, you also get to go to the Toy Museum, Wax Museum, and Butterfly Area.  We did it all!  The walk to see the Bridge itself wasn't far at all.  Then there is a trail to walk on that leads to a small waterfall.  The trail was great (nice and wide) and was a perfect length.  I think total (there and back) was about 2 miles.  On the hike there was an indian area.  The boys liked it and seemed much more interested then I thought they would be.  (Maybe they'll be ready for a Jamestown visit next time we go to Newport News!)  Here are some pictures:)
 
Gift shop.


a beaver dam...picture taken for Josiah







an underneith shot

Checking out the raccoon fur!  Yes, I was surprised they were willing to touch it! :)







at the waterfall






The Butterfly Garden:
 

The butterflies were everywhere.  All over the walls and even on the floor.  You had to watch your step!


Looking at the butterflies!


And, one Wax Museum photo!  Adam and Eve!