Little, Big Man Turns 3

We celebrate birthday's for at least a full week around our house.  Grayson - being the sweet, charismatic boy he is - managed to celebrate for a full seven days and to have all three themes he loves the most. 
My little, big man is growing up fast. He is sweet as ever, but the sweetness fades ever so slightly as he is starting to stand up for himself against his older brother and taking a firm stance of resistance when we ask him to do something he is opposed to. He is passionate about his family, friends, tractors, animals, the color orange. He brings immeasurable joy to us every day.  

We kicked his celebration off the Saturday before the big day with a zoo themed birthday at our local zoo. He chose doughnuts with orange frosting in lieu of a cake.  He invited a couple of friends from his preschool class and his neighbor friends to join him for a special zoo class where we got to hold and learn about an exotic chicken, chinchilla, rare turtle, a tarantula (only Daddy held him), a hedge hog-looking-thing and a couple of other animals.  The kids loved it and Grayson absolutely ate it up.  He adores animals.  After the class, we fed the koi and visited the petting zoo and other animals before riding the train and playing on the playground. 

It was great hot, sticky fun.  The joy and excitement that Grayson showed was priceless. 

Monday we celebrated by seeing Cars 2.  Tuesday we went to a new pool with splash buckets, zero entry and corn dogs.  Wednesday he took special Mick*y Mouse treats for snack to his PDO class and we celebrated in the evening with a family party complete with a pizza party, strawberries and homemade ice cream.  We decked the place out with orange balloons and streamers in honor of Grayson's fav color. 

July Fourth Fun

We have a long standing family tradition of togetherness when July 4th rolls around and this year was a blast...so to speak.  We filled the days with splashing around in the lake to stay cool, playing in the yard in the evening, visiting with lake neighbors and going for long walks.

The kids are becoming fish.  Little Kennon and Matney are learning to tolerate their life jackets and loved the boat. 

Kennon broke free of the life jacket while Matney stayed snuggled up in hers.  

Brian and I found 5 seconds to take a picture as a couple, relaxed and having fun. 

Sisterly self-portrait.  She's pretty cool and we got to actually talk this time rather than running around like crazed mothers.  Well, I may have still been a crazed mom, but I did manage to chat.  It was fun. 

Brian and Brayden rescued my stranded dad from the dock.  Dad always comments on Brian's driving and said Brian's water driving fares no better than his land driving.  I agree.  Brian still insists he is great at both. 

Kennon had so much fun splashing around and playing on the boat he completely wiped himself out. 

Uncle Brandon hauled the Ranger to the lake for our parade entry.  The boys helped me decorate and Aunt Jackie won their favor when she presented them with candy to toss to the parade spectators.  The bowl was pretty much full when they returned.  What was gone I was told Grayson had gorged on and then opted to hoard the rest for later.  Doesn't anyone feed these kids?

Brayden's cute little ears were getting fried.  Ever the planner, he had packed his cowboy hat right next to the kitchen sink in the car so those ears were protected.  One cute cowboy, I'll say.

We posed for an official family 4th of July photo.  And, yes, the boa was smoking hot....figuratively and literally. 

The Crawford's coordinated beautifully. 

And we owe our fun to mom and dad without whom we wouldn't be around to enjoy such fun. 

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day was relaxed and fun this year with an impromptu pool party, cook out and an old fashioned game of tag.  Ashley and I surprised Brandon and Dad with shiny red stainless steel Coleman coolers.  They were strangely excited to have the "it" carrier for their "blue pops".  Brian falls asleep after a sip of said "blue pop" so he got some BBQ equipment and a super cool Captain America t-shirt.  He wears it proudly. 
We had so much fun swimming I failed to get pictures of the gift giving fun, but we did have a nice little daddy photo shoot. 
First up...Matney with her main man.  She made his t-shirt as a gift.  He wore it proudly.

Then we had a hot dad's contest....the competition was fierce, but Brandon took the grand prize for best pecs (as you can see).  Dad won the best hat award and Brian won most-likely-to-dull-a-razor. 

Then we had a no-girls-allowed photo op.

Followed by Dad with adoring daughters.

We were so glad Brian's dad joined us as a poolside spectator and tag judge. 

It was a quintessential summer fun family day.  Just what life is all about.  

Vacation Close to Home

In July we set out on an adventure to St. Louis.  We had a great time playing, swimming, going to museums and the zoo.  Brian and Brayden even hit the Cards game.  The boys pacified themselves while I got a shopping and Tr*der J*e's fix.  We were reminded again we don't always have to go to far off, grandiose places to have a good time together.  The boys were great and the car ride was tolerable.  True success.

Brotherly love. 

Dressed in yellow for easy tracking while they run like wild animals. 

Brayden's return to the tire changing station at the Magic House.  He dreamed of returning for two years.

Brayden's photography. So artistic. 

Grayson in his element. 

Ten Years and Counting

As Brian and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary earlier this month we reflected on how our lives have evolved tremendously during the last decade.  We've celebrated college graduations, Brian's medical school graduation, launching our careers, owned two homes and lived in three/four different cities.  We've shared in the joy and blessing of welcoming three healthy sons into the world.  Watched as our kids grow and change and celebrated as each of them were baptized.  We have shared heartache as loved ones passed and supported each other through a couple of disappointments.  We have experienced challenges and struggles that every marriage faces at one time or another.  Through it all we have persevered, determined to love and support each other through the tough times and share in the joyous times. 
Sometimes we laugh that marriage is the hardest job we've ever had.  Like any job, though, we get out of our marriage what we put into it.  When we work hard to love, to support, to be patient and kind we get all of those things and more in return.  The biggest challenges we have faced are the same experiences that have made our relationship stronger. 
As we venture into our second decade of marriage I hope we can continue to strive to reach goals together, but also find contentment in just enjoying each other, our kids, family, friends and life. 

