Happy Birthday Pops

Last Friday, June 10th, was my father-n-law's (Pop's) birthday.  For those of you who don't know he passed away in April 2009 from COPD.  We like to talk about him all the time with our kids and keep his memory's alive.  We love that our kiddos can recall stories about him and we can laugh through our sadness.

Several weeks ago, Faith asked if she could make Pops a card for his birthday then put it in a balloon and send it to heaven.  We thought this was such a thoughtful and wonderful idea. Here are some pictures of how we celebrated Pop's life:



"I love you Pops and really  miss you."



Letter rolled up in a yellow balloon--Pop's favorite color

Singing "Happy Birthday to Pop's..."

ready to release 'em

They asked to watch them 'til they couldn't see them anymore

 We will always remember you Dad/Daddy Steve/Pops! We love you VERY much!

His death is a reminder to me of how fragile life is and how much I need to do all I can to take care of my health.  Live with no regrets!

San Antonio Weekend

Last weekend we had planned to go to San Antonio all weekend to celebrate our cousin's 30th birthday.  Last minute Daron decided to get us a room on the river walk.  I was ecstatic to spend a night with just the two of us.  We went to an early dinner, sat by the pool and talked, watched a movie, went to bed early, slept late, laid out, went to lunch...ahhhhhh, it was SO restful!!  Getting one-on-one time was JUST what we needed and it was wonderful! I love my husband SOOOO much!!!

Our walk home from dinner on the riverwalk

Soak'n up some sun

After our restful night we went to Floresville for our cousin's 30th birthday party where we enjoyed company of great family and friends.  We ate yummy burgers, played horse shoes, washers, and dominoes to mention a few...good times!  However, not nearly as restful as Friday night :)

Ashley and Stevie (my bro-n-law)

Kristen and Jeremiah (our cousins)

Jessica and Nick (our cousins)

Amanda, Me, and Kristen

Birthday boy and me! :)

Jeremiah's beer...since...forever

lot-a-hott-air!

me and girlfriend-n-law

Jeremiah, Kristen, and Colson

Hope you had a fabulous birthday Jeremiah! We had fun celebrating it with you!

Kay's Graduation Weekend

My little seester, Kay, graduated from Texas A&M Saturday, May 14th--WHOOP!

So proud of her! It was just the original 6 and Nannie for the weekend which was so wonderful to spend time with just adults :) We ate at Texas Road House Friday night, then hung out with some of Kay's friends, Saturday morning she graduated, went to Cafe Eccell for lunch, then the movies before hitting the road back home.  Here are some pictures of our wonderful weekend.

Congrats Kay, I love you!

Texas A&M College Station

Mom, Kay, and Dad

Lena and Fallon

Proud Mama and Dad, successfully putting 4 kids through college--y'all are amazing!!!

Little blurry, but what an awesome accomplishment!

Mom, Dad, and their baby

Original 6 and Nannie...we're all grown up

Me and Kay

Love this picture of my siblings!

Vincent, Me, Kaylan, and Fallon

Kaylan and her childhood friend, Lindsey

Me and my parents

Precious! Daddy's little girl

Me and Nannie

Thank you Mom and Dad for all your support through the years.  Each of us are truly grateful and our success comes from y'all! With much love,

Shawna



Big Events

(Forgot to post this...so this was actually two weeks ago)

This past week has been a whirl wind of busy schedules and exciting end of the year events. Saturday was the kids last soccer game of the Spring season.  Faith and Will have both improved by leaps and bounds.  It really was so much fun spending our Saturday mornings out on the field.  Will scored between 4-8 goals per game with the highlight game-he scored 16! Yes, you see that number right 1-6! Of course I was in College Station for my sisters graduation and didn't get to see it, but non the less, he did and his daddy was SUPER proud!  We put Faith on an older team so she would be more challenged and she was definitely that :) Most of the kids towered over her at each game, but she held her own! She is known for her speed and great defense skills.  She scored a couple goals this season, which was amazing!

Faith and Will with their Spring soccer trophies

Will's so proud

Faith is a quick one

Will and Mimi

Faith and Mimi

Sunday was the kids end of the year choir concert at Church.  Each Wednesday evening the kids go to Church for choir practice and mission friends...they always give me grief on the way that they don't want to go, but then they are so excited to tell me how much fun they had when we are leaving...you know, it's what kids do :)  Anyways, Faith and Will put on their Sunday's best  for the occasion and were very excited to sing they songs they had been practicing all year.  I must say, they did a phenomenal job! Both kids sand their little hearts out with a smile:)

 Will is top left, doing a wonderful job with his sign language!

Will is on the far, top, left singing his little heart out.

So proud of himself for signing in front of a crowd, mommy and daddy were very impressed as well!

Mimi, Will, and Daddy...time to watch Faith

 Faith is in the pink dress in the center (next to her sweetheart friend, Stone)

She's a natural

Our beautiful princess

Mimi and her kiddos!

Last but certainly not least, Faith graduated from Kindergarten on Tuesday evening from Frost Elementary.  She has been blessed with THE BEST teacher in the World-Mrs. B! We love her SO much and will miss her next year.  Faith has enjoyed getting to meet new friends, learn how to read, and she is a Math whiz--thanks to her daddy! :) She received the Good Citizenship Award, Sight Word Medal, and Excellence in Math Award (Daron LOVES doing math with her) We are so very blessed to have a wonderful, beautiful, and intelligent daughter.

 Getting ready to perform their musical

 She loves to sing

 Walking across the stage

 Faith and The MOST wonderful Kindergarten Teacher EVER!

Nana and Pa managed to make it up and surprise Faith...she was elated!

It has been a really exciting week, have a wonderful day!

*Thank you Mimi, Nana, and Pa for coming to these special events.  The kids were absolutely thrilled to see someone out there besides us :)