Lord of the Rings (aka Gabe the Ring Bearer)

(Due to fussy kids, this is the only photo we got together with just our family. Isn't the back of Audrey's head photogenic?)

I was very proud of my boy this weekend. Gabe was the ring bearer at my brother's wedding, but not without a lot of drama leading up to the wedding. At the rehearsal on Friday, he wouldn't walk down the aisle. On Saturday morning, we could barely get him to participate in the pictures (this summed up that morning: he kept throwing his pillow down and then crying and saying "my pillow's dirty", and that he didn't want his shoes to be shiny). We were pulling out all the stops: we promised him a Little People pirate ship and candy, and the Best Man even offered up money. Then, magically, we got to the church and he saw the gorgeous 3-year-old flower girl Brailey in her dress -- let's just say he was suddenly very enthusiastic about his job. He was all in her face, holding her hand, and touching her dress - I think Brailey's parents are now looking into the legality of restraining orders against a preschooler. He also is now going to be marrying Brailey, as he said she's very pretty and he loves her. (I'm not sure what his intentions are now with Chloe - Texas polygamist sect, anyone?? KIDDING!!!) So they held hands down the aisle, and then proceeded to whisper, walk around together, and pick up flower petals during the entire ceremony as if they were the only 2 people there. As a completely unbiased observer, it was SO CUTE, and they did a great job despite his pre-wedding behavior. It was a happy ending for all -- John and Hilary are now in Greece, the wedding went well, and Gabe got the girl, a cool pirate ship, $1.00, and memories of his first (and last, for at least 30 more years!) walk down the aisle.