American Birthday!

Since this is Max's last year in the Air Force, we gave him a patriotic birthday. It's hard to believe he will be retiring in Dec. It's even harder to believe he is 59! He doesn't look it..or act it. I really think he forgets how old he is. I have never seen a man work (or play) harder than my hubby. He's pretty amazing. (Yes, I am bias, but it's my blog, so I can be as honest and candid as I choose.) :)

 "I'm proud to be an American".....

 It was a casual night. (Although, Payton's German soccer t-shirt threw off my theme.) 

 Patyon wrote his birthday card on his gift. Either she is resourceful, creative or cheap? Hmmm...I'm not touching that one?!  :)

I surprised him with a cake and balloons at work for his staff meeting. Yes, they all got a kick out of his "Col. Shnoopers." I figured I couldn't get in much trouble since it was his last birthday there. 

Make a wish, Shnoopers!...(and it doesn't have to be for more tiramisu - I do have a larger one in the fridge, too.) :) 

He is my night and shining armor. He is not perfect, but honestly....pretty close. He loves the kids and I so very much. And, if he can love me on the not-so-lovable days...then that is perfect love to me. :)

Dear Lord...thank you for allowing him 59 years on this earth! May You continue to bless him with good health, a zest for life, a thankful heart...and as always, a deeper love for You! 

Christmas 2014

I love Christmas, I really, really do! Even writing about it in March brings me joy.  :)
Jesus' birth changed history. God leaving His throne to come to this sin infested earth for us is the epitome of love. It's humbling. It's mind blowing. It's grace. 

I love how our Lord birth (in most homes) is honored. I love the carols that praise Him. I love the live nativities that recreate that Holy night. 

I love how people go out of their way to be kind. I love buying gifts. I love recieving Christmas cards. I love baking for neighbors. I love decorations and lights.
I love Christ-mas!!  

This year we spent Christmas with Max's family in California. It's always wonderful to be with family for the holidays. 

 We had our very "comfortable" Christmas the night before we left to California.
 Love these (not so little!) elves.  :)

 Hot Cheetos are their very favorite junk food.
Attached was a coupon letting them know they were proud owners of new iPhones. (They are probably the last 16 & 19 year old on this earth to get smart phones!)
Payton was thrilled. Landon was shocked. 

One of Payton's favorite gifts. She loved her Soccer Olympic scarf!

I live for buying Max gag gifts. And this one was worth the money! He took it to California and had the courage to wear it on Christmas Eve. He made everyone laugh until they cried. 

This man's a hoot! :)

The Maxwell family. Love this bunch. 

My cuties. 

Here is our other California family. My brother-in-law's family have adopted us. They are sooooo good to us and include us in everything. Here we are at Ann's house for another delicious Christmas dinner. This was our second big meal of the day. Oh, my, we ate too much!

 The Maxwell gals

And here are the guys with silly uncle Randy. The night before we played a board game (or as Max says, "bored" game) :) and on one of the questions Randy claimed to be timid. So here he is portraying that personality trait. Oh, is he far from being timid! He's too funny.  :)

I thank God for His precious gift and for allowing us to make wonderful memories. 

24th Anniversary

Our anniversary is also in December.  (I would LOVE to only have to think about Christmas in December.  Instead, I have Payton's birthday, our anniversary....and then after the holidays, both Max and my birthday are in January.  Phew...it's a busy time!) 

Anyhow, we went out to a nice dinner to celebrate us!  And he always spoils me with too many gifts. But that's just who he is.  

I could not have asked for a better husband or father to our children.  He is the most unselfish man I know!  I am so blessed to have met him.  The chance we met was only by God's divine intervention.  He was born and raised in Zalbach, Germany and I came from Seboyeta, NM (both very small towns).  Twenty-four years later, I appreciate and love him him more than the day we married! 

Unfortunately, my hubby is addicted to sugar.  I try to help him have some self discipline.  (I'm sure he calls it nagging!) :) So because of this constant encouraging (nagging!),  I decided to give him all the sugar he could possibly want by making him a "candy" card. It was such fun to make! :)

The funny thing is, he loved the card so much...he hasn't eaten the candy.  :)

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Mark 10:9

"Sweet 16"

I know I sound like a broken record as many times as I say, "I can't believe how old my kids are!"  But I really can't believe how old my kids are. :)  My baby is 16!  Crazy.  

Her main gift was back in June when we took her to Hawaii.  But of course, I had to acknowledge her actual birthday.  

 Max took the day off work, and were getting ready to go meet Landon for lunch (apparently she wasn't ready yet - I just noticed she is holding her belt?  Glad her pants stayed on. ) ;) 

 Her theme this year...(in other words, me having fun decorating).  :)

 She had a soccer game the night of her birthday, so I got a few family shots before we left to the game.

