professional photos--3

The last installment.

The blue definitely brings out his eyes.  

J workin' the camera.

professional photos--2

Look at the difference between this post and the previous.  Our baby is growing up.

professional photos--1

We knew it was time to get some more professional photos taken.

7 months

We are very blessed he is ALWAYS this happy!

Fall Photos

J had another fall photo shoot with some pumpkins that were just his size.

Mealtime

J has been trying all kinds of new foods. He LOVES carrots, and on the second go around he is enjoying sweet potatoes.

Pumpkin Patch

J visited his first pumpkin patch. M's work puts on a huge fall festival and every family is allowed to pick a pumpkin.  We enjoyed getting some cute pictures, playing games, and talking with friends.  

What the hay!?!

Very autumn-like...green grass, bright sun, and swaying palm trees.

Hide and Seek

J's newest favorite games is hide and seek.  He likes to be found.  When he is found he always has a big, bright smile.  

Cool October Weather

During the fall, we rarely have cool autumn air. During one of our walks we were able to dress more cozily.

Happy Halloween

This year, J was a giraffe and a monkey.

The first two pictures were taken in August.

These two were taken at the end of October.

Thanks for making the trick or treat pumpkin bag Grandma.  I will be sure to fill it up next year!!

Dinner with friends

At the end of September we had a few close friends over for a birthday celebration.  I always love having people over--it is a wonderful excuse to get new decorations.  :)  (Now Matt knows my secret.)

Six Months

J started eating cereal this month.  We also had our parent commitment ceremony, so J's grandparents joined us.  We had a wonderful time watching J interact with his grandparents.  He is loved!!

First time eating cereal

FBCO Parent Commitment

Engraved tractor  penny bank 

Six months (yes he put his hands under his chin all on his own)

First Disney trip (he slept the entire time) 

Five Months

August was a month full of changes...

J discovered his toes!!! 

I  went back to work, so J started to go to Nana's.

Peek-a-boo

All smiles

having fun with Daddy and Uncle Joey

Four Months

In the beginning of July we took off for Nebraska to celebrate the summer and to introduce J to his extended family.  I had agonized about the flights for several weeks before we left but Jack did great!  We were greeted in the airport late Saturday night.  On Sunday the family celelbrations began Dad's family came to the house.  

look at all of those babies

Gma W giving Jack some love

We also spent time with Mom's family.

spending time with Gma H

We took some extra time to spend with J's aunt, uncle, cousin E and T.  We went to the zoo, E stayed out at the house, and we also all got together for family pictures.

the family

cousins and tractors

Thanks Jennifer--you do great work

We also took some time to see some of our friends who also had babies this year.  When Grandma and Mom were down they made the adorable Nebraska shirts.  It was fun and interesting to have a photo shoot together.  

J (4 mo.), M (9 mo.), and J (10 mo.)

We had a wonderful time in Nebraska and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon.  We returned home just as J was turning 4 months.  Within the week of returning J began rolling over.  It is amazing to see everything he learns.

Quilt made by Grandma 

Just saw...

Officially at 11:37PM on July 1st, I just saw that M and J had written a surprise post for our anniversary...

They are the BEST!!!!!!

M I LOVE YOU!!!!

6 years

Six years ago today I married the most wonderful man!!  

We got married in Omaha, Nebraska, we had fun celebrating with family all weekend long.  

On the 30th of June As a surprise my parents rented "Ollie the Trolley" for all the family that was in town.  

We began our journey by going around town in 

"Ollie" , we started at the hotel, then went by midtown, downtown, until we got down to the Old Market.   We also celebrated

my birthday and M's "Golden" birthday. 

 (A golden birthday is when you turn the same age as the day your birthday is on...I had not heard the term until I went to college in Minnesota).  

At Conagra

On July 1st we began to decorate the church...

why I thought I needed over 100 handmade bows and more than 50 candelabras...

I don't know but I NEEDED them at the time. 

 Also two of Mom's friends graciously volunteered to host a bridesmaids luncheon.  It was a lot of fun to hang out with the girls and family before all of the festivities officially began.  We then had our rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  

Bridesmaid luncheon

At the rehearsal dinner, my mom had cross-stitched this for Matt and I

The BIG day..me and my bridesmaids went to get our hair done together.  We then made it to the church to get all of our pictures started.  

The ceremony then began...we had a wonderful string quartet, 4 candle lighters, 8 bridesmaids and 8 groomsmen, 2 flower girls,and one ring bearer.  

After the wedding the bridal party went to a park before we made our entrance at the reception.  

My grandma, aunt, and cousin made our cake (see picture below).  We had a fun time dancing the night away.

the cake

On the 3rd, family and friends were invited out to the farm to watch us open our gifts (since our families lived far away).  We had a brunch. It was a beautiful day.

With our photo package we had an extra day of pictures

M, you are the most wonderful man.  

I appreciate where we have come from to form our own family...

Love you!!!

Six Years!!!

2,191 days ago, I married my best friend (2008 was a Leap Year so I got an extra day)! 

I can’t believe how fast time flies. So much has happened in the past six years:  ...my bachelor's degree, moving to Orlando, the loss of loved ones, Krista's masters degree, European travels …and, of course; our precious son Jack.

Happy Anniversary! 

We love you Krista Bendell and we look forward to many more amazing adventures ahead.

So ... what was going on six years ago TODAY in Omaha? Ahhh the memories:

Love, 

Matt and Jack

Birthday Celebration

M's birthday was last Thursday.  J and I had gotten him some new clothes, gift cards, and his favorite health food, Skittles. 

We also had made him chocolate cupcakes. (Mom had helped make them when she was down.)

For dinner we went to one of M's favorite restaurants.  We always enjoy J's company and he was full of smiles for his dad!

So happy to be next to his dad