8 years

8 years ago today.  We began as two separate people and walked out of the church as one.  Totally changed, not sure what it all meant for us.  Just knowing that we loved each other.  Trusting that it was the right thing to do.

These 8 years have brought us 3 little boys, 5 different homes, several job changes, and the loss of loved ones.  Through it all our love endures.   It has taught me that Bryan is not just my "husband", he is also my best friend, life partner, and my support.  We stand together no matter what challenges we face.

Anniversaries are a time to remember where you have come from and where you are going.  These two pictures speak volumes to my heart.  And, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us.

Football

I tried to convince Gabriel that he should take soccer.  "No, mom, I want to take football".  Every so often over the summer, I would try and dissuade him by asking "Are you sure you want to do football, soccer would be so much fun".   He finally put his foot down and informed me that he was going to play football...NOT SOCCER and, I relented and signed him up.

He was pretty disappointed when he found out that his age group only played flag football.    But, he arose to the occasion and played with a lot of enthusiasm....Gabe syle.  Running, blocking, and passing the football.  It was fun to watch him.

During the last game of the season, Gabe was the featured half back.  He played his heart out and, he made a touch down.  It was so exciting to watch him run all the way down the field with the ball.  I screamed like a crazy mother "Go, Gabe Go"!

And at the end of a very exciting game, a trophy was awarded and two friends came to celebrate.  And, I decided that football may be better than soccer.  Just maybe.....

First day of school

A time of change.  Big change.  The first day of school.  The end of lazy summer mornings where we all get up and watch cartoons for an hour before we start our day.  The end of running outside in our pajamas with our hair sticking up because we can....and who really cares what we look like.  The end of staying up late and playing outside because we are having so much fun and we can.

We are ready to start our school time routine.  We are ready for a schedule.  To go and meet new teachers, new friends, and to learn new things. 

These pictures of my kiddos say so much about where they are...right now.  These moments that I don't ever want to forget.

This picture says so much about Gabe.  His intensity.  Gabe is intense.  He always has been.  You can see this on his face.  All that emotion comes so clearly through on this picture.  His focus, his worry, his concentration.

Little Eli.  Little Eli, who can't go anywhere without his "ubba dubba".    "Ubba dubba" is his garage door opener.  He takes it everywhere with him and his job is to open the garage door when we leave and arrive at home.  This simple task brings him so much joy.  Pushing that button and watching the door open always brings a huge smile to his face and he always screams "ubba dubba".  It's those simple things that I never want to forget.

All three boys ready and waiting for our first walk to Gabe's school.  Owen has to ride his bike and he is ready to go.  Eli with the "ubba dubba" and Gabe is finally ready...that smile shows me he is ready.

Owen started preschool this year.  Here he is on his big day.  He was so excited for his first day of school.  I think he was more excited about getting his very own backpack then to actually go to school.

Here is my Owen, who is ready for anything and so easy going.

Before we left the house to take Owen to school Gabe says he has to run into the house and change into his super hero costume.  He comes running outside in a long sleeve shirt, scarf, and no shoes (on hot day in August).  I start to scold him and send him back in the house to change.  At the last minute, I change my mind.  We embrace the moment and I let him go to Owen's school in this strange outfit....because who really cares.  If he wants to be a super hero...fine by me.   Here he is giving his brother some encouragement before we get into the car.

Deep Sea Fishing

My favorite part of our trip was the deep sea fishing.  I loved every minute of it.  I loved being on the boat.  I loved being with Bryan and the boys.  I loved baiting the hook and watching my line travel into the deep blue ocean....waiting just waiting for that big one.  And, I loved reeling in those big fish.  We caught Blue Fish and Sea Bass.

And know what?  I did catch that big one.  On the first cast.  Funny thing was, I didn't know I had caught anything and so he swam away with most of my line.  Bryan had to help me reel it in and it took us awhile to figure out we had a fish on the line.  Just the thought of it brings a smile to my face.  We had so much fun that day!

Here is the boys first thing in the morning. 

Our first fish that we caught.

CRABS!

If you ask my boys, "what was your favorite thing to do in Connecticut"?  Hands down, they would tell you their favorite thing was the crab fishing.  They LOVED it.

First thing in the morning (very early) the boys would go down to the causeway to catch their bait.  Baby blues.  Owen was very good at catching these little fish.  Then, in the afternoon, it was off to Woody's boat dock to catch some crab.

 

It was great fun to pull up their fish with a crab hanging from it.  Sometimes, they would even catch two at once.

Owen waiting for a bite

Owen was showing me where the crabs live

Daddy, pulling in the big one

Gabe and Owen love to tell the story about the biggest crab that they caught.  They tell me that it was really big and mean.  In fact, Amaya caught it and it was as big as her head!  And, you did have to be very careful of those big ones because they would try to pinch you.

But, my favorite part of the crab fishing was the crab feast!  Boy was it good!

Gabe's 7th Bday

Gabriel informed me that he wants to spend every birthday in Connecticut.  He had the best 7th birthday that any kid could have asked for.  First, he got to go fishing for baby blues.  Then, his dad took him crab fishing, which is the coolest thing ever!  And, we had a birthday party at the beach house complete with presents, cake, and most importantly family.  Like I said, this was his best birthday ever!!

 Uncle Woody presented Gabriel with a very special gift this year.  His very own Captain's hat.  He also taught Gabe how to salute.  So, now he is a real captain.  What a cool gift!!

 Uncle Woody, Britt, Ashton, and Awyn joined us for a Gabe's birthday and Barbeque.  It was a special afternoon brought together by a wedding and a birthday!

 Oh, I forgot to mention that Pickles was in attendance.  Who could forget Pickles?

 The Happy Couple

No party is complete without cake and icecream.

Mystic Seaport

An afternoon at Mystic Seaport.  Time to explore history and boating.

 I love this picture of Bryan and Eli....and the stoller.  Eli has gotten to the point that he doesn't want to be in the stroller.  Bryan let him out and he was very unsure of walking on the boards on this boardwalk.  Just a precious moment to capture.

Mystic Seaport had some great activities for the kids to do.  Unfortunately, all activities were 5.00 extra.  When Owen saw the boat building he begged to do it.  So, Bryan took Amaya, Gabe, and Owen over to the workshop.  The second unfortunate part was that it was packed!  There was little room to squeeze in and build a boat.  Bryan and I tried to explain that it was to crowded and cost extra money.   Gabe and Amaya were happy to comply and went to another activity.  Owen dug in his heals.   OWEN WAS GOING TO BUILD A BOAT NO MATTER WHAT!  I looked at Bryan and knew it was one of those moments to give in.  So, Bryan and Owen went in the chaos and built a really, really special boat and Owen just loved it!

 Everyone had a great time learning something new and exploring an old New England Seaport.