Anniversary Idea

Our 10 year anniversary is coming up next month and what better way to celebrate then with a photoshoot! Why do we only take engagements pictures? We are still in love a decade later, why not celebrate it?

Andrea, from Crave My Photography is the genius behind these photos. She has added something new to her portfolio called "Crave Each Other" sessions. So fun, a little edgy (some a little sexy) and so worth it. Check out her blog for our complete shoot:

cravemyphotography.blogspot.com

Making it Official

**Disclaimer: Anyone who knows me, knows that I HATE the family vinyl pictures that people stick on the back of their cars. (If you are reading this and you have one, we might have to rethink our friendship :) ) So, I figured, what better way to make an announcement??!! **

I will finally address all the hushed rumors: "Is Marie pregnant, or has she just gained 10 pounds?" Sadly, the answer is "yes" to both of these questions. I like to think that I am showing this early because it's technically my 5th pregnancy and not because of my poor eating habits...hmmmm

I was trying to wait until I was 20 weeks and knew what we were having to make the official announcement, but since my middle is rapidly expanding, word is getting out.

So, here we are. I am a little over 18 weeks along. My ultrasound is March 2nd. We of course are all hoping for a girl, but would be thrilled with a boy also. Although I'm sure it wouldn't hurt if all of you could start chanting "girl, girl, girl". :) We'll keep you posted!

The terrible 3's are upon us!

Happy Birthday #3!

His big day is actually tomorrow, but we celebrated it yesterday, so why not post it today?! #3 has been looking forward to his birthday for weeks now. I've never had a kid so aware of the big day at this age. Every night before bed, he would say, "My birthday is getting closer and I'm going to Chuck-e-Cheeses!" We are all so glad the day finally arrived!

We indeed went to the glamorous and oh-so-sanitary Chuck-e Cheese, followed by ice cream and play time at McDonalds. I figured if we exposed them to as many germs as possible, maybe they would all cancel out and no one would get sick. I'll let you know how that goes... He had a "bowling" cake (bowling, for some reason, is the new thing around here right now), which #2 so kindly decorated for me and presents. Super fun day!

#3 is spunky, confident, full of energy and brilliant (of course I'm the mom, so I'm partial). These three traits have helped him survive his first years with two older brothers. He is such a special part of our family, we don't know what we would do without him.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Birthday Boy!

Today is the big day! Happy Birthday Bryan!

Trip to Florida

I headed to Florida last week to attend my sisters college graduation and commissioning into the Marines. My parents and three brothers (Sam, Joseph and Steven) were also able to be there. It was four days of fun, complete with a trip to Disney World! My brother Joseph is in the Army and was able to give Katie her first official salute as an officer. It was pretty cool.

I can't believe my sister is all grown up with a college degree AND a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marines. Congratulations to her and all her hard work! Way to go Katie!

Thrills & Chills

Gutting and carving the pumpkins...
The costumes and treats...
Bryan and I were "Popeye & Olive Oyl" - yes, the dark hair served it's purpose well. #2 had a last minute wardrobe change to Spiderman and #1 was happy to claim #2's green Ben 10 jacket.

We of course attended the annual "Family Halloween Blowout Bash". The kids had a blast and the adults ate until they were sick - well, at least I did. But it just wouldn't be Halloween if you didn't go to bed with a stomach ache!

This holiday is rapidly approaching my #1 favorite holiday spot. It may just top Christmas one of these years...

Ben x 2

Halloween has officially arrived at our house! The boys got to wear their costumes to school this morning. They both dressed as Ben 10 and I'm happy to say I spent a total of $9.89 on these costumes. I had to buy fabric paint for #1's shirt and two cans of black hairspray. It doesn't get much better than that!