Matt and Jessica's Wedding

We had a great time last weekend celebrating Matt and Jessica's (Corey's sister) wedding. We left home friday afternoon and headed to Chicago for the weekend.  Friday night the festivities started with the highlight for Micah--the trolley.  We took a trolley from the hotel to the church for the rehearsal and then from the church (St Michaels in Old Town) to the restaurant (Howells and Hoods on Michigan Ave).  The evening went well and after the kids were spent we took a taxi back to the hotel for the night.  We had a bit of a restless night playing "musical beds" (and lets just say whoever slept with Micah got the short stick so to speak) but none the less the kids were still up bright and early.  So we decided to do an early morning walk and started off by a trip to Dunkin Donuts (with a much needed coffee for me!) and then walked around the city a bit.  Micah loved being in a busy city mostly b/c he loved spotting the cars, taxis, buses (which are also Adelyn's favorites), helicopters, street sweepers, etc.  After our walk Corey and Micah went back to the hotel to swim and Adelyn and I went to Jessica's bridal sweet where the girls were getting hair and make up done (and of course Adelyn being the "girly girl" she is needed her nails done as well).  We then ate a great lunch at a local place called Eleven City Diner.  The wedding started at 3 pm so we had a little time to get the kid (short) naps beforehand while Corey and I got ready. We managed to wrestle (literally) Micah and get his tux on him and make it to the wedding with no time to spare (gotta love Chicago traffic). The kids did great walking down the aisle (I held their hand and walked between them) and managed to do pretty well during the ceremony.  Jessica looked beautiful too.  The reception at The Blackstone Hotel followed.  Pretty much by the time we got our dinner the kids were just done.  They (esp Adelyn) just couldn't handle any more.  Corey's mom's neighbor/friend offered to sit with the kids at our hotel room while they slept which was really sweet of her so Corey and I were able to go back to the reception for a bit.  Sunday morning started with Dunkin Donuts (again), church (at Harvest Bible Chapel), lunch (at Portillo's) and then home.  It was a great weekend all around celebrating and spending time with family!  Congrats to Matt and Jess!!!

15 years....

Have I told you lately that I have an amazing husband?  Well, I do!

Last week (4/23/13) on our calendar (we share a google calendar so we can both keep track of what is going on) it was marked for a 6 pm fundraiser at a local restaurant for an organization our church supports.  I didn't think too much of it, actually at first I thought Corey was just going but then he told me his mom was coming over to watch the kids so I could go too.  So, anyways, to make a long story short his mom comes over and we head downtown St. Joe to Ryebelle's for the fundraiser.  Or so I thought.  We arrive and Corey told the hostess that there were just 2 of us which I thought was a little odd.  Anyways, I put the pieces together and realized that Corey had planned a surprise special night for just the two of us to celebrate our 15 year anniversary (well that is 15 years from our first date).   I was really surprised and touched by his incredible thoughtfulness.  He handed me a journal with a letter in it.  Not only was it 15 years from our first date but the restaurant we were in actually used to be the old Elks Club and that was the exact location where we went to a Key Club meeting when I was a sophomore and he was a junior in HS that lead to our first date the next night. Later that night we came home and he had rented the movie we watched together on our first date.    It was very special.  And I am so thankful that God blessed me with such a wonderful husband!

Then (1998)

 

Now (4.24.13)

A few tid bits from 1998 (just to make you feel really old :)

Gas price $1.15/gallon 

Google was invented

Part of the letter Corey had written...

"I wasn't even sure if I was going to call you back after that first date on Apr 24 1998.  But I took a risk and I called..and now, 2 kids later and a boatload of memories later here we are.  Two people much different than those 2 clueless teens who sat in this same room 15 years ago, yet 2 people who have matured greatly in our faith, life, and relationship.  Two people with a deep committed love for each other still discovering what God fully means by and intends a companion to be in marriage." 

Fire Trucks and Tractors....

a little boy's dream come true!  Well atleast for this little boy! 

My step-mom and sisters had taken Micah and Adelyn (along with my sister's older 3 kids) to the firehouse a few months ago. Micah of course LOVED it as he is really into all things firefighter right now.  She arranged for another visit for him and he had a blast!  Not only do they have the fire engines but they also have boats, hummers, jeeps, etc. 

For Easter this year we went up to my extended family on my mom's side.  My uncle owns an excavating business and my other uncle and grandpa have a dairy farm.  Micah got to get a ride on a giant loader and then visit the farm where he got to feed the cows and also sit on a tractor, skid steer, and combine.  Adelyn's favorite was the dog on the farm.  She LOVES dogs and actually calls any animal she sees a dog.  

3 yr and 15 mo stats/pics

Micah (3 yr)
3'2.5" (67%), 33 lb 13 oz (70%)

Adelyn (15 mo)s
31" (69%), 21 lb (46%) HC 18" (45%)