Mall Happenings

Louisa is now big enough to really enjoy playing in the mall playground(s).

Rock was more than a little peeved that this boy wanted to be his friend and be in this photo.

But (after a talk about being kind to people even if we aren't feeling like making new friends) he soon cheered up.

That is, until after Story Hour when we saw this HORRIFIC SITE! Chick Fil-A is boarded up?!?!?! Thankfully, while we were eating lunch (from an inferior establishment), someone came by and put a sign up that they are merely remodeling this site, not closing it! It should be open again come November. I hope we can make it that long.

Earthquake

I took this picture in July,but on August 23rd, I was at Annapolis Mall with my mom and my two kids, enjoying the new play area pictured above. All of a sudden the building started shaking. The little rings around the inset lighting started falling out of the ceiling. People started running. Juju grabbed her Chick Fil-A Coke so hard she popped a hole in the side. I grabbed my children so fast we almost forgot Rock's flip flops.
We ran down an employee hallway through the emergency exit door and out of the mall. Everyone else was gathered outside and we quickly learned that we had just lived through an earthquake. Perhaps it was because I am pregnant and tired, but it really shook me up. Everyone was okay, but Rock had plaster in his hair from the ceiling above the play area! I thought I was done with those things after I left San Diego. Crazy times.

Engaged!

You all know about Rock's first girlfriend Becky.

Well, she went and found herself another boyfriend, Matt.

And then he gave her this.

And we were all there to celebrate right afterwards! SO SO SO SO SO happy for them! And SO SO SO SO SO SO excited that she asked me to be a bridesmaid and Matt asked Fix to be a groomsman! And although Matt is taking away his first love, Rock has still agreed to be the ringbearer. I think I might die when I see him in a tux.

Pics from Papa

These are some random pictures from Papa John's cell phone... This first one is Rock sporting his VBS sailor hat.

Louisa sporting a hat of her own.

Someone's looking preggo!

Enjoying the new swing on Nana and Papa's back porch.

Pretty in pink.

The King of Sprinkles

... Or so he called himself.

Goggles

I took this picture to show Fix just how cool he looks in goggles. Agreed?

Marta and Jono got Hitched!

They did it! Marta is now Mrs. Jono Wilcox! Okay so his given name isn't Jono, it's Jonathan and he has like seven middle names 'cause he is a Brit, but whatever.

We were encouraged to wear hats, but I didn't have time to buy one. So I used my S&D brooch to make a little hair embellishment.
Lisa was TOTALLY rocking in her hat. I was jealous. Notice the hand-on-the-belly-I'm-not-fat-I'm-pregnant pose I'm sporting.

Marta was a breathtaking bride...

This star pin has been worn by brides in her family for several generations. So cool.

While there was no official bouquet toss, Jonathan was happy to be given the bridal bouquet to use as a boutonniere.After a tea and cookies (and fruit and yummy savory things) reception, the couple dashed off to an unknown location for a few hours...

And then we all gathered again in the awesome tent for some awesome cake. Oh and an awesome dinner reception. Right Jonathan?

Apparently when the two receptions are so far apart, you are supposed to change? Lisa lost her hat and I donned the new (to me) preggo dress that my sister Sarah gave me.
Congratulations Marta and Jono! May God bless you with many happy years together!

Marta and Jono had a Rehearsal Dinner!

I've known Marta for her entire life. She is one of the youngest (Peter's younger, right?) kids in our Summer Fellowship group. She is too much fun. And she recently found herself a handsome British chap named Jono to marry.
Okay so you'll have to trust me here -- he's handsome. He is also too much fun. I was so excited to be able to attend their wedding (thanks Juju and Rocket for buying my ticket and Nana and Papa for helping Fix watch the wee ones!) in St. Louis on August 6th.

The night before the big day we all gathered in this awesome tent (which completely transformed the Douglass' driveway) for some....

REALLY yummy food...

Lots of witty banter with the Hudgens...

A few tears over the touching moments of our lives...

And a romping Ceilidh (pronounced "kay-leigh"), aka Irish (or was it Scottish?) square dancing. It was too much fun.

Mothership Beer

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know about my husband Fix and his 5 best buds and how they call themselves The Mothership (this pic is of the Mothership Thanksgiving celebration in 2009). It's a long story. So imagine my delight when I saw this gem of a beer at Marta and Jono's rehearsal dinner (see the next posts for more pics from the wedding)!

The label was witty and the taste was...

Well, you'll have to ask Juju. I am pregnant so I told her she'd have to sample it and tell me how it tasted. Too bad my mom doesn't drink so the bottle isn't even touching her lips in this picture. After I took it (and promptly attached it to her contact name in my phone so it comes up whenever she calls me!), I took a sip of the beer for myself. It was pretty tasty!

Dancing for their Dinner

These days Rock and Lou beat the pre-dinner blues by singing their own version of the blues. They grab their hats, hop up on the futon, and dance and belt their little hearts out.

The tunes are very loud and rarely make any sense, but I'll take it over whining any day.