40 years

40 years ago on September 11th my wonderful Mother and Father married.  Forty years later you can still see their happiness when they are together. 

Mom and Dad you are such an inspiration to Abby and me and our husbands, as well as our children.  If it wasn't for the two of you, Abby and I would be much less than we are.  You have both been a strong foundation for us and have taught us how to love unconditionally.  There may be times you get upset with each other but that is what makes you human and has made your marriage that much stronger - because you continue to hold on and love through it all. 

Thank you for all you have done for us and the lessons of love and life that you have taught us over the years.  My wish for you is that you have 40 more years together and continue to radiate your love for each other each and every day. 

 

If it wasn't for the two of you - we wouldn't have all these cuties!

Happy 40th Anniversary!



Merry Christmas to me early...

Christmas came early this year for me on September 11th when we made the dreaded purchase of a new washing machine!  Since it was not a planned purchase until the Friday night before when the old one started making a horrible (cause your ears to bleed) noise; I told Brandon he didn't have to get me anything for Christmas this year.  It was so hard going two whole days without a washing machine, but thankfully Mom and Dad did our laundry for us that weekend!  We had been using our previous machine for at least 5 years and it was my grandparents before that so it had seen a good life and a lot of dirty laundry!  Thanks for my Christmas present honey!  I love it!!

6 years and counting

6 years ago today I was a senior in college, in classes all day, and waiting for my first nephew!  I knew that my wonderful big sister was scheduled to have an induction to give birth to her first beautiful baby and I of course had to be in a different city, waiting all day.  Knowing I HAD to go to class and then would be able to head to Kansas City to meet my new nephew; made for the longest day ever.  I headed to my late afternoon class that wasn't supposed to get over until 6:30 and was dreading every second of it.  I knew I had a great professor who was young and fun so I immediatly told him what was going on and asked if he would let class out early that night (I had to go because if you had perfect attendance we got extra points or something...)  Little did I believe he would actually agree to it!  I left Columbia and drove like a speed deamon the entire way to K.C.  I knew during the drive that Brayden hadn't made his entrance yet, so I had my fingers crossed he would wait just long enough for me to get there.  Just as I got to Abby's room he popped out!  He was the cutest little thing I had ever seen! 

The last 6 years have flown by and we have created more memories than I can count.  There are so many reasons to love Brayden so here are just a few:

1.  He is sweet and loving all most of the time.

2.  He is a good big brother to Grayson and Kennon (he does tend to bully them some times but that is what big brothers are for, right?).

3.  He loves the outdoors and can make a toy of of anything. 

4.  He is very creative. 

5.  He loves my little girl like his own sister (she is his sister cousin of course)!

6.  He is a good helper.

7.  He is very inquisitive.

8.  He has grown up so much in the last few months and is becoming much more polite and patient (thanks Kindergarten!).

9.  He taught me how much you can love a baby that isn't even your own.   

10.  He almost always has a smile on his face!

  

The "camping" cake I made for Brayden's birthday party (my first time decorating a cake).

Happy Birthday, Brayden! 

Uncle Meme', Matney, and I love you so very much!

Silly Saturday

 Cheezzz, it's Saturday and my momma doesn't have to work for a week!!

We are baking today and staying warm because it is rainy and cold outside!  We are looking forward to this evening when Auntie Ahhhby and the boys all come over for Brayden's 6th birthday party!  I am off to bake his cake (I don't know what got in to me since I have never decorated a cake before, but I will not be outdone).

Happy Saturday!!

Silly Saturday

 The ice cream bar apparently made her very silly! And VERY dirty.

Happy Saturday!

Cooking Extravaganza

Last Saturday, my beautiful sister and I decided to have a cooking extravaganza!  Always the planner, Abby came up with the meals we would make and divided up the shopping responsibilities.  As we are both busy moms we decided if we could make several good, healthy meals to freeze it might reduce our stress levels a bit.  With the help of our wonderful mother who agreed to babysit in exchange for meals of her own, we accomplished a lot in just a short time. 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

As is normal around here, Matney and I were up at the crack of dawn and we knew Abby and her boys would be so we headed to Nannie B and Papa G's for the day!  Mom helped us with a little prep and then once the kids all woke up and were bouncing off the walls she took them outside so we could have a nice, quiet morning of doing one of the things we loved most - cooking!  We started at 7:45 and by 10:45 we have 9 meals each and about 13 dozen rolls.  All in all it was a great day and I believe we will be doing it again.  Now, to just stop hording our meals and actually use them!



Garlic Pork Loin



Abby-concentrating really hard!

Some of our meals

The rolls--they just kept growing and growing and...

growing!!!

We had so many rolls we ran out of cookie sheets!  But they turned out great and we both know how proud Grandma Janie would have been!

Thanks Abby and Mom for such a great day.  I am looking forward to our next cooking extravaganza!