Memorial Day!

Memorial day is more than just a day that gives us a 3-day weekend. It is a day to remember those who have paid the price and died, while protecting our freedom. I am so grateful to those who have given all for us to have our freedom.

It's very rare these days to have Jeff home for 1 or 2 whole days, but 3 days had us giddy with excitement!! We LOVED it!!

We started our day out just hanging out with one another. Then we got ready for the day and headed out for lunch at Steak 'n Shake.

The kids wanted a picture with the Minions. We are so excited for this movie to come out this summer!!

Kahle LOVES minions and he especially LOVES Stuart, the one eyed minion.

Delaney wanted a picture with Kevin :)

After lunch we saw Tomorrowland. The kids were so excited!!

We went home, relaxed for a bit while Jeff and I figured out what our next plans were.

Bellagio Gardens had just switched their gardens over not too long ago. We love it here!!

The first part was a beach theme.

Then the rest of the garden was an underwater theme.

Haden found the treasure!

These jelly fish were awesome! I should have gotten a video, because they moved as well!

This was my favorite, the sea turtle!

Kahle liked this turtle made of driftwood.

This picture took a little bit to get right, but she was determined to look like she was holding the egg :)

Delaney absolutely LOVED these flowers!!

He's got the whole clam in his hands...

After the gardens, the kiddos love to make a wish in the fountain :)

After Bellagio we drove just a little bit to Caesars for the forum shops, Cheesecake Factory.

Waiting for a table and watching the fish.

Thank heavens they had an elevator, so I could make it to our table upstairs :)

In being in the Cheesecake Factory it brings back a flood of memories. One of the biggest being, this is the same one we went to on our first date on April 14th, 2001. And funny enough, we sat at a table right across from the one we sat at on our first date.

So naturally we had to take a picture there :)

14 years later, we are so happily married and have 5 amazing kids. Life is wonderful and I wouldn't trade any part of our journey up to this point in our lives. It has molded us into who we are today.

After dinner the kids wanted Thrifty's ice cream instead of cheesecake. So that is just what we did!

Messy face and all, he loved it.

It was one of those days where you are so exhausted for all that you did. But it was worth it! I love my (not so) little family and cherish the time we get to spend together!!

And then he turned 9!

He could hardly wait for the 17th to come, he's been counting down for months and weeks and days.

Most the kids LOVE that on their birthdays they don't have to help with anything.

Cole so wanted to help make his breakfast and in turn so did Delaney and Kahle. Jeff and I had lots of helpers in the kitchen.

Mixing his brownie batter (he doesn't like cake).

For breakfast he picked nutella filled crepes with a raspberry sauce, bacon and sausage.

After breakfast he was so excited to wait for his presents!

He had a posing session while we waited :)

Present time.....

This kid loves to wear costumes, so we found this mask and couldn't pass it up!

After presents, we got ready for church.

Oh how boring our lives would be without this kid!

Such a handsome dude!

Jeff is awesome!!

A venus flytrap from Mario was his shape of choice.

For dinner he picked steak, potatoes, corn on the cob and rolls!

Right after dinner we had family coming to celebrate with us for his brownies and ice cream!

Seth totally crashed, Haden got a kick out of snuggling him for a minute.

Lighting his own candles.

Happy Birthday!!!

Make a wish....

Being silly with cousins!

So Cole mentions to me a while ago, that he thinks it would be funny if his Dad smashed his face in the cake like he did to Haden a while ago. He brought it up again a little while later. So I made sure to remind Jeff.

Jeff totally caught him off guard and smashed his face. I think Cole thought it was funny but was so shocked :)

The bond between Cole and Papa is a special one. I love how Cole always finds my Dad and will climb on him, snuggle up to him or just be by him.

Cole said 'because it's my birthday, I get to do this!'

Jeff and I with the birthday boy!

So Adri and I had texted back and forth and planned to have her kids sleep over. So we surprised them and didn't tell any of them until right before Trent and Adri were leaving. It was so fun!!

A bunch of awesomely crazy kiddos!!

They spend a long time trying to keep the balloons in the air. It was entertaining to watch.

One of Cole's presents, he wanted, was to go to build a bear. So Monday night, after Jeff was off of work, we headed out with just Cole!

Oh the decisions!!!

Getting his bear stuffed.

Picking the scent.

Helping stuff his bear.

Choosing the heart.

Rub the heart on your nose, for all you knows.

On your forehead for your smarts.

On your arm for your strength.

On our heart.

Close your eyes and make a wish.

Grooming his bear before we pick out the outfit.

Getting him all dressed.

A Hulk bear with a Hulk outfit!

Creating the birth certificate.

He named his bear Colk.

For Coleman and Hulk :)
He also wanted to change his birth date to the same as his.

All ready go!

Buckled up and ready for the ride.

Yes he did take Colk into his choice for dinner....Buffalo Wild Wings!

He wanted a picture of the both reading the menu.

Chicken wings!!!

Colk joined us for some Thrifty's ice cream as well!

This year instead of the whole family going out, we are going to take the kids to dinner, dessert and do a fun activity of their choice. 

It was so much fun to just be the 3 (4 if you count Colk) of us. It's amazing how much they talk when they aren't competing with siblings. Coleman talked about anything and everything and made us giggle and feel proud plenty!

Happy 9th Birthday Coleman!!!!
I hope this year is amazingly wonderful, you so deserve it!!