Fall Family Pictures 2013

Ever since we added Duke to our family I knew that I wanted to get professional pictures taken, but I also knew that we had to wait until he was old {and therefore calm} enough. So a few weeks ago we finally got them done! We used a photographer that graduated from my high school and had the pictures taken at Newburg Lake- the same place that Thomas proposed!

And I couldn't be happier with how they turned out! Duke did so well and I think we looked pretty good too ;) See for yourself...

Heaven Gained the Most Beautiful Angel

Saturday morning my sweet great-grandma passed away while I was holding her hand. She was 90 years old and lived a life that many can only dream of. She met the love of her life when she was only 16 years old and spent 74 beautiful years with him. And it's because of them that I know what true love is. She was so feisty and full of spunk. She loved to shop and I definitely got that from her. She was one of the most beautiful {inside and out} woman I have ever known. And I was so lucky to call her my grandma.

This picture captured the definition of true love.

She told me more than once that our wedding was one of the best days of her life.

Rest in Peace Grandma <3 

We will always love you and carry you with us.

And we will keep an eye on your sweetheart until he can be with you again! I know he can't wait.

Dads Day

This holiday has always been a awkward holiday for me until recently. I was raised by my grandparents and growing up we never celebrated Fathers Day. Sure, we'd participate in art and make the crafts everyone else was making, but at home it was just a normal day. As I've grown up and have become extremely close to my grandparents I have started to feel different. You see my grandpa IS my DAD. He is the one who raised me, who attended every single one of my soccer games, who picked me up from middle school dances, who drove me to school every morning because I didn't want to take the bus, who let me take over his minivan after I got my license, who helped with every school project, and who did every single thing he possibly could for my brother and I. And he still does. He's who I call when I need help with a recipe or the car, who I text when I get a good grade, and who I tell funny stories to. There is a difference between a father and a dad in my opinion- one who creates and one who raises. So even though he is not my father he is my dad. I owe him everything and love him more than words can describe. His Parkinson's diagnosis has made me realize how important it is to never take your family for granted- so even though we didn't really celebrate Dads Day growing up we sure do now! I hope that one day he will be able to be a great-grandpa to my children and make them laugh the way he only can.

Happy Dad's day grandpa- I love you!