10 years down.....Eternity to go..........

*Disclaimer: read at your own risk.....mushy/sappy writing below.

Today is our 10th wedding anniversary.

Wow.

I feel lots of different things like:
gratitude
love
sentimental
pride
humility
and......old :)

I know it sounds cliche but we've been through a lot these last ten years.
Lots of good stuff, some not-so-good stuff, and then...other stuff....
We've had 4 kids, finished school, moved across the country, started a career, bought a home, and a whole lot else in between.

There is a lot (of mushy things) I could way about my amazing, all most perfect husband, but probably the best compliment I could pay him is this.........

Joe not only makes me want to be better, but he helps me (and challenges me) to be a little better each day. Although I have a long way to go, I know that I am a better person today than I was 10 years ago. And I feel confident in saying that as long as he is in my life I will be a better person 10 years from now...and on to eternity.
I love him more than ever.
Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

Happy Birthday to Emmy (Part II)

Because Emmy's birthday falls at the end of June she is the youngest of all her little friends. Throughout this year she has had the opportunity to attend most of their birthday parties which in its self is a lot of fun, but it has always resulted with us having many conversations that go something like:

Emmy: Mommy when will it be my birthday?
Me: Soon.
Emmy: But mommy I want to have my birthday party!
Me: Your birthday is in a few months.
Emmy: Can I have presents at my birthday?
Me: Yes.
Emmy: Can I have a princess birthday cake?
Me: Yes.
Emmy: Can I have my birthday tomorrow?
Me: No. But your birthday is coming soon.
Emmy: Yay!

Well, after months of anticipation, (plus Emmy telling everyone one she knows....and even a few people we don't know, like the checkers at the store, or the nurses at the doctors office that she is having a birthday soon.... and she is going to have presents...... and a princess cake:) her day has come!
We all went to Chuck 'E' Cheese for dinner then came back to the house for cake and presents.



Emmy and Grammy meeting Chuck E




The Cake
The Party

Emmy had a great time.
The only problem is....she won't stop asking when her next birthday is.....
It's going to be a long year....... :)

Happy Birthday Emmy!

My baby girl turns 3 today!
Joe's mom and sister are flying in tomorrow so we're going to wait and have her party this weekend, but just have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet Emily Marie!!!!

Lake Anna!

The kids and I (sadly Joe couldn't get time off work) spent the yesterday and today down at Lake Anna along with Padilla's, Ahrens', Harris', and Corbett's. What a blast! We spent the whole time out on the water wake boarding, jet skiing, and swimming! We all got a little too much sun, but it was worth it!!!!

Dallin wasn't much for being in the water but he loved 'driving' the boat.



Holly Harris was sweet enough to drive down to the lake with me to help with the kids. She and Emily were inseparable the whole time. (I think Holly is officially Emmy's favorite person now.)



The lake is near a nuclear power plant so the water is sooooo warm! Almost to the point where it's not even refreshing. I think the side of the lake we were on was between 85 and 89 degrees the whole time!




It was the perfect kick off to our summer vacation!
Thank you Ahrens family for hosting us. We can't wait to come again soon! (Hopefully with Joe next time:)

So you think you can dance?

Becky and JJ had their dance recital this afternoon. They did so great and they both looked beautiful! They really enjoyed their ballet class this year. It was fun watching them have fun in the spot light!

Last Day of School!

School is FINALLY over!!!!!!!!!
Even after living here for almost four years, I'm still not used to the school year going so far into June! Where I grew up school was always out by Memorial day. For me these last few weeks have seemed to drag.
Oh well! Bring on the summer fun!

"It's always fun when Grandpa (and Grandma) comes!"

My parents were able to come for a short visit earlier this week. Although they were only here a few days we had a great visit with them.

Monday morning we went to JJ's end of the year concert. Then we spent the afternoon in DC touring Ford's Theater and The Peterson House plus we met Joe for lunch at Hard Rock. I haven't eaten there forever!

Joe took Tuesday off work so we could all go to the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

Wednesday morning my parents went to Mount Vernon.
That afternoon My Dad came walking in my door with a cake from the bakery.
When I asked him what it was for he told me that Emily had asked him that morning if he was going to come to her upcoming birthday party. Well I guess he didn't have the heart to tell her they would not still be in town when her birthday comes so instead he bought her a cake and we had a little mini birthday party with Grandma and Grandpa Nattress.

No wonder Emmy loves her Grandpa sooo much.

We loved having them here. It reminds us how much we miss living closer.

Love you Mom and Dad!

Best Friends

I just have to to a quick little post about Emmy and Dallin. Although they have their little moments where they don't get along, they really are best friends. For the most part they play together so well and they love to make each other giggle and laugh. Their latest thing is holding hands in the car every where we go.


Is it just me or is this the cutest thing ever!