10 Year Anniversary Top Ten

Kyle is really the master of the Top Ten but I can always try right?!? 

Here are the Top Ten Things That Made Our 10 Year Anniversary AWESOME!

10. Wedding Day Cookies.
Made by Grandma.
Preserved for 10 years by Grandma.
Remembered by Grandma!

9. Presents in tin foil.
Thanks Mom and Dad!

8. Bubba Gumps on St Pete's Beach.
Warm. Fun. Yummy.

7. The Beach.
Need I say more?!?

6. Shell Key Preserve Island
Secluded. Peaceful. Relaxing.

5. Spinner's Restaurant.
Beautiful View. Scrumptious. 

4. A surprise dinner and flowers.
No, not from Kyle!! (Refer to items #5-8 for his gifts).
Applebee's.

3. A surprise visit from Tasha, Jared and Braxton.
Homemade cinnamon rolls.
Thanks Tasha!!! They were devoured!!

2. The kids' excitement over our anniversary.
Yes, I know one is missing here.
He wasn't very excited!

1. My Man.
Mountain Lion Drinker. Runner. Beach Bum.
Coconut Shrimp Lover.
Husband. Daddy.
Thanks for an awesome 10 year
anniversary celebration Kyle!

10 Years Ago...

Kyle and I said "I do"

I married my best friend

And we set off on this journey of life together.
It's been a fun ride Kyle! I love you!

The Joy That Easter IS!

I love Easter. Dressing up. Singing loud. Candy. Family. Watching the kids' excitement. Resurrection eggs. Focusing on Jesus' resurrection. Brunch at Grandma and Grandpa's House. Spring. Hope.

Chloe looks for eggs with her name at the annual hunt at Great Grandma's.

The annual Easter Picture.

I love how he held onto his basket in the strong wind!!!

Caleb struggled a little with finding his name.
There are too many names that start with "C"!!

Racing towards more eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Showing off their Easter goodies!

Cameron didn't know quite what to do with his Easter goodies...

Opening the treats.

Caleb is looking handsome in his tie!

I Said Goodbye

I said "Goodbye" to my childhood home this past week. At the farm memories flood me with every step I take. This was my home, my refuge, my playground, and my practice field for life. I loved this place. Oh I'm sure you won't be impressed by what you see here. It was not impressive with square footage or the amount of acres it sat on. It needed plenty of updates. But that's what is great about being a kid. A kid doesn't care about those things. A kid simply cares that she feels safe at home, feels loved at home, and has lots of fun with the people she calls her family. This is the lesson I take today: care less about the appearance of my home. Quit apologizing for the mess. Invest in my children and love them well. Make sure that they feel safer at home than anywhere else. Let them have FUN and make a mess! THEN someday when they say goodbye to their childhood home (or return to it) the memories that flood them will be irreplaceable. They will smile and long to go back...

Coming back home. Such a good feeling.

My kids entering my childhood home for the first time.

The favorite place for us girls to stand was always the furnace.
The carpet is worn here. 

My bedroom walls that were always covered in pictures.
I spent  hours staring at those walls. Away from the world. My own place.

Now I have a daughter. Will she lay in bed and journal and dream and pray like I did?

Cameron checks out the view from my bedroom. The acres of grass that I played on; we mowed.
The driveway that we  walked down to the bus. The field where I walked beans.

The bathroom. A place of late night discussions among the best of friends:
Mother and daughter. Sisters. 

I planted flowers here. Watched them grow. Rode bike around and around.
Sang and swung. Played catch. Waited for mom to call us in for Popsicles.

My Dad in the barn. I avoided this place. It didn't smell very nice.
I was not your typical farm girl. 

Longing to go back. To be a little girl again watching my Daddy do his chores.
Seeing my Grandpa eat his lunch. I love you Dad!!!!

"Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” 

― L.M. Montgomery

Chloe's Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Party

Great Grandma made Chloe a special Strawberry Shortcake outfit. She wore the skirt but saved the  shirt for later. Thanks Grandma! She looked adorable!

The Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Old fashioned Strawberry Shortcake

Eating with friends

These party favors were a hit with the boys!

Musical carpet squares. I LOVE Brent's face as he tries to prevent Cameron from getting trampled!

More LEGOs. Did I mention that she loves LEGOs?!?

Her new friend

Showing off the new doll clothes that Great Grandma made.
Chloe and I are so thankful for Grandma's new sewing machine!!!

A fun headband from Grandma Judy and Grandpa Rog!

A personalized beach towel-perfect for our little fish!

Blowing out her candles. I can't believe there were 6 of them!!

Chloe Turns 6!

I can't believe my little girl turned 6 last week! I took a lot of pictures so there will be 2 blog posts! We had a really fun time celebrating Chloe!!!

She chose cinnamon rolls for breakfast. What a good choice!

We had a Birthday Tea with Corrina, Jordyn and Caleb. Caleb did not wear a hat but he really enjoyed the little sandwiches and cookies!

Drinking tea like a refined little lady!

I served them actual tea. They asked for water shortly after their first taste!!!

Pizza for supper!

She was very excited about her new dress.

She wanted to put these LEGOs together upon opening them. She LOVES LEGOs right now!

Here is the usual favorites list...

Favorite School Subject: Math

Favorite TV show: Richard Scarry's Busytown Mysteries

Favorite new toy: "Dolly" and "Dolly's" clothes. She even took Dolly to dance with her today! She is very excited to dress her in her swimsuit and bring her to swim lessons as well!

Favorite Foods: Mac and Cheese, spaghetti, hamballs

Favorite Books: Berenstain Bears Books

Favorite sport: Soccer

Favorite Thing to do during quiet time: Read books, sing

Favorite Games: Chinese Checkers, UNO

Favorite Indoor activity: LEGO Friends. She can have these put together in no time. It somewhat amazes me!!

Favorite Outdoor activity: Riding bike, SLEDDING (we have had plenty of that this winter!)

Favorite Clothes: Her pink vest and polka dot pants.

Favorite Days of the Week: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (no school days!)

Favorite Body Part: Her missing tooth (and new tooth growing in). She is pretty proud!!