The Force

What to do on a lazy afternoon when you and your husband need a little laugh? Well...this is what we chose. And I highly recommend it. We laughed for hours about this. Okay, we're still laughing.
May the force be with you.

Summer of '09

This summer has a different feel to it than others. For us anyway. It's not as carefree or action packed as past summers. No zip lines in the jungle or pina colada's on the beach. Instead it's bike rides around the lake and shaved ice in the parking lot. Neither past nor present is better than the other. Just different. Older, slower, more introverted I guess.
Next summer I will look back and say that summer was full of best friends, family and gratitude. That summer I learned. Grew.

Kate and Nicole

Kate and Nicole were so much fun to take pictures pictures of. I'd kill for their green eyes.

Cooper

This little guy decided to take us up on our offer and join us last night at the lake. He has the most gorgeous eyes and cutest little chubby cheeks. More pics to come, but I couldn't resist posting these two.

Summer Nights

Our favorite summer ritual has become walking (or biking) around the lake. Come join us if you'd like.

Happy Birthday To My Sweet, Beautiful, Wonderful Wife!

Happy Birthday Alana! I am the luckiest man in the world to be married to you. You mean the world to me and you have brought so much happiness to our family. I am so honored to be your husband and forever grateful to have you in my life.

27 Reasons Why I Love You!

27. Your gorgeous smile and perfect teeth
26. The way you make everyone feel welcomed and invited
25. The sweet fireworks show you get on every birthday
24. Our love of Chick-Fila
23. Your way rad friends
22. Our family blog
21. Your are a princess
20. The walks we go on
19. How you love to Travel
18. Your amazing photography and love of arts
17. Best sandwich maker ever
16. Your nicknames - Pantas, AJP, and AJS
15. Your adorable little feet
14. Your love for your family and friends
13. The cute pics, emails, and texts you send when I’m at work
12. I am a better person because of you
11. How cool and stylish you are
10. How intelligent you are
9. How thoughtful you are to others
8. Your beautiful eyes
7. Your cute laugh
6. The best Mother in the world
5. Our amazing beautiful family we have
4. Most beautiful woman in the world
3. The joy you bring into our house
2. Gave us our baby Elle
1. Knowing we will be together forever!

9 Months

That nine months of pregnancy seemed like eternity. But the following nine months flew by faster than I ever knew possible.

We love you very much Elle's Bells, Pantas, Bear cub, Cubby, Elle Peanut, Princess Poop Bottom.

Rainbow Connection

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?



Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

-Kermit the Frog

Pot of Gold?

Tonight we discovered what's really at the end of the rainbow. Don't believe what those leprechauns have been tellin' ya.

photo taken with D's phone, hopefully I got some better pics with my other camera.

Dear D,

I wrote a lifelong to-do list before I met you. I wrote, have a house with a guest bedroom so friends and family could feel welcome to stay. I wrote, travel to foreign countries with best friends. I wrote, find confidence in who I am. I wrote, find someone I can trust whole-heartedly.

I wrote these things because I know what it is like not to have them.
But little did I know I would I check them all off with a single act, marrying you.

I am overcome with how blessed I am to have you as my husband.

Sometimes I feel so lucky I just want to freeze and not do anything to ruin what I have. Like when we got that really good deal at that store and you just wanted me to shut up, pay the guy and go before anyone could tell us it was the wrong price. And then when we got in the car we burst out laughing and celebrated about our good find!

And other times I just feel honored to be chosen as your wife. Like when we were at that funeral and the mother who just lost her son ran into your arms and said, "It's alright, my other son is here today." And then she glanced at me and smiled and without any words she told me how lucky I am to call myself your wife.

I love our guest rooms where family and friends come and stay. I love our trips and friends we travel with. I love that you help me feel more confident than I once did. I love that you taught me to trust whole-heartedly. But more than any of that, I love you.

And so today I feel lucky and honored to write a new to-do list with you.
Happy 30th Birthday.

Love,
AJS (formerly AJP)