Celebrating {Eric and Amanda}

{Just a forewarning... it's going to be a photo+words heavy post.}

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Ben's brother, Eric married his long-time sweetheart Amanda on Thursday during a small ceremony. {Congrats again, you two!} Since the ceremony was really meant just for the parents, a family reception/party was planned for today - hence the reason why Ben, the kids, and I came to Colorado for the weekend! We had a really good time and got a chance to catch up with some family members that we hadn't seen {or in some cases, met!} in a while. Here's just a few of the {nearly 200} photos from the day:

Ellie got in some good conversation and time with Aunt Marian.

Noah spent plenty of time hanging out with {and, sometimes aggravating} his cousins.

He seriously needed a real nap. But he refused to sleep. He also refused to eat anything but chips, cake, and water.

Ben's Dad, Mike, and Brenda finally got to meet Ellie.

The cupcakes turned out beautifully {and were quite tasty too}.

The matriarchs, Belva and Grandma Lucy, kept a close watch on everyone.

Grandma Haze used her magic and got Ellie to take a little cat-nap.

If you had trouble finding Ben and Noah, they were most likely down feeding the horses.

Or petting the goats... also known as "sheep", by Noah.

The cake turned out pretty good too, I think.

Cake cutting time for the newly married couple. And, by the way, they kept it classy - no cake in the face. :)

Noah decided that he needed to help Poppa open his Father's Day card {a day early}.

The Cousins. {Chanel also took a few family photos - hopefully we'll get some soon.}

Ben with his Momma and the Little Ones.

I think one day out on the farm has turned my Little One into a Cowboy.

We Made It.

We made it to Colorado this afternoon... after driving all night and a good portion of the morning. The lack of photos from the drive itself and from the evening that we spent out at Ben's {second} cousin Shelly and Jeff's farm tonight points to how tired we were. We were glad to get to spend some time with Ben's Mom and Dad, and once we got back to the hotel with Ben's Dad and Brenda, but we were also glad to put the Little Ones to bed and get some rest ourselves {considering that we left last night at 11PM and arrived at our hotel after noon today!}.

Out at Shelly and Jeff's, Noah was completely fascinated with the pygmy goats and the miniature horses:

I think the pony even liked him a little too.

Shelly was even sweet enough to let Noah sit for a moment on the pony's back!

And Ellie? Well, she wasn't fascinated by much due to being a little tired and crabby.

A Busy Thursday

We met Ben's Dad and Brenda for breakfast this morning at the Dixie Pig before they headed back home. {Noah didn't really want to cooperate for a picture.}

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Noah and I spent the rest of the day getting the house cleaned up, finishing up a few projects, and getting ready for our big trip to meet Mr. Mack this weekend, while Ben went in to the office for his only real work day this week... hence, no other pictures today!

Museum and Dinner

This afternoon we loaded up in the Sequoia and went to the 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum in the downtown area. While it was a pretty neat museum, I had more fun watching Noah and Ben wander around, looking at items and laughing at Noah as he tried to pick up the items through the glass.

The yellow stars next to the soldiers names on the memorial walk bricks indicated that their life was lost while serving their country.

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We ate dinner at Lytle Land and Cattle Company - I highly recommend it!
{It also makes me really want to try Sharon's BBQ since it is owned by the same woman!}

Zoo Trip

The first time we went to the Abilene Zoo, we went in the afternoon {so that Noah could nap} and while we did get to see almost all the animals, some weren't very active. Today, we went to the zoo again, but this time, we went first thing in the morning. And what a difference it makes in the activity level of the animals! {Not to mention the fact that it was a good thing we went early since it was in the 90's this afternoon!}

Noah and Daddy watching the flamingos and ducks.

Looking around the bird exhibit.

One of the highlights of the trip was feeding the bear - the zoo allows you to purchase crackers to feed to the animals and obviously the bear is a fan.

So are the giraffes.

The Pink Egg

Ben's Dad and Brenda arrived in town today for a visit. And of course {and as usual}, Mr. Noah was spoiled rotten. He got his Easter basket from them, filled with sidewalk chalks and new toys.

His favorite thing? The big pink egg filled with bunnies.

