Check it out.

Check out mom's Mother's Day gift over HERE.

Hope you had a wonderful day with the mom's in your life!!!

Honor. Commitment. Loyalty.

Amazing. Astounding. Achievement. Unbelievable. Incredible.

These are just a few words that describe the milestone that our grandparents have made on this day: SIXTY YEARS OF MARRIAGE!!!!! Thank you for your commitment to one another, we pray that God would bless each day you have with one another and all of us!! We love you two so much!!!!!!!

Happy Sixtieth Anniversary!!

One, already!

From this:

To that:

To this:

Addie, how are you one already? Where did the year go by? What fun you have been, your personality has been evident from the start! I am so happy that you not only slept in our bed when you were a newborn, but literally across my abdomen. My rhythmic breathing and heart beat seemed to comfort you and lull you into sleeping just a little bit longer at night. I will always cherish every moment of that. I love that you have two speeds: high and low. You either love it or hate it, there is no middle ground with you. Somehow, I don't think we'll ever have to guess at how you feel about something. Moderate, medium, in the middle, in between, undecided, not sure, maybe, I'll think about it, let me look into that, ummmm, will never be a part of your vocabulary :-)! I love your spunk and determination; I love that you cry for me when I walk into the room; I love you gi-normous smile that could totally light up time square....and I promise you'll grow into to your teeth beautifully; I know I will look back and love that you still get up in the middle of the night with a cry that says "woman, get in here, bring me back into your bed, snuggle me in and nurse me back to sleep, then I'll go back to my crib peacefully"; I love that you can't talk yet, it's so easy to take you anywhere, especially since you don't ask for anything; I love that you love outside, it's mommy's favorite too; I love that you try to keep up with the "posse" around here; most of all, I love that God chose us and blessed us to be your family, we just couldn't imagine it any other way!

Happy 1st Birthday Adysen! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Birthday Ran!!!

As you've probably noticed, I decided not to blog birthdays this year for various reasons. First, my immediate family includes thirty-two people; this does not include grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. So as you can imagine, I would spend half my time on birthdays alone, and, not that I don't love every single one of you, it's just the time factor. Second, I'm afraid with that number I would miss someone and I definitely don't want any hurt feelings. Today however, I am making an exception for my dear, sweet husband.



I know, I know, the cake has pastel m&m's on it, but fortunately I know my guy is confident in his manhood. Plus, the guy was born on Easter Sunday, so it's sort of appropriate!

Randy's parents waited five years after they were married to have him and they still brag about what an awesome baby he was, I think they even use the word "perfect". They said every moment of waiting was worth it, especially for the nursery with the shag green carpet and orange walls. Wish I could have seen that.

They raised him and spent twenty birthdays celebrating with him before we met. Now fifteen birthdays later we are all still celebrating him and the amazing man he has become!

Son, Husband, Father, Best Friend in the whole, wide world.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

Happy, happy birthday Mom!! Hope your day is lots of fun and filled with love!

I love that 99.9% of the time you see the glass as "half-full". I love that you can make Randy laugh and think of you often when he sees me wearing only one sock. I love that you make everyone around you smile more. I love that we can "talk shop" all day long. I love that I can call you anytime and 99.9% of the time get an answer to my question. I love that the "fuzzy brain" I have sometimes can be blamed on genetics :-). Most of all, I love the time you took to raise us to be aware of our world, what was going on in it and what God has to say all about it!

I love you, mom! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Christopher!!!!

Happy Birthday to my fantastic brother-in-law Chris!!! I hope you know how happy we are to have you as part of our family, we all love you so much!!!!

Wish we lived closer....though I think the Midwest would be a great place for you guys.....hope to see you in February!!!

xoxoxoxo Randy, Liz, Ashlynn, Ryder, Gage and Addie

Happy Birthday Piper!!!!

*****Disclaimer*****
My head is pounding, my nose is running and my entire body aches.
That being said, my mental capacity for clever, thoughtful, sweet or really anything that would make sense is limited.
*****Disclaimer*****

Happy birthday to my life long BFF, from the first meeting in the drinking fountain line at Alpine Christian to life changing events like kiddos and hubbys, we have managed to stay in contact through it all. So glad you are now my "blogging buddy" too, I look forward to enjoying your work as the amazing author that you are!

The big 3-0, woohoo!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Colie!!!!

Happy Birthday to my fantastic sister Nicole!

I love that I can call you any time of the day and just start right in on why I was calling. No need for ten minutes of "pleasantries" just dive right in: "Can you get me the number for Red Robin asap?". I love that you are not afraid to give your opinion, though sometimes it can tick me off :-). I love that I can talk to you about ANYTHING and you'll listen.....and give your opinion :-). I love that we are raising our kids at the same, but I wish we lived closer together. I love your passion for exercise and hope you continue to rub off on me. I love the way you just "roll with it", especially with three boys! I love that you can open any jar in the kitchen, take down John and Mike, and remove hinges from a closet door, but can still cry while watching Anne of Green Gables. I love that you put up with my hypochondria and remind me I am crazy :-). Most of all I love that God blessed me with such an awesome sister.

We love you and Happy Birthday!!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo, Randy, Liz, Ashlynnie, Ryde, Gage Man, and Addie

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!

I know, I know, but I just had to use that picture. It jut goes to show that you are just the most awesome Grandpa in the world! Who else would wear Ashlynn's "Princess for the Day" tiara while playing baseball with Ryde?? Gotta love it!

Dad, thanks for always being available at the ring of your phone. Me and my silly home improvement questions still haven't stumped you, though you may wonder sometimes what I am thinking :-). All of my life I have been convinced that you could answer any question about anything and you know what, I still think you can. I love you so much and am so happy to see you celebrate another year with mom, us seven kids and TEN grandkids!

