Lucky #7

Wow! Time is just racing past us these days. As of yesterday, Jared and I have been husband and wife for 7 whole years! I thought that was worthy of a little trip down memory lane. We met in 1988 in 4th grade. I was the new girl at school and he was the cute, quiet boy. Friends tell me that he had a crush on me back then...truth is I had a crush on him, too. I was just too reserved to ever admit that back in the day! Fast forward to our college years when we finally began dating. I knew right away that I could spend the rest of my life with him. He had it all--super smart, athletic, went to church, had a good family and was just an all around good guy. We dated long distance for the last 2 1/2 years of college and although it wasn't always ideal, he was so worth it. Jared asked me to marry him on the top of Mt. Bonnell in Austin and I wholeheartedly accepted.

Here we are at our engagement party at my parents house...

and at the church for our wedding rehearsal. Two weeks after we got married, we packed up and moved out west to Lubbock so that Jared could go to law school.

Three years later he graduated at the top of his class and was offered a job at a Dallas firm.

We had a really fun graduation party with our friends, The Sierras, and headed on back to G-town.

Nine months later God blessed us with Jackson and our hearts almost exploded.

Then three years later we were blessed again with Lila.

I love our family so much. I just could not imagine taking this journey with anyone other than my sweet husband. Happy Anniversary, hubdog! Here's to many, many more!

Dallas World Aquarium

For our final outing with the Sierra Fam we went to the Dallas World Aquarium. We figured since it was 99 degrees outside, an indoor activity sounded really appealing. It was such a nice change of pace and the kids loved it.

Jackson got to watch the baby penguins as we waited near the entrance for Uncle Mike.

"Those sure are some wacky penguins, mom!"

The entrance to the aquarium sort of reminded me of Hawaii...there's a beautiful waterfall, it's kind of misty and there are all sorts of pretty birds. Then you look to your left and this illusion is shattered because you're now staring at an anteater. (Imagine the anteater pic being here--I can't make it work and I do not want to erase everything I've done just so that picture can be in it's rightful spot)

Pretty soon after arriving we came upon the birdfeeding station. Jackson waited patiently in line and then it was his turn to feed the bird. I thought he was just going to hold a stick with some food on the end of it, like at the zoo, but that was not the case. He actually put a small piece of food in his palm, stuck it through the glass and let the bird come pick it up!

Jackson and Sam got to see so many cool animals--there were stingrays, alligators, sloths, lizards, snakes, monkeys...you name it, we probably encountered it.

One of my favorites, though, was the enormous manatee. It was huge! While we were admiring it and the gigantic catfish, a scubadiver came right up to the glass and waved to Jackson. Bonus!

We finished off our aquarium trip by checking out a few more cool fish. What a fun Friday!

Finally!

We have been waiting a long time for this day. Our good friends, The Sierras, live in Austin now. The last time we saw them was before Christmas and it's been over a year since we've seen Mike. Needless to say, we were so excited that they came to visit us this week! "Baby Sam" isn't so much a baby anymore..

Big boy Sam swam with Jackson and thought the baby float was entirely overrated!

The Mamas with our boys. We somehow managed to get these two rascals to sit still for two seconds! I had to convince Jackson we were having a meeting in the secret clubhouse...aka underneath the waterfall.

After all that swimming, we dried off and came inside. The boys headed upstairs for the playroom. Sam has missed his buddy Jackson. Right after we got into the playroom he walked over and planted a big wet kiss (sloberry lick!) on J's face. Jackson didn't do anything--not push him away or wipe it off--he simply froze as Sam continued to moll him! It was hysterical. Sam was so sweet and just kept giving him lots of hugs and kisses.

I think Lila may be more inclined to receive those kisses one day. This was a very big day for her. You see, Aunt Steph decided way back that she was in favor of arranged marriages and that if we had a boy and a girl it could work out quite nicely! So, we just had to document the first day that Lila laid eyes on her future husband.

Could be great rehearsal dinner slideshow material one day...you never know!

I'm pretty sure her father-in-law to-be was smitten with her!

Daddy's girl

Jared got some good snuggle time in with his favorite little girl this morning.

I think it made it extra hard to walk out that door. She's such a little doll and has him wrapped around her finger.

Pool Party

When it's 100 degree weather or darn near, it's time to be in the pool! We have loved hanging out at my parents new pool this summer. Today we invited some friends over to enjoy the sun with us.

Thanks Taylor and April for bringing your kids over to swim. We had such a fun day with y'all!

My two girls

It took me 3 tries this morning to get Lila to stay asleep in her crib and take a nap. Keep in mind that this was in optimal conditions--Jackson was upstairs watching a cartoon, the house was quiet and I had soft, sweet lullaby music playing in her room.

Somehow Sadie managed to do it in the middle of our living room on her first try! I was doing dishes while Lila was playing on her activity mat--next thing I know she's sound asleep and has almost rolled all the way over!

Blue Eyed Boy

Maybe it is just the fact that Jackson is wearing a blue shirt AND blue hat,

but goodness gracious, those eyes sure are blue!