9-Year Anniversary

We celebrated our 9-year anniversary last Saturday, and it was THE most wonderful day.  Thank you to Chad's parents for watching the kids all day and over night.  We really had the time of our lives (insert Time of My Life song by Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes).  This anniversary was extra special because we finalized the move to the new house on 10/24/12.  As most of you know, we had to jump through many, many, many, many hoops in order to buy this house, but we did it, and it's OURS!  This house has a long history that is near and dear to both Chad's family and to me.  The house was the childhood and adult home of Mona's uncle, Harold, and his sister, Gladys, was born in the house. Not sure if Harold was born here, too, but the house was built in the early 1900's, and the original home of Harold's mother still remains on the property about 50 yards from our house.  Gladys is the grandma of my BESTEST friend, Lindsey; therefore, we are finally related!  Through marriage, but nonetheless related! It's a long and confusing seven-degrees-of-seperation, but through seven-degrees-of-seperation, I think that the Heusinkvelts can find a relation to anyone. :)  You...reading this...we are probably related.

Not only is the house part of our family history, it brings together so many of our favorite places into one location.  Our little piece of Heaven on earth, so to speak.  It has all of the things that I loved as a
child (climbing trees, tire swing, lots of sledding hills, places to explore, and tons and tons of forts).  It also reminds us of our favorite places (Minnesota, Elwood, Rabbit's Vegetable Patch <--from Winnie the Pooh).  Anyway, ask me about the vegetable patch in person because it's easier to explain my reasoning. 

On our anniversary day of celebration, I told Chad that I wanted to spend the day shooting stuff, so that is what we did.  When the bullets ran out for the 22, I shot Brock's BB gun until I could no longer focus.  We then attempted to take our pictures.  It was quite the challenge to get the timer and elevation just right, but I think we did pretty good.   After pictures, we went to Famous Dave's for supper for our usual, and it was soooo yummy.  I got a mudslide, and at the moment I tried it, I vowed to Chad that whenever we went out, I would get a mudslide because they are incredible.  After the bill came and I saw the mudslide cost $8, I then vowed that I would never spend $8 on a drink again.  No mudslide for you.

Anniversary Day of Celebration

Chai makes every day a good day.  ;)

Target Practice

Shooting the 22

Such a fun day!

Chad's Tree Stand

I love cotton pods!  The kids love them, too!

I'm going to climb this cottonwood someday.

Why not today?

Not quite the right climbing shoes.

Ella's Elderly Pumpkin

Love this series of pics.  We had our camera set on continuous shooting, so it was fun to see this progress.

This reminds me of a romance novel picture. *blushing*

Welcome home, Honey.

Thumbs Up?

On our actual anniversary (11/8/12).  Chad texted me during the day asking if I was in my dress, and I told him he had to wait and see.  :)  Of course!

The girls had to put on white dresses, and the kids had to take turns dancing with me.  After 9 years, it still fits!  Curling iron burn to the forehead and all!