Having a Ball...

  Friday, February 24th, I got to go to my first Military Ball (not counting JROTC and National Guard in high school or the Citadel's in college...) - but this was my first one with Eric, my husband! I've posted more on my attire and whatnot (earlier post), but here are some pictures of us from the evening. They aren't the best pictures, but it was a nice time.

Here we are!

   

  Hannah, kissing Eric:

Oh, okay, let's pose for the picture:

 Oh yes, here was the back of my hair. The bottom was curled, and then the top was poofed up (okay, teased a bit) into a little "bump" in the front, with a few curls cascading down the back. Wonderfully girly!!! Yes, there was LOTS of hairspray used here!

Eric took a picture of my hair, from the side, just before dinner.

"Here's look'n at you, Kid."

 
   It was a special evening, and part of the celebration was that they had 6 of the 7 Units home, back in the US. One Unit had just returned the week before. We also remembered the Unit still serving overseas, and many of their spouses were in attendance at the Ball.
  This Military Ball was held at a very nice Marriott. As we left, we walked out a different way and took in a bit of the scenery. Inside:

  Outside, as well... There was hammerhead sharks on this side:

BIG fish on this side:

  Eric was the photographer, clearly:

   I wore heels. Tall heels. Eric enjoyed this when he stood next to me, but it was still a bit much for my knee. By the walk-around at the end of the night, the heels were in my hands.

  Well, if you're gonna take my picture in front of this silly statue, I'm gonna try to pose in the same way:

  I was surprised (and saddened) to see how many of the "adults" around us didn't know basic manners, like covering your heart when the National Anthem is played or waiting until the Head table begins to eat before you do... but it was still fun to see everyone all dressed up and have a night out. Oh, and Eric looks SO handsome in his uniform. Tee he he. Here's another shot of us, happy to get to spend some time together.  Basically, we were just having a Ball. Tee he he.

SSG Eric & Hannah Jackson      24 FEB 12

Another one I can't claim...

 Wow. It's been a bit of a flowery week with my crafts.  Here's how this one started... Though we've been married 4 months on Monday, I'm still working on decorating our home. Eric had a very nice bed, with a smallish sort of head board; but the pillows often sit right at the same level. I wanted to put something over the top of the bed, on the big empty white wall. However, it is concrete; and most of my pictures/artwork is still in Indiana. We are still deciding which wedding pictures to print, how to do it, and where to put them.
  In the meantime, I came up with this. Okay, so I saw it on TV and was like, "I can do THAT!" What I saw was actually done over a mantle in the lady's living room, but I adapted it like this to work above our bed.

 
  This is easily changeable into a big picture or something else later; but, for now, it's sort-of fun. Oh wait, take a closer look at these paper flowers:

In a former life, they were brown lunch bags!

   Onto the center of each flower I glued green, blue, or purple buttons. I'd like to try more of these flowers, using colorful paper; or even large brown paper bags. (which we don't really have here, but I can get from my parents in the Midwest, maybe) I also want to make smaller ones in bright colors, perhaps to use on the top of packages instead of bows. The possibilities just keep popping into my head.. the ideas keep blooming, if you will. (Oh yes, pun intended. Tee he he.) For these flowers for our room, I intentionally just glue parts of the center together, but leave some of the paper up, so it looks more 3-dementional.

Sweet flowers to add a little extra spin in the room for our sweet slumber.

 

Painting from the Non-Artist

   Actually, I wouldn't say that I'm not an artist at all; just that I am a very different kind of artist.
  Sadly, I cannot claim this idea as mine... but it was still super fun!
    If you want to paint cherry blossoms, but you have zero skills in that department (like I do), YOU can still do this:

  Just get an old soda bottle and upcycle it into your stamper. Genius! The other fun part about this is that if, also like myself, you can't draw a straight line - that is perfect. Tree branches are rarely straight.

   I want to experiment with other colors, as well. I'm thinking white or cream on darker paper, for pussy willows; or just a mix of purples and yellows? I also made a few smaller ones on blank notecards, which worked pretty well, too. (you can see the cards with branches in the second picture here)
  Now I'm trying to "think" of a good Bible verse to go with the big picture - I first thought of the flowers fading, but the Word of the Lord standing forever; but maybe I would rather use something about God's glorious creation or something. (any ideas - welcome!) Not sure yet, but a verse will be added and then I'll modpodge over the whole thing to seal it and whatnot. As I pretty much hate the color pink, this will NOT be hung in our home; but instead will be donated to an upcoming craft fair for my church.
  I used a canvas because it was on sale and I wanted this to be a little nicer to possibly sell; but you could try this on any paper or even poster board. (cut it in half length-wise so it looks more like a tree)
  This idea has been posted on Pinterest numerous times... just be careful, it's def. a time-sucker site!
  I triple double dog dare YOU to try making your own flowers this week. Do it, do it now!

Wedding Party!

