Mountaintop Proposal - 15 Years Later

Sixteen years ago, Daddy and I went on a week vacation with his family to California. It was Mommy's first time in an airplane and my first experience of a full-itinerary vacation.

We did the Santa Cruz boardwalk, the San Francisco area - Pier 39, Alcatraz Island, Lombard Street, the Golden Gate, Alamo Park, cable cars and saw Phantom of the Opera - we spent time with the California family (first time meeting them), and headed north to the red woods, Paradise (Big Grandma and Grandpa's home) and Yosemite.

It was quite the adventure and life changing when Daddy proposed to me after an amazing hike up switch backs and views of amazing water falls on the top of Half Dome!

Just after Daddy proposed!

A year later we were married...15 years ago today!

 

Oh, we were so young...

but it has been the most fun, growing, loving time of my life!

 

Look forward to so many more adventures
as we continue to grow old together!

 

God has truly blessed us!

I love you, honey!

 

 

Uncle S and Aunt M
'Uncle Roger' and Mommy's best friend Jill
Aunt K, Uncle B and Mommy's friend Erica

So young, Aunt K is such a little girl!

 

 

First Dance: Natural Beauty - Neil Young

 

So many of Daddy's friends came to help us celebrate!



Mommy's best neighborhood friends



Saying 'bye' to my baby sis,
who wanted us to move to Allendorf
(small town close to hometown
with 4 houses)

[Disclaimer: We were married pre-digital cameras.

Pictures are better in real life - minus the flood damage]

Week in Review

Although Uncle B, Aunt R, and Baby JE were technically 'homeless' last week, as they were awaiting their next adventure in Oklahoma, the time we got to spend with them was priceless.

Baby JE is the happiest, smiley girl ever and the boys enjoyed every waking moment with her!

Mommy was also spoiled, as Uncle B and Aunt R were not houseguest to be waited on hand and foot, but participated in the daily chores around the home...dishes washed, clothes washed, dinner in the oven...wow!

Thanks for the great memories and sharing your family with us! We are so proud of you and look forward to visiting you in your new home soon!



Let Freedom Ring!

Wishing you a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

 

Never take your freedom for granted!

 

Be respectful of the men and women

who have fought the battles before us

so we can live the lives we live today

in the great, U S of A!

I-Scream, U-Scream

Another beautiful day this past Sunday, perfect for coffee on the deck after church while the boys play, another great nap and a trip to the zoo!

DG immediately requested to see the lions and monkeys..."rawr" and "ooo-eee"...with action make it very clear.

The lions were great, but most were enjoying cat naps. The gorillas gave us quite the show...beating their chest and swaggering around! And two monkeys attacked each other and screamed at VW just inches away from his face! He loved it and it was such a great time! We even took our first adventure into the Kingdom of the Night with great success.

And, even more exciting, is mommy and daddy caved and we got a treat, but who could pass up these enormous, $1 ice cream cones! These boys are truly my sons, look at their pleasure and delight as they each devoured their own entire cone (with a few clean-up licks of dripping from mom and dad, of course).

This gorillas yawn was crazy, but we also thought
it was great teaching moment on the
importance of brushing your teeth...
especially after all
that ice cream!

Give Me S'More

What an amazing Saturday evening we had this weekend. The boys had taken perfectly, long, peaceful afternoon naps and the temperature in the air was right a s'more party!

Haul out the goodies...

Start a perfect, simmering s'more fire...

 

 

Invite your cousins (& your parents)...

And let the roasting and eating begin...

 

 

What a beautiful, yummy evening!