Anderson Lake Party

The Anderson family embarked on it's first ever lake party. This party was to celebrate Josh and I getting married. Since we live in Texas they weren't able to throw a shower before the wedding so they threw us a party last weekend. There was a lot of apprehension and fear at the thought of my father driving a boat around Lake Murray. We actually rented two boats. All of the old folks were in one boat with dad as the captain and the younger generation hung together. Needless to say our boat had more fun. The old folks tried to pump up the music to make us think they were all hip but it didn't work.

We spent the first 2 hours trying to find Dreher Island from the Dock Side Marina. This was only a 45 min ride but to no ones surprise we got lost. Dad thought he knew what he was doing but if he had only listened to Brian then we would have made it there a lot sooner. I guess since Brian is an "add on" family member and not an original Anderson that his opinion doesn't carry as much weight.

So we finally found our destination where we had a fabulous cook out with South Carolina BBQ and sweet tea! This was the first time our entire family has gotten together since my

grandmother passed away. We had the most fun and it was great to catch up and just have fun together.

The day was filled with food, fun, family, cops, and getting lost. YES! We got lost going home two! The cops stopped us twice that day. Once to make sure that we had life jackets and the other was because dad was doing something illegal.

That's right. Dad was using the gas in a no wake zone. The cop pulled him over and guess what? Dad didn't have his drivers license. hahaha! So he had to give the cop his buisness card. I guess that probably helped since his title is Cheif Federal Judge. The cop was really nice and gave dad a warning after explaining the definition of "No Wake".

One more cool thing happend. We got to see Rick Flair. Apparently he is a professional wrestler that has been around for years. I got a picture of him from behind but my cousin Julie got a picture with him. Click here to see more photos of our lake party and you can see Rick there.

Visiting Dad

Our vacation in SC has been great so far. We were able to spend the first three nights at my dads house. My sister, brother in-law and niece met us there. My dad has some pretty good hospitality skills for being a bachelor. Dad definatley knows how to make the men in the family happy as he made steaks our first night. This was Josh's first time meeting our niece Isabel. This was terrific preparation for our baby on the way. Josh was so great with her. He even gave her a bath and helped her get ready for bed. To this day Josh still has never changed a diper but that will all change soon. Isabel sure does love her uncle Josh! Fletcher will have a hard time in competition for the favorite uncle title. To see more pictures of the family and Isabel click here.

Meeting Mary Addison

YES! I finally got to meet Mary Addison. Mary A. is the daughter of my college friends Ed and Julie Edwards. Josh and I are in South Carolina for the week and one of the first things I got to do was go to meet this cute little girl. She is so precious! Thankfully she looks more like Julie than Ed. While I was in Spartanburg, Julie and I met Ed at work and went to a park to have lunch. Then Julie and I spent the rest of the day together talking baby talk, pregnancy, and all that comes with motherhood. I LOVE these conversations! There is so much to learn from those who have already been down this road that we are on.

Unfortunatley Josh didn't get to spend time with the infamous Ed Edwards or meet Mary Addison. My dad had some big plans for the two of them. Dad knows that Josh loves adventure and the outdoors so he bought two kayaks. (YES, my family spoils my husband). So the two of them went kayaking down the Saluda river. They had a good time and it was probably good for them. Typically, when we spend time with my dad I do all of the talking so maybe this helped them to get to know each other a little better.

That is one day down and 9 more to go on our summer vacation 2007!!

Meet our Neice Isabel

I became an Aunt and Josh is Uncle for the first time. This is also the first grandchild on my side of the family. So needless to say that she is going to be spolied. Fortunately I got to spend a week with her when she was 6 weeks old. Click here to check out the pictures of this cutie pie. Her name is Isabel Susana Traywick and I am by far her favorite aunt! My sister was in labor for 24 hours and was pushing hard for the final 3 hours. She almost 2 weeks early and was so tiny that they had to buy premature baby clothes. Isabel tells me that she can't wait for her cousin to get here in January. It's so neat that they will be close in age!

The Wedding Weekend

So I might be a little late in posting a blog about our wedding but better late than never right? So Josh and I had a wonderful wedding. Everything was absolutley perfect! We had the most fun the entire day. I have one very important word of advice for engaged gals.... DO NOT do pictures the traditional way. Josh and I had a 6pm and we did all of the pictures in advance. We had a special moment at the alter around 2pm where our photograher could capture the exchange that took place between us. It was intimate, emotional, memorable, special and completley free of the dictates of the conventional ceremony. After that we met up with our families to take pictures in front of a beautiful plantation house.

