Anniversary Cont.

I know it is over, but I just had to document what we ended up doing the night of our anniversary! Ben came home from school, and I had gotten the night off from work so we did what we do on every anniversary which is go to a temple session and then out to eat! First we opened presents, and Ben bought me a cruiser bike I wanted, as well as photo shop.....which I have no idea how to use!!! I gave Ben a Kindle, that he loves! After presents we headed to the temple for the evening. We love to go and do sealings every year, and be reminded of the blessings we received when we were married! It is very special to be able to do that and celebrate our marriage with how it all started! After the temple we went to the Cheesecake Factory....we didn't want anything to fancy because we had just spent two weeks in Hawaii eating at the best restaurants and we were still full from that...haha! But it was nice to spend the evening with my husband! I love him very much! It was a fantastic night!

Me with my bike!!!

The beautiful flowers I get every year...same ones that were in my bouquet!Ben charging his new kindle!

4 years Strong!!!!

I can not believe how fast this year has gone! I feel like it was yesterday that I sat down at the computer to blog about our 3rd anniversary! I think the years are actually going faster and faster, which seems impossible! It also seemed impossible at the time, but I love Ben even more than I did the last year!!!! I always think that there is no way to love someone more than I love Ben, and then with each year and milestone we hit I realize there is!!! He is truly the best husband in the world, and I can't express enough how lucky I was to find him! My grandpa always says...."Luck is when preparation meets opportunity!" How grateful I am that Ben and I had prepared ourselves throughout our lives to be ready to go to the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity, when we met just five short years ago. I will always cherish the memories of our wedding, and even more so, of our years together! I am so blessed to have Ben and continue to enjoy his amazing personality...humor...kindness...love....and handsome looks!!! He is my best friend and the love of my life! I look forward to many many years to come filled with more memories and happiness!

Four years ago today!!!Forever!!

Since Then.....

I Love you Benny.....Happy Anniversary

Maui 2009

I am having withdrawals from the wonderful 12 days I have just returned from! For the last 8 years, my family has done an annual trip to Maui! It is much looked forward too and for good reason! We always stay at the Grand Wailea Hotel....which is pure paradise! The rooms are amazing and the grounds are fantastic! It is like a jungle with pools and slides and of course the gorgeous ocean! We arrived and spent the next 11 days lounging in our poolside cabana, playing in the water, enjoying treatments at the amazing spa while the men golf, and eating delicious dinners....Spagos, Sarentos, Duos, Ruth's Chris...my favorite, and many others!!!! We are so grateful to my family for continuing to include us in this fantastic trip! We love going and love the company too!

Fun on the beach!

The Golfing Men!!

Going to Spagos!

Family Picture time!

Lounging by the pool!

Yummy lunches!!!! Ben was in Heaven!

The usual.....diet coke!

On our way back to Sarentos!!

More fun at the pool!

Tommy Bahamas!!

Some more fun pics!

Cute little kids!!

I really enjoy photography and especially love taking pictures of these cute kids whenever they will let me! Aren't these ones so fun! I love the colors, and of course the kids are too cute!

Bella...3yrs old.. .almost 4

Her older sisters...Ava and Madison!

And of course Jaden and Isaac

Baby Boden

Adam and Shai had their first baby on June 27th... just a minor 6 WEEKS early!!! Fortunately mom and baby were just fine, and as a precaution Boden was kept in the NICU for two weeks to help him catch up and get bigger, because he was only 4lbs 13oz. when he arrived to his parents! Ben and I were so happy for Adam and Shai and really were not too happy to be hearing about all the excitement via telephone! So, what did we do? We got in the car on the 9th and drove to meet the new cutie! I got work off on Thursday night, and we left at 3pm! We drove straight through and made it to Logan by 3am, with the time change that is about 11 hours...which is pretty good!! I think it was because of our amazing music provided by Nessa, or as I now refer to her as Mix Masta Nessa!!! She made us 7 CDs of the best music ever for our drive! We slept at my grandparent's, and got up the next morning and drove the rest the way to Pocatello! Keep in mind, no one knew we were coming! Boden is fed in the NICU by Adam and Shai every morning at 10:30, so we headed straight there. We couldn't have planned it better. We went to the NICU and found a nurse who pointed us toward a parent room where Adam, Shai, and Boden were privately enjoying some bonding time. We knocked, and boy were they shocked when they saw Ben and I come through the door instead of the nurses!!! It was worth all 13 hours of driving! We spent lots of time with Boden!!! Isn't he so cute?!!!

Jumping into the drive feet first!!! HAHA

Our Captain!

The beautiful co-pilot!

Our mission: See Baby Boden!!!

Having fun!! The drive back... not so fun!

First Meeting!!
Auntie Alex was in love!!

Looks like Uncle Ben was too!
Can I keep him????

Yeah...can we?
Just a little perspective!

We even extended our stay and drove part way back on Monday when we got the good news Sunday that he was ready to come home! Adam, Shai, Ben and I got to go get him from the hospital and take him home...finally!!! And Shai and I spent the next 3 hours staring at him, and of course bathing him! He is such an angel and we miss him already! Congrats Adam and Shai, we love you... and of course Boden!!

Last feeding in the NICU!!

All buckled up and ready...Thanks dad!
So Tiny!Going home...finally!! Mom doesn't look excited...does she!

At home!What an angel!!

Oxnard for Independence Day!!!

So for the 4th of July, we usually do something to celebrate Madeline's birthday since it falls on the 3rd of this patriotic month. This year we decided to take a short weekend with my family to Oxnard to hang by the beach and enjoy the fireworks! And we did just that! It was pretty funny actually, because my family and I are not exactly beach goers!! I mean we love the sandy beaches of Hawaii and Lake Tahoe, but they are usually accompanied with a cabana, lounge chairs, and of course someone to bring you a diet coke!!! So you can imagine our shock, when we showed up at the hotel expecting all of those things and ended up being handed towels that were the size of bath mats... and left to get our own diet cokes!!! Watching dad lay 4 in a row just to fit was pretty priceless!!! But we managed.... and really enjoyed our family time! We especially enjoyed the bike rides and walks on the beach!!! And I can't forget Ben's sad attempt at a firework show, next time leave it to the professionals! Happy birthday Madeline, and America!!! God Bless you both, haha!!!

The bike ride!!

Boys having fun at the beach!

The birthday girl!!

Happy 4th of July!Ben's Fireworks!My favorite Pic EVER!

Pocatello in the Summer!!!

We try to get out to see the Brown clan a few times a year, and we usually plan a trip around the beginning of summer!!! So on the weekend of June 13th, we flew up to see the whole gang! It was very fun to spend time with all of Ben's siblings and their children, as well as seeing Ben's wonderful parents. We had a good couple of days eating at Senor Iguana's...my favorite, seeing Shai and Tiffani's cute pregnant bellies, and of course hanging up at the house playing games with everyone! We really had a wonderful time, and hope to go back soon!!!

Kindred Spirits!

Matching BelliesBeing silly with Uncle Ben

Handsome Brown Boys!

Cute Wilkey Girls!

Alex and the girls!!

The Family!