Happy 9th Anniversary!

We happened to be in Colorado Springs for our ninth (are we that old?) anniversary on August 16th. Lisa and Lilia kindly offered to give us the evening off if we wanted to go to dinner and we jumped at the chance to visit The Melting Pot, a favorite of ours and the place where we held our Rehearsal dinner.

We had a lovely (and uninterrupted) dinner discussing our summer, where we are currently in life, and what's next. It was heavy, but much needed since we don't often get a chance to discuss those things when we aren't exhausted after the kids bedtimes. :-)

We've been through a lot the past nine years married (and 13 together total!) and recognize that our marriage goes through peak-and-valley cycles. This year in particular seems to have had quite the share of valleys, but we are fighting through them and growing together. I am so thankful to have this hard-working, honest, and loving man in my life. We've had a lot of adventures together and have now spent more of our marriage outside the US than in it. (crazy, right?!) I don't know where life will take us next, but I know who will be by my side. Happy Anniversary Jason!


[Earlier in the day Madi was helping her Mimi garden and play outside. She came up to Jason and I and handed us these roses and said "Happy Valentine Day Mommy and Daddy".  So precious. ❤️]

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America Trip 2017: Oklahoma City Zoo

We did a family membership with my mom to the Oklahoma City Zoo and have tried to take advantage whenever we are in town! We went twice with the girls in the two weeks we were in Oklahoma. First we went with my dad and Mary and the next week we went with my mom. Both visits were very different, but equally amazing!

Our visit with dad and Mary included seeing most of the animals, riding the train, and playing a bit at the playground. And of course ice cream. 🍦

The visit with my mom we ventured to the opposite side of the zoo to seeing the petting zoo and parakeets, feeding the giraffes, and riding the carousel (all of which we had missed due to time on our previous visit). But of course we got ice cream again! 😋

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America Trip 2017: Oklahoma City Part 2

My Dad and his wife Mary were able to come visit us in Oklahoma City and my mom and Jeff were incredibly hospitable in opening up their home. The girls got to enjoy the same playgrounds and backyard pool with their Grandma and Papa!

Grandma and Madi had a car service shop where "Joe" would give full service gas, car wash, and oil change. What a bargain!

The girls had picnics outside, trees to climb, nail fun from Grandma and bubbles.

When the girls visited the zoo Madi picked a paint your own butterfly magnets and loved making the set!

The girls also got to try their first Blue Bell ice cream, which any Southerner will tell you is superior to all other ice creams. 😋

We took the girls to see the science museum thinking it wouldn't be crowded yet since school had started, but boy were we wrong. It was packed, but we managed to each keep track of our assigned child and the girls had a great time!

Basically it was an exhausting visit - haha! The girls had so much fun with their Grandma and Papa and we were so glad they were able to come see us in Oklahoma!

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