My Favorite Holiday

is Memorial Day Observed. It may sound like an odd choice but it's been a very special day to me for many years.

Memorial Day 1999 - 10 Years Ago
In Love
Brian and I were at that magical part of our relationship. We'd known each other for years, we'd been very close friends for almost a year, and dating for several months. Brian went to Orlando the first part of the weekend to visit friends. He came back Sunday night and we planned to spend the day together Monday. I always say that was my "perfect day". We went to the beach, enjoyed perfect weather, and cold drinks. We walked on the beach talking and laughing. That was when I knew. I knew this was the "real thing". I knew I was totally in love. It was perfect.

Memorial Day 2001 - 8 Years Ago
Engaged!
He planned it perfectly. Amazing dinner, great wine, a beautiful ring, and a perfect proposal.

Memorial Day 2002 - 7 Years Ago
The Church Was Booked
... So we spent the day canoeing with a large group of friends. Lots of laughing and looking forward to the big day!

Memorial Day 2003 - 6 Years Ago
Canoeing Again
Same group of friends... not quite as much fun. Apparently the "experienced" river should be left to "experienced" canoers. While it was not my favorite Memorial Day it holds lots of funny memories. I even coined the quote of the day, "I'm dirty and I'm scared." It's much funnier now than it was then.

Memorial Day 2007 - 2 Years Ago
TWO BABIES!
The most special Memorial Day of all! Our beautiful boys were born on our special day... Eight weeks early! I think they knew it was a family holiday and wanted to be a part of it!

My Thanksgiving!

... I spent the entire day giving thanks for my beautiful children so Thanksgiving seems a more appropriate name for today than 'Mother's Day'.

I love Mother's Day. Seriously I LOVE it... I feel like a four year old on Christmas morning. It's silly that there has to be a designated day to feel like this. I think it's just that life is so busy. It can be hard work raising three children! It is so nice to have a day when I don't have to worry about cooking, cleaning, school projects, appointments, etc. The ONLY thing I have to do is soak them up.

I feel so humbled when I think about what an incredible blessing my family is. I am so lucky to have each of these precious children and my wonderful husband. Truly... a day of thanksgiving.

Here are a few pictures of our lovely day and my little gifts from God.


Kirsten wore her communion dress to church again today for the May crowing and community mass. This is my little ones and I after mass.


The rest of the day was spent enjoying the beautiful weather and each other.

Lots of giggles...


...And lots of dimples :)


...Some smiles...


...Some stinky fish...


...And lots of time together!

Exhausting but perfect.

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter! We started the day at 9:30 mass where the boys actually behaved!! (Well... pretty much). Actually, I guess Kirsten and I "started" the day when she woke up at 12:45 am because the Easter Bunny "woke her up". There was no getting her back to sleep... so at 1:47 I took her out to the living room to look at her basket and try to calm down. We got back to sleep somewhere in the 2:30 am range... then we got up for the day at 7am. We took SO many pictures today that I'm having a hard time sorting through them... this may have something to do with the early wake-up times... So I'm just going to post my two favorites from the day.

Here is our family before church this morning

Danny loving Easter!


We woke up this morning to Easter baskets and another egg hunt. Matt danced to all the music during church while Danny ate 500 raisins. After church we had my parents, Brian's parents, Brian's brother, and my Aunt and Uncle over for lunch. There was ANOTHER egg hunt, MORE Easter baskets, and lots of fun!