suprise!

Monday night, Michelle Anthony hosted a Christmas Party for our Family Ministry staff. It was a tacky sweater party so we (almost) all showed up in ugly sweaters! Michelle gathered us all outside and took some group photos, and then gave a toast. It was awesome, and I figured we'd go back to the food and laughter pretty quickly...

...i was wrong...

Alex stepped forward and said that he wanted to make a toast as well. He said that he was thankful for Family Ministries because that's where we met, and that he's fallen in love with me. At that point my memory is a fog because i saw him walk forward and start to reach in his pocket to get something. I knew he was going to propose and I was so excited. I started laughing and crying and the same time! He got down on one knee (and neither of us can remember what he said!) and asked me to marry him...

...of course I said YES!!!. Chantal (Michelle's daughter) was snapping pictures the entire time. Michael prayed a blessing over us, and I quickly removed my tacky sweater for the second round of photos!

I don't think either of us could be any happier! It was great that he did it with our ENTIRE family ministries team (minus Brianna who caught my sickness!) who really has walked alongside us for the past 6 months. Kit, Tommy, Keri and Michelle were in on it, and Alex was very smart to not tell any of the gals I work with because I was completely surprised! It was a great night, and there's only more goodtimes to look forward to! The question of the hour is...so, when's the big day?? And honestly we have no idea! We just got engaged 2 days ago! I will definitely keep everyone informed on the wedding planning...as soon as there are some plans to tell! I don't have the pics from Chantal yet, but here are some shots minus the tacky sweaters::

the big present

So for Alex's surprise, I blindfolded him and we headed up to Anaheim Hills where a friend of ours had set up for Alex to take rides in some amazing cars! He didn't know where we were until we started driving uphill and didn't stop driving uphill for quite a while! He figured it out, but was super excited anyways!! He was able to ride in the Ferrari Enzo, and a Bugatti. Neither of us had even heard of a Bugatti, but it is the coolest car I've ever seen! Here are some fun pics of the day...

Leadership Christmas

Last night we (the church staff) held an event to thank and honor our leaders forthe past year. The decor was very "winter wonderlandy" and there was even a white carpet for our wonderful leaders to walk down! It was a super fun event complete with amazing desserts, two gameshows, the craziest version of The Twelve Days of Christmas you'll ever see, and dancing!! I must admit the dancing was my favorite part! We had so much fun being silly and the best part of the night....i got ALEX out on the dancefloor!!!

This is such a fun season....our next party is monday, and we will be wearing the UGLIEST sweaters you've ever seen!

p.s. I am giving Alex his Christmas present tomorrow so there will be pictures up soon. It's a BIG suprise and i think he is going to be so excited he might pass out....stay tuned for the pics....