Matt's Garden

The ocra plants are really really tall

and our pumpkin is really really fat.

Squash

Apples

Ocra and Cherry Tomatoes

Carrots

It is no secret that Matt loves the outdoors. Anytime he gets a chance, he is fishing or hunting. Another outdoor passion of Matt's has been gardening. He has planted several gardens since I have know him, and every year we have been living in this house, he has wanted to plant a really big one. This year he planted: corn, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, ocra, squash, watermelon, pumpkin, carrots, peas, beans, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. A BIG garden. He has spent many a nights tending to the garden, and though I complain about how much time it takes up, I do enjoy fresh food.

Hawaiin Luau at its best.

This Saturday we celebrated the girl's birthday with a bunch of our family and friends. I don't know what we were thinking having an outdoor party on a day that was estimated to be at 95 degrees, but the date was scheduled and we were ready to party. I think the kids had fun playing on the skip n slide and in the pool. At least they were cool. Ella is old enough now, where she can enjoy playing with all her little friends, and gets excited about all the different elements of a party.

"Mommy, when are my friends coming over."
"Mommy, can I help pick the balloons."
"Mommy when can I have my cake."

With Wren only being one, I think we enjoy watching her more then she enjoys the party. I think it is an overall tradition to let a one year old play in their cake, and that is exactly what we let her do. She was hilarious to watch, and she didn't disappoint with cake mashed all over her face.

The party ended with quite a sting, literally. Somehow a nest of yellow jackets finally got angry enough to start swarming the slip n slide. Matt and our friend Meredith got the brunt of their anger. Sorry Meredith, I hope you want to come back over to our house.

Thank you to everyone who came to help us celebrate.

Eleven Years Together

Today, Matt and I will have been together eleven years. Time flies when you are having fun. Matt and I met about fourteen years ago. I have known him for half of my life. That seems so crazy when I actually count back. At the time, my family was attending a very small church so when someone new came in, everyone noticed. My first impression of Matt was that he was "sooo cute." Recently I asked Matt what his first impression of me was and he said, " that girl has the blondest hair I've ever seen." How romantic right? Either way, we ended up together, and I couldn't be more in love. Matt and I have experienced so many things together in the past eleven years. He took me to prom, we graduated together, we have traveled to four different countries, we have had two children, and we are about to celebrate seven years of marriage. I don't think I can even image what is to come next. So, with this anniversary coming up, I want Matt to know he is a great husband. I love that he works hard to provide for our family, he is patient, helpful, and honest always. I love that he is a great father. My girls are so blessed to have him, and so am I. I love you.


Prom 2001


Dating


Honeymoon in St. Thomas 2002


Beijing, China 2004


Florence, Italy 2005

College Graduation 2005

After Ella's birth 2006

Matt's 30th Birthday

Fun Times at Church

Family vacation. St. Petes 2007

St. Lucia 2007 "Getting ready to zipline"

Snorkling in St. Lucia

Fall 2008

Wren is Turning One

It is hard to believe that my sweet baby is already one. It seems like only yesterday that we brought her home from the hospital. Wren's first year has been so much fun and a huge learning experience. I really thought that the second child would be easier because I already knew what I was doing. To some extent that is true, but on the other hand adjusting to doing everything double time is hard to handle. Matt and I talk about how blessed we are to have such easy going babies. Wren has been pretty laid back and I think she already knows how to roll with the punches, and I know she is going to be a tough little thing. The other day Ella was yelling in Wrens face and Wren was just watching her like "no big deal." She has handled being sat on, hugged too tight, and whatever else her big sister has so lovingly given to her. The dynamics between them is fun to watch, because you can tell Wren loves Ella the most. When she sees her big sister she grins from ear to ear. A few other memories that I hope to always have about my youngest girl is that when she was born we called her surfer baby. She was so red with bleach blond hair. She looked like she just came from a day at the beach. Also, she loves baths. As soon as she hits the water she is splashing like crazy. My most favorite thing that she does is lays her head on my shoulder. She will cuddle even when she is not tired. You can tell she just loves to snuggle tight. I can't wait to watch Wren as she grows. This next year will be full of many firsts. First steps, first words, first trip to the beach. I know it will be exciting.
Thank you Lord for Wren. Bless her this next year.



Wren, One Day New

Two Months Old

October 08

Christams 08

8Months Old

Spring 09

Easter 09

Ella is Turning Three

On Saturday we are celebrating the girls birthdays, and I can't help but think that the old addage, "they grow up so fast" is all too true. Ella likes to call herself little big and that is exactly what she is. She is just a little girl who needs to ask permission to do everything and always waits until I am in the middle of something to ask, "Mooommy, I need hellllp." At the same time she watches out for her little her sister and protects her from getting hurt or into trouble. She also informs me that she can do it herself all the time. My first born is turning three so I will give you my favorite three things about her. One, she is so sweet and loving towards her baby sister. So motherly and kind. Two, she is adventurous. She is curious about everything and she is so eager to be involved in anything new. When daddy wants to take her fishing she is right there with her Dora the Explorer fishing pole. If I am cooking in the kitchen, she will pull up a chair and ask to help. Lastly, I love how she shows me how great Gods love is. Her presence in my life is a gift from God and He allows me to have something to love more than myself. A kind of love that He tells us about, but maybe something we can't understand until we actually feel it ourselves. I know I can truly appreciate God's sacrifice for me when he gave his only son for me.
Thank you Lord for the gift of Ella. Please bless her in year three.



Ella one day new

October 2006


Christmas 2006

Easter 2007

Ella's first steps

Ella's first birthday

First time at the beach

October 2007

First broken bone Jan. 2008

Easter 2008

Holding Wren at the Hospital July 08

Ella's 2nd Birthday

October 2008

Easter 2009

Summer 2009