4 down, Many more to go...

Aww, don't I have a sweetie for a husband?! Yep, so this past Thursday marked our 4th year of marriage bliss. Some days it seems like we have been married forever and then other days it seems like it was just yesterday that I was making that walk down the aisle. But it truly has been 4 great years...we have been so blessed! God is good!

We weren't able to celebrate on Thursday because I had to work late (yes, I now have a job...I'll have to make a post about that later) and Garin had to study late and then had a 5:30 brief the next morning. So we postponed our celebration until Friday night. We decided to go all out and head out to one of the better restaurants on Pensacola Beach - Hemingway's (yes, after the writer). Oh man, it was SOOOO delicious...well worth the expense!

After dinner we walked around the "boardwalk" and then came home and watched our wedding video (have to brush up on those vows!). Its great to look back and remember that special day with all of our precious friends and family! God has been so faithful over the years and we owe our love for each other to Him - "we love because He first loved us."

At dinner

After dinner, on the pier with Hemingway's in the background.

My Turn to Post

Happy Anniversery Sweetie!!
I'm so glad you said "yes". Here's to many more years with you. I thank God for you.

I love you,

Garin

Our Week Playing Aunt and Uncle

This past week we had our youngest guest yet to come visit us...our nephew Mason (along with his mommy and daddy). They arrived here VERY early on Monday morning (they drove through the night). Monday we took the day off for them to rest. Tuesday we headed to Pensacola Beach for the afternoon and then grilled out at the picnic shelters there for dinner. Wednesday we headed over to Destin, where we did some shopping at the outlets and then headed out to the VERY crowded beach. That night we hit up some yummy seafood where we overlooked the Destin bay area. Thursday we had another chill day and Friday we went back to Pcola Beach to watch the Blue Angels Air Show. Saturday Garin and I went back out to Pcola Beach to watch the show again (more on that in a later post) while Alex, MW, and Mason headed off to Navarre Beach for there last day on the beach. Then they left us all alone early Sunday morning.

The week went by WAY too fast. I was in Aunt Heaven having my nephew around...he has grown soooo much since I last saw him. He is 11 weeks old now and is in the 95th percentile for his height and weight (so, yes, he is a big boy!). At his two month check-up he weighed in at about 15 pounds and I'm sure he weighs more than that now! He is absolutely adorable and I sure wish I got to see him more often!

Chillin in his Bumpo seat with his new Pooh toy

Laying out like his aunt - (don't worry we kept him in the shade!)

Bath time! Absolutely adorable!! I just want to squeeze him!

Garin and Baby Mason - Uncle Garin was about as enamored as Aunt Lauren; every time Mason started to cry, Garin would pick him up and walk around with him until he calmed down. He did everything but change diapers :)

Aunt Lauren and Baby Mason - he don't look too happy...

Mason and Uncle Garin taking a nap together...

One of my favorite pictures...Mason is sporting his Wolfpack pride! Don't worry, I will teach him how to make the wolf sign with his fingers soon enough! Mason says: Go Pack!

4th of July

The fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays of the year. As a kid we used to always go to the local parade and either watch or be in it. I have ridden in the parade with many ball teams, on my unicycle, and as a parade "princess". So not being at home for the Fourth of July festivities for the second year in a row has forced me to accept some new holiday traditions.

This year Garin and I got the opportunity to go over to New Orleans to a family reunion with his mother's side of the family. Although we both knew few people, it was neat to reunite with family and see some faces we haven't seen in a while. The reunion took place at a beautiful house that was beside a clear spring water pond. Before it rained in the afternoon we enjoyed a yard game of kickball and a game of "washers" (a new one for Garin and me). Oh and of course there was LOTS of food. Nothing goes down in Louisiana without an incredible amount of delicious food...I think I gain a pound or two while I was there!

Uncle Ted, Garin, and Garin's Aunt Peggy

The Birthday Crew: A.J.-(shoot I forgot how old...I don't want to risk getting it wrong ;), Peggy - 60, and Garin's great uncle Vernon - 90

After spending the afternoon in LA, we headed back to Pensacola to try to catch some fireworks with some friends. Although there were a million people out there, we were able to find our friends and cap off the night with some beautiful fireworks along with patriotic music in the background. Makes me proud to be an American!

The Girls

The Boys

The Fireworks

Thanks to all of you men and women that have served or currently serve our country. Thank you for your sacrifice that enables me to be free and to enjoy my freedoms in this great country of America!