Ruth and Crystal

We had a great evening with the aforementioned Ruth and Crystal.

Post-biscotti bliss. I had already retired to my pajama bottoms (yes, while guests were still in my home!) thus the blanket.

It never ceases to amaze me how you can cross paths with someone repeatedly and never discover how wonderful they are until you share an evening together. Such is the case with Ruth. (Crystal and I were fast friends from the beginning) I lived with Ruth and hundreds of other people while on the Doulos but knew only a few well. A lesson learned in taking time, even when life is SO BUSY, to invest in relationships and discover the treasure inside those around me!

House Guests

We've had so many cool people come visit us at the apartment the last few months! Here's a quick slideshow:

The Hultzes (my brother and his sweet family) plus my parents

Flo, our friend from the Doulos and his friend Corny (that's short for Cornelius in German. You probably knew that. I didn't. I called him Conny for most of the time he was here. He was really nice about it.)

Caroline - I taught her Sunday School class when she was in 4th and 5th grade. Now she's a super-hip college student!

Akira - another friend from the Doulos. (Why is this the only picture I have of you? Sorry, we had so much fun chatting and cooking together I forgot to use my camera! :)

Hannah's Walk Down the Aisle - Part 1

At long last ... pictures and stories from Hannah's big day as flower girl in Brittany's wedding.

When Brittany showed us the dress she had chosen for Hannah to wear, we could only think one thing: Ultimate Princess Dress!  I have never seen anything that elaborate or gorgeous for a small person.  Here is Hannah after my mom fitted her for it, doing some research into princessdom.

Then we went to the mall with our Doulos friends to choose a tiara.  This store must have what we're looking for!

(That's one of Hannah's special friends from the ship - Miss Nicole!)

Hannah was a big help at the rehearsal.  Here she is handing out place markers to the wedding party. 

Wedding day: Hannah checks out the fish centerpieces.  These were so cool!

(We also found the goldfish crackers at the kids' table and stuffed that cute little purse full of goldfish.  That's the secret to her being so patient and quiet during the whole service!)

Hannah's Walk Down the Aisle - Part 2

Now her walk down the aisle. At first you'll notice that she's unsure of the direction to go and starts putting petals back in her basket.  But then she gets the hang of it and heads straight for Daddy, who was sitting at the front.  Once she gets there, she realizes she still has all those petals in the basket!  She starts to put them down, one by one...

This method is faster!   (This is a short one.)

And a few last whacks to really get them all out...

Check out how Brittany's mom is cracking up! I was nervous she wouldn't see that Brittany was arriving at the back. She did great though and the rest of the ceremony was absolutely beautiful.  I'm so proud of my little girl!

Brittany's Wedding

Hannah had the honor of being the flower girl in our dear friend Brittany's wedding.  We know Brittany and Mike from the Doulos.  And as a huge perk, we got to host five friends from the Doulos at our home over the course of 10 days and saw several others at the wedding.  

The wedding was FABULOUS!  It was outside and the weather was perfect, crisp and cool, the service was beautiful and their vows were so moving.  We had a blast dancing our hearts out (especially Hannah!) at the reception.  I hope your marriage continues to be every bit as rich and wonderful, Britt and Mike!

There are too many good pictures to show here.  I'll post them in PhotoWorks and a few on FaceBook.  I'll post again with special notes about Hannah's walk down the aisle and some videos that are so cute you will not be able to stand it!