My first real memorial day

This year was the first year that I have ever really had anyone to go visit in a cemetery on memorial day.  My thoughts are always with those who have passed away on this day, but this year it was really personal for me.  As I sat by pops grave I looked around the cemetery at all those placing flowers on loved ones weathered graves who obviously had done it for years.

Does it get harder or easier as the years go by?  I am not sure, probably both for some, but for me it feels like forever since I have seen pop and it has only been six months. I am really thankful that memorial day is a holiday because for how busy and full our lives seem, it feels really good to spend a weekend thinking about memories of loved ones.

Summer evening at the farm

Our friends invited us up to their beautiful family farm to hang out a few weeks ago and it was the first time I really felt like summer had arrived.

We got to have our first campfire of the season, and with the pool, bug spray, and smores we got the full effect :)

 I even got to snuggle their little one taylor, a welcome treat on any summers night :) Thanks friends for bringing us along! We sure love you guys.

Gardening Fools

This year we got right on planting our garden, so that we would have a long summer full of lots of yummy veggies.  Since the year we got married we have had a garden and I have to say it is one of my favorite traditions Brian and I have about summer and about having my own house. 

For my birthday this year I got a pressure canner so I will be using that to can our veggies from the garden, and salsa til my little hearts content :)

Brian took quite a few evenings and made us the best drip system ever in the garden and I appreciate that more than words can tell because that means I don't have to go out and water it by hand every day yay! 

I am excited to see it grow a few more months because it already looks amazing and is growing so quick! 

Happy 4th Anniversary to us!

This year was my year to plan our anniversary and I was just plain excited to spend the day together. The morning started off with Brian's favorite breakfast and then we headed to the zoo to watch the all the animals play for way too long :)

The day ended with dinner at a new place for us called Flemings.  It was delicious and not only was the food top notch but the service was outstanding.  Since it was our anniversary they gave us a free appetizer and a $25 gift card to come back next time, and a box of truffles to take home which I promptly started munching on when we got to our car :)

The major thing I have noticed this last year is how we seemed to be so much more settled into our roles now then when we first got married. We have gotten into this rhythm as husband and wife where things just jive and I love that.  There are always the unexpected moments in life, but the day to day has turned into the most enjoyable patterns and I love that. 

I am so thankful for four years of that cute boy grinning at me and I hope time moves at a slow enough pace for me to truly enjoy them all.  Happy anniversary love. xoxo.  

Happy Birthday Courty!

Happy Birthday to the best sister ever!  Here are a few things about you that make me smile :)

Court. I love how predictable you are.  I always know if you are out to dinner you are definately eating salmon and broccoli.  I love how if it is a sunny day I can guarantee you went to pet the horses or feed the ducks.  I always know if it is a week night you are singing your little heart out playing guitar in the basement, and how I know every time I see you, I will end up laughing my pants off.  

Court. I love how happy and entertained you are by the simple things in life.  I know if I ask about your day I will hear about an adorable animal, someone who smiled at you, something funny that happened, or how beautiful something in nature is.  I love that about you.  I love how your whole week can be made by something that seems so insignificant to most.  You truly rejoice in the simple things and that is such a blessing to know what happiness really is and to appreciate the tiny things. 

Court. I love how you always want to spend time with us.  I love having a family that is super close and one that makes time for each other.  I love how you never care what it is we do, just that you want to be with us.  Thanks for spending the day with me cleaning out my crawlspace, screaming over spiders, and laughing over "crawl space cabin fever."  I never thought that task would turn out to be so much fun but I should have known with you there it would be :) 

I am so lucky to be your sister.  I love sharing everything with you, including our May birthdays.  Thanks for being the ray of sunshine in my life.  I hope this is your best year yet! :) Love you Schvest!