September 2014

Labor Day Trip

At least once a year, we like to go see Mamaw and Papaw by ourselves.  It is great to see them at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but there are always a lot of people around.  For the last couple years, Labor days seems to be the best fit.  This year, we took off a few more days and made a long trip out of it. 

First stop was Mamaw and Papaw’s.  They loved seeing Mollie and she loved playing with Mamaw’s walker and looking at the cows…. not getting close, but looking ;)

Then, we drove from Waco, Texas to Rogers, Arkansas.  It was quite a drive but we stopped half way and got a hotel.  It was interesting because the hotel was full so we got the handicapped room.  Probably the largest shower I’ve ever been in.

We finally made it into Rogers.  It was fun to go back and see how things had changed.  We stopped by the U of A to see Emily.  That was great, because I have missed my girls so much.  Next, we saw Kaylie… who was about to move to Nicaragua and get married in January.  Then on to see Brian and Gina.  We love and miss them so much.  They will always be dear friends to us.  It was fun to meet their new baby, Will (which I didn’t even get a picture with… Grrrr).

We all loved the king size bed at the hotel.  Which was a little hard to find because it was also Bikes, Blues and BBQue weekend.  On our way out we got to see the lovely Lewellen’s.  {Love my Hanna so much!}  And Mollie got to build a bear… we named her Pinkie.

August 2014

Our 9th Anniversary

I can not express in words how much I love My Nate.  He is my rock and everything I could ever have dreamed for in a husband.  I can’t believe how quickly time has pasted.  He truly will always be my only love.  I remember so well the first time he held my hand (back in 8th grade), when we started dating on a ski trip, then 5 years and 5 months later when we were married.  Next came 5 years growing even closer, living away from our families in Arkansas, and now here we are with a beautiful baby girl and couldn’t be happier.

Thank you God for my amazing, loving, caring husband.  Please continue to give us great health and a long life together.  I cherish each day.  Protect my Nate from anything that would cause him harm, mentally or physically.  Continue to work through him in our family and in Your church.

What Happens in Vegas

This is Garrett.  I like to call him Gar-Bear.

He is like our son or something.  Nate and I just love this guy.  He moved to Yukon after high school, following a girlfriend, and then stayed out here in Oklahoma all alone when they broke up.  He is a very hard worker and definitely mission-minded.  He was just a joy to have around whenever Nate needed help with something at our church, and on all our youth outings/camps/retreats/events.  We are so proud of him, his determination getting through school, and how he is keeping God #1 in his life.

In August, he moved to Las Vegas to live with his dad for a while and finish school.  We couldn’t let him go by himself, so Nate and I rented a car, put his stuff in it, and car pooled to Las Vegas with our dear Gar-Bear.  It was a fun road trip…. the longest I’ve ever been on in my life…. but fun.

We drove through Denver to see Garrett’s grandpa, so naturally Nate had to see the Rockies stadium.  We got to see my cousin’s cute little house, and then they went to the game with us.  Glad we had Jared driving us because this stadium is in the middle of downtown Denver.

  

   

Then we were off to Vegas.

We made some strategic stops ;)

Got to see the Hoover Dam.  It was awesome.  Also, super HOTT outside.

Then Garrett took us to the strip.  We saw a lot!  It was my first time in a casino… it was pretty.  Not pretty enough to make me want to spend a lot of money, but definitely something to see.  We went to a free chocolate factory, Caesar's Palace, Mile Long Mall, Gordon Ramsey’s Burgr (best burger ever!) and a few other places.  Our favorite thing was the Bellagio fountain.  I could have stayed there and watched it all night.  And then, we took a small plane home.