To my beautiful wife on her birthday. You bring me so much happiness, and have brought me the family I (we) have always wanted. Your strength and openness inspire so many, including me. You are a fabulous mother and wife, two things you should never let yourself think otherwise. As much of a struggle the last year has been, mentally and physically, we made it through as a team. With all the challenges the next year will bring, I know will get through it all again, and this time it should be a breeze (comparatively).

Love,

Saturday afternoon we had our pictures taken by our good friend Kari (K23 Photography).  The boys had a few wardrobe changes and in typical Max and Wes fashion, did not cooperate 100% of the time.  However, when they did cooperate, Kari was able to get some amazing shots.  Now I know I am a little biased when it comes to my boys, but damn they are some good looking kiddos!

And now the moment you have all been waiting for…

Jeff

Jingle Bells

Kerry

J&K

My Mom always joked about becoming a grandmother – it’s something she wanted for so long.  Most of her friends were grandparents long before she even had kids old enough to be married and have children, so she put in her time.  I’m sure there were times she thought it would never happen (as Jeff and I often did), but I am certain that she thinks it was all worth the wait.  Max and Wes are the lights of her life, and nothing makes me happier than to have given that to her.

And because they’re so damn cute, I’m hoping they will be gift enough for her this year!  LOL!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMY!!!!

Love,

Kerry Ann

I had to post two photos because I LOVE Max’s face in the second photo – it’s his “concentration” face (like when he’s reaching for a toy).  What he was “concentrating” on, I have no idea.

Kerry

I had a half day off work on Thursday, so we had a nice 3 1/2 day weekend together as a family – and boy did we make the most of it!  Thursday night, Jeff and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and took Max, Wes, and Rex for a long walk through the park, eventually making our way to the local pizza joint for a NY-style pie (to go).  We walked back home, ate our pizza, and skipped bathtime for storytime (YAY!!).  Max and Wes learned all about “The Duck in the Truck”, and I learned that when you read books that rhyme to babies that sometimes you make up little songs to go with them.  LOL!

Friday we piled up the boys (the 2-legged ones) for a trip to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.  We walked around, enjoyed the sunshine, and met up with Grandma and Grandpa M for a bite to eat at Kona Grill.  The boys were very well behaved for their grandparents, and mom and dad got to eat a nice lunch (thanks again Art & Sue!).  Once we left the restaurant, we went back to Cherry Creek North and walked around some more…that is, until the skies turned gray and gave us little to no warning that it was about to DUMP rain!  Thankfully (seven blocks later), we got to the parking garage without getting Max and Wes too wet, and headed home.  The rain was so bad on the drive back to our house that our windshield wipers could barely keep up and Jeff said he couldn’t see more than 10-15 feet in front of the car!  We got out of there just in the nick of time!

Saturday we went to Marty and LeAnn’s (and Asher’s) house for a little while to hang out and get some pictures with Max and Wes’s favorite cousin, Asher, and then we headed to Ryan and Jaime’s 4th of July party.  We had the boys there for a little while, but it started getting late so Jeff took them to his parents house for their first overnight stay!  We eventually joined them there (his parents live just a few minutes away from the party we were at), and woke up to two happy babies and a nice breakfast cooked by Jeff’s mom.

Here are some pictures from yesterday…

Our little firecrackers and I

Daddy and Max

Doesn't Max look concerned here?

My favorite nephew, Asher, and I

Aunt LeAnn holding Max up in the wagon

Wes was almost too big for the wagon!!

Cousin Asher giving Max loves

This afternoon we drove up to Loveland to meet our friends, Tara and Jesse (and their girls, Megan and Ryan, and Megan’s friend, Katie) for lunch at Rock Bottom.  After lunch, we headed to the Carters outlet (dangerous, I totally couldn’t resist the low prices and ADORABLE clothes) and Daveco, the biggest liquor store in the WORLD (according to the Guinness Book of World Records).  Overall, a super fun day!  Wes was being a little fussy, so I kind of forgot to snap a picture of him with Tara, but here are a few of Max with Megan and Tara (minus the double chin, plus a cute baby) at lunch.  Thanks again for buying you guys – next time it’s our treat!

Megan and Max

Tara with an indifferent Max

Kerry

Grandma M with Weston

J&K, Max & Wes