    Just after Christmas, Eric and I traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Other than visiting friends and family, we were mainly there for our (second) Wedding Reception.  We are very blessed in that Eric's mother and aunt did all the catering for us, and knew who to ask to help with location, decorations, and more.  We are thankful that we could use the History Center in Fort Wayne.  Decorations were simple, yet beautiful. Here is one of the trees in the room:

The History Center went through some renovations recently, 

and they did a wonderful job. Here is the ceiling:

This was the appetizer table... wish I, the Bride, had seen it that night!

    Many people in Eric's family came from nearby midwest areas to help us celebrate. Special THANKS to our "brother", Phillip, who traveled from Germany to surprise us both!
  From left to right: Uncle Kevin, Cousin Grant, Mom Lisa, Aunt Linda, Sister D'Arcy, Tracy & Cousin Ian, Grandma Jean, "brother" Phillip, Uncle Dave and Ruth; with Eric and Hannah peeking through from the back middle right:

  Table decorations were white tree branches and natural pine cones or small candles. We also scattered pictures from throughout our relationship. This picture was from the first time Eric visited me in Gwangju, South Korea. (November of 2010)

    Main centerpieces were collections of games. These games helped tell our story - each little basket had games, why that game is important to us, and write-ups about us and instructions. Guests were invited to play the games after dinner, and then, as they left, to select a game or two as their party favor. I had a lot of fun putting these centerpieces together.

  The "head table":

  Sweet endings... the dessert table! We chose cupcakes, and they were gorgeous! I also made a special Groom's Cake, and typed up a little history about the grooms cake. This one was luscious chocolate with a fudgy genoise and special raspberry sauce.  It was a very late night for this Bride, but a very tasty treat! Around the base of the cake, I put dominos (no, not edible), alternated with real raspberries.  We also put out lychee candy, which we brought from Hawaii with a writeup, and also served at our wedding.  This cake table also got a picture of the cake topper we had from friends at an engagement party in Korea in September of 2011.

  The cake table also got these flowers, mostly tulips, which were a special gift from the bride to the groom.

Lychee candy dish...

The Groom's cake!

The cake table... beautiful... and delicious!

     I had mentioned hanging paper lanterns; but then didn't think that would fit with the History Center. The person decorating used these fantastic large white paper lanterns and piled them off to the side, then wove small white Christmas lights through them. It really was our very own Winter Wonderland... of LOVE.  Tee he he.

The food was amazing!  Here was the salad:

Food table:

     What made this evening so special was that so many of our  friends and family came to celebrate with us.  Due to Eric's stationing in Hawaii and me just spending the past year in Korea, we had not seen these friends in over a year!  Here Kalen looks on at Kristopher, with his young son; in the background we see Clara, Louisa, Billy, and Russ; and also Annita:

Here the Bride meets 6-month old Isabella, and greets Isabella's
beautiful Mother, Robin; while the McDaniels arrive.

Hannah visits with her Mom's cousin, Jerry; Eric talks to close friends;
and others mingle around the room:

 In a rare moment this evening, Eric and Hannah stand side-by-side:

 Um, if you read the posts from our wedding day...
well, here we go again. Tee he he.
Eric really makes me happy!

A friend from high school, Joe, with his eldest daughter, who recently had just turned 3!
We were so glad that Joe & Beth could join us, with both their little ones.

 A friend of Hannah's from high school, Virginia,
with her Mom, Wanda, and her son, Jack...
Oh yes, Jack is thrilled to be here!

A large Christmas tree was behind the undesignated "JROTC" table
- Major Bierbaum, SFC & Mrs. Conrad; Robin with her family;
Chris with his family; and more!

Two not-so-little-anymore friends of Hannah,
Clara and Billy. They traveled from SC!

Hannah and Eric, listening to the very interesting prayer.
(If you missed this, there are not words.)

    Rev. Warren Messmann, Father of the Bride, gave a very nice prayer before the meal was served. However,we forgot to turn off the music, which created an interesting situation...

The Bride & Groom dished up their food...

Eric helped serve Hannah... we are still newlyweds!

Clara, diligently coloring. She is very good at coloring!

WHAT did you just say?
Oh wait, this handsome Eric is carrying my plate, too?
What a sweetie!

Billy, also a little Cutie.

The Bride and Groom dined with friends.

One table had this picture from 11.12.11
Annita, a friend of Hannah's from high school,
and her hasband, Jake, were the only ones
 (other than the Bride and Groom)
who were at BOTH wedding receptions.

 Time to eat!

Time to mingle...

Hannah, talking to Stacy and little Louisa, who came from SC!

Hannah speaks to the Doenges, as Alexis tries
to get the Bride's attention.

Alexis is asking if it's time for CAKE yet.

This little girl is persuasive...
but Hannah says we have to wait for Eric...

   I like this picture not just for the detail on the back of my dress, not just for Mr. Doenges' nice conversation with me, not just for Robin with her family in the back left corner; but mainly because of Eric's expression in the small back right corner here, as he talks to the Lenningtons. I do so like his smile!

Christopher (friend who was in JROTC with Hannah)
& Rachel, with their son:

This Bride caught a little Monkey, named Jack,
playing in the big paper lanterns.

 Monkey Jack got handed over to the Bride's father:

A month and a half after the wedding and
Eric STILL wanted to kiss me all the time...
(Am I super lucky, or what? Tee he he.)

"Whatchyou talk'n about, Willis?"

OKAY... how could I resist THAT face?

More kissing... hey, we are the Bride & Groom!

More kissing!

Isabella brings Robin over to bid farewell.

 Um, were we getting ready to do a dance here?

No, no, we were getting ready to eat the cupcakes!
Eric apparently wanted to smell it first?

Something sweet for someone sweet...

Ever so gently now...

This is great!

Okay, now Hannah is going to get a chocolate cupcake!

Oh, how polite we are!

Forget that silly cupcake, let's KISS!

 Well, maybe I'll just taste the cupcake...

Yup, it's good... this is a close one!

Silly Eric!

Don't fret, we were just playing around...

Didn't our mothers ever teach us not to play with our food?

Yup, this IS fun... and delicious...

Here you go:

Oh my!

Yup, that's my wonderful husband!

Am I helping?

Love this. Love cupcakes. LOVE Eric!

  Maybe there was some more kissing...

 More cupcakes!

 Yes, I put the whole cupcake in my mouth at once...
Hey, I was triple double dog dared!

 Delicious.

 Oh yes, Eric will be helpful...

 Okay, dear...

 Now, let's get Eric clean...

Louisa, Billy, and Clara patiently wait for their turn to eat cake!

 More kissing!!!!

FINALLY... Billy and his sisters get their cupcakes!

They were tired, but ready for cake.

Our photographers had a little fun...

Special THANKS to Lyse, and her now fiance, her Eric,
who are amazing photographers and were so very kind to come as
both guests and photographers for us. If you ever need any photography,
especially in the Midwest but really anywhere, please contact Lyse!!!!

Hannah and Eric, scoping out the food:

... and excellent food it was!
IF you ever need any catering, or just a really good
lunch with friends, please keep The Bagel Station in mind.
They do all sorts of food (not just bagels), and it's really good.
Plus, my new Mom Lisa and my new Aunt Linda - they pretty much rock.

 The Groom often makes Hannah laugh.

 Hannah visits with Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.
Um, here I might as well go ahead and plug... if you ever
need a lawyer in Indiana... talk to Mr. Thompson.
Here he was actually discussing the updating of Hannah's will.
Off to the side, Matt and Virginia talk.
In the front here, little friends are well behaved.

One of my fav. pics from the day!

 Joe with little Alexis. Where oh where is Beth?

 Friends... the little ones...

The beautiful Mother of the Bride, Joan;
Eric & Hannah; and Father of the Bride, Warren

Sister of the Groom, D'Arcy,
Eric & Hannah kissing,

 and Phillip, brother of the Groom:

Another fav. pic from the evening... Hannah with her friend's kiddies...
Josh & Lexi, Louisa, Clara, Hannah, and Billy
(D'Arcy is in the background, as well)

Clara likes to twirl... but I wonder what Eric just told SFC Conrad...

 Remember when we could get away with just
throwing our hands up over our heads and twirling around,
with the full dress poofing out extension...

This little girl wanted to show me something...

Her little Sis, Louisa, can twirl, as well!

One tree by the door was full of danish hearts.
Eric & I made these, then put "thanks for coming" notes
in each one... and encouraged each guest to take one as they left.
Yes, Eric helped with the making of these!

The danish heart tree, with part of our story
to explain why these were chosen for this.

Wait a minute... where are THEY going?

One of the cool things about having an event at the History Center
is that the whole Museum was open to our guests, including the
downstairs, which used to be the old jail...

Eric is funny!

Hmmm... this kind of jail isn't so bad with my best friend...

 He kept trying to pose al serious, but it was just funny.

 Newlyweds in jail = kissing!

 Oh wait, YOU are tall... why don't you just bust us out of here?

If that won't work, let's just kiss some more!

 Or, we could just open the door...

 Hannah, the Bride, in "jail"...

 Eric poses much better from behind the bars...

There's my little JailBird... a prisoner of my LOOOOOVE!

 Behind bars? Let's kiss!

 MORE kissing!

 Eric with Jeff, his good friend from HC and CLHS...

 Not that either one of them talked to ME then...

The Bride "rides" the motorcycle...
Look Mums, NO HANDS!

Just checking out my lip gloss in this cute little side mirror...

The Bride & Groom steal a moment together...
Look at that big dress.
It's 18 lbs... and it came from Hawaii with Hannah,
as her carry-on in a vacuum sealed bag...

Time to kiss the Groom!

No, no, KISS like you mean it!
(and ignore that creepy doll in the background)

Groom Eric, Bride Hannah, & that creepy doll in the background
(her eyes just kept moving with me...)

This event was our main wedding reception,
held 12.29.2011 in Fort Wayne, IN
at the History Center.

*More to follow soon