Hubs turns 31

I never want Philip's birthday to get 'glossed over' by our anniversary. I would be so sad if that happened to me so I try to make them two separate celebrations every year.  This year, we happened to have an out of town wedding the saturday before his birthday so I thought it would be fun to take an extra night and celebrate his birthday, out of town too!  {of course if we go anywhere near Cincinnati we have to stop and eat at Skyline. }

The wedding destination was a 6 hour drive, but we had a nice drive and good driving weather.   

gotta love a photo booth 

 The next day we got up early so we could get his birthday day started:) Our first stop was Summit Racing Store. Philip was pretty much like a kid in a candy store. 

From there we went to a race car place called "Full Throttle". They are sort of like Go-Carts on speed. They go up to 40mph. You have to wear helmets and neck braces. They have 'pass by' flags they point at you when someone needs to pass you, so you know to get outta the way. They track your lap times and give you a print out of them at the end. Exactly what Philip would love to do on his birthday :) 

my super fast hubs 

I had a small accident (philip calls it a crash) and got a little bit of whiplash. I also led the attendants to flash their 'drive safely' sign at me. I seriously thought my helmet might fly off my head I hit the wall so hard. These cars are the real deal! you could get hurt I think! but of course Philip loved it and didn't want to leave:) I however was ok just doing two sessions and being done:) 
Next stop was our hotel close to Newport on the Levee. This was our awesome view 

After we got home that night 

We took a trolley to the Levee and headed to the Hafbraus House (one of our favorite places to eat).

After we seriously committed gluttony, we walked around for a bit until we were at least comfortable again. We ate enough potato pancakes to feed a small family. 
From there we went to GameWorks, an adult arcade center (another one of our favorite places). We were there for hours playing games together. We played ski ball, pop a shot, football, race games, shooting games, you name it, we played it:) Philip got hooked on Deal or No Deal and won all kinds of tickets. Which of course we used to buy Ainsley stuffed animals :) 

we had to cart this big ol giraffe home with us:) 

We had such a good time. Don't get me wrong, we missed Ainsley. a lot. when she left that morning it physically hurt to say goodbye. But it was so good for Philip and I to get a few days to reconnect and just be husband &wife. We love being parents but everyone needs a little break every now and then. 
Ainsley had a great time at Nana and Pops though. We are so thankful that we never once worried about her and knew she was in perfect care 

in aunt ellen's rocking chair 

 That night of his actual birthday we grilled out and Ryan and Kim came over for dinner. Jack brought Philip a little gift with him 

Happy 31st birthday husband:) Ainsley and I are thankful you were born and couldn't imagine our lives with you. 

Four Years

Can you believe it has been four years since we got married? In some ways I feel like we just started dating. and in other ways I feel like he just has always been my best friend. time is such a crazy thing. 

ahhh the honeymoon 

So yea, that was FOUR YEARS AGO. 
I try to follow the traditional wedding gift ideas. I think it's fun to find something that fits both philip and that year's tradition. Four years is fruit and flowers. I decided I wanted us to try to grow some fruit at our new house. I did a lot of research and talking to various 'farming' friends and discovered the best fruit would be blueberry bushes. My good friends Jenny and Kevan Evan's seriously hooked me up and got me some awesome blueberry bushes. I had to give them to Philip a few days early because they were too heavy for me to get out of my car. But today he planted them and Kevan said within weeks we will have blueberries! as big as a quarters! I am so excited. All three of us love blueberries and Ainsley will love it. maybe I will learn to make blueberry pie… 

while he planted the bushes he planted some trees too 

And to stick with the theme I also got his favorite candy (but FRUIT flavored)*thanks aunt ellen for helping me find them 

Now, this is the perfect illustration of the fundamental difference between Philip and I. I tried to stick to the traditional ideas. He, on the other hand, thinks on an entirely different track. which is fine. not just fine, it's perfect. because this is why we are good for each other. His mind works so differently from mine and while that sometimes leads to disagreements, it is so good for both of us in so many ways.  ok, so here is what his gift to me was :

That's right. A Mrs PacMan arcade game. but it doesn't only play PacMan, it has over 60 arcade games on it. I'm not going to lie, I love it. I have played frogger like I used to in elementary school. and discovered this hamburger game I am obsessed with. whitney was just as pumped as me and can't wait to play it. we both thought of the FRIENDS clip where phoebe gets chandler & monica the pacman game as a wedding gift. if you haven't see the episode, watch the clip HERE . :) 

someone else loves it too 

Philip's brother tried to justify it by saying that Mrs PacMan eats fruit. :) nice try Brian.  He did follow tradition (both in our marriage and in anniversary gifts) and got me flowers.  beautiful spring flowers. 

We both had to work on our anniversary but are going out of town to a wedding this weekend so spending some time together then is part of our celebration. 
without getting too mushy, I want to say that this year of our marriage has been my favorite so far.  Looking forward to many many more and hoping each year is my next favorite:) 

Easter 2014

What a great Easter we had this year. The only thing that would have made it better was if Philip had been off to celebrate the day with us. We missed him, a lot.  But luckily,  the easter bunny didn't come until Philip got home from work this morning :) 

yes that is a baby fedora hat

 

We managed to snap a few pics before we left for church and Philip went to bed:) 

We went to our church this morning and it was such a great service. I know I have said it before but Jon really is just such a talented minister. and the worship team never disappoints. I am so grateful I have somewhere to go each week and worship God and be challenged. 

From there we went to Georgetown where Mom made a delicious Easter lunch. Ainsley of course got visited by the easter bunny there, several times:) 

 
 
My Aunt Annie put on an easter egg hunt for Ainsley, Emma and Kennedy (emma's cousin on the other side). She gave each girl a specific color basket and they could only 'find' eggs in that color. it was such a good idea, and Ainsley even caught on! 

 

she LOVES peeps… 

 

 
Aunt Annie was so thoughtful in the things she put in each girls eggs. Ainsley got several necklaces, peeps, stickers, nail polish, hair bands, baby chicks, and candy. She loves the necklaces the most and in fact wouldn't' let me take them off of her for her bath tonight. 

We got home in time to provide Philip with a full Easter dinner (left overs but still yummy all the same). and to give him the recap of our eventful day :) I love my family so much and am so grateful for each one of them. 
The past week Ainsley has been passing out 'carrots' to her friends 

cheddar bunnies 

And for today I made these cute little nests for desserts 

One of my good friends Hunter got baptized today and I am overjoyed for her. Several times a year our church does baptisms in the pond on one of their campuses. This is where Philip got baptized so it holds a special place in my heart. And now even moreso that Hunter got baptized there today. 

Now THIS is what Easter is all about. Giving your life to someone who gave theirs for you, over 2000 years ago. Choosing to follow someone who loves you more than you can ever fathom. Entering into a relationship with someone who knit you in your mother's womb.  My heart is filled with joy this Easter. Jesus has become so much more to me through BSF, making this year a much different one for me. So thankful and humbled by what was done on that cross, for me. for you. 
Happy Easter to each one of you:)