Here she is with her brother after her game. 

I held this sign from the bleachers, so the world would know we had a special birthday girl on the field.  I also took cupcakes for her team, and they sang and wished her a happy birthday.  (They won their game that night....every game actually.  They are now in playoffs.)

 Ah, 16! 

Here she is at "another" birthday celebration with a group of friends.  They had lunch and yogurt at one of Tucson (nice) outdoor mall.  (I really love my kids' friends!)
Her best friend, Shelby, (in the green blouse) was born on the same day. They are so much a like. Two peas in a pod.  :)

Here my baby girl was a year old.  This is why my heart aches...she was the cutest baby girl in this whole world. :) She did...and still, lights up a room.

Happy Birthday to my precious girl.

I love you forever!

mama

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’ 

Numbers 6:24-26

A Crashed Hard Drive = Sad Me!

My hard drive crashed the beginning of November!!!....and it took me this long to get everything restored! (Thank goodness for Carbonite, where I have all 20,000, Yes...20,000 pictures backed up! The problem is it is not compatible with iPhoto, so it was a looooong few months reorganizing, etc.!)

Anyhow, I am starting with Thanksgiving and will plan on catching up in the next few weeks!

My parents came for Thanksgiving, so it was very special. We ate lots (it was Thanksgiving after all!), played cards, went to the zoo.... and just spent time together.

Thanksgiving 2014

Blessed and Thankful!!

 Aren't my mom and dad adorable?!?  : ) (Unfortunately, they are cuter that they were feeling. My mom has a pitched nerve, which gives her horrible leg pain, and my dad is getting ready for surgery or stent due to artery blockage. Lots of prayer!) 

 Three generations

Payton feeding the giraffe...(and videotaping him).  Landon had to work, so he couldn't join us. :(

I had to get a close up...isn't that tongue crazy?! 

It was a beautiful November day getting to admire all of God's creation!

Fall's in the Air...

Payton and I left all our responsibilities behind to go to NM for a few days. We missed our guys, but their schedule didn't allow them to go, so off we went...

 Rusty and Payton love each other. Payton gets her fix, and Rusty gets carrots, apples, exercise and lots of love! :)

My mom treated us to lunch, and this HUGE dessert! We could hardly walk to the car after this brownie, ice cream, whip cream, nut & chocolate sauce masterpiece. 

Football time - our first U of A game of the season with my U of A student. (We got one picture and my battery went dead. Ugh!)

Landon found a snake by the pool, and it brought back so many memories.....

He found this one while living in Germany.

This was Striker his first pet.

 While camping......

He found this one while on a hike for his 7th birthday! Yes, it ended up living with us for a while, then he set if free in the wash behind our house. The things moms do for their boys. :)

Summer 2014 in a Nutshell!

Really?? It's already September?! Where did summer go?
 Unfortunately, Landon worked a lot (at Target), so we treasured the times we had with him. I slacked on taking pictures this summer. But the reason for this blog is so I at least write down what "The Summer of 2014 was like."  :)

A friend from Phoenix treated us to a Diamond Back game and dinner. We really enjoyed the evening. Great game, dinner and wonderful company! 

Yes, they have a swimming pool in the stadium. I hear it's $3,000 to rent for the evening. Crazy to think someone pays that kind of money!  

 Here Payton is trying to dunk Max at his yearly Family Day.  

I think several people enjoyed dunking the commander. :) Even though he's a good one - I'm sure he isn't popular "all" of the time. If he was, he wouldn't be doing his job.

Here's Landon reading comics at Barnes and Noble. A great place to hang out on a hot Tucson afternoon. (I love that he still reads comics!) ;)

The kids had several swim parties. I love having my pool and home full of kids! It warms my 

heart. 

Payton played on an indoor soccer league. The court is smaller, and they get to play the ball off the walls. It's very fast paced. So fun to watch!

 Every summer Payton has her best friend, Shelby, over for a sleepover. I left a basket full of junk food for their (very!) late night! Junk food is a must at a sleep over! ;)

Here the two are swimming. They are two peas in a pod.  I couldn't believe that they were even born on the same day. Unbelievable! :)

I also had some company. My friend from Florida and her daughter came for a visit. We had a wonderful time catching up. Max was out of town and Landon worked most of the time, so we had lots of girl time with our daughters. Unfortunately, I can't believe I didn't get even one picture of them Ugh - I guess we were having too much fun! :)

Then my brother, Anthony, and his adorable family came for a few days. We always have a great time just hanging out, eating, swimming and playing lots of board games.

It was a perfect end to a blessed summer! 

Now everyone is back in school, soccer season has begun, and we are preparing for our first speech and debate tournament right here in Tucson with our new club.

 The craziness begins. But it's all good.

I pray God is truly glorified in all we do this year!