Family Getogether

This afternoon, we ventured down the highway to Corvallis to visit Erika's grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousins. We had a delicious taco bar for lunch and then an awesome spice cake and butterscotch pie. Erika loved playing with her cousins and eating her Grandpa Hammar's birthday cake. It is very nice to be able to visit family after just a short drive...instead of an 8 hour adventure. Plus, Erika slept all the way to Grandpa and Grandma's and all the way home...the best kind of car ride! Happy birthday Joe and Bob (or Grandpa and Great-grandpa!)
Erika with her cousin Ashley...she's not into posing for pictures anymore.

Ashley "sleeping" so Erika can wake her up.

Erika with birthday boy, Grandpa Hammar!

Erika with the other birthday boy, Great-grandpa Gunn. Please note who is doing all the work in the background! (For those who don't know the answer, it is Matt's sister, Elisabeth, and her husband, Josh)


Erika with Grandma and Grandpa Hammar. Again, we find her not interested in the camera at all.

Auntie Beth teaching Erika some designing tips from the Real Simple magazine.

Five Years

This post is one day premature, but Erika's napping and I have time today to do it!

Five years ago on September 27, Matt and I joined our lives together. And it has been a true blessing ever since! We are happier and more in love today than we were five years ago, which is really what marriage is all about, I think!

September 27, 2003, one of the greatest days of my life. Really, the greatest weekend of my life! It started on Friday night with Matt's parents hosting a wonderful barbecue at the camp where our wedding was held for the attendants and family. Everyone was in such a great mood, and it helped that we had presents for people! Saturday, the sun was shining and it was very warm for late September in the northwest. It was perfect! We had our family and friends to help us celebrate. God was looking down on us and blessing our future together. It was amazing.

A few more numbers that signify our five years together:

-We have owned 15 different vehicles

-We have lived in 6 different dwellings

-We have owned 2 homes

-We have 1 beautiful daughter

-We have 1 beautiful baby-to-be

-We have made numerous trips to visit family and friends over the years

-We are blessed with a loving church family from 4 different congregations in 3 states

God has truly blessed our lives. I love Matt more and more each day and know he feels the same way. We are best friends and couldn't imagine spending our lives any other way. We pray for many more happy, healthy, fun years. We are excited that after 5 years, we now live close to both of our families. God is good!

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On a less serious note: Why can't we have anniversary bridal showers? They don't have to be big. I think that milestones, such as lasting five years with the same person, should be celebrated! Plus, after 5 years, my sheets are looking a little worse for wear and I could really use a better blender!