Family Pictures 2015

We received our proofs of our family photo's from Be Photography yesterday. At first glance, I was happy with them but frustrated (just a little tiny bit), that in some of the pictures our three children were smiling funny, goofing off, or just not paying attention. It wasn't until my second go through of the pictures that I fell completely in love with them. Brin does what Brin does best; she captures each person as to who they exactly are. Funny faces, goofing off or being distracted. Our pictures show who and what our children are right now. This is something that we will likely forget someday, but her pictures will always remind us of that. Children grow up too quickly and someday they will know that they need to smile pretty and look at the camera.

Here is just a snippet of our family pictures this year! 

This IS our happily ever after!  

Jessica and Logan Get Married.....Finally :)

These two are high school sweethearts and are both very special to us!  Jessica actually nannied the summer Mckenzie was born for us and Logan has been a fixture in our home throughout the past number of years whenever the youth boys were out....being boys :).  It was such a treat to be able to witness them seal there future together as husband and wife.  

Aren't they the cutest!  They are the definition of love! 

Cutting of the Cake

I'm a lucky woman!  

Isn't this friend beautiful!  

Nothing says a wedding then a large selfie.  And yes I used my selfie stick.  And yes, Steve was embarrassed.  He couldn't understand why I just wouldn't get someone else to take it - to which I replied, because that isn't as much fun!!!

There is so much goodness in this picture :)

First Day of Grade One

Saaayyyyy Whhhaaaatttt?!?!?!?!  

When did that happen? 

Yeah...I know you're thinking the exact same thing!  

We almost couldn't believe it either, but this sweet little man has now entered school full time and is loving it.  He enjoys going to school and learning, and comes home exhausted :)  

I took this picture the same morning that I had dropped Ezra off at school.  Not going to lie, the three of us are likely going to have a lot of fun with big brother gone :) 

Farewell to my Sister!

Don't let our smiles fool you, the hearts are crying.  On August 29th, we said "see you later" to this beautiful woman.  She says she was blessed this past year, yet she will never understand how she blessed and impacted us (and largely me!).  She is compassionate, funny, kind, caring, loving, sensitive, patient....I almost need a dictionary to help me with my words!  She loves Jesus.  And she loves our children.  She taught me how to be a better woman and a better mom.  We laughed together and we cried together.  We will miss her.  Really miss her.  We love you, Juliane Plump.  You are one of the best Princesses of our Mighty King.  Until we meet again...we will be Germany bound someday! 

Jule and I had great ambitions while we were at the lake and it was to get through 4 seasons of Prison Break.  We didn't succeed (but didn't do to bad, we made it through 3.5 season.  So I jokingly said to her, that if she was Lincoln Burrows what would she request as her final meal.  It was lobster :)  Woman after my own heart!  The Friday before she left we enjoyed a full lobster meal - it was amazing!!!!  

Ezra Turns 6

Ezra turned 6 on August 27 and I wonder where the years have gone.  They just seemed to have flown by!  Ezra requested an army themed birthday party this year, so I delivered.  I also utilized Jule largely and told her she was responsible for the games :).  Too bad I will have to do it next year, she was great and super creative with the scavenger hunt.  

All set up for the party!  

I made the cupcakes and decorated them myself - yeah, I know...impressive.  Cutbacks :)

Standing at ATTENTION!

First stop - face painting station.  Jule told the kids that they had to become invisible.  

Looking for the next clue.  

This was hilarious.  I can't even begin to type it and explain it but I know that if it was adults playing it would have been even more funny!  

Target practice

Obstacle Course

The final clue.  

I had a local bakery shop make the cake.  

Present Time

For the family supper, I roasted half a pig on the smoker.  It was delicious! 

So much love around the table! 

Today we celebrate our oldest, our firstborn, a son. Ezra is our fearful yet most compassionate, our too-mature-for-his-own-good yet the one that always has to be touching you, he is our tenderhearted, friend to all, best baby out of all, and a huge lover of Jesus. Ezra is wise beyond his years and today as he turns 6 I honestly feel as if it is 16. Time needs to slow down in some ways but we are excited to see who Ezra will become! You will do great things, Ezra...keep loving Jesus and He will continue to guide you!