You are our Greatest Adventure

Last week, we celebrated our "Gotcha Day". 

On July 30th five years ago, we became parents. 

Our celebration every year goes something like this: 

balloons scattered in all their bedrooms (this year we blew up 60 balloons may need to invest in helium)

special breakfast

family time together 

Nothing fancy, but we mark this day in spending it together. 

 For our five year anniversary, we amped it up a little. 

We never do gifts, but I did create these memory boxes this year. 

They each have a collection of pictures and the outfit they first showed up at our house in. 

 We went out for breakfast this year (mommy still was trying to get into a routine after her cruise)

and enjoyed waffles, eggs, and pancakes at Jimmy's Pancake House. 

It was delicious! 

 The rest of the day was spent playing at the park, playing games, and having a slumber party in mom and dad's room.  

On Friday, we decided to surprise them and take them to a waterpark. 

I had everything packed up for the kids and I to head to Ohio, so we threw extra 

bathing suits in a bag and headed to Grizzly Bear Resort in Illinois.  

The kids were super stoked to be relaxing in the lazy river and 

splashing in the wave pool.  

 Almost as fun as being in the pool was sleeping in a hotel. 

We don't stay in hotels often so when we do the kid's are giddy.

 {bubba wasn't giddy in this photo because someone was on his pillow...lol}

GIddy doesn't even begin to describe their feelings when we went over to the amusement park in the morning.   We rode ziplines, zoomed down slides, bounced in the bounce houses, 

screamed on the rides, and laughed til mommy almost pee'd her pants. 

 {My face is priceless}

Lil Miss and I played our first game of laser tag.  

It was girls against the boys. 

We had them outnumbered, but our skills were not so good. 

It was so much fun, just the 6 of us. 

 I cant believe it's been 5 years since we became parents. 

It has been quite the adventure and not everything has gone as we planned, but only 

God knows the plan.  God's plans will always be greater than all of our disappointments. 

Especially when HE uses our disappointments to shape us in the person HE intends us to become. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," 

declared the Lord. 

"Plans to prosper you,

not to harm you,

plans to give you hope, 

and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

We had to say good bye to daddy then for a few days (because someone has to work) and we headed to 

Grandma's house in Ohio. 

We pulled in the driveway at Grandma Judy's just in time to catch the sunset.  

I just can't get enough of sunsets.

God Bless this Child

The past week has gone by in a blur.

Just a week ago, we were surrounding by huge snowflakes and everything covered in white!

Yes, I am not making it up. 

We had quite the little snow flurry last week.  Who knew?

Oct. 22nd and over an inch of snow!!

The kids ran outside like it was Christmas.

We pulled out the winter coats, the hats, the scarves, the snow pants, and boots. 

We dug out the sleds from under the swimming pool and water guns, which it feels we just used yesterday and prepared for winter.

After the tea party on Sunday, the whole week felt like a celebration for Lil Miss.

She wore her crown every where. 

The YMCA

Grocery Store

Target 

and to Bed.

On Thursday night, we did the whole cake and ice cream thing,

and opened a few more gifts.

Baby girl had the whole "Happy Birthday to Me" song down and

sang it nonstop.

 

Over the Weekend we headed to Ohio, for my nephew Reed's baptism. 

Lil Miss tried to capture some shots of the baptism.... little photographer!

Nate was chosen as Reed's godfather, so we wouldn't have missed it. 

We love Father Mark.  He baptized all my little ones. 

He had the kids help with a few of the steps.  Rosie helped him

with the Frankincense and Bubba helped drape the baptismal cloth on little Reed. 



One happy family.

 

Going back to Beth and Scott's house, the kids had a blast playing with their cousins. 

The house was filled with kids giggling and lots of pretend car noises. 

We did triple duty with the cupcakes, celebrating Reed's baptism, Lil Miss's third birthday and Mason's third birthday at the same time.

Birthday Kids 

 Nate got in his Reed time.... awwww. 

Gigi was in baby heaven too. 

She's a natural.

 Sadly, the trip was too short and we found ourselves Sunday morning

packing up and saying goodbye.  It was so

hard to leave this little booger... but Thanksgiving will be here soon.  

 

 We are back at home now having archery practice and

trying not to break anything too important. 

 I have to be content with getting pictures of my littlest nephew

every other day and hearing his little noises through the phone.  

So blessed to be a part of his life. 

 

Rosie's First Communion

Rosie made her first communion this weekend.

We had several family members in from out of town to celebrate with us.

Rosie did really good and I am so glad the weather got nicer for us to get some pictures outside.

{Rosie and Father Mac}

{Grandma Pam and Grandpa Bill}

{Godparents} 

{Gigi wanted a picture with her "pretty" sister}

Our little girl is way too grown up!

{The family}

{Aunt Kathy and Rosie}

{Cousin Megan and Rosie}

Of course, every girl has to shoot hoops in a white dress. 

Ugh!  This was before we went to church.  I was

glad there wasn't a basketball sized dirt spot on her dress when we walked into church. 

Her veil kept distracting her during her foul shots. 

 We made it through the ceremony and only at the end did Lil Miss see

mommy and have to shout it out for all to hear! 

We had lots of family time and pigged out all day.   

{the cake}

Lil Miss was fascinated by Rosie's new music box.  We are

going to have to put this high up on the shelf. 

Grandma Judy wasn't feeling well on Saturday so she missed out on the

first communion festivities, but she got Rosie the cutest Bible.

She knows what Rosie likes with sequins and sparkles.

 

The house feels empty today with everyone gone. 

It's just Lil Miss and me. 

Bright side is that I won't have to cook the next few nights because we have lots of leftovers. 

Yum!!