And He's Off!

Derek is crawling now! He took his first crawl on his 8 month birthday. Ryan was here to witness it while I was out celebrating a friend's birthday. I was almost in tears when I learned I had missed it. And I was only gone for about an hour and a half! Oh well, there will be many more firsts that hopefully I will get to experience.

I asked Ryan if Derek seemed excited or if he felt a sense of accomplishment as he discovered his mobility. Ryan said his demeanor during the firt crawl was focused and determined just as his facial expressions portray in the pictures. Too cute!

A visit from the Eddy's

Derek's Grandpa Gary and Grandma Debby came to visit last weekend. We were thankful they were able to make the trip even with Gary recovering from back surgery. Derek had an enjoyable visit with them, and boy was he spoiled rotten! Bonding time with Grandma and Grandpa
Derek loves to play with Daddy's old cell phone. (Don't worry--we took the battery out.)

Derek loving his new walker that Grandma Deb and Grandpa Gary got him.

Engagement

Fee-Fee got engaged! Congratulations Matt and Emily!The future Mr. and Mrs. shortly after they made the announcement
Ba-LING! What a beautiful ring.

Derek just being cute.

The phone call to Arizona to share the news with Jake, Kim and kids

Family picture (minus 5)

Chicago Celebration

Ryan whisked me away to Chicago for a weekend to celebrate my birthday! He had everything so well planned out and lots of detailed surprises. He made me feel so special and loved. It was the best weekend, and we made so many wonderful memories! What a way to welcome me into my 3rd decade!The soundtrack to the Broadway show we were going to see along with Americanos to start our road trip off right.
Surprise! We took a detour on the way to Chicago to see the house where Michael Jackson grew up. Now I can check something off my bucket list. ;)

Such a tiny house for such a large family.

Suprise! Ryan planned to have our good friends meet us in Chicago!! I was completely surprised and so excited to get to spend the weekend with such valued people.

Zach, Ryan, Carlo

Angela and Daren at dinner in Chi-town

Cheeeese!

with my favorite

Having a ball

A view from our friends' condo

I'm 30 Years Old!

Welp here's to being 30!! The following are pictures from the birthday celebrations that were given to me. I am thankful for such a caring group of family and friends!!! Collin, Emily, Matt, Mom, Pop, Heather, Ryan
The sisters and their studs

Mom made Emily and I a funfetti cake

Birthday dinner at Casa's with the fam

Group shot

My dear friend Kimberly planned a girls party for me at Club Soda. We had THE BEST time!

Gonna make a wish

My chauffer even wore a chauffer's hat

Father's Day

Happy first Father's Day, Ryan! You are the BEST Dad to Derek. He and I are so thankful for you, and we love you very much!! Derek couldn't wait for Daddy to open his Father's Day gifts.
Father/Son pose

Oh so adorable! I love my boys.

Derek and his Pop-Pop

Derek loves to fall asleep on his Pop-Pop's lap.

Cindy and Tiff

This blog is dedicated to my faithful reader CINDY!!! She and her daughter Tiffany were able to stop by on their lunch hour the day my Dad and I were in Marion at my Grandma Mary Jane's. Well the hour went WAY too fast, but I am thankful for the time we did have.

I admire Cindy because...

1. she tells it like it is.

2. she always looks cute and up to date, but in a non high maintenance manner.

3. she raised two children on her own -- (people, I cannot even imagine).

4. her skin is FLAWLESS.

5. she's got the best laugh.

6. she seems to find humor in not so humorous situations.

7. her parents (our former neighbors in Marion) used to bring me souveniers from Japan and

fed me the best chicken nuggets (back when I ate meat).

8. while I was growing up she never made me feel stupid or inadequate.

9. she and her two kids Tiffany and Derek would visit us when we first moved to Fort Wayne

from Marion, making the transition a little easier.

10. she reads my blog.