Next we went barefoot on the beach with our wedding party and fully dressed in formal attire. We were jumping up and down, laughing, dancing and embracing. It was sooo much fun!! Josh and I honestly got to enjoy our wedding day together instead of waiting until 6pm with tons of people watching and grabbing us to talk.

The reception was SOO much fun! We had the most amazing group of friends and family in attendance. I think that literally every person made it on the dance floor at some point during the night. I have to give shout outs to my grandmother and Ms. Debbie Davis. They were the most entertianing ones on the floor.

Josh and I want to say a special thanks to all of our friends and family that were able to make it! It ment so much to us that each of you would travel to celebrate our marriage. We had an absolulte blast and the day was everything we dreamed it would be.

I also have to throw out that we did have the best wedding photographer in the country. If you are not married yet then you have to use him when you finally tie the knot. His name is David Edmonson. You can also check out our wedding slide show by clicking here

GET TO KNOW ASHLEY ANDERSON & JOSH JONES


ABOUT ASHLEY

I am a South Carolina native but currently live in Plano Texas. I graduated from Clemson University and my blood runneth orange. I am a conference director for the Song of Solomon for Students. We basically travel the country teaching teens what the Bible says about attraction, love, dating and purity. I LOVE my job!
I love water sports, tennis, shopping, and I love to go dancing with friends.

ABOUT JOSH

Josh likes to claim he is from California since he did spend the first few years of his life there. However, he has spent the past 18 years in Plano TX. Josh graduated from Texas A&M University and is getting ready to go back to school. Starting in the Fall Josh will be going to school at Dallas Theological Seminary and working part time at Denton Bible Church. He loves sports and any type of adventure in the great outdoors.

HOW WE MET

We both ended up doing the Discipleship Program at Denton Bible Church the same year. We were a part of the same social group and quickly developed a crush on each other. We finally had our first date when the program ended and we've been together ever since.

THE PROPOSAL DETAILS....

WE GOT ENGAGED
June 23, 2006

HOW IT HAPPENED
He sent me a love letter every day for a week. The first letter included a puzzle and some "rules of the game". I recieved a clue everyday and had to fill in the puzzle. Then on Friday he told me to get dressed up and took me to a really nice restaurant. I had been suspecting an engagement but he TOTALLY threw me off at dinner so I was no longer expecting it that night. After dinner he walked me over to a beautiful botanical park. There he gave me the last clue. It was another love letter and he shared a song with me that he had written his future wife back in 2000. Once I finished reading the letter he pulled out the ring and popped the question. Once I said yes I was filled in the last clue on the puzzle. It actually came out to say "I LOVE YOU PUDDIN". Then he gave me a keep sake oriental box that matches my apartment. One of my sayings is, "The proof is in the pudding". So he told me that this was my "puddin" box. He wanted me to put all of the letters from our engagement in the box to serve as proof that he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me!

Click here for our engagement pictures.

WEDDING DETAILS - Get the scoop on the big day!


WHEN & WHERE
November 18, 2006 Myrtle Beach, SC
Ceremony Begins @6pm

ABOUT THE BIG DAY
The wedding will be in Myrtle Beach South Carolina. The ceremony is at the First United Methodist Church and the reception is at Pine Lake Country Club. Why Myrtle Beach? I no longer have a "home town" in SC and we will also be having a lot of out of town guest. We wanted to pick a location that would be fun for everyone. Also, I use to work at this country club and have dreamed of my wedding in this venue for years. Plus, we just love the beach!

ASHLEY'S BRIDESMAIDS
Carmen Traywick , Matron of Honor -- Sister
Lauren Davis -- College friend and is in Texas with me
Ashley Alexander -- College Friend and Roommate
Briani Bennett -- Best friend from Highschool
Jessica Dean -- College friend and roommate
Samantha Hoit -- College friend and roommate
Amanda Mellard -- Cousin
Nataile Estes, Jr. Bridesmaid -- our "lil sis"

Flower Girl
Gabrielle Nelson -- Daughter of friends Ben & Amanda Nelson


JOSH'S GROOMSMEN
Jeff Jones, Best Man-- Brother
Brannon Latimer -- College Friend/Roommate
Mark Lamb -- College Friend/Roommate
Jared Fuson -- College Friend/Roommate
Taylor Jackson -- College Friend/Roommate
Scott Marks -- Friend/Mentor
Scott Stickane -- College Friend
Fletcher Anderson -- Brides brother

Ring Bearer
Thomas Charles Nelson-- Son of friends Ben & Amanda Nelson