I hope your birthday is filled with fun and you better get to play a round of golf soon! I miss you and wish so much we all lived closer together.

We love you!!!!! Randy, Liz, Ashlynn, Ryde, Gage and Adysen
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Birthday Lisa!!!!

Happy Birthday Lis!!! Thanks so much for all you do for our family! You are a dependable, organized, compassionate, thoughtful, helpful, loving, generous, let me call you and vent :-) (I suppose that translates to "good listener") and all around AWESOME cousin.

I'm glad we're only eight hours away from eachother, though you know we would like to be closer!!

Have a fantastic day and try not to work too hard (though I know you can't help yourself!). We LOVE you!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Randy, Liz, Ashlynnie, Ryde, Gage and Adysen
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Birthday Gage!!!!

Happy Birthday to my spunky, energetic, happy two year old!!


Gage, I love the way you dance to anything with a beat: the ice cream maker, the sewing machine, the washing machine and any type of music. I love that you wake up every morning and say "happy", I love the way you just jump into the pool with confidence that I will catch you every time, I love that your favorite place is outside, I love the concern you have for your new baby sister when she is crying, most of all I love to hear you say "love you" to mommy and daddy with your sweet kisses and hugs.

What will two bring (besides hopefully potty training :-)!)? What a joy to watch you grow!!

Happy Birthday Ashlynn!!!!

Happy Birthday to my first baby girl!! How can you be six already??? Daddy and I are so proud of you!

I love to hear you walk down the hall from your bedroom singing; I love your curly hair, though you try endlessly to straighten it; I love that you would sit for hours and let me read to you; I love that when you want to try something new, you quietly say a prayer and charge forward; I love how ardently you believe that Jesus answers your prayers; I love you Ashlynn, every little detail!

Looking forward to loving year six.......

Happy Birthday Bekah!!!!

Happy Birthday to my beeeautiful sister Bekah!! Hope your day is super fun and hope you enjoy your *cough* gift to yourself *cough* pressure cooker.

Thanks for being not only a terrific sister, but friend as well. I wish so much that you and Chris would move here....I know dad, not what you want to here, but hey, it would be really nice :-)!

Thanks also for being such a great aunt to my kids and always thinking of them-they love you too!!

We LOVE you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

Randy, Lizzie, Ashlynnie, Ryde Ryde, Gage Man and Addie

Happy Birthday Stef!!!!

Stef,
Happy Birthday!! If you only knew how much you come up in our conversations! We go on and on about how blessed James is to have you in his life. Just to have an ounce of your motivation and determination would be awesome, you are such an added gift to our family. Hope you day is special, I just wish we lived closer to you guys...maybe then I could pick up some of your amazing qualities :-)!!

Happy Birthday Ryde!!!

Happy Birthday to my little man! How can you be four already?? You are by far the most passionate kid I know, who else is still playing with their gift everyday since Christmas?? Your batman suit is almost to shreds, but you look so cute riding your bike with it on :-)!

I love that you hold my face so firmly in your hands when you are talking to me and you always have to have two hugs and kisses before daddy or I can leave the house. I love that your favorite color is orange and you don't leave home without your red gloves. Your snow boots sit worn and well, let's face it, a bit stinky, but you want to wear them everyday-even if it's eighty degrees!

Ryde, I love your individuality and hope you continue with your intense passion for life, you are the sweetest boy! We love you buddy!

And a Happy Mother's Day!

What a beautiful day it was for us girls yesterday!! The guys took the kids after church so the girls could enjoy a yummy brunch and lots of laughs. We spent the rest of the day relaxing while the guys threw shoes and shot hoops. What fun!!

Honestly, the day could not have been more beautiful!

Happy Birthday Sweet T!!!!

Happy Birthday Teagan!! Have a fun day and enjoy those cupcakes!!! We miss you and love you, Uncle Randy, Auntie Lizzie, Ashlynn, Ryder and Gage. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

So much to blog...so little time!

We've had a busy week/weekend with Easter and some more beautiful weather. Though Sunday was cold, it's been nice to finally have some spring.

Here are a couple of pictures from the w/e:


The kids tossing coins outside the movie theater.



Ryder ready for Horton with a jumbo soda (Grandma Linda also brought her famous popcorn, m&m's, red licorice, and skittles. Needless to say, the kids have been on detox since yesterday! :-)



We stopped at the mega super furniture store to look in the clearance department for a bunkbed-success (picture of that later!)!!! Here is a reminder what you are not allowed bring into the store, just in case you were wondering.



Ashlynn and I in our dresses. I finished them at 1am that morning, silly, I know. It was so cold I wore jeans under mine, but you get the idea :-)!



Ryde with his Easter goodies.



Gage with a pink basket that was not his...I promise. Grandma Linda put a jelly bean in his eggs and with each one he found, he opened it up and ate the jelly bean. Thank goodness there was only one piece in each egg!


On Saturday we had a neighborhood Easter egg hunt and the kids had a blast (I'll put those pics up later). We spent the rest of that day assembling the bunk bed that we got the most rockin' awesome deal on (pic of that later too).

We enjoyed Easter Sunday with another hunt at church and a great service. Hope you all had a good weekend!!!

Happy Birthday Paula!!!!

Happy birthday to my sister Paula! Thanks for all of your help with the kids, what would we do without you??? Have a "fun" day at school!

Love you, Ran, Liz, Ashlynn, Ryde and Gage
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Happy Birthday Trevor!!!!

Happy 9th Birthday to my fantastic and brilliant nephew! Glad you are feeling better buddy, hope you have a great day!

We love you, Uncle Randy, Auntie Lizzie, Ashlynnie, Ryde and Gage man!!!!!!