Here's to another 10...

Oh....and to celebrate we had a 2.5 day get away weekend that included hiking, a movie, massages, relaxing by the pool, shopping, sleeping late, a ghost tour and good food.  Get-aways are few and far between at this stage of life it seems, but we sure know how to have a good time and fit allot in when we get a chance.  We were having so much fun I forgot to take pictures with the exception of just a few...

Self portrait during our hike.  We were on the bluff overlooking the Buffalo river.

Hike break.

Fuzzy picture from the top of the bluff.

School Daze

May was a busy month filled with Mother's Day tea parties, field trips and end of the year school parties.  The boys ate up every moment and Kennon went along for the ride - as usual.  Brian even got to join us on a trip to the zoo and experience the fun  - and madness - that comes with dozens of 2 year olds, dozens of pre-k kids and wild mama's.

Grayson and Mama posing with the "ellie-ph-phants".

Proof that Brian was at the zoo with us wrestling Kennon. 

Brayden and Charlie being goofy.

Brayden with some of his classmates singing us a song for Mother's Day. 
They waited on us too by serving us snacks and drinks.

Grayson with his teacher - Ms. Trisha.
He adored her.  She made sure he had an orange sand bucket as an end of school gift.
Grayson loves orange. 

Grayson with his friend Eli.  Every day - all year - he talked about Eli.

Brayden's awards ceremony. 
He received the "Sweet Tart" award because, as Ms. Julie put it,
he is filled with a whole lot of sweet with a little bit of sass."
Amen!

Brayden and some of his classmates present Ms. Julie with a special art project just for her. 

Kennon looking sweet and happy at one of these many events. 

Footprints on Our Hearts

Hours after we laid Grandma Leota to rest, my dad, Brian and I returned to the nursing home to see Grandma Janie.  Over the past several days she had gotten much weaker, was sleeping much of the time and, when awake, was very uncomfortable.  She hadn't eaten much for days.  The nurses told us the doctor had been in and had adjusted her chart to respite care.  Twelve long days passed as her family sat with her 24 hours a day.  We gathered around her on Mother's Day singing hymns.  Though she slept we knew she could hear us.  As night past to morning Grandma found peace.  

Her funeral service was filled with beautiful music about streets of gold, a beautiful sermon and a few simple words I wrote and read during the service as I humbly tried to capture what Grandma meant to so many of us......

The smell of peonies in the kitchen air, swinging on the porch swing on a warm Sunday afternoon, homemade ice cream, chicken and noodles, hot rolls, laundry hanging on the clothesline, perfect plum jelly, a warm welcoming smile….these are a few of our favorite things that remind us of a wonderful Christian woman we were proud to call grandma, mom, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend. Regardless of what we called her, we all feel the same. Grandma Janie was one-of-a-kind. She inspires many and is loved by all.

She represents the true definition of unconditional love. She was genuine in thought, word and deed. She modeled her faithfulness through her stewardship and hospitality, selflessness, kindness and compassion while greeting every day with a smile and positive outlook. She worked hard and enjoyed life.

Last June, we celebrated with Grandma Janie as she competed in a regional nursing home pageant. She advanced to this competition after being crowned "Queen of Kindness" at Webco. I can think of no better title for her. Her love for life kept her young and active even at 91. Throughout life, she woke early and filled her days with activities at church, work, home and in the company of friends and family. Young at heart, it was sometimes hard for the rest of us to keep up with her. During her time at Webco we had to plan our visits to fit between her meals, church services, activities and bingo. The dime with her today – the last dime she won at bingo - represents her many interests, vitality and zest for life. During her interview at the pageant she spoke of her love for her family, her faith and hobbies. When asked what her one pet peeve was she said, "people who complain". Never one to complain herself, she enjoyed life everyday and found joy in spending time with people and doing things she loved like cooking, gardening and sewing.

Grandma’s life was a life defined by bringing people together and caring for them. Even to the end of her earthly days she brought her family together. Ours has always been a close family. We enjoy sharing holidays together, celebrating marriages and births, graduations, and life’s other special moments. We support each other in times of need, difficulty or sadness. The love, tenderness and support this family has shown each other over the past several weeks mirrors the same tenderness, love and kindness Grandma taught us. Over the years our visits meant so much to her that - without fail - every time we left her house – whether few or many – her eyes would fill with tears because her love of family was so great.

As hard as the last few weeks have been, Grandma gave all of us one last parting gift. A gift of togetherness. There were no agendas or places we needed to be. Just family coming together to sit quietly and wait, to chat and learn each others habits – good and bad, to sing grandma’s favorite hymns and tell stories. In celebrating her life the best gift each of us can give her is to continue to gather together and show each other the same love, gentleness, and support we have shared the past weeks in the years to come.

I recently heard someone comment that some people enter our lives and tip toe across our hearts, but others leave lasting footprints. We will cherish grandma’s footprints for our lifetimes.

Just rest your eyes now Grandma. We love you.