10 Years...

How can time go so fast and yet feel like "just yesterday" at the same time?

As I look at photos of us from 19 years ago, I see how really young we were. 

At the same time, I can still remember the summer we met at band camp (oh yes we did)

and the nicknames we gave to each other as we became the best of friends. 

The long phone calls to each other as our friendship grew and the 

moment you asked me "so, do you want to be my girlfriend?"

Then I think of all of the memories we have made and 

it would be impossible to list all the adventures we have had. 

This day 10 years ago, was picture perfect. 

I remember white puffy clouds in the sky, perfect June temperatures and 

the anticipation of marrying my best friend. 

 We had the best wedding party.  

Goofy, fun and ready to party! 

 We have had our share of ups and downs the last 10 years as well, 

but I had you there to hold my hand and talk me through everything.  

You always made me feel better and knew just what to say. 

You loved me at my darkest time and when I wanted to push 

everyone away you held me close and didn't let me go.  

10 years later, our house is filled with laughter, Legos, princess shoes, 

barbies, more toys than we can count. 

It really is more than we could have ever dreamed. 

10 Years

522 Weeks

3652 Days

3 Miscarriages

4 Children

3 Cities

2 Houses

1000s of welcome home kisses

Only one first kiss

You were my first kiss 19 years ago.  

Who would have ever imagined those two young kids would 

grow up and become us?

I am more in love with you every day.  

Seeing you with our kids makes me so happy. 

I am the luckiest girl in the world to have found my 

"happily ever after."

To many more years. 

Summer is under way

Swimsuits, sunscreen, and ice cream. 

The three major staples of summer! 

We are halfway through June and I am glad to say we are enjoying our summer. 

Lots of camps, baseball/tball games, sleepovers, and activities but we have managed to carve out 

time to enjoy the summer as a family.  

We are going on our fourth camping trip this weekend.  

The kids look forward to the new adventures every weekend.  

This past weekend it was West Lake. 

This campground is only 20 minutes from our house.

We are so lucky to have so many campgrounds and scenic areas so close to our front door.  

 There were lots of trails to explore,
in the morning, in the afternoon, and even at sunset. 

 I also can't talk about camping without talking about what we 

stuff our faces with.  

We really indulged over Father's Day weekend.

I surprised Nate with homemade ice cream and that was a big hit after a 

hot Saturday afternoon.   

 I also tried my hand at loaded french fries over the fire.  

They were delicious and super easy.  

 {Foil Wrapped Loaded French Fries}

 We don't eat the whole time... we do find things to keep us busy. 

This week I pulled out some paper crafting I had bought and we put together some 

Chinese dolls.  

We had a good time and tried to pamper daddy.  

The kids were so excited to give him his gift Sunday morning.  

They got him a snow-cone maker.  

It was between a cotton candy maker or snow-cone machine, and snow-cones won out. 

We have already gotten a lot of use out of it.   

Snow-cones... a great way to stay cool! 

Columbus Trip

Even though our Columbus trip feels like forever ago, I finally got 

these photos off my phone to post.  

My kids love hanging out with their cousins.

Can't forget Lincoln's brithday at El Vaquero.  

He was such a good sport. 

And then we celebrated in the morning with doughnuts.  

You can never have enough celebrations! 

We made it to Granville to see Uncle Dennis and Aunt Dini's new place. 

It is spectacular!  The kids loved the woods surrounding the house.  

The whole reason we went home was for this guy's 

graduation.  I can't believe he is all grown up and graduating and stuff.  

Things like this make me feel old. 

On Sunday, I just couldn't get in the spirit to leave, so I was easily persuaded to stop at the 

Zoo before we made the journey back to Iowa.  

More time with the cousins.. of course! 

Before this picture was snapped the kid's had a real education 

on polar bear "wrestling".  

What are they doing Mommy?

Beth and Scott looked like natural with 7 kids.  

I think they need to add to their crew.  

I all smiles remembering our 5 day trip. 

Growing Up

Oh my goodness!  I cannot believe my nephew, Jacob, is graduating from

High School.  Just yesterday Nate and I were babysitting and taking him to Chuck E Cheese's.  

To put it in to perspective, Nate has been around with our family as long as Jacob has.  I started 

dating Nate right after Jacob was born!  Almost 19 years ago!! 

He is such an awesome kid.  

I can't wait to see what amazing things he does with his life!  

What adventures he will take and places he will go. 

He has the biggest cheering section.  

Congratulations Jacob!!! 

We are all so proud of you.

You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes.You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.You’re on your own.And you know what you know.You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.~Dr. Seuss

School's Out

Another one bites the dust.  

The 2013 - 2014 school year is over. 

I now have a fourth grader.  YIKES! 

The kids have grown so much in the last year. 

Looking at pictures from 9 months ago on the first day of school, they seem so little.  

{First day of Third Grade}

{Last day of Third Grade}

{First day of Second Grade}

{Last day of Second Grade}

{First day of First Grade}

{Last day of First Grade}

I love our school's traditions.  

On the first and last days of school the parents and kids all gather around the flag pole. 

There's a moment of silence and the flag is lowered for the last time that year.

What a great way to end the school year! 

Mrs. Z was both Rosie and Bubba's second grade teacher.  

Gigi was sad not to get her this year, but we will see her in the halls. 

There were lots of good friendships made this year, 

even secret handshake friends.

I always throw a welcome to summer party.  

The kids get to have a friend over and celebrate summer. 

I had lunch ready to go and a cooler full of water balloons prepped for them as 

soon as they got home.  

It was a slaughter with boys vs. girls.  

 {Gigi and her friend Sarah}

{Rosie and Emily} 

The first full official day of summer was yesterday and we started with a bang.  

The kids and I got a 4 mile bike/walk done, a trip to the library, playground 

fun, and lunch at Steak n Shake all complete before noon.  

The kids are all full of spunk and already have this momma worn out.  

How many more days of summer break? 

Just kidding.  

We are having a ball.  We have lots of plans already on the calendar so 

I am sure the summer will be over before we know it.  

We know its summer when we have to bath in sunscreen and bug spray 

and check for ticks.   Lil Miss was a victim of those little buggers yesterday. 

We noticed it after watering the garden in the morning. 

Rosie screamed when she noticed a bug on Lil Miss' arm.  

That did nothing to calm the little girl down. 

After a little intensive care by mommy with a tweezers and a match, the little guy was out.  

Gigi made a lovely note for Lil Miss with a "full size" tick on the front and sincere heartfelt concern on the inside.  

That's summer though, and you never know what to expect.  

Off to our first summer adventure.... Ohio.  

Columbus see you in 7 hours!