Happy Birthday Chandler

We cannot believe that Chandler is 12. Our last year, before he is a teenager! Time has flown so fast. I truly wish, we could pause time....

I cry seeing this picture, from 12 years ago. Having no idea, what this little baby boy would do to/for us....

He has taught us so much.

The power of love, the necessity of prayer, the importance of patience, what life is, how to laugh, how bright He and this world is & can be, how to persevere, that God chose us to be his parents and that our plan/picture- may not be His, that you never know what tomorrow will hold, the importance of days and time that you can't get back....and most of all unconditional love, no matter what.

Chandler- We love you buddy, for who you are. Thanks for being you. love, Mom and Dad

ps...Brayden thanks you for being an amazing big brudder!

Here is a picture of my grandfather (who is about to turn 90) Holding Noah and Chandler (they are about 6 months old)

What a precious picture.

And here they are now, at a teenage skate park...Chandler 12 and Noah, will be in 2 weeks. Time, where has it gone?

We love them both so much!

happy birthday Chandler!

Chandler Birthday Weekend

The day started with Chandlers lacrosse game. His grandpa Monte was there....and some of our friends. That meant alot to Chandler. He is really enjoying lacrosse.

Next we met a bunch of his friends at the restaurant....

and My dad, Noah, Gianna and Mara made it just in time!

There we had lunch, cake and opened gifts!

Noah got Chandler.......an Air Soft Gun!! He has been wanting one for a long time (because EVERYONE else has one of course!) - we keep saying NOPE!! But, we broke down. He is 12 now, and starting to show his (a little!) responsible.

This is a cute picture of the boys:

Next all the kids went fishing..all 11 of them!

So, this party is shooting party..yeap that's it. and yeap, we have loosened up a bit!

We set up the back yard with lots of targets, barricades and hideouts....there were more, but here are some!

Here are some of the boys, ready to go!

after, they went on the 4wheeler, did fire crackers, made smores in the fire pit....

Here is a picture of the them all doing a toast in the hot tub, "to Chandler on his 12th Birthday"

right after, one of my nephews threw a FROG in!!

It was hilarious!

Picture the next morning...after going to bed at 5am and lots of pranks!

You should have seen Chad and I- we were on No Sleep!

But everyone had a good time.

babysittin berkley

We babysat a friends dog for a week....Dazy and Berkley got along great. The boys had a blast with him!

Isnt he the cutest!

Monday, after the party.

Many friends, stayed to help clean up...but what can you really do that late? So we left alot of it.

The next am, Mary came over to clean....and I left with the boys to meet friends at the pool.

Today is 2 years, since my mom died. I cannot believe its been that long! I miss her everyday.

Fathers Day Barbeque

We had a blast at our fathers day barbeque. It was nice to be surrounded by good friends, think we had about 80 people.

The kids had fun, in the sandboxes, bounce house, see saw, trampoline, swings, hot tub, sprinkler and slip in slide...

Moms had fun, drinking and chatting...

Dads played basketball, bean bag toss...and watched golf- chatting and drinking too!

Here is a picture of some of the girls....

I didnt get a chance to take many photos...here is some of some mommies, with kids...

Here is one picture of a daddy and kids...this was a fathers day barbeque, wasnt it?

Happy Fathers Day to all you amazing dads!
Thank you for being you and for being the good friends, to us that you are.

Love you Daddy!

We woke up early, and headed to Church and brunch.

When we got home the boys gave Chad their gifts.
Brayden made Chad the Cutest picture frame, it was adorable! Then we got home a Columbia coat - the boys had decorated the wrapping paper. Chandler was very proud of the picture he drew on it, of Chad. We also gave him his  "DAD" photo. This year, we also got him a new frame with this saying engraved...Everyboy needs a Hero, thank you for being ours. love Chandler and Brayden.

(i had photos of chad getting all his gifts, but they got deleted at the party!)

Then we had to start getting ready for our Fathers Day Barbeque!

Chad, we love you so much- and we are so thankful everyday for who you are, what you mean to us, and all you do for us. Happy Fathers Day.

Fun at an amusement park!

We had a blast....

It was a very smooth day, considering the heat and the fact that there were 7 kids- 2 of which were newborns

(and their mommies were on no sleep!)

kisses for baby brother

Go Climb a Tree!

So, far this summer- we have been able to spend alot of time with friends- which is nice.

Today- we had play time with Noah, Ben and Andrew....after we met the Wade's at their pool and went out to dinner.

boys and friends

Picture, after one of my homemade berry smoothies....

After fishing...with Brayden new rod. That he saved up for and purchased, in a check out line, all by himself!

Roasting marshmellows....

This butterfly could have been our friend? We tried to nurse him back to health - he didnt make it. I thought this picture was kinda cool.....sad too.

I got to have a nice week with friends, visiting, going out to dinner, going to the movies.....it was nice- they all mean so much to us!

Lacrosse

Both of the boys, were in a lacrosse clinic all week.

They both enjoyed it and learned alot.

It was nice watching them and catching up with friends!