4 Year Anniversary!

Tony and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary on June 25th. Though we have been married 4 years, we actually started dating 7 years ago. For those who don't know the story, here it is (beware, it's long!):

It all started one April night (2002) when one of my best friends (Wendy) asked me to come with her to her boyfriend's (now husband, Cody) softball game. I had been packing to leave town the next day but decided to take a little break and stop by for a little while. Cody's brother Shane, who is one of Tony's best friends, also played on the team and we were sitting with his wife Emily. Tony, who obviously was on the team as well, got up to bat and Emily mentioned that he and I should date. She said, "If he hits a homerun, it's meant to be" and sure enough, he did! (Little did I know, he hits alot of homeruns, but that's beside the point!) Tony and I went to the same highschool (he was a senior when I was a sophomore, and I had heard of him, but we had never met!) So we were introduced after the game and eventually went out and started dating. The happily ever after didn't quite start from there, though! Our first year & a half wasn't exactly an "ideal" relationship. We were on & off ALOT! Basically, Tony was a little scared of getting into a serious relationship, or so he says! I just say he was kind of a jerk!

The following fall (2003) I left for dental hygiene school in North Carolina (UNC- Chapel Hill) and from there we had kind of a long-distance "relationship" if that's what you want to call it. We talked on the phone and via email & instant messaging, and hung out when I came home (which was only Chistmas & Spring Break). But as soon as I came home for the summer Tony and I were together almost every night and developed a healthy, real relationship! Going back to NC was REALLY hard that fall (2004). But we maintained a good relationship and literally talked for hours every night on the phone. He came to visit me in October and proposed to me at Duke Gardens which was beautiful! Of course I said yes (I'll admit, I knew it was coming). We were engaged for 8 1/2 months. I graduated that following May and came home to enjoy 1 month of our engagement before we were married on June 25th! We went on our honeymoon to Acapulco, Mexico and we have been extremely happy since!

Sometimes I look back at our first year and think I was crazy for sticking with him after all the crap he put me through, but even though he may have been a crappy boyfriend in the beginning, he is an AMAZING husband! He treats me so good and now he puts up with all of MY crap! He's an awesome father, a hardworker, he makes me laugh, and he's genuinely my very best friend in the whole world! I couldn't ask for a better partner to spend eternity with! I love you Tony- thanks for being you!

This was taken at Duke Gardens where we got engaged!

LAGOON!

Macie and I went to Lagoon the other day with my sister-in-law, niece & nephew and my aunt & her 3 kids. Macie LOVED all of the rides & I literally had to force her off of every ride because she didn't want to get off any of them! It was excellent weather & all of the kids had a blast! I haven't been to Lagoon in years- it has changed ALOT!!!

The little whales- even Crew got to go on this one!

Playing in the fountain- they ended up soaking wet!!!

The airplanes with Halle

"Puff" the rollercoaster with Mack

Crew just enjoying his Capri Sun

The helicopter with Gracie, Halle & Molly

Molly took Halle on the mini-rocket...Halle was very brave!

Loving the swings with Charli- I think that was her favorite ride! She was laughing so hard it was hilarious! They were moving too fast so I didn't get a good picture to capture how excited she was!

Princess Party

Our niece Savannah had a Princess Party for her 3rd birthday so all the little girls dressed up like princesses. There were a lot of little girls there! They played & danced, ate pizza, ate ice cream & cupcakes, opened presents, and got their pictures taken with Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, and Tinkerbell (Tracey had her sister & some friends dress up!) Macie had a blast!

Princess Macie

Birthday Girl Savannah opening up the makeup that Macie and I picked out for her!

Macie & her cousins- Maddie, Lexi, and Savannah



Tinkerbell, Maddie, Grandma Dixie in her 80's prom/"princess" dress, and Belle

Princess Grace

Chuck E. Cheese

My friend Brooke's little girl Preslee turned 3 and had her birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese this weekend. Macie had so much fun- we could hardly keep up with her! Ever since, Macie has been saying she wants to go to "Chuck E. Cheese's house" everytime we go anywhere. Last night we went to BBQ and saw Brooke- Macie kept calling her Chuck E. Cheese! It was pretty funny! When we went to leave she said "Bye Chuck E. Cheese" to Brooke! I guess she's a little confused!

Baby Avery, Ava, Halle, Rilyn, Preslee (aka Birthday girl!), and Macie


Halle

Halle & Macie

Macie loved the little carousel- anytime someone would put a token in it to start it she would jump on it (while moving) and jump on a horse! The kid has no fear!

Macie thought Preslee was opening presents too slow, so she decided to help!


Brooke, Eliza, Cassie, & Me

We all grew up together in the same neighborhood- now we all have girls around the same age!

Tracey's Baptism

Our sister-in-law Tracey was baptized into the LDS church this past week. We couldn't be more proud of her decision! Casey baptized her in Spanish since he served his mission in Vera Cruz- the whole baptism was short and sweet! Congratulations Tracey and thanks for letting us be a part of this big step in your life!

Macie enjoying the refreshments....her favorite part!

 

 

Savannah trying out my heels...love that face!