A couple of years ago(a couple?? I think….) we threw my mom a surprise 50th birthday party. Which proved to be quite the challenge in surprising her. We had to throw her one fake surprise party to throw her off of the real surprise party… I know, but she is worth it.

I could watch this over and over again. I love seeing video and pictures of my mom when she was younger. I don’t like seeing myself twoish years ago with bangs, and I hate my voice, I’m sorry everyone has to hear it so often. For some one who talks as much as I… wish I had a more angelic voice… geez. Also second… those drapes? I’m embarrassed that was my house and that is why I’m thinking this video was three years ago or thirty?

Love you mom! Thank you for dedicating your life to all of us kids. It means more than you know. You touch all of our lives in so many ways and we love you more than anything. You make it obvious that you would do anything for us, that you love us that much. Not everyone is blessed with this kind of love and we are soooo lucky. You are a hard worker, strong, and have such a big heart. You dedicated everything that you have in you to us. We get the best part of you! And you know your like my best bud right? You want more than anything in the world for your kids to be okay and to do their best. You are the best thing we could ask for…. and you are funny and a blast to have as a mom. I know we make fun of you for always laughing at yourself, but to be honest its like the cutest thing ever.

Colton my brotha… good job on this. I love that you can make things like this for us and others. You sir are very talented. I love it. and you are the cutest little bob hair cutted little thing I’ve ever seen blowing out birthday candles ever. Just throwin it out there yo…. Blow out them candles… and don’t catch all that hair on fire. I love that part of the video. That small clip shows exactly who you are. I love the way you look at everyone around you and then let me steal your candles…. geez what kind of person am I? haha.  You know who you are and you don’t let anyone change it. You care about others so unconditionally. You know more often than the rest of us what is most important in life. You are a constant reminder of that. That is one of the best qualities to have and we as a family are so super blessed to have you. We would all be lost without you! You lead us in the right direction. I know you probably don’t think of yourself as a leader my brotha… but you is, to the one’s that love you the most!

Natalie, I can’t imagine our lives without you. I see these videos of you when you were a little baby. You brought so much life and laughter we would have missed out on. Sounds corny but its so true. Our family wasn’t complete until you came along. You are such a special person. I don’t know anyone like you and that’s the biggest reason I love you. And when the world is threatening you to change… don’t do it. You are who you are for a reason. Because if the world had more people like you in it… selfless and funny, Oh my gosh you are funny, and you love the world for everything that it is.  I’m so proud of you! You my little girl were the first to teach me love at first sight. I’ll never forget the first time I saw you. I know we have a bit of an age difference, but wow how awesome that we get to see things differently than others. You instantly held a place in my heart for life.

Dad, sorry you aren’t in the video But thanks for being behind the camera all the time. You were behind the scenes cooking us breakfast and making us laugh! I love having my own home now, but I do miss waking up to my daddy cooking me the biggest breakfast you can imagine.  You make me laugh and smile every time I hear your voice. I love that you always make it okay to smile. No matter what’s happening in life… you want us to smile. You always want us to be happy. If your kids aren’t happy,well then you just have to do something about it. I know you love us more than anything and I wouldn’t trade you for any dad in the world. Some of my best memories are with you…. mostly doing nothing that extraordinary. But that’s just why you are so amazing. You can make a trip to Astroworld feel like we just went to the moon!

Aunt Laurie (you are in this video so I couldn’t leave you out… this is going out to all my other bajillion aunts… don’t get jealous! cuz i love you to!!)  you are AMAZING! I love who you are and it shows in this video. I love you for being so caring and easy to love. And I love you for getting up  and dancing like mom. You always make me smile. You are always so easy and fun to be with. I love that you live so much closer now and I get to see you  more often. Believe me when I tell you that it makes my weeks that much better being able to see you and to give you hugs! You show us all how to enjoy life, and that’s why I love having you in it. I don’t know anyone like you either…. except for you daughters. Thank you so much for Mistie and Macie. You just popped me out two best friends for life (haha sorry for that imagery.) They wouldn’t be who they are without you. LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

My Hubby,I love that my life before you was teaching me to love someone like you. I love that I found you! and I love that we get to make our own memories! I wouldn’t want to share it with any one but you. You make me so happy. And you are the funniest person I know besides Natalie! Where I would be without you… yikes! You keep me focused on more important things. With a world of distractions you keep me ME! There’s a reason my family loves you so much.

If you are throwing your loved one a special party and want to do something like this… give us a ring! My brother and I can put one together for you! Had to put a plug in for AG PHOTO AND CH VIDEO! or Bing Crosby would call it a little angle.

and and p.s. when the deer is with Colton and Mom… listen for that little chipmunk laugh. I could rewind it a million times. it makes me laugh.

He knows how to make her smile. I love it.

They are stinking adorable.

and get ready for it…. THE WOBBLE!! Rebecca willingly broke down in the wobble when I started singing the song. EJ however was like “I’ll just watch!” hahaha I love it. If you  know me, you know The Wobble holds a special part of my soul. If it comes on my body reacts to breakin it down.

Thanks Shauna and family! I honestly had the best time working with you guys with every session. Always so much fun! Enjoy and I will get those wedding pictures up ASAP!

the Missions were the funnest place to take pictures. Every nook and cranny beautiful stone and something different. I loved it.

I love that I got to take your engagement pictures. This was a blast. Not only a gift for you guys but a gift for me as well. I love that they are SO KENDAL AND BRADY-ish! That’s what I’m calling them… kendal&bradyish. I can’t wait for all the wedding festivities to begin. This was the kick-off! (We frequently tailgate with each other so this popped in my head….. naturally!) Love you guys. ENJOY.

I love the next one! Gorgeous!

this is hilarious. Eye lifts only show love.

AND BREAKDOWN IN YOUR BEST “THE TEXANS WON THIS WEEKEND DANCE!”

and don’t hate on our mistletoe.

I haven’t been working much the past week and a half…. on a count of the holidays and our sweet little Tallie was run over and passed away the Thursday before Christmas. I never knew I could love a dog so much!! We got her just a few months before our wedding in 2007. It may sound silly to some people but Tallie felt like she was meant to be here to be with us. She was completely mine. The first thing I have ever had that had to completely rely on me for every thing. I loved her so much… she knew how to always make us laugh and smile… She loved life and it warmed my heart. I know now why. Because of piece of it completely belonged to her. I know what people mean now when they say that. I didn’t know how that felt until that piece of my heart was gone. It’s an aching you can’t control and you want it to go away, but it is the most stubborn thing that sticks around and makes you feel awful. Time will heal, I know… but I still miss her. The hardest thing is trying to focus on the good times and the memories, but those leave me just wanting more of those times. Her time with us was cut way too short, and it is becoming easier to be just be thankful. I would have been prepared for our entire lives to continue with Tallie, I know that isn’t possible. She was on loan to us from Him and I’m thankful God brought her to me.

All the good memories:

Baby Jenny (this is what we call her! and i love it) has the best big brothers!! They love her so much

Jenny wasn’t feeling too well, so we were in constant tickle mode… forcing her to have a good time. hahaha she is so cute.

& big brothers will always lend a helping hand in tickle time.