a stroll down memory lane

  since i've been packing up to move again, i've been going through so many old photos. it's crazy looking back, especially at the times when chris and i were just starting to date. it brings back those giddy feelings of when you're first getting to know your crush. we always went on so many fun dates together. for a short time there we each went to RCC, but had different classes, and when i'd walk back to my car i'd always find a flower on my wind shield. he also gave me a flower every time he picked me up for our dates (it was always stolen from my yard or the neighbor's ha ha), then i'd always forget it in his truck when he dropped me back off at home. oopsie. oh and my favorite part about these pictures... his HAIR! dang you marine corp for stealing that gorgeous head of hair!  

hiking up the angeles national forest

this was at the 'night in gale' play in LA

the sweet side in him... one of the surprises i found on my car



my first (and only) hocky game

after a day floating down the kern river

yep. it was really 4:30 in the morning!

check out my cool flip phone and ed hardy hat

 

Happy 237th Birthday, Marines

                                    

       

me and the handsom Leiutenant Seymore

 

the officers' ball at the Richmond Convention Center

"posting the colors" - flag ceremony

 

the beautiful wives at our table

 

our yummy dinner

 

Becky and little baby King

 

I got the chance to wear my family heirloom that my dear grandmother gave me

birthday cake

 

one last picture together before we end the night

 

Year Five

 

Have we really been married for five years already!?

 

Let's see... since we got married, we've managed to live in four different places; I started and completed cosmetology school and worked as a hair stylist for a few years; Chris graduated from CBU and commissioned into the Marine Corps; and we brought two beautiful children into the world... not bad, right?

 

Thankfully, Chris was home during our anniversary this year so we were able to go out and celebrate a bit. (First off, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to our dear friends, Crystal and Marcus, for watching our little rascals. It's been so great meeting new people and developing life long friendships)! So, Chris and I drove out to DC and went kayaking in the Potomac River. (Man, what a workout)! After splashing around for a bit, and some serious racing, we changed in the car and headed down to a nice romantic, candlelit dinner. This french restaurant, Bistro Cacao, is such a memorable place to dine, I highly recommend it! It is so intimate, with dim lighting, curtains for privacy, and the most comfortable chairs. We whet our pallet with garlic sauteed escargot, I ate SNAILS, and it was actually really good. We ended our meal with vanilla, chocolate, and mango creme brulee, complements of the chef, (Ooh, I feel fancy)! Our server was french and I just loved how he addressed me as "mademoiselle" ...but that was about the only thing I understood from him.

 

I had a great time with my love and I'm so thankful we had this opportunity to spend some quality time together before he starts IOC (Infantry Officer's Course) and is constantly gone.

I love you honey bunny! 

 

 

Here's to five more years ...and then some!

 

A Little R & R

Chris and I wanted to take full advantage of out trip to California so we planned a little getaway for us to spend a couple of days in San Diego, kid free!! We left early Thursday morning to Seaworld where we had reservations to "Dine with Shamu." I have to say that was my favorite part of Seaworld. We got to sit right up with the killer whales while we ate breakfast. It was like our own personal show. Then we met up with our friends Tom and Anna. (We originally met them in Virginia while Chris and Tom where in TBS and we became great friends fast. They got stationed in San Diego so it was so nice seeing them again!)

Dining with Shamu! The food was amazing too!

They did tricks for us and the whales would splash the people outside watching haha

Ready to get soaked

ha ha I snuck a picture of the sceen

in a bear cave

this show was awesome

here are our friends Tom and Anna and baby Tony

After our fun at Seaworld, we drove down to the beach and took a nice little nap on the sand. Now that we got some rest, it was time for some more fun. We went down to the Gaslamp District and enjoyed a nice dinner together. We just talked and laughed for hours. Then we said our goodbyes to Tom and Anna once again. (I hope so badly that we get stationed in San Diego with them) and headed to our hotel around 10 pm. Right after we checked in we went straight to the hot tub...and we had it all to ourselves! We stayed at the Hilton in La Jolla right across from the beach. You could literally see the ocean from our balcony, it was beautiful. That was the longest, most fun filled day I have had in a long time. I can't even tell you how liberating it was not having to pack snacks, diapers, toys, stroller, sling, and every other little thing for the kids. There where no melt downs or nap times cutting into our fun. It was just me and my boyfriend (that's what it felt like) enjoying each other's company.

WE SLEPT IN!!! Anyone with kids knows how much of a privilege it is to get to sleep in, and sleep through the night... and it felt amazing! We took a little dip in the pool then headed out to watch Snow White and the Huntsman. But first, we had to make a pit stop to In-N-Out. I had such a great time with my love, just the two of us again.

I was getting anxious to see my little babies, so we finally started heading back home. Gosh, I love those kids, even though they drive me crazy! Ha ha.

(Thanks Mommy for watching my kiddos!!)

Click here to see some more pictures of our Seaworld adventure!!

6 More Years...

...until I turn the big THREE-OH!  ha ha ha

    My friends have been teasing me because for some reason I'm panicking about turning 24! I know I sound ridiculous about this, but having kids really makes me feel like I'm ten years older already. I feel like I'm living the life of most thirty-four years olds! It just hit me that I'm not getting any younger...  (to all my friends in your 30's, I don't think you're old, so please don't get offended my panic attack! ha ha)
    My birthday fell on a week day and my husband was busy at work, I was busy with the kids, and I was perfectly content with my birthday quietly passing by. But my wonderful husband always finds a way to make me feel special. He surprised me by coming home a little early from work and taking us out for dinner. I ended up having a great birthday with my little family.

366 Days of Fun! {February}

...'cause it's a leap year.

Day 4: Date night with my wonderful husband. It was a very much needed date without our kids. (I didn't say this fun challenge was only for the kids). Thanks Kim and Jon for watching our little rascals!

like how i got a pic of the sushi but not my hubby..

Four Years In...

It's been four years since Chris and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Newport Beach LDS Temple. It was such a beautiful ceremony filled with loving family members and close friends. The Spirit was so strong in that room. We were both kneeling at the alter holding hands and it felt as if it was just the two of us there. I was just so happy being in the temple with the love of my life. As the temple president started marring us, I bowed my head and tears came streaming down my face. I looked up at Chris and noticed even he was tearing. The feeling of being there was just so right. We finally kissed over the alter as the newly married Mr. and Mrs.

Chris and I have accomplished so much together and we continue to strive to do our best. He is my absolute best friend and companion. He brings so much happiness and assurance to my life. He is my protector and provider. I feel like the luckiest person to have such a wonderful man in my life.

So to celebrate our 4th year of marriage, Chris and I spent a few nights in a gorgeous hotel out in Newport beach. (We went in July before Ella arrived and we left Lincoln with his grandmas.) It was the first time, in a very long time, that we got to sleep in and actually sleep through the night! Although I did miss my little Lincoln and was constantly thinking about him, it felt amazing not having to get up at 1, 3 and 6 am to a crying baby.

Chris and I had a great time just the two of us. It felt like our dating years again!

Of course we went back to the temple that we were married in. It was so beautiful and so nice seeing everything again. We even spent some time at Crystal Cove Beach where he proposed to me.

Here I am 9 months pregnant with little Ella

That weekend flew by so fast and we had to go back to reality. Now we've got two babies and our lives somehow keep getting busier, so this is one memory I'll cherish for a while!