Forever you will be my bestfriend

Six years ago today, I married my best friend. I can't believe it's been six years! It feels like yesterday that we said "I do" to forever.

I love you Ryan and I'm so happy that you are my friend. I feel so incredibly lucky to have you in my life and I look forward to the rest of our lives together! I always have fun with you and it's so nice to know that I have you to come home to, laugh with, cry to, smile at, and love. Thank you for being there for me and for being the best daddy I could ask for for my children. My life started when I met you and I love what we have.

I love you with all of my heart!

Happy Anniversary Babe!

Love was in the air

Last weekend, May 23rd, Ryan's and my good friends Calen and Tiffany got married. It was a beautiful wedding with beautiful weather and a gorgeous bride and handsome groom.

Tiffany asked me to be one of her bridesmaids for their big day, and I couldn't have been more honored! The wedding was so much fun! I'll share a few pictures that are worth sharing.. :)

Tiffany just after we zipped her up
Her gown was perfect!

the bottom of Tiff's shoes

The first time they saw each other

Tiffany and Calen

Tiff and I

Ryan and I

The bridesmaids

Nika, Mary, Me, Lindsey, Rachel (Tiffany's best friend/maid of honor and Calen's sister) and Audry (the flower girl)

Mr. and Mrs. Regnier

Me and Ryan dancing to "Have I told you Lately" by Van Morrison

That was our first dance at our wedding and since our anniversary was the following weekend from the wedding, we thought it would be nice to dance again to the song.

My wonderful husband of six years!

Congratulations Calen and Tiffany! I'm so happy that I got to share in your special day! I had a great time and it's a wedding I will NEVER forget! ;) We LOVE you both!!

Welcome Taylor Mackenzie

This posting is WAY overdue..

One of my best girlfriends, Natalie, had her baby girl on May 15th.

Taylor Mackenzie Shapiro

born: May 15th, 2009

six pounds and 18 3/4" long

Momma and Taylor are doing great!

Taylor is gaining weight and getting bigger everyday.
I think she looks a lot like how her big sister Jordan did when she was a baby. But I think Taylor looks more like Natalie, whereas Jordan looks more like Jesse

I was so excited to go and visit the Shapiro's while they were at the hospital. I've been lucky enough to be able to cuddle Taylor a few other times as well.

I miss holding a baby this small! She so beautiful and I can't get enough!!!!

Congratulations Natalie, Jesse, and Jordan! Your family is so beautiful and Taylor is such a precious little peanut! I'm so happy for you!!! xoxo

Let the countdown begin

I can't believe I'm going to say it.. Gracie is going to be One in less than four weeks! Ugh! I don't even like to think about it. I'm already planning her birthday and I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about it. My baby girl is growing up too fast.

She climbs on EVERYTHING! She loves to dance and she'll sing along with Payton or the radio while in the car. Gracie has started clapping and puts her arms in the air when you say "touch down!". She also waves to you when you wave to her.. well sometimes. The other day she was looking at the pictures I have on our end table and she saw Daddy and said "Dada". Sooo cute!
Gracie and Payton are very different. Payton is very independent and was as a baby, where I could leave the room and she would play by herself. Gracie will play by herself just fine, but she needs to be able to see me. If someone is holding her, she'll occasionally look around the room to find me. I love it, but it makes for a difficult day to get anything done.

Gracie's growing more adventurous everyday with her climbing. Thankfully she waits at the top of the stairs for me to come and bring her down.

Our little coconut brings us joy everyday. She's a blessing and Ryan and I are so thankful for the family we have created. Let the countdown begin.. Gracie's going to be ONE in a few weeks. Let's home I'm not a complete mess.

Celebrating a wonderful life

Monday, May 11th we celebrated my Grandpa Gail's life. It started early and we're still celebrating. At 10:30 was the Rosary at St. Elizabeth's in Bothell and then at 11:15 was the funeral mass. My Grandma asked my cousin Brianna and I to do a couple of readings for the mass. I was a nervous wreck, but pulled it off okay. The day was a little gloomy weather wise and emotionally, but ended sunny.

Me and Ryan leaving for mass
Me and my brother Ryan
After the burial at Holyrood Catholic cemetery everyone was invited back to Mill Creek Country Club where we really started to celebrate Grandpa. It was nice hearing stories and being able to reminisce.

My Dad Neil, me and my step-mom Rosie

My dad stood up and told a story about the first time he met my Mom's Grandparent's right after they had gotten engaged and how he was asked to give grace at dinner. My dad sad, "Father, Son, Holy Ghost, the one who digs gets the most". My great-grandpa was speechless and my Grandpa just hung his head. The story was pretty funny. I could totally picture my Grandpa just being dumbfounded, but still thinking it was pretty clever, considering my dad was NOT Catholic by any means.

U. Peter, Ryan (my cousin Brianna's fiance), David (my cousin), Ryan, Josh (my cousin), Ryan (my brother), U. Chris

All of the boys wore Grandpa's ties and everyone, excluding Uncle Peter, were Pallbearers. U. Peter walked Grandma down the aisle to be seated.

The Guys with Grandma

Grandma looked so beautiful! I'm sure Grandpa was smiling at how lucky he was to have such a gorgeous and wonderful wife!

Vanessa (my cousin Josh's girlfriend), Rachael (my sister-in-law), Me, Megan (my cousin), A. Tammy, Grandma Claire, A. Leslie, my Mom Shannon, and Brianna (my cousin)

All of us girls

My Grandpa was always outnumbered by women. He had three daughters, my mom being the oldest, then my Aunt Tammy and then Aunt Leslie. He had six grandchildren; three boys and three girls. Four great-grandchildren; two boys and two girls.

The whole family.

Ryan and I

Ryan, David, and Josh

My brother is the oldest of the grandchildren. Followed by me, then Brianna, David, Josh and then Megan is the baby.

Me and my baby cousin Megan.

I know she hates it when we all refer to her as the baby, but Megs ~get over it!! :)

Me and my sister-in-law Rachael

She's been my big sis since I was in fourth grade. Her and my brother have been together since high school, but friend since junior high.

My cousin Brianna

Brianna is engaged to a Ryan and they are getting married August 1st. I know Grandpa will be in the front row. No way would he miss it!!

Uncle Peter, Aunt Tammy, Megan and David

Brianna, Ryan, Aunt Leslie, Uncle Chris, Vanessa, and Josh

Ryan, Me, Mom, Rachael, and Ryan

The day was beautiful. It felt surreal. Every day I think about Grandpa and how much I miss him. I'm taking it day by day and I can say that today is better than yesterday and I'm sure tomorrow will be better than today.

I miss you Grandpa.

Mother's day

Mother's day this year was like no other.. It was kind of forgotten about in my house. The day was like any other day with me catching up on laundry and cleaning my forgotten about house and chores. Thankfully I was able to eat breakfast with Ryan and the girls, but there wasn't much mention of it being a day different than any other.

Later in the afternoon we all headed over to my Grandparent's house to have a nice prime rib dinner and finish up planning Grandpa's funeral. It was wonderful to be able to spend it with the rest of my family and actually get out of the house and see some smiles and exchange some "Happy Mother's day" wishes.

Gracie girl in the car
Gracie after she ate her first chip.. a Dorito.

Payton sneaking a chip

Mugzee (my Grandparent's dog), Kaden, Trent, Payton and Gracie

all playing together on the floor

Kaden and Trent

Gracie bouncing in the chair

Payton on my Grandparent's back deck

I hope every mom out there had a wonderful Mother's day and was treated like the Queen you are!! I'm hoping for it next year! ;)