Brinley's 3rd Birthday Bash

Brinley has been obsessed with Doc McStuffins for some time now. It was only fitting that we would have her birthday party themed after the TV show. Jennifer being crafty got to work making decorations and planning everything for the party. We only invited family because it can be overwhelming when we get all of our family and friends together.

The cake and candy table. 

Doc McStuffins themed treats - cookies decorated like band aids, pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate and decorated like thermometers, and cotton candy for stuffing. 

Jennifer made the cupcakes and we got the cake from Meijer. We were a little disappointed with cake because it looked like the printer might have been out of ink for the decorative top. 

Decorations that we got from Brinley's toys.

Opening her gifts. Landon seems to enjoy helping out.

Brinley with her little helper. 

Landon showing people what Brinley got as gifts. 

Brinley with her new cleaning supplies so she can help mommy and daddy with some chores. Her own little broom and dust pan with an apron. 

Showing MiMi her new play tea set. 

Landon even got a new set of golf clubs for being a good boy. Now I just need to get him out on the driving range!

Grandma and Grandpa got the kids a little kids picnic table with its own umbrella. 

Playing tea party on her new table. Just a few minutes later our entire floor was covered in water. 

Everyone singing to Brinley. She looks thrilled! 

Blowing out her candles. I think we did this three times because Brinley really liked blowing them out. 

Grandma and Grandpa with the birthday girl. 

Mommy and Daddy with our BIG girl! In case you were wondering why we were sweating, it was because our air conditioner went out about 4 hours before the party was supposed to start. We all survived, just a little sweaty!

Brinley has brought so much joy to our lives over the last 3 years. We are glad that we could celebrate her big day with most of our family. Thanks for reading and God bless!

June 2

Every year when the calendar gets around to June 2 then it is time to take some time to reflect on one of the best days of my life. It was this day in 2007 when Jennifer and I tied the knot! Who would have ever thought that in today's society that a person can find their sole mate at the age of 15. That two people could marry someone that they met during their sophomore year in high school. That they could work through life's struggles together and never once separate, but instead grow closer through tough times. It mostly boils down to the fact that Jennifer is my best friend in life! We enjoy spending time together and this year marks 15 years that we have been a couple which is literally half of our lives. You better believe that there is no one else on this planet that I would rather spend my life with. So, to reminisce about our anniversary I will show a few pictures from our BIG day and then I will also show some pictures of us over the last 8 years of marriage.

My gorgeous wife! How did I get so lucky!

                                                                 

I am always looking to have some fun. So why not play a little football to take your mind off the wedding.

First kiss as husband and wife!

Our wedding party - McKinley, Lance, Tony, Andrea, Sarah and Amanda

On our honeymoon in the Bahamas

We went to New York City for our 1st Christmas as a married couple. Here we are in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree. We stayed around to celebrate New Years Eve too!

For our 1st anniversary in 2008 we took a cruise of the Caribbean. We made stops in Cozumel, Belize, Honduras and the Bahamas.

In 2009 we made a trip to Europe to take a cruise up the coast of Italy. Here we are in front of the Roman Colosseum.

In 2010 we made it to the great state of Hawaii. This is from the top of Diamond Head looking over Oahu.

In 2010 we also were able to take an Alaskan cruise. Here we are on the Tracy Arm Fjord. This marked the 50th state that I had been to with my family.

In 2011 we made our last big trip before we had kids. We took a 15 day adventure in the Land Down Under, Australia. Here we are in Sydney Harbor in front of the Opera House.

For our babymoon in 2011 we took a trip across the border to Canada to visit Niagara Falls.

Our first week home with our little baby girl Brinley Kate in 2012.

I cannot believe that this picture was taken just minutes after giving birth to our son Landon Michael in 2013. She is the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen!

First time we were all together after Landon was born. One of our first pictures as a family of four!

Last year, 2014 on our kid-less trip to Gatlinburg for our 7th anniversary. We enjoyed hiking in the Great Smokey Mountains.

Earlier this year, 2015 we made a trip to the happiest place on Earth - Disney World.

As you can see we have had some pretty great adventures together over the last eight years! I just can't wait to see what is in store for us. I know that no matter what comes, good or bad, I will always have my best friend right by my side. Thanks for reading and God bless!

Brinley turns 3!

I can't believe that our little girl is now 3 years old. It seems like just the other day that we were bringing her home from the hospital. Now she is such an independent little lady who sometimes tries to be a little too BIG for her britches.  She is a funny little lady who loves to play, run, go to the park, watch "Disney World", pick on her little brother and try to be the boss of the house. Everyday she is learning new things and I can't believe the stuff that she is able to do. She can count to 13 and say her ABCs. She knows most animals by sight and what sounds they make. I don't want her to keep growing up, but I can't wait to see the woman that she becomes.

Brinley got pancakes for breakfast and she even got to help me make them. She got a three shaped pancake. 

Since Brinley loves animals so much we couldn't think of anything else that she would like to do on her birthday than visit the zoo. So, we packed up the kids after breakfast and headed to Cincinnati Zoo. Here is Brinley and Landon with an elephant.

Brinley and Jennifer enjoyed seeing the giraffes.

Brinley petting some kind of lizard. She is so brave and never really backs down from anything. Landon was too scared to touch it.

Everyone was excited about the train. Both kids really enjoy riding it each time we make a trip to the zoo.

Family picture with a black bear. Landon was not enjoying the heat. It looks like he is burnt, but he is just hot.

Jennifer and Brinley with the polar bear. 

It also wouldn't be a trip to the zoo without a ride, or three on the carousel. The kids love it!

We also try to get a picture with the giant tortoise.

Before we left we noticed another employee that was out holding a snake. Brinley again really wanted to go meet and pet it.

We had a great time at the zoo and then headed back home to continue our birthday festivities. Grandma and Grandpa decided that they were going to make the trip up so that they could see her on her actual birthday. We went to Jacobson Park to try our hands at flying some kites.

There wasn't much wind so we couldn't get the kite very high in the air. However, the kids both really enjoyed chasing after and trying to catch the kite.

Landon catching a peek at the kite while Brinley is helping me keep it up in the air.

We also made our way over to the pond so that we could feed the ducks and geese.

Every time that Brinley threw a piece of bread she would yell here ducky!

Some gifts for Brinley!

Aunt Andrea and Uncle Chris sent her some goodies and this was one of her favorite gifts. Her very own popcorn bucket. She has used it several times and she always calls it "my popcorn bucket".

I worked on this with Brinley for a few days. It will also come in pretty handy next basketball season!

She was so excited about her little cake. We told her it was just for her so she dug right into the middle of it with her fork.

Even though she fights all day with Landon, she stills loves him so much! She shared her cake with him and even fed it to him.

Brinley also loved the gift that Jennifer and I gave her, a new Doc McStuffins bedspread.

Jennifer even repainted her letters in her room to represent the characters from the TV show Doc McStuffins!

I still can't believe that our little girl is 3! She has brought so much joy to our lives and definitely makes everyday exciting and new. I can't wait to see what she grows up to be, but I wish she would just stay small a little longer! Just the other day at the park the kids were both playing and next thing you know I spotted Brinley holding hands with a little boy who was about 4 years old. I about had a complete breakdown. I gathered up the kids and put them in the stroller and headed home. I couldn't get over what had just happened and when we got home I told Brinley that she could be nice and play with her friends, but she could only hold hands with mommy and daddy. I know things are only going to get worse in about 10 years! Thanks for reading and God bless!