Sweet 16

16 sweet years of marriage. I have loved every one of them, although there have been ups and downs, highs and lows. Yes, I got married pretty young, but I have never regretted it for a moment. I have always just felt blessed that I found my perfect soul mate earlier rather than later, and that my life has been so wonderful with him beside me. I love that we make anniversaries a big deal and have a whole scrapbook to remember each year of our married life. This year, we just had a few days away in Bellingham, which we added on to some work Derek had to do up there. I love the years we do big trips or more exciting places, but I always realize that no matter what, it’s just great to be away and be together. This year, we fit in shopping, eating (always one of my favorite parts:)), hiking, visiting a cool church, seeing a movie (The Help, along with every senior citizen in Bellingham – it was a crazy experience!), and some total relaxation. It was a great break from the house, the kids and the rest of life.

We actually did this little trip a week before our anniversary, and I hardly got to see Derek on our actual anniversary. However, the big girls had a little surprise for us. The day before our anniversary, they made a secret collage out of old pictures I had given them for their scrapbooks or projects. They hid it under the rug and pulled it out on the morning of our anniversary, as a present to us. It was pretty cute. And pretty funny, since there was only one picture of me and Derek together, which they highlighted in the middle, along with the words, “Loves Sym and Hailey”.

Showering Ryann

After months of planning and discussing my sister Ryann’s bridal shower, the big day finally arrived on August 13. We had it outside at my Mom’s house, and it was quite the amazing garden party. My other sister Megan and I were “officially” hosting it, however my mom cannot resist going all out on big events! She, along with her best friend Kathy, Megan and I provided an Asian feast for lunch, gorgeous table setting, amazing decorations, a lavish candy bar and all sorts of other fun.

We played simple and fun games, sometimes at the expense to the bride-to-be, as we reminded everyone of some of our favorite little stories and remembrances of Ryann growing up. We couldn’t resist bringing up things like her obsession with wearing the same Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shirt for days on end, or keeping a nice and tidy “bowl cut” hairdo for years on end. How far she has come! So glad she was a good sport about all of it:).

The junior bridesmaids helped her open presents and showed them around to the guests…

But the flowergirl was not quite as interested. She had a thing for Sara all afternoon, and happily fell asleep cuddling with her.

It was a great day of celebrating and showering the bride.

Since I have been so behind on blogging, I’m finally posting this about a week before Ryann and Gerry’s wedding. I can’t believe my littlest sister is getting married! We are so excited for their big day, and so excited for the new life they are beginning.

Staycation

Since the summer has been consumed with building our house, there have been no vacations or fun trips really planned. However, we were blessed to get to have a little “staycation” August 6-14, when we were able to stay at our friends’ lake house while they were away for 9 days. We actually bid on and won this little trip at our church’s youth mission auction, and it was such a perfect retreat. We stayed on Lake Sawyer and it was literally 5 minutes from the new house and 5 minutes from the old house. They let us use their speed boat, hot tub and all sorts of toys for the water, and I invited pretty much all of my friends or the kids’ friends to visit at one time or another. Most vacations don’t include lots of friends and family visiting, so this made it all the better. I took tons of pictures, but here are some of my favorites.

It really was the perfect vacation for us this year!

A wedding and a photo shoot

My mom and Kathy Smith have been best friends since they were in school (only a few years ago:)). The Smiths have been like family to us, especially since Megan and I never had cousins, and we love them. So, when Jesse (the youngest Smith) got married, my whole side of the family came to the big bash. It was a beautiful wedding, and lots of fun.

This is Pat and Kathy, the happy parents.

And since we were all dressed up, what better time is there for a little photo shoot. Some of the shooters got a little “click happy”, and I had A LOT of pictures to sort through. Sorry in advance for the number of pictures, but my family will want to see them:)

Then there was the dance party… good times.

Lots of weddings coming up, this is just the beginning of a wedding season. Looking forward to it!

Pumped up

Addi came home from the park the other day, where she couldn’t pump by herself on the swings. She called for me to come outside and I found her flying high, giggling up a storm. She just figured it out herself and now she is a swingin’ fool. It cracked me up how she couldn’t stop giggling and telling me to take her picture.

August: ten on ten

Morning tv vegging

Coffee, Bible, Lake front

Happy birthday, Mom!

LONG visit to Joann with all children in tow

Afternoon activity, as a result of trip to Joann

FAST boat ride

GO FASTER DADDY!

Lovely view

Almost pulled that tooth out… maybe tomorrow

Mmmmm, S’mores

Somewhere in those last few pictures, my phone disappeared into the lake. Besides that, pretty nice day.