A Dozen Down and a Lifetime More to Go

July 7th, 2000 marked not only my 25th birthday, but the day that Travis and I said "I do" to a lifetime commitment to marriage.

This was one of our "wedding" pictures taken by a high school friend at the time of our post wedding reception in my hometown of Primghar, Iowa.  

For those of you reading that may not know we were married in Las Vegas so there wasn't a traditional formal wedding.

My 37th birthday/our 12th anniversary fell on a Saturday this year and my parents and my sister {in-law) gifted us their time to keep the kiddos so we had the entire afternoon and evening to ourselves. Hubs planned out the day and honestly I wouldn't have a changed a thing. It was perfect! Our first stop was at the golf pro shop at a beautiful course Travis had won a tournament at previously. He had a gift certificate burning a hole in his pocket so he chose a few new golf essentials and we were off to the Parma Woods shooting range. This was my first time handling or shooting a gun and I assure you it will not be the last. I really enjoyed learning the technique of loading the gun, proper handling, shooting, etc. Not to boast, but I was a pretty darn good shot for a newbie! We spent the remainder of the afternoon at The Springs Aquatic Center in the Northland. We had a ball relaxing in the lazy river, ripping our back to shreds on the water slides, polishing our teen year skills on the high dive, people watching and best of all just being together sans kids.

We cleaned up after swimming and had a great dinner out at Red Lobster. 

Lobsterita anyone? 

I made the mistake of googling how many calories you consume when drinking one of these. 

Any guesses? 

890!

We ended the evening at the Argosy Casino. It's funny how age can change a past time to an extent. It wasn't long before we concluded that we aren't so into walking around an ash tray feeding our hard earned money into cash eating machines that rarely pay back. We did have some laughs and made $25 stretch quite a ways.

This may have been an anniversary date on a dime, but I'm so thankful for our time "away." It was such a fun time filled with laughter, reminiscing and reconnecting.

Embrace the Camera: July 19, 2012

Mommy & Little Miss

Photos taken 07/15/12

Just kicking it on the couch after supper recently

{McKenna has a new found love of baby dolls @ 18 months}

Doesn't her sweet smile just win you over?

Independence Day

We spent our 4th much in the same fashion as we did the previous year. Our neighbors the Burris's and Mage's host an annual gathering complete with a jumbo water slide, sprinklers & Popsicles for the kids and adult games (this years "main attraction" was the flabongo) block party style. They provide burgers, dogs, buns, utensils and drinks and everyone brings a side dish or dessert along with beverages of their choice.

Little man with his bestie, Kellen

Dawson (going to the left), Eoin Hood, Addison & Ellaina Mages, Kellen, Emma Bishop, Gabrielle and Katie Stegeman

And some cute baby buns for your viewing pleasure :)

We ended the night viewing the City of Olathe's fireworks display from the Sonic parking lot. 

It was a fun day and we look forward to spending many more 4ths with our neighbors and friends.

Embrace the Camera: July 12, 2012

Daddy embracing the camera with baby girl on the 4th of July 

{4th activities post up next}

Oh how I wish this photo was more crisp and that the garage clutter wasn't in the background. 

My handsome hubs with our sweet rosy cheek babe. 

Makes this mommas heart melt.

It doesn't take much to get little miss to smile, but tickle her and you're bound to get your fill of mile wide smiles and plenty of belly laughs!

Saddle Up

"Put on your Boots, Saddle Up and join our Little Cowgirl Gracyn Jones' 6th Birthday Party"

There is never a lack of excitement when Gabrielle receives Gracyn's birthday invites. In her (Gabi's) own words "Gracyn's mommy throws thee most awesomest, special, funnest birthday parties EVER!" And this mommy would have to agree. Janie is one of those people who doesn't skimp with the details. She puts much thought and planning into making the event super special for her little gal and all her friends.

This was the welcoming table. The adorable burlap horse head complete with lash embellished googly eyes, bow & award ribbons was the take home craft project the girls stuffed and decorated.

The girls crafting away

Our little cowgirl hot and sweaty, but smiling non the less.

Gabrielle and Caroline Cowden (what a face!) waiting in line to play pin the tail on the horse.

Waiting patiently for Gracyn to open her gift that Gabrielle picked out just for her (an Usborne Drawing, Doodling & Coloring book and highlighters from Barnes and Noble).

And a picture with the sweet  birthday girl with larger than life cupcakes to cap off the night!

Photo Dump

Recent happenings captured via my IPhone

Our little man enjoying some sunshine on the swing set

We had the privilege of watching Benjamin {Morris} while his Daddy interviewed for a urology position here in the KC area. He was offered the job and will be moving back here from Philadelphia next year! That means more visits from Matt, Mo & baby bundle and G'ma Barb & G'pa Terry! Can you sense our excitement?!

Daddy being his silly self modeling a "Buddhalicious" tee shirt while he and Mommy were on a date night. We love frequenting Good Will, thrift shops & antique stores on occasion. This particular night was fruitful for us. Daddy found a vintage golf print, some Callaway golf shorts and I found some Anthro capris, Ann Taylor capris & Janie and Jack denim overalls for MJ as well as a few other randoms.

This is baby girls new trick. When she is thirsty she proceeds to do everything in her power to open the frig door including climbing the frig :) And on a side note - girlfriend is strong!

Gabrielle finished out her summer school session with a program put on by her Broadway Lights class. The performance was of "Lights! Camera! Action!: A Musical Review Featuring Songs from the Movies of Today!" Her 1st grade teacher, Mr. Herrig, joined us for the performance. Gabi beamed when she saw him!

Summer has been hot! Brutally hot so I've been trying to scheme up a few simple "craft" projects to keep the kids entertained. This day it was homemade playdoh. It turned out great and kept the kids busy for a good bit of time. It stores in the refrigerator so it will be interesting to see how long it stays good for.

This picture shows baby girls love of several things: 1st off looking adorable; being where her Daddy is at (the garage in this instance); and her obsession with shoes. She is rockin' my New Balance tennis shoes my mom scored for me.

This is what I am reading right now. It's not Charles Martin, but it's good stuff.

Lynee treated me to my first EVER pedicure for my birthday this past week. I went wanting a red polish and ended up going with a cobalt blue. It's different, but fun. And no I didn't get an instatan (I wish), it's the change in lighting.

And lastly this little beauty is now officially 7 1/2. It doesn't seem possible to me, but alas it is so. Aunt Linda and Paigie bought her this fun skirt and adorable cardigan for back to school. She wasted no time before modeling it for us.

I'm so thankful for the accessibility of my phone camera as it makes capturing the everyday moments so convenient and I have been thee worst about getting out my Canon.

Embrace the Camera: July 5, 2012

Gabi embracing the camera with Daddy-O 

Photo taken on 07/01

Gabrielle exactly 7 1/2 and Daddy, well he says he's ancient :)

Linking up with Emily for Embrace the Camera