Hot Tub Swimming

The weather is starting to change here, but that doesn't keep the boys from swimming. The hot tub is a pretty big size, so we heat it up and the boys are able to swim in it. We haven't heated up the pool yet. Waiting for a cold day. Andy and Will LOVE to swim!

Happy Birthday to my Bestie!

Misty and I met when we were 7 years old, in the community that we both grew up in. There were lots of changes in our lives, and lots of moves, but our parents made an effort to keep us connected and to help us stay in touch. We have been through every major and small event in each others lives, and I am so grateful for her love and support through all of mine.

This year is our 34th year of being friends, and I am so blessed to have her in my life. She makes me a better version of myself, and for that I am so grateful.

Misty - I hope your day is as fantastic as it possibly could be. I love you dearly, and we will celebrate together soon.

This bag of greasy chips is weird, but I think she looks fabulous in this picture!

Me and my bestie!

Happy Fabulous Birthday, Misty!

I love you!

Andy & Pugsly

Andy loves LOVES Pugsly and Pugsly loves him, just about as much as she loves David. Pugsly gets a lot of love in our house, especially from sweet Andy.

We sold our 1st home!

It's official! We sold our first family home. We were so blessed that the house sold so quickly, and for so much. But it was tough to let go. We have so many great memories in that home with our friends, neighbors and family. We built the home and made it fit our needs. I painted the rooms in the house so many times, and shuffled furniture around the house continually. We were blessed to have such a great home for our first family home. 

I wanted to take the boys picture in front of the house one last time, while it was officially still ours. Wednesday, Sept 16, the house will no longer be ours, and it will be a home for another family. 

Thankful we have a beautiful home to continue our family memories and experiences in.

Happy Birthday, to our dear, Oma!

I bought a cake to celebrate Oma's birthday, but unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of it. David wasn't  as on board with the idea, as I was. Remember, how I said everyone mourns in different ways?! He wasn't up for it. But we still cut the cake, thought some nice thoughts of Oma, and enjoyed some cake  in her honor.

Happy Birthday, Oma! We love you & miss you so very much!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today is my dad's 75th birthday, and tomorrow is the 2nd Anniversary of his death. I know most people say it feels like yesterday, but to me, for some reason, it feels like an eternity. I think b/c the time of his death was such a blur to me, b/c I struggled silently so much during that time. I wanted to be strong for my mom. I wanted to get her through the first days and weeks after his death. I didn't deal w/a lot of my own feelings at that time, so I still struggle - 2 years later. At first, I couldn't talk about him w/o crying, and it got easier, but now - it's gotten harder again. Everyone deals with loss in different ways, and I think, I haven't fully dealt with it, b/c I surpassed it to be strong for my mom.

I bought a cake for his birthday b/c I never want my boys to forget. I want them to remember the wonderful, kind man that he was. They wanted to sing Happy Birthday, but I just couldn't. We spoke of a fond memory of him, and William talked about their secret eye brow language, that they shared. That's something he will never forget. He was so much like my dad in so many ways. My mom says she sees it too. My heart is sad that my boys lost their grandfather at such a young age for both of them. 

Happy Birthday, daddy! We will love and miss you always!

David golf trip

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful parents!

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad! 56 years!

I just wish Dad was here to celebrate.

I love you both so much, and miss daddy terribly!

First day of 2015-2016 School Year!

The boys were excited about their first day! Andy started 2nd grade, Will started 5th grade and Ben started 8th grade. I can't even believe my boys are so big. Especially Ben. He's grown so much in the last year, that it makes my heart sad and happy all at the same time. I am proud of the young man he has become, but so sad that he's closer to becoming the man he is to become.

Will - 5th grade (11 years)

Andy - 2nd grade (8 years)

Ben - 8th grade (13 years)

Andy, Will & Ben

Ben

Will

Andy

I love my sweet boys so much! So thankful that they all got wonderful teachers and that the love their schools and their friends.

Moving into our new neighborhood was the best decision that we made! We are so happy here!

Happy 1st Day of School!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I had planned to have a big party for my 40th birthday, but since we had just moved into the house - I decided not to. So, I thought I would have a big party this year for my 41st, and then decided not to. I decided to have a small party and invite the friends who have known me the longest and love me the most. And it was a good move, b/c we had an awesome time! 

Happy Birthday to ME!

Me & my love!

My bestie!

Me & My Bestie!

Gregg, Doug, Shannon, Misty, Me, Grace & David

We missed you, Nacho!

The girls!

Me, Shannon, Misty & Grace

Shannon, Me, and Misty

Guns up!

Shannon, Me & Misty

The gang (minus Grace & Doug)

Gregg, Shannon, Me, Misty & David

We missed you, Nacho!

I was so thankful for my friends coming over to celebrate w/me. We got fajitas catered from Chiloso. And then everyone brought sides to go w/the fajitas. We had so much yummy food.

Maybe next year I'll do something big, or maybe I'll just do something small again. I am so thankful to be blessed with so many long-time friends.

Love you all!

Back to School Breakfast

As per tradition, we had our Annual back to School Breakfast the Saturday before school started. This is our 2nd year in the new house. But since the house is bigger, and the pool is finished - I decided to have the party inside, instead of my typical outside.