Six Years!!!

Here we are, almost 7 years ago, falling in love, infatuated with each other and having no idea what we were getting ourselves into.

6 years of marriage, 2.5 kids, a dog, and our same little starter house later, I know more than ever it was the best decision I'll ever make.

We are just beginning!

I love this man more than words can express, and I truly feel like we were made to be together.

We had a full day of celebration. Here's what we did:

A BIG THANK YOU to Cassie and Andrew who took our boys all day and overnight! We felt so spoiled and even got to sleep in. SO NICE!! Love you both.

Brynne turns 26!

Jonny and the boys made my day-of-birth pure awesomeness! To celebrate, we hit downtown Spokane the night before to play in the park and feed the ducks and geese!

We also ate at this ever-so-yummy restaurant we all love:

and then on my actual birthday, I had a great friend, Jennifer Kennedy, take me to lunch at a SUPER yummy bistro in downtown Spokane called TASTE. YUM!! Great girl time away from the kids.

Later that evening, I was visiting teaching until late, so Jonny made me dinner (stuffed peppers....yum!) and we had a PJ party with cake, ice cream presents, and Avatar!

Jonny was so thoughtful with his gifts. (even though he wasn't supposed to get me any because my new car was enough!) He must have heard my complaints lately about no video camera with our kids growing up so fast, and also (with all of the haircuts I've been giving) needing a hair cutting apron for my belly, oil for my clippers, and new scissors....

because he got me all of the above!! :)

Not to mention he put my yakima racks on my car for me!

The boys drew me the cutest pictures and wrote their names, and greeted me with the cutest "happy birthdays" each time through the door. I sure love all my boys!!

I feel so blessed to have my little family, and also all of my parents, siblings and friends who took the time out of their day to call, text and make me feel loved! Thank you!

23 weeks

This boy has grown a lot in the last two weeks!

Oh Jay Jay

I was flipping through pics on my phone, and I found these cute ones...so typical of this little guy. We just love him.

Oh, and p.s..... I cut bangs.

Leo James Lee

Today we celebrated the full life of an amazing man.

He deserved every ounce of respect offered him.

It was an awesome day of the temple, family, friends, stories, pictures, and memories.

Happy birthday, Grandma. He's all yours for now. ;)

Gramps

This is my grandfather, Jon's pseudo grandfather, Cade and Jay's great grandfather.

What an amazing man.

Leo James Lee had a rough life. He was a rough and tumble catholic who eloped & converted to the church, a World War II vet who fought on the front lines and got shot with shrapnel,rolled logging trucks 2-3 times down mountains, got smashed by a 1 ton piece of equipment @55 yrs and shattered his pelvis...but still he lived.

He lived because he was supposed to.

Without him, we would not have the 4 children, 29 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren of his.

Including us.

We would not have the patriarch, the camp breakfast maker, the wood getter, the supporter (@ everything), the elephant ear booth starter, the temple worker, the geneology guru, the gentle, loving, kind man who showed us what kind of person we should be.

Brynne was able to grow up close to him. To have sleep overs, work with him in his shop, ride in his truck to camping trips, have him at her games, wedding, etc. etc. The last few months, as we watched his hard worked body deteriorate, we got to spend tender moments with him.

Our little family was able to see him in the hospital the last time he went in before he went home for his last days. Then Brynne and the boys stopped by the week of his passing, when he happened to be alone, in his home. She got to sit next to him, lay on his lap, and just talk to him. Cade and Jay were able to give him hugs, show him the toys they were playing with, and resist his tickles. And lastly, one last kiss and "I love you".

He will never be forgotten. We only hope to live as fully as he did.

Now we know he will be reaping his rewards of a great life,

and having a long-awaited reunion with his sweetheart, our grandmother, Fay.

"Until we meet again"...

June 7, 1926-March 9, 2011

The BELLY

(almost)

21 weeks!

*heartburn all the time now

*feeling the baby move throughout the day (love it!!)

*feeling huge already (don't love it!!)

*craving sweets (which is different from the first two at this point)

Camila's Baptism

We were lucky enough to witness and participate in this special day for this special niece of ours:

All of the cousins (except Jay)

Brynne got to do her hair and sing at the baptism and Jon got to be a witness. The spirit was so strong during the ordinance. We have always been amazed with Camila's strong spirit and the goodness she resignates. We know this is only the beginning for her!

While in the Seattle area, we also traded in our car (see below) and spent the night at a hotel with just our little family. We had a ton of fun swimming/hot tubbing with our two daredevils in water wings! Fun weekend.

New Wheels

Since the golden nugget wouldn't, in fact, hold another nugget (let alone any extras) we traded in Brynne's car for this new family ride! '08 honda pilot that seats 8. Hoorah for growing families!

And HAPPY (a little early) BIRTHDAY to Brynne!