Grandview and a Wedding!!!

Last weekend Ryan and I were asked to be present at a small

intimate wedding of one of our very dear, longtime friends. 

We spent the weekend at Grandview Lodge, kids back home

with Ryan's sister (Thank you Kimmy!), and enjoyed the most

relaxing weekend we've had in ages!

The weather held out and although it was chilly, the rain stayed away

and we saw sun on multiple occasions!  

Cory and Taryn, once again, thank you so SO much for letting us

be there to share in your day and celebrate with you!

We love you and wish you all the joys of a wonderful marriage!

Elaina Grace ~ 4 Years Old

I know it's a bit delayed, but life gets busy, ya know?!

I wanted to share some photos of our special little girl on her very special day!

I was lucky enough to work just a half day, and we spent the rest of the day

taking photos (even with the crazy wind), and playing, and decorating cake, 

and having family over, and opening gifts, and eating cake...etc.!

My momentary baby nostalgia was short lived as I enjoyed watching my little

girl act every bit of her 4 years old!  She's a wise, and much older soul living in

that tiny little body!!  I cannot begin to tell you how much we love her.

Her hugs are something of legend, she can make any bad day better when she

wraps her whole body around you and grips you as tight as she can...  or when she

snuggles in your arms and pats your back, like she's soothing us :)  

My little bird... learning to fly

New outfit for her precious baby Lucy

Checking out Lucy's new outfit!

Make a wish sweet girl

Long and short... She's amazing! 

A true gift!

Happy Birthday Papa

Just wanted to wish my Dad a very Happy Birthday today!

We spent Easter with him, and as tradition, we celebrate

his birthday and the little one's birthday together!

Strawberries, shortcake, and whipped cream are tradition!

Dad: Have a great day!

We love you so much!

Four

Elaina.  

Ellie. 

E.

Monkey. 

 Baby.

She is the most amazing little creature and I'm blessed

to call her my daughter.

Four years ago today, she graced the world with her

presence and has added sweetness, and spice, and smiles

to our lives and to the lives of everyone who knows her.

Many more photos to come of her special day,

but for tonight, just one.

Happy 4th Birthday baby!

Happy Easter

What a wonderful day!

Mass with my loves, a day with some family, beautiful sunshine

and warm weather....

(And more sugar than you could know what to do with!)

It was a really great day!

Much needed.

Even more appreciated.

1 Peter 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (NIV)

 It was a Happy Easter indeed.

~~~

But tonight, I struggled a little.  Struggled because tonight is the last night I have a baby.

Tomorrow, my youngest... my little one... my BABY will turn 4.

4.

3, well 3 is still "toddler"... still a little bit of baby.

but 4?  

Nope. 4 means she is no longer baby, and yes, it makes me a little sad.

Elaina tells me all the time "Mama, I'll be your baby forever"

and she snuggles up and lets me rock her whenever I need to... 

I'll just have to trust her, I guess.

I guess it's appropriate that on a day of New Beginnings, I look to a new 

chapter of parenting.  (Pre)School age kiddos... ugh, how did this happen?

(yes, I'm being dramatic... just bear with me.  Mother's are allowed

to do that now and then)

Oh... and here's a random picture of Boone.  I kinda miss the old man.

Alex's Shower and Bachelorette

Last Saturday we got one step closer to the big wedding!

We had a Bridal Shower for Alex at my mom's house, and then

went out and celebrated that night for her Bachelorette!

Alex was a lovely Bride-to-Be and I'm so SO excited to be

a part of all this with her!  

I love you so much Sweetie!

The countdown is ON! 

:)

Enough already

April 4th

This is APRIL... it's supposed to be SPRING!

Remember?  April Showers?

Not April SNOWSTORMS!

UGH. Dammit.

Mother Nature... Enough Already!