4 Years Ago Today We Were...

Just some fun moments captured during this wonderful day!






















This one made me laugh, check out Brian in the top left corner!






























Awww, I love you Rach!!















I like this one :)















This one is for cousins Rick and Nicole since they are always reminding us how much fun they had!! We love you guys, so glad you could be there with us!






























I love you babe!!!!!















See if you can find you! :)















This day was so much fun! I could be going through hours of pictures. Since I don't have the time, I just chose a few. It was great looking back at all the memories from June 5, 2004. What a perfect start to a great marriage.

Now I'm off to rescue my whining child from her crib :)

family time

Brian went on a retreat for a couple of days, so Esther and Ashley came to visit and watch Abby while I worked Friday. I enjoyed our time A LOT. Well, I did not enjoy the three unsuccessful trips to the DMV, but that's not worth mentioning. It was such an amazing experience spending time together with our daughters. Pushing our "Cadillac" strollers around the mall and taking care of each other's babies as if they were our own. After I had Abby and experienced the love of a mother, I could not imagine how I could love another child with the same amount of love. Now that Ashley is in our lives, I am beginning to realize how that can exist. Although Ashley is my niece, I love her so much. The funny thing is, I feel like she is a baby girl version of Rob. Ashley looks nothing like a Blankenship and Abby looks nothing like a Henderson (besides her long eyelashes). I'm trying to soak up every moment with Esther, Rob, and Ashley since they are getting ready to move to CA. Esther tells me to think of it as if they are going off to college, since this is a 3-5 year commitment. Putting it that way makes it not seem so bad.
Grandpa Henderson also came to town for a short visit. It was really good to see him and have him see Abby walk/run. It was adorable to watch them together. He was such a great help around the house, taking Joey for walks, changing diapers, giving Abby a bath, letting mommy take a nap, and the list goes on. What a wonderful family we have. We couldn't be more blessed. After Grandpa left, I realized I did not take one picture. How did I let that happen? I guess I was too busy soaking it all in mentally.

babies, paint and fun in Vermont!

This weekend was pretty packed, but ohhhh sooo wonderful!! Saturday we went to Rob and Esther's while they went to a wedding. Brian did a lot of painting to help them get their home ready to be put on the market in two weeks. They are moving in August :( I had the joy of watching Ashley and Abby of course. It was sooo much fun!! They ate, slept, pooped, and played. I was pretty proud of our walk. It was a great workout for me in their hilly neighborhood. Ashley was so tired from it that she conked our for two hours in her swing. I even took this picture!




























Sunday, after church, we ventured up to Vermont to see our wonderful friends Rachel and Grant for the holiday. It was really nice seeing where they live and work. The 24 hour trip was too short, but well worth it. Can't wait to do it again soon.















The view from the conference room at their office.

sister playdate :)

a few favorites from today...

You're walking...

She took her first three consecutive steps on her Birthday and this is where she is now. Sorry to give you "taco" neck when watching. I remembered halfway that my computer likes horizontal better.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ABBY!!!

One year ago today, Abigail was born. WOW. Words can't explain the thoughts that run through our heads when we recap this past year. We celebrated Abby's first Birthday with all the people who were there waiting in the hospital for her to arrive. It was definitely a celebration and the guest of honor was eating it up! Literally!!! I was wondering if there is any other year in a person's life where more change takes place.















Uncle Rob and Aunt Esther gave Abby's favorite gift of all time. