baby girl

 Sorry, I've been absent again lately. Last week, I got to meet my newest niece and the newest member of the family.

catching up

Surprise Party~ Susan turned 30 on Christmas Day so, my sisters threw her a surprise party one night at Ruby Tuesday. It was Mom, Hannah, Joy and I along with Susan's sister-in-laws and some of her friends in Florida. Unfortunately, Teresa and her girls were sick and unable to attend. Susan was completely surprised when we showed up and she found all these people in the room. She thought it was just the sisters and Mom getting together. We had a fun evening with food, chocolate cake and a little shopping! 

Yes, this little girl is sucking a lemon!

The youngest of the party.

The birthday girl

Making Donuts~ I went over to Joy's, on Christmas Eve, where her, Susan and Hannah were making donuts. Ella was so cute playing with the dough. She was acting so grown up!

This picture isn't very good, but I love Ella's expression.

There were SO many donuts!!!

Christmas Eve~ Susan took my camera and was getting some snapshots of Matt and I. There was the tradition of wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve, which we did together. Then, I made donuts and Matt fried them. I got Matt to wear an apron and of course I picked the most girlie one. :)

A Harding Christmas~ We had a house full for Christmas this year even though all the family wasn't there. It was a very enjoyable day with the family.

This is a scary thought...

Ella was "cutting" Amanda's hair with fake scissors.

This little girl finally warmed up to me after about a week of being at the house. She has so many cute expressions.

engagement story---

I woke up Saturday morning and was not feeling good. I had (have) a bad cold. Daddy had suggested earlier in the week that we go to St. Augustine again. On New Year's Eve, we went there, but it was a very fast trip and we didn't get to go to this restaurant he wanted to go to. We planned to go back this Saturday, but I was running a fever Thursday night until Friday night. I honestly didn't really want to go on Saturday with how I was feeling, but then again I wanted to go because I would get to spend the whole day with Matt. I also knew that if we didn't do it that day it would be a couple weeks with my Mom being gone and then my Dad and I the next weekend. Anyways, we ended up going. I actually ended up sleeping half the trip and it was funny when I think about it now cause it was almost like Matt wanted me to sleep. :) We got to the restaurant early to beat the lunch crowd (the place is always packed). Neither Matt or I ate very much and the excuse was we had colds. It was a nice cover up for him as he also had a cold. I don't know if it was nerves or the cold for him. Daddy then suggested we go into town. Matt and I walked through the town, but I just felt like sitting. He took me to this bench facing towards the Bay and we sat there and enjoyed the gorgeous weather and just us being together. After awhile, he wanted to move so him and I walked to the Fort. We walked along the wall around the Fort and then we sat down on the wall. I thought to myself that it was the perfect day. Like I said the weather was beautiful and just getting to hang out, relax and talk to Matt was great! I didn't know the day could get any more perfect. Matt did check the phone every couple minutes to see what time it was, but I thought he was wondering when Mom and Dad would call us and say they were ready to go. He did also look around quite a bit. I figured he was just looking at the people on top of the Fort. Then, Matt got serious and I could tell by the way he was looking at me that the mood had changed. He then pulled something out of his pocket and got down on one knee. I was surprised! He was so sweet! Let me rephrase that, I wasn't surprised that he was sweet. :) I was surprised he was proposing and then commenting that he's sweet. Anyways, after he asked I of course said "Yes" and he put the ring on my finger. After a second he said that he should've waited a second and I asked why. He then moved his head and I saw the banner. He had seen the plane coming, but he said he couldn't wait any longer. There was again another surprise. After the plane went by a couple times it clicked that it would be cool to get the banner in the background of a picture of Matt and I. I asked this stranger and they took a picture, but completely missed the banner. We didn't end up getting one of us with the banner clearly seen in the background, but I'll never forget the memory. It was a perfect day turned even more perfect. Now, I will end the story there.

Of course I knew the pilot since we both work for AirSign and after flying he was texting Patrick asking if I had called Hannah yet. He was worried that I had said no since I didn't call Hannah until that night.

We are definitely looking forward to getting married this year. I can't believe we get to start planning our wedding now. Since we didn't talk about all this stuff before being engaged, it's still a little strange when he mentions it and then I remember "Oh yeah, we are engaged now". The way the Lord has brought us together is still amazing to me. Matt and I have grown closer over the years and I feel so blessed to now be able to marry him, my best friend.

now a bride.to.be...

No, I'm not use to the fact that I am now engaged and will be getting married, but I'm working on it. I am very excited. I should say we are very excited. I will be posting the story along with pictures very soon, hopefully tonight. Since all of my sisters aren't around here, I decided to go ahead and post a picture of the ring. It's gorgeous. Totally me. Matt did an amazing job! For all those wondering about the date, you will have plenty of time to plan so, no worries. We will let everyone know soon.

 

Sorry, I know this isn't a good picture, but it's hard to take one of your own hand with a 50mm lens.

'twas the week before Christmas...

...and all the house was NOT quiet. So, if you've been wondering if I'm alive or if I still blog, I do. I have lost my camera cord, for the present time, so it's more work to get pictures on my computer since my laptop doesn't have a card reader. Anyways, I finally took the extra time and got a bunch of pictures off my camera and on my computer. I have a lot of pictures to catch up on so I will get started.

On the 18th, Matt's birthday, we had a big family gathering at the house.

Daddy was really surprised at his gift! He had lots of little boys willing to help him.

The birthday boy and me;). I was so happy to be able to spend Matt's birthday with him. We've now had four wonderful months together (I really can't believe it's been that long). Our relationship has really grown and I love seeing how the Lord brings us closer together all the time. I loved Matt when we started courting, but I love him so much more today. I thought I knew him the day we started courting, but I know him so much better today and still love learning new things. I love all the time I get to spend with him, but I do try to share him when all the familes around. I love how he wants my dreams to come true and not just be a "dream" forever. I love you, Matt!

The sisters that were there.

This child gets around wherever she is.

Livies checking out the new baby.

Josiah would play Matt in Checkers for as long as Matt would let him.

I just started back to work, after having quite a few days off. It was a very nice couple of weeks, but I do like when life gets back to "normal". I am having a hard time believing this is 2011!!! I really think we were shorted on days in 2010 because it literally flew by. I'm thankful for everything that happened in my life last year. :) I really like the start of a new year and the feeling that you are starting all over again. I have things that I would like to accomplish this year and I try not to think about the things I did not accomplish last year. One of my wishes for this year will come to past, Lord willing, in March - I get to photograph my first wedding! I am SO happy and excited and nervous!!! This is a dream I've had for awhile, but never thought it would come about this soon.

I hope to post some more pictures soon. I hope that everyone will have a very blessed, thankful year. Happy New Year!!!