Ben's football career :)

Ok so time for me to brag! Ben had a great football season!! He played QB, safety, and running back. He made 8 interceptions and ran 2 of those for a touchdown!! He had so many great plays that I can't even list them all.... But I do know that he made is mom and dad VERY proud!

He is so focused and in the "zone" that it really was amazing to watch! His coach always said that he loved watching Ben play because when he was safety Ben was pretty much just awaiting the interception and that he could hear him saying, "I dare you to make the pass!"

Brandon and I are SO looking forward to sitting in the stands in our blankets watching our kids play in high school! I know it is a little bit down the road but it is never too early to start wearing a matching jersey is it???

10 year anniversary....

Brandon, I look back at our wedding pictures and see two young kids who's love was definitely there but there is a "depth" that hadn't been discovered yet. We've grown and matured so much in the last 10 years, we are no longer those young kids (I guess my gray hair and your disappearing hair are enough proof of that!) Our love has endured much heart ache and hard ship and life definitely hasn't been handed to us on a silver platter. But isn't that what makes love, defines it, molds and shapes it, and eventually makes it beautiful? Just as our individual lives must be tried so must our lives together. We've stood with the Lord and with Him we continue to climb the mountain He has set before us. Each step and each turn is not like the one before. Each step gets us closer toward His ultimate vision for our marriage. As we travel together lets not get caught up in the upward climb but take time to enjoy the scenery around us and always keep our eyes fixed on the prize. And one of these years after traveling long and hard we will get to the top of the mountain and we will sit and enjoy the beautiful sunset. Thank you for standing by me, guiding me, and sometimes following me because that that truly is an example of the "depth" of our love that we once did not have 10 years ago. To my best friend, thank you for the last 10 years and for the many more that are to come. I love you and I'll see you at the top! xoxoxox

family pic

While Shannon was here we were able to get a family picture! Now family members if you see this same picture in a frame at Christmas still act surprised ;)

Aunt Shannon and Jack

What do you get when you have 2 best friends that love taking pictures??? Well lets just say we took over 600 pictures of our kids together! So I narrowed down the bunch to just a few! Thank goodness for digital cameras. :)

We had such a great visit with Shannon and Jack. It was so great to have all our kids together, most days :))) Makenna and Jack could be so wonderful and cute with each other and then completely wanting to hurt each other the next. It is definitely a love hate relationship!! This was a cute moment until Jack wanted out of the stroller and makenna wouldn't get off of him :)

These boys couldn't be better friends. I can't wait to see what God does in their relationship as they get older.

Such a gentleman! And what great taste in shoes she has!!!

Our precious Jack! Not only do you get chocolate cake at Aunt "Cole's" but he also got his first smore :)

2 stylin' chicks....

A definite cute moment! Probably because the play ground wasn't Makenna's or Jack's personal play ground. So no "mine" was taking place :)

The clan! They all love each other so much :)

Makenna turns 2

The hat was the theme for the day :) Our little princess turned 2!! She was all about the presents this year which was so fun. She picked going to the park and then getting pizza. The park was way fun because it had water fountains and she loved that! Shannon and Jack were here to celebrate with us so it made the day even more special!

Loves, loves, loves the grocery cart!! Her babies always go along with her on her grocery trips. Funny her babies are much better shoppers than mine are!!

My birthday girl in her birthday outfit! Oh how I love having a girl :)))

These would be her shopping shoes. She obviously doesn't dress for comfort! They must be worn while she pretend shops :)

This is what she eventually decided worked best to open presents, when all else fails use your teeth!! I may borrow this tactic come January :)

Happy Birthday our sweet Makenna. Our lives would not be complete without you. You add so much joy to your dads and my life. You completed a part of my heart that I didn't even know wasn't filled yet. The moment I looked into your eyes I knew my life and heart was changed forever. Having a daughter has enriched our lives forever and we will forever be thankful to the Lord for the gift He gave us when He gave us you. We love you sweetheart xoxoxox

Ichiro or Brayden???

And Ichiro steps up to the plate....

Have to say this is one cute Ichiro!! These were just too cute not to put on here :)

The Fair

So this ride I got suckered into somehow. I underestimated the intensity of this ride from the ground. Years of therapy and the boys should be fine ;)

She absolutely loved this ride with daddy!

This is a must have picture at any fair :)

The boys took a step down and decided to head to kiddy land after I scarred them for life on the 'ring of death' LOL. Puff the magic dragon was a much better choice :)