summer snapshot - week 5

i didn't take as many pictures that week.
but, we got 'just dance 2' during week 5 and i went crazy with the camera.
the kids were having a blast.  it was great just watching them.
of course, i did eventually join in too.
christopher said, 'mom why are you so good at this?'
to which chris replied, 'christopher, mom was a dancer you know'.
it sure is fun, and a great indoor workout too.

we also had a lovely bike ride to get ice cream & shaved ice one night when it was actually nice out.

and john john & ella got busy in the kitchen one afternoon creating 

'soup' and snacks.

summer snapshot - week 4

so, i'm a couple weeks behind.
but here's week 4 of our summer...

andrew & john putting on a circus show juggling act

popsicles, painting, poker
(it was requested that dad teach us to play - poker that is)

a trip to the downtown main library

sibling 2 on 2 basketball

homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches for dessert

playing poker plus pool & popsicles with friends

sm basketball camp

basketball out front

ella's surprising us with place cards for dinner

going to the movies

making cookies with john john

swimming, playing the drums, birthday party... all at nani's

building a fort in the family room

napping in the fort

playing soccer with blue blocks

and out back during half time of the world cup

painting toe nails

reading 

playing checkers

happy 4th of july

just a few shots of our morning yesterday at the parade festivities...

pop's house

we went to the cemetery this morning to visit my dad.
today is the anniversary of his death...4 years ago.
we said some prayers and then I broke down.

this afternoon john john was looking at some photos on our computer and when he came to this one he said, "mom, look...it's pop's house".
he was pretty right on target, this is where my father now rests.
he is in the box (i'm sure there is a more formal, more appropriate word for it)
with the red flowers behind the fountain.
the most perfect place for him to be...
he loved the water, the beach, the outdoors.

i am so thankful to have him in this amazingly beautiful place.
it is the only area in the entire cemetery with a fountain...
it is so unique, just like he was.
it is actually indoors but the roof is open (or maybe just a really elevated ceiling with tons of sunlight coming thru) and there is a beautiful tree...

the beauty and sound of this lovely fountain bring peace and comfort to me every time i go to visit him.
i know God saved this spot for him.
it was the last box available in the fountain area that summer he passed away.
there could not be a more perfect place for him to be and for us to remember him.

just three days after our 9th wedding anniversary my father died.
it took me about a year to be able to say that word to describe that he was gone.
time has healed my pain more than i ever thought it would.
but, i still miss my dad incredibly.
and i still cry over his absence in our lives.
he sure was special.

thirteen years ago today

i married the love of my life.

we were two young lovebirds who couldn't wait to be married.
married before all of our siblings and friends (except one).
started a family before them all, years and years before them...
they were amazed that we got married in college (me just out of),
had two kids in law school, the third during the first year of chris' career.
our love had a path growing all on its own and nothing could get in its way.

our love has grown, produced four beautiful children and become stronger than ever.

stronger than we ever knew it could, stronger than we ever knew it would.

i am blessed to be married to such a wonderful man
with such high morals and love for his family.
to know and feel that we are still so in love and so committed to each other
13 years later.
every day is a beautiful day,
but today is a the most beautiful day to us and forever will be.