Becky and Ryan's wedding

On September 14th we flew to Youngstown, Ohio for the wedding of my sister, Becky. We arrived in enough time for the kids to swim in the hotel pool and for us to enjoy family time before the wedding rehearsal & dinner. Most of my extended family was able to attend which made the occasion extra special. Cameron and my nephew Emmett were both ring bearers and after much debate (and a last minute decision) Olivia was the flower girl. I debated on having Olivia in the wedding since I was worried she would be disruptive but she actually did great! And of course they all looked adorable :) Charles was on daddy duty most of the weekend since I was busy with bridesmaid duties but we were able to find a babysitter thru Ryan's family for the wedding reception. Overall it was a beautiful wedding & I couldn't imagine a more perfect weekend to celebrate Becky and Ryan. It was tough to come back home knowing Becky would be moving to Iowa with Ryan.

Dressed up for the rehearsal

My sisters and I at the rehearsal. Love them dearly!!

After the ceremony. Olivia looks happy doesn't she? LOL!

Bridal party table at the reception. (I was getting ready to say the prayer before dinner.)

Aren't the decorations beautiful? Becky did all the flowers and decorations for the wedding.....she is so talented!

Father/daughter dance

First dance 

Charles & I

My grandmother and I. She is 92 & made the trip from Florida! So wonderful to have her there but missed my grandfather who has not able to make the trip

The happy couple

I just love the next two photos the photographer took of the bridal party.



Cameron's 4th Birthday!!! Camping Party

Cameron celebrated his 4th birthday with a camping theme birthday party in our backyard. We cooked hotdogs, had a campfire with smores, an outdoor movie, scavenger hunt for animals & of course bug juice to drink. We had about 40 of our friends & family there and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. Happy 4th Birthday Cameron!

This picture was actually on the first day of school, Aug. 27, a few days before his birthday

Charles' sister Linda & husband Jeff brought pizza over one night to celebrate Cameron's birthday since they would not be able to attend the party. Here's Cameron opening his gifts from Aunt Linda & Uncle Jeff which were flip flops, a Gator and a Seminole shirt :)

Cameron & Olivia wearing the new shirts

Proud daddy with Olivia in a Seminole shirt, haha

One of the decorations for the big party

Welcome Happy Campers!

Our decorated backyard..I borrowed a bunch of camo stuff from our church set design materials. With the props (and the help of my sister Becky) it really looked great!

Gun Range...marshmellow guns (made by Cameron and Charles) with soda cans to shoot at. This only lasted about 5 minutes then the kids took the guns & used them as other things (for example Cameron took his apart & turned it into an instrument! Not what we planned for it but still provided lots of entertainment so that's all that matters :)

Looking at the animals to find on the scavenger hunt (stuffed animals hidden around the yard)

Olivia enjoying the swing (being pushed by our neighbor Corbyn)

Family photo by the "campfire" birthday cake. First birthday cake that I had made for a big party...I was pretty proud of how it turned out!

Yummy cake!

Cameron's instrument...so funny!

Cameron & cousin Jackson. My sister Heather & her family came down for a visit just in time for Cameron's birthday party. They had just moved from Oregon to Panama City (& drove cross country for the move) so it was really nice they made the drive to Ocala. We love having them with us!

My nephews, Reid, Jackson & Emmett (in sandbox)

Yummy bug juice :)

Olivia & her friend Camdyn

Movie time!

The campfire

Serious marshmellow toaster Corbyn

Smore time!



A New Addition to the Family

We welcomed Mickey a 4 month old Spring Spaniel puppy into our home on August 26. It was a quick decision that we made after not having a dog for about 7 months. (We had to give away Lucy our corgi when she started to get aggresive with the kids.) I had a springer spaniel growing up so I knew the breed was good with children (I can remember dressing up our spaniel, Murphy, and pushing her around in a stroller :) He will probably get to be about 45 pounds, not too big. Both Cameron & Olivia are in LOVE with Mickey and I know that he will be a great addition to our family.....especially when he gets out of his puppy phase, haha!