And then there were four!

Carrie's here for her fall break and Ryan H is on his break too! There was just too much fun to be had yesterday so I laid off the homework and the 4 of us went to a driving range to hit some golfballs around. Don't we look relaxed and happy???

My golf swing is SOOOOO rusty... Ryan's knee surgery impeded my learning curve, or at least that's my excuse.





While Ryan and Carrie were out canoodling downtown, Ryan and I were getting some culture at the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra. It had to be the BEST concert I've ever been to with Variations on America, The Grand Canyon Suite, and an African American pianist who played with the orchestra for Duke Ellington's New World A'Comin and Rhapsody in Blue. My heart was very full... especially knowing what Carrie and Ryan were up to. When we got out we went to the Heilmans house. I could tell MJ was taking pictures of them by the mantle, the place for pictures at all big family events so I KNEW! Carrie and Ryan are engaged. I took off running and met Carrie at the door. Sadly, these may be the last pictures ever in the old Crestmont house!

I think one of the most fun things about getting engaged is getting to hear all the fun reactions. In this picture they are on the phone with Ryan's Aunt Ruthie.
(It was SOOO wonderful to hear from each of you last week when we told you we were engaged.)

There's lot of talking to do... we started off last night by talking til 1 AM

On top of Old Smoky

Ryan, Robin, and I headed to Gatlinburg Friday for a Johnson family get together in honor of Papaw's 80th birthday. Here's the cabin we all stayed in:

View from the porch

Hill of a thousand cabins

Luke and Chelsea wait for the others on the way up to the Chimneys on Sabbath

Semi-fresh

At the top, Whitni and I started to climb up the back face but the rocks were too hot and it was too steep so we went around to the front and took the easier route

The views were just INCREDIBLE! Take this and make it 360 degrees around you.

from L to R (with their relationship to Ryan):
Whitni (cousin), Ross (brother), Aunt Vicki, ME, Gramma Johnson, Robin (sister), Ryan, Aaron (Whitni's husband), Uncle Andy (sitting)

Refreshing rest on the way down

Festivities back at the cabin with catering by Zach McDonald (Ryan's cousin)
Family came from far and wide to celebrate, even cousins from Ohio


Ryan and Robin played in All-night Softball Saturday night. Both of their teams got to the final game AGAIN... but lost... The games ended at 8:30 AM this year. So it really was ALL night.



Dr. King (Dean of the School of Religion) on first, Mickey Gammenthaler (first base coach), Ryan pitching (in batman pants)

The team

Engaged!

Ryan took me to Tony's tonight (finally, since I lost a bet with him about the Red Sox vs Braves game in June, except I was supposed to pay if the Sox lost... so maybe we'll have to go again in the future...)

Self-portrait by the Hunter Art museum

Then Ryan wanted to hike out to Sunset Rock and watch the sun go down... he brought a coat "in case it is windy" as it had been very much so once when we were there before. He has been sick after all. I was also told to bring my camera on this trip for some reason. Hmmm...

And then he told me the real reason for our trip... and asked me to marry him.
So there you have it!

Post wedding relaxation

On Monday morning Carrie, Ryan H, and I took a trip to the Biltmore House. What an amazing residence! Even though some of the stuff in this house has the same look as those we saw in England you can tell its much younger (and a little bigger)!

My favorite part of the house were the staircases. This is the view of the main staircase from the outside.

The first one leaves the nest...

We all made the pilgrimage to Asheville for Tara's wedding this weekend. We all thought she'd be the last to jump into matrimony, but what a surprise that she's the first! The wedding was very beautiful, with perfect weather, lots of good girl-time, family time, and many wonderful memories. Here are some pictures from the weekend (there are too many to choose from!):

On Friday the bridesmaids got their nails done, we practiced at rehearsal and had the rehearsal dinner - check Carrie's blog for pictures. Saturday evening after a big picnic at the Peterson's house, we had a shower for Tara at La Paz.

Karen (Tara's mom) with a few of Tara's gifts



Karen and her "girls"

And then came the big day...

Pre hairdo

Post hairdo








"But I just want to see what's going on!"














Our exit was a little unorthodox, but lots of fun. It was the song that goes, "Celebrate good times, come on!"










Ryan and Ryan came up for the festivities






Our former academy chaplain, Mark Witas did the hitchin'

Sure... we know what we're doing...