Yee-haw!

This morning Matt told Steven that he wanted to be a cowboy when he grew up. He's never said that before, but I think he got the idea from all the stick horse/cowboy hat play we had yesterday afternoon. I have the hat hanging up in Will's room, and he pointed at it and said please ("pee!!" with a bunch of enthusiastic belly rubs). So I got it down for him and he and Matt had a ball.

Bath time has been entertaining for them both lately, too. Right now they get the most laughs out of sticking various bath toys into each other's mouths. Or Matt will make Will laugh by spitting water from his mouth.

Will gets his fill eventually and is desperate to get out. Matt kind of takes over the bath tub. He's huge!

For Father's Day my dear husband had to work all day. Boo! But, it's doing that sort of thing that makes him a wonderful father and husband. We are so thankful for his job and the way he is able to provide for our family. We celebrated him when he got home with cards, a gift and some awesome grilled steaks. One of my favorite times of day is when Steven gets home from work and the kids go running to greet him. Matt is usually planted at the window watching for his car, and Will comes toddling excitedly when he hears Steven come in the door. It's adorable. Those boys loves their daddy. Hope all you daddy's out there had a great Father's Day!

Pool Time

Earlier this week we made our first attempt at a trip down to the pool. Got everyone dressed and sunscreened, and just as we got to our back gate to traipse down there we heard a clap of thunder. We then heard the whistle blow down at the pool for everyone to get out. Terrible timing! We walked down there anyway and tried to wait out the 15 minutes but there was another thunder clap.

It wasn't a total wash though. The nice little ice cream man was walking around with his cart making that pleasant ring-ring with his bell, and we couldn't pass it up. Matt picked out a chocolate and banana bombshell. He wasn't too keen on sharing it with any of us either.

Will was content to toddle around and have his daddy chase after him.

We went back home and instead inflated our own pool still placing ourselves at risk with the weather looming, but no one in our yard could tell us no!

We tried the pool again yesterday, this time with Ava, Aunt Joy & Henry there along with us. Will screamed upon having his little toes dipped in the water, and it took him a long time to get used to it. He clung pretty tight to me most of the time. Matt did great in the baby pool and even dunked himself under voluntarily. That's a huge step for him. Over in the deep pool he was much more clingy and timid, to put it gently. He's not afraid of the water, I think he just lacks confidence. Hopefully the swimming lessons in a few weeks will help him out. We had a great time though, and I know Matt is looking forward to another pool visit.

We just wrapped up VBS week yesterday. This was Matt's first year to actually be enrolled in the program, and he had a great time. I was in charge of leading a group of kindergartners. I was a little nervous going into it, but honestly they were the sweetest, most well behaved group of children. It was a pleasure being with them everyday. I am honored and grateful to have been part of such an amazing week out there at the quarries. Seeing those kids' faces and watching how excited they were and enthusiastic while singing all those songs was such fun. God did an amazing work once again. What a blessing!

Wedding & Lake

Last Saturday Steven & I left the boys with his parents and traveled to San Antonio for Sofia Alonso's wedding. Sofia is sister to my very good friend and college roommate, Sara. The ceremony was at Mission Concepcion, and the old buildings and scenery around that place were incredible. During the ceremony we heard loud horns begin to play, and Steven & I just looked at each other and couldn't believe that there were mariachi's playing at a wedding ceremony. It was the coolest thing.

We got to see Sara's adorable children participate in the wedding. The reception was fun, too, and Steven & I wondered if we were past the age where it was cool to get out on the dance floor and shake it. It took a few drinks for us to get brave enough to go out there, but we remembered how to move and I don't think we embarrassed ourselves. The groom is of Lebanese descent, so there were dancers and the whole bit. It was quite an enjoyable evening!

The next morning we arose early as usual and got on the road to meet up with our friends and family out at the lake. Before Matt would get in the water he had to fill himself up with most of the snacks we'd brought down to the dock. Ava ran full boar down the dock and did this awesome twisty jump into the water. Matt finished his snacks and then gingerly backed his way down the ladder into the water with Aunt Pam there to catch him. He enjoyed the water a lot as long as he was holding onto someone or sitting on a float.

Will on the other hand, did not like it. Screamsville.

We played in the water and then had an awesome lunch that included some of Steven's trophy deer meat prepared by Joy's mom. A late afternoon meltdown meant it was time for us to go home, and both kids fell asleep almost immediately. It was a great day, and we look forward to many more summer days out there!

9 Years

This is Steven & I at our rehearsal dinner 9 years ago. Do we look different? Yep, I think so! Today is our anniversary, and I am still proud, honored, and excited to be married to such an incredible man. A lot has happened in our married life--more than we ever could have imagined 9 years ago when we stared dreamily at each other so full of excitement that we were finally getting married. To have Steven by my side through all of it has been God's gift to me and has shown me what an incredible match we are. He's my favorite person and is a whole lot of fun no matter where we are or what we're doing.

I love how giddy I am here signing our marriage license. Happy Anniversary Steven!