Our dear friends host a ladies tea every year (which is a great excuse for making new costumes :) and for 2004 they decided to do a First Ladies (Wives of U.S. Presidents) themed tea. We all decided to to be women who lived during the Civil War, and portray them during the 1860s.

Mom chose Jane Pierce (actually, this was forced upon her because we had to find someone who lived in the right era), I was Lucy Hayes, Rebekah chose Varina Davis (First Lady of The Confederacy - the Thomases have southern sympathies and agreed :), Lydia was Harriet Lane (James Buchanan's niece, who served as hostess), Anna chose Julia Grant, and Katherine chose Lou Hoover (she was the only one who wasn't the exact same era).

It was lovely, and we spent a blissful afternoon chatting, drinking tea, dancing, and taking pictures. Here's some highlights from the day.

All ready to set out for The Tea. We are standing in front of my Grandparents' house (built in 1886!).

Back row: Amanda (me), Rebekah, Lydia. Middle row: Anna, Mom, Daniela, Nana (my grandmother). Front row: Katherine.

Us girls upon the the steps.

Back row: Me, Rebekah. Front row: Anna, Kate, Lydia.

At the tea (isn't the photo studio my dad set up great? When the picture's cropped in it looks like the photo was taken indoors).

Left to right: Mom, Lydia, Anna, Rebekah (with Katherine in front of her), Me.

Isn't this picture of Kate adorable? She was the sweetest Lou Hoover I ever made the acquaintance of (Yes, her hair curls naturally!).

Anna and our friend Marscel Thomas. He's the sweetest little brother to us girls, and was Anna's escort for the day.

Rebekah and I getting ready to dance (what bliss! what joy! :).

I just love this shot of Anna. She's such a sweet younger sister!

Just had to post a few shots of the dancing; I love the way everyone's clothes behave mid-dance.

Another dance shot. You can see Anna and Lydia in the background.

After everyone else had gone, Melissa and Melanie Thomas posed for some glamour shots with Rebekah and I. These two are "Little Women".

Left to right: Beth, Jo, Meg, Amy.

Also known as...

Rebekah, Melanie, Melissa, and Me (we didn't pick our characters by personality or age order, in case you're wondering :).

Rebekah and Melissa GOSSPIING!!!!

Just kidding... :)

The caption for this photo...

Melanie: Archibald is looking at you!

Me: Oh! I do so palpitate!!!"