Baby Brother Got Married!

This weekend my youngest brother Justin married his longtime love, Shantara Lynn in a ceremony back in our hometown. We had lots of fun helping them celebrate. Congratulations!

The fun and beautiful couple.

Purple power!

Lucy and Grandpa

Jason and Chrissy

Mom and Dad

"Don't feed the zombies" - all the grandkids!

Mom and Grandma

We couldn't let those Canadians think they were too far from home...

Summer Weekend Warriors 7/25: Another Wedding!

This weekend we celebrated Round 2 of July weddings, with Adam and Whitney (Adam is my cousin). The festivities were held near Alexandria, MN, about two hours away. Lucy didn't feel much like dancing at this reception, but she had fun goofing around with some of our extended family.

Bubbles in the country.

SHELBY!

Grandpa is supportive of Lucy's artistic endeavors.

Her new best friend, Victor (my cousin's son).
They did some late-night drinking and peanut-eating. :)

Summer Weekend Warriors 7/19: Wedding Time!

Woo-hoo! Saturday was the wedding of Casey (Husband's cousin) and Gina. To prepare, Lucy and I got pedicures - her first.

Yes, my five-year-old got a pedicure. It's really quite ridiculous when I think about it. Yet, she was tickled pink and I am a sucker. I've learned to just accept it (though this is definitely a special treat thing...I don't even get them very often myself!)

Then on to the wedding for a good 'ol time with the whole family.

Notice anything different about Husband?

Siblings.

Grandpa Lee and Miss H.

I got to meet this sweet babe, Rayen, and had the privilege of holding her when she actually had her eyes open.
Just a total little pumpkin. Got my baby fix. :)

Sunday we were so tired we stayed in most of the day playing Legos and dressing the dog in a tutu. Who am I kidding, that's practically a regular day around here.

Summer Weekend Warriors: 7/13 Wedding Time

This Saturday was the long-awaited wedding of Jacquie and Erik! A very dear friend of mine (ours) found her long-awaited perfect match, and we couldn't be happier!

A certain little girl and I may have also been having practice dance parties in the livingroom to prepare, just sayin'. Somebody was REALLY excited about this, and it did not disappoint! It was a beautiful, perfect wedding and the reception was spent chasing Lucy around while she stalked Jacquie. Seriously, as we were hugging the couple after the ceremony, Jacquie said, "Lucy, are you going to dance with me later?" And let me tell you, the girl did not forget! She was very worried because she "promised Jacquie." She did get her dance with the bride, and the groom, and a random old man whose hand she grabbed, and our friends, and our friends' husbands, and me, and even Husband...you get the idea. She was a dancing machine! We had loads of fun dancing and catching up with great friends until about 10:30 when Lucy started throwing herself on the floor saying she was too tired. That was our cue to head home.

Unfortunately I don't have any dancing shots (I was too busy dancing myself!) but here are a few from the evening.

Sunday morning I remember waking up just before 8AM. I did a few things on my phone then must've fallen back asleep...until Husband came in at 10AM! He had just woken Lucy up as well. Sore feet and sleeping in, that's a sign of a good party! Needless to say we had another pretty quiet Sunday. Lucy spent a few hours on the deck playing with water, which seems to be her new obsession. Buddy was right alongside her most of the day, too. The two are becoming better friends every day!

We crossed something off the SUMMER! list: wedding

Family Fun

Last year we started summer with a wedding, and this year we started a little earlier with another one. My cousin Tyler got married, so we made the long haul down to Bettendorf, IA to join in the festivities.

We headed down Friday and met up with Mom and Dad, two of my brothers, and my sister-in-law and two nephews. We ate at a buffet that night and then went swimming at the hotel pool (and yes, the irony of gorging at a place where you can get sweet-and-sour chicken, tacos, and roast beef on the same plate followed by putting on a swimsuit was not lost on me). The wedding was not until Saturday afternoon, so Saturday morning we found something to entertain us by going to the Bettendorf Family Museum. What a cool place!

Music with Grandma.

Crane operator.

Waterworks.

The boys putting out a fire!

Our little vet.

The wedding was of course, lovely. Lucy rocked the reception dance floor early, then decided the music was too loud and preferred to color at the table, then sit out in the lounge with Daddy. She loved the "bridemaids" and was particularly attached to my cousin, Shelby.

I loved seeing my immediate family and all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins and was again reminded what awesome people I come from. It was a long drive back home on Sunday, but well worth the trip.

Summer Weekend Warriors 6/2 – Celebrations Galore

This weekend we traveled to Dubuque, IA for my cousin Kristi’s wedding. We got in late Friday night so we could enjoy a full day Saturday in one of Iowa’s fine river cities. In the morning we headed to the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium with my brother Jason and his family, my parents, my aunt and uncle, and my grandma. The kids had a lot of fun.

The world is her aquarium?

That's one big 'ol stinky catfish.

Lucy and her cousin E (and Daddy).

Saturday afternoon we headed to nearby Pitosi, WI to a farm belonging to the Chad's (the groom's) family. It was a beautiful setting, a beautiful wedding, and a great time with family. The kids enjoyed all of the different farm animals and the adults enjoyed a few beverages on a nice summer evening. It was also a great way to celebrate my grandma’s 83rd birthday!

The bride and groom.

Yummy cupcakes!

Four generations!

So happy to share this day with my dear cousin and friend!

We headed back on Sunday, which was consequently Husband and I’s 6th wedding anniversary. We didn’t do anything special, too tired from the trip I guess. Hard to believe it’s been 6 years already!

A weekend of celebrations - not a bad way to kick off the summer!

Omaha

Lucy and I just spent an amazing (and exhausting) long weekend in Iowa and Nebraska. We went to my parents' house on Friday night, drove to Omaha on Saturday, drove back to my parent's house on Sunday, and home today. Lots of miles on the car; extra thanks for my hybrid today!

The main event was the wedding of my cousin Nick to the beautiful Katie...fun was had by all and it was great to spend time with family and friends. In addition to the wedding we took in the Omaha Zoo, visited my college roommate and her family, and got some extra time with grandma and grandpa (not to mention Lucy got to see all three of her uncles in the same weekend, even if not all at the same time). A few of my favorite photos from the weekend are posted below.

Lucy loves her Great Uncle Bob.

Two of my brothers, Josh and Jason.

Trouble (and extreme cuteness) x3.

"I want to dance with Evan. He's my best friend!"

A new friend at the Omaha Zoo.





 Dana's house has bunnies!

 

To My Husband

Five years ago today under a beautiful sky we said “I do,” surrounded by friends and family.

Life is ever-changing…and the past five years have been no exception, starting out in a duplex with bright green carpet. We bought a house, got a dog, Brandon moved in with us, Lucy was born, both of us changed jobs in one form or another. Grandparents have passed, power lines have fallen, windows have been replaced, a new driver is on the road, daycare has been an adventure, rugby games have been played and watched. Life is ever-changing…and it’s certainly not about us anymore. Just this week, our daughter turned two and a son graduated from high school. Tonight we will carve out a little time to celebrate each other.

Life is ever-changing…but there is no one I’d rather navigate through it all with than you.

You are my love, my partner, my friend. My rock in waves of change. Here’s to many, many more years side-by-side.

Love,
Jess