Busy, Busy

We were so busy, busy today:

Mom, BB, Jessie and I did some shopping together in the morning, while Daddy-Man, Ben and Noah enjoyed some "guy-time". We met up for lunch at Chipotle {YUM!} and then finished up with yet more shopping on everyone's part. Once Noah had his afternoon nap, we headed over to my Aunt Connie and Uncle Mickey's house to visit with them for a little while since they went to visit his family on Thanksgiving. The kids were so excited to see Noah and play with him and judging by Noah's reaction, I think he was happy too.

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We met up with Grandma and Grandpa Smith, Mike and Brenda, and Eric, Amanda, and Marian at Tapwerks in Bricktown for dinner, after which, we headed back to their hotel to visit. Noah also got his birthday present from Grandpa Mike and Grandma Brenda:


Such a cute little sweater-vest outfit!


His very own laptop, just like Daddy's!

Amanda and Eric reading the Tinker newspaper:

GiGi and Marian, fixing her "wig"

The Boys

GiGi with the Boys

Us with the Grandparents

Amanda, Marian, and Eric

Black Friday

I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY. Seriously. I look forward to it all year. When I still lived in Oklahoma, I'd get up and go shopping with my parents, and then after Ben and I got married, I roped him into the "fun" {now he's just as crazy as me!}. Even after we moved to California, we'd still go out on Black Friday, often times calling my parents to see if they were able to get their hands on something we "needed". This year, the main event was at Wal-Mart. We left Mom at home with Noah, and Ben, Daddy-Man, BB and I all headed up there, lists in hand! We got a ton of things that we needed {and maybe a couple we didn't}... here some of the big stuff {with a few presents intermingled}:

After Wal-mart, Ben headed up to the base for gift cards {which, unfortunately, he didn't get... the base opened at 4:00AM!!} and Daddy-Man, BB and I headed to Toys R' Us and then Babies R' US for Noah-stuff. We didn't even have to go to Target or Best Buy because Wal-Mart does price matching! Yay for Black Friday!!

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After we finished shopping {and actually got ready for the day}, we headed over to Tinker AFB to spend some time with the "Indiana" Smiths and Eric, Amanda, and Marian. While we were there, Grandma {GiGi} and Grandpa Smith gave Noah his birthday present and Christmas present. And we all know that Noah loves books, so he just loved the Santa book that they gave him.

Here's a clip of Marian reading part of the story to Noah:



I just love how he continued to look at the book and then look at her as she was reading it!

I think he really liked his new shirt too.

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After lunch, Ben and I dropped Noah off to my parents and had a "date night" in the afternoon - a much needed date night. We saw Twilight!! SOO good... seriously, I'd even see it again.

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Later in the evening, 'Rissa came over to spend some time with us {okay, mostly with her BFF Jessie}:

We watched a movie:

Ben played his game {and won!}:

And Noah made his usual mess at dinner-time:

Black Friday is always a really good day. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

{Warning: it's a little pic heavy!}

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A Few of the Things I'm Thankful For:

• That My God Reigns.


• Ben - Dear One, you are the ultimate blessing.


• Noah, the healthy and happy love of my life.


• My Family :)


• My Friends

***

After sleeping in a little {well, as much as is possible with an 11-month-old on a pretty regular night sleep schedule!}, we all got ready, BB and Daddy-Man got the turkey ready while Mom worked on the ham, and then we loaded up in the cars and headed to Grami and Papa Snow's house for Thanksgiving lunch. It was all so good! Though, I have to admit, after having hosted Thanksgiving at my house for the past two years, it was a little weird to not have to worry about preparing a turkey and ham {but we did miss our friends!}. Here's a few pictures from Thanksgiving at their house:

Nana, Noah, and Papa after eating.

KK giving BB a kiss.

Sean and Michael, our high school guys. {I seriously can hardly believe it!}

Philip and Sally

KK and Noah

Me and my Papa Snow

Noah getting some extra play time in with Aunt Jessie

Papa Snow, Noah, and Grami

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After we left Grami and Papa's house, we headed over to Eric's to visit with Ben's Dad, Brenda, Grandma and Grandpa Smith, and of course Eric, Amanda and little Marian. Little Marian {who is always entertaining just being herself!} kept us entertained by putting on a concert for us:

The best part to me was the fact that she kept her MP3 player plugged into her ears so we couldn't hear the music that went along with the words that she was singing! :) Well, that, and the fact that during every song she whipped off her glasses and hat and threw them to us in the crowd. It was pretty much fantastic!

Noah and his GiGi {Great-Grandma Smith}

Grandpa Mike and Noah