Here Comes the...Flower Girl

Don't get Joe started on Olivia being a bride one day, but he was so proud to see her as a flower girl. My first cousin Erin asked Olivia to be in her wedding, and of course she was thrilled to be a "flower princess" in a "castle" (church). It is all in how you phrase things to her. This was a great honor that has a long history. I was a flower girl (around age 4) in Erin's parent's wedding, Erin's younger sister Sarah was the flower girl in our wedding, and now Olivia is a flower girl in Erin's wedding.

The family posing prior to the wedding on January 29 in Terre Haute, IN. When everyone is dressed up and happy, you have to take advantage of that and get a family picture!


Olivia posing with the bride before the big moment. Erin could not have been nicer to Olivia for this experience. Olivia was able to have her hair done at the same time as the "big girls", and Erin allowed Olivia to get dressed with her and her bridesmaids. That last bit was a thrill for Olivia - she loved watching them put on their beautiful dresses and she particularly loved Erin's veil. She will still talk about the veil 2 weeks later. The entire experience was magical for her.

Olivia showing off her flowers.

Waiting in the church for the big moment.

Olivia's big moment has arrived! She had quite a shocked look on her face when she saw the pews full of people. That was very different than how the rehearsal was the night before! However, she walked down the aisle without incident. The only little slip up that she had was once she reached the end of the aisle, Olivia did not see Joe waiting for her to take her to our seat. So Olivia turned back around and started walking back down the aisle. She made it 10 rows until she spotted Uncle Luke and he was able to get her into his pew. Every flower girl has to have a story like that, right?

Posing for pictures with bride Erin and groom Jason after the wedding.

I think that this picture is so adorable.

At the reception Olivia had the time of her life. She was on the dance floor as much as possible, and we had a difficult time keeping her off of it while Erin and Jason had their special dances. Here is Olivia bowing to her "prince" as Joe was called that day.

Joe with Ethan at the reception. Ethan hung in there really well despite the noise, strangers, and lack of a decent nap.

Olivia dancing with grandpa.

Olivia and I dancing. She danced non-stop for about 2 hours, and then asked to return to the hotel to go to bed. Olivia did beautifully all day, despite any fears that we may have had about her having an "I'm 3" moment.

Aunt Rachel, Ethan, grandma, grandpa, and great Aunt Patty showing off dance moves.

The conclusion to the end of a long day.