Friday, July 25, 2014

Celebrating 10 Years!

It's hard to believe we've been married 10 years already! We thank God for bringing us together and blessing us with 3 beautiful children. Every marriage has it's struggles, but we've definitely had more laughter than tears!

We celebrated with a "kid free" night of shopping for an anniversary band - yeah for diamonds! Then we ate out at a restaurant with real linens (fancy) and then out for ice cream. It was fun and I get to pick up my ring on Tuesday!

Here are a few pictures from 10 years ago, July 24, 2004.







Saturday, July 19, 2014

Little League

This year was Rebecca's first year in Little League. She really had a great time, but it was a big step up from playing Bam Bam Ball as a 5 year old last year. It was also a big step up for us getting all the equipment that goes with playing ball - glove, bat, helmet with a face guard, pants, socks, and cleats! She better continue to play :) 
Rebecca (far right) was on the Gold team. This is both the Black and Gold team (k-2).
Up to bat. They started hitting off a pitching machine, but then went to coach pitch.
She got much better throughout the season at paying attention in the outfield. After the first game I told her that she had to pay me 10 cents every time she played in the dirt while in the field :)
Here she is playing catcher, which was really just for looks because I don't think she caught a single one. The ball just bounced past her to the coach that was also behind the plate, but she had fun! 

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Easter Blessings

(Here is a little more catching up.)

Easter is such a great time of the year! First, we celebrate our risen Savior and second, it's Spring time and who doesn't love Spring weather?! This year we did a little photo shoot before leaving for church on Easter morning. I'm so glad the kids were in a good mood!
 I put this collage together in Picasa. And then here are all the individual pictures just a little bit larger.
Dad and the kids.
Mom and the kids.
I was so excited to find matching dresses for Rebecca and Brianna! I didn't think I would be able to because they are so far apart in age, but I did - at The Children's Place online - great prices too!
Blake is such a goof ball! We love his silly smiles!
Rebecca took this one!
Brianna has some pretty good smiles too!
Growing up way too fast!

Friday, July 11, 2014

Oink Oink Moo, Look Who's 2!

(Just trying to pick up where I left off 8 months ago! Real life has taken over and I find little time for reflecting/blogging on our simple life. This blog has been an amazing journal of our family life whether anyone reads it or not. So as I start my new role as a "stay at home" mom, I want to pick up where I left off and hopefully find time to continue.)

Blake turned 2 on January 19! He loves animals and the farm. What little boy of a farm family doesn't? At 2 he knows all the sounds farm animals make and when asked what the farmer says, he replies, "E-I-O". Also, any farm book, puzzle, or movie we have is called "E-I-O". 
I got inspiration for the cake off Pinterest of course and can up with the wall sign on my own. The animal cut outs and napkins are from the party store.
Our Family of 5!
 The base of the cake was made in a large deep dish pizza pan and I used one and a half cake mixes for it. The barn was made with half of a cake mix in a 8x8 pan, which I then cut into pieces and stacked up. Thankfully it all got covered with a good layer of frosting and no one knows how messy it started.
Make a wish!
 The birthday meal menu was a few of Blake's favorites - hot ham and cheese sandwiches, corn, cheesy potatoes and applesauce. Cake was served with ice cream of course!
He got plenty of new toys and clothes too, including a barn shape sorter, a Lego car set, a Lego firehouse set and a DreamLite.
Happy Birthday Blake! You are such a happy and spunky 2 year old. We love you so much and you bring so much joy to our family!!