A Busy Weekend in May

     The first weekend in May is always graduation weekend for our College. I say our, as in, the college that all of my sisters and I attended. It was Vic's turn this year and along with graduating she decided to get married as well! So in one weekend, we celebrated her accomplishment in the Geology Program, threw a bridal shower in honor of her upcoming nuptials, and I took some extra engagement photos for her and Dan just because. It was so fun for me and Tobias to be back in Ohio before throwing another little boy into the mix. Tobias definitely enjoyed all the attention from both sets of grandparents and his aunts!

 Victoria doesn't officially graduate until December so she showed us her "fake" diploma instead. My dad is a professor at the college and so he dresses every year for graduation. We all love the scarlet red, it's a handsome statement for sure! :)

 The proud parents and fiance.

The Couser Girls. So proud of each of my sisters and their many accomplishments! Can't believe it was four years ago that I was at the center of these pictures, time sure flies!

     The Shower had a coffee and donuts theme, two of the brides favorite things. With Dominique at the helm and my mom, Francesca, and I working together I think we pulled off a beautiful party. Someday that wedding/event center I want to own will happen, I hope. Thank you Bill's Donut Shop for the delicious treats (they definitely didn't help my pregnancy weight gain, oh well)!

She is going to be/was a gorgeous bride!

We are so thankful for all the people who came and showered the new couple with gifts!

Opening silverware can be quite difficult, don't be fooled!

The bride and her mother and mother-in-law to be!

     Occasionally it is enjoyable to test my creativity and when I have willing subjects it is even better. These photos were as much fun to take as they are to look at! What an awesome couple and what a great weekend.

Oh and a photo of Tobias just for good measure!

Vic and Dan's Engagement

     I had the pleasure of not only witnessing, but being a part of my sisters engagement to sweet Dan. It was such an amazing day, full of giddy nervousness, surprise and great fellowship. I love all my sisters and getting to enjoy special moments in their lives is such a gift.
     It happened over Thanksgiving weekend on Saturday morning. Our original family (mom and dad and the four girls) scrunched into my parents car and drove the distance to Hocking Hills, Ohio. It was a damp and overcast day, but we were all excited, even Victoria, who though she was completely oblivious to the true plan loves hiking so much the weather didn't phase her (I remind myself that she is studying to be a geologist).
     Just to fill in some of the details, Dan had written out an in-depth plan and sent it to us over email. The only negative was that at our destination, the internet was spotty at best and so following the plan proved to be difficult. Thankfully Dan and his friend were on the lookout and worked with what we gave them, which was basically nothing ...
     The plan was to walk a certain trail and find "the spot" that Dan had picked out previously. Then we were to encourage a solitary Victoria towards said spot for a picture. Once she was in place we were supposed to call out a specific phrase letting Dan know he should step out and ambush/propose to her. Golly was that spot hard to find and the warning call, forget about it! We were all sorts of confused and uncertain, but it somehow worked out anyway! Thank goodness, none of us wanted a botched proposal on our hands!!
     He stepped out and I started snapping as he got to one knee and said beautiful sweet things all while an extremely confused Victoria kept looking at us and couldn't quite wrap her mind around what was happening. He had to ask her twice before everything clicked. To her defense he had shaved his beard, told her he was extremely ill, couldn't text, and then all of a sudden stood in front of her! So awesome the things people do for a good surprise!
     Of course she said yes and after all the hugging and congratulations we went off to shot a couple of pictures. Once those were out of the way we headed back to the car and everyone (Dan's parents included) made their way back to my parents house to enjoy some amazing pancakes, conversation (when the story was repeated millions of times, as it should be) and then dinner. Such a good day and so many fun memories that I'm sure Dan and Vic will remember for a long time to come!!
     Congratulations you too!