Bobby's World: She Said YES!!

A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from my mom, who was so excited she could barely contain herself. "Christopher just called me. He is going to propose to Ashley (my wonderful niece) on Dec. 20 and wants us to come and be a part of the surprise."

My immediate thought was....there is NO way we can go to NC just days before Christmas, too much to do already!!! I stopped, thought about it, and realized that Bobby would be done with school for Christmas break on Friday the 18th and I would have to have everything ready by Friday anyway. A weekend trip might be exactly what we need, to give Bobby some hotel pool fun!!!!! I called Daddy at work, he could take Monday off from work and we could all drive to NC for the weekend. Once I let this information sink in for a few minutes, I just knew, no matter what, there was no way we were going to miss this!!!!!!

We left for NC early Saturday morning, after an icy/snowy winter system moved through Friday evening closing roads because of the amount of accidents caused by the ice. OF COURSE...we have had nothing but 50 and 60 degree days, but the only time that we REALLY want to be on the roads.....this!!! The temps are back to the 60's thru Christmas. Just one weather issue this whole season, at the worst time. Luckily we didn't have any problem picking up my mom, whose road was a SOLID SHEET OF ICE. The roads away from her house were all in pretty good shape. Thankfully no more road/weather issues.

We spent the first night of our trip in Wake Forsest. Bobby was so excited that we were in a hotel, and couldn't WAIT to go swimming. I put his trunks on him and we walked through the hotel to the pool and there was a note on the door: "Pool is closed until Thursday for painting." WHAT????? Are you kidding me??????????????????? Yes, we are looking through the window and I have to tell him no, we can't go in and we have to go back to the room. Luckily there was a pocket door to the bathroom, and this was a new type of door in Bobby's World and with his fascination of different types of doors, it kept him occupied for hours!!!

Total added bonus of this trip......we got to spend some time with my beloved niece Kaitlin and hand deliver her Christmas gifts instead of putting them in the mail. Due to her work schedule, she probably won't make it here for the Christmas holiday, but our fingers are crossed that she may make it to WV!! It was so warm that we opened gifts in the outdoor area by our hotel. Bobby wasn't feeling well and he wanted to sit in the car and listen to his favorite Christmas music CD. Quite funny hearing Laurie Berkner's Christmas blaring from our parked car while we were at the picnic area opening gifts!!

After breakfast and gifts with Kait, she was off to work and we were off to Wilson for the surprise proposal.

Ashley had an appointment at the nail salon with a couple of girls. While there she received a card, which sent her on a scavenger hunt around Barton College, where she and Chris met. At different locations, she was handed a different card from their friends.

While the hunt was going on, we, as well as Chris's family, arrived to be a part of the surprise. Bobby played outside while the party staging was going on....

No Bobby, that is not a soccer ball. LOL!!

Waiting was the hardest part!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris received a text from the last stop.....time for the party guests to hide so that he could pop the question when she walked in and then we all would come out!!! This seemed like the longest 5 minutes EVER!!!!!!!!

I don't have pictures of the actual down on one knee question because we were in the other room, but we all definitely wanted pics so they reposed in front of the Christmas tree!!

Just in case you can't tell by the smile on her face.....she said "YES"!!!!!!!!

Let this party begin!!! Bring out the guests!!!!!

The homeowners could not have been more gracious. Part of planning this party on their part....a kid coming with autism that they don't know without Ashley's input on his needs. Bobby had plenty of space upstairs to get away from the party with a tv area and a few spare bedrooms to choose from to hang out. He made himself at home, hung out on the couch and watch Dora and Lazy Town and enjoyed the views out of the window of one of the bedrooms. He was perfectly content. He even asked party goers who came upstairs to tickle him!! Oh, the joys of living without social norms, asking total strangers for a quick tickle!!!!

I met someone who at the party who takes more pictures than I do!!! And I mean MORE!!!!!!!!! So there are tons and tons of wonderful pics of this great event.

Their Barton College friends who helped pull this off!!!

Ashley with her in-laws to be!!

Chris with his in-laws to be!!!

The beautiful happy couple!!!!!!!!

After many of the party guests left, Bobby ventured downstairs and even sat down and had a little to eat.

Bobby let us know that he was ready to go, so we said our good-byes and headed off to our hotel in Wilson. Big question at check-in....is the pool open?????

Whoo hoo!! Bobby got to chill out after the party stress. Even more perfect, there was no one else in the pool area. Time to decompress!!!

Bobby made it through the party, at a strange house, in a strange place, with a house full of strangers and did a good job!!!

Ashley is a smart girl, so when she got the first card, I'm confident she knew what was going to happen!!! But when the WV crew and Chris's family came out from behind the wall along side their friends, Ashley fell to her knees. She was truly surprised!!!!!!! Great job pulling this off Christopher!!!!! Congratulations to you both and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness like you experienced on Sunday!!!!!! And Chris......thank you so very much for thinking of including us in all of this happiness. Welcome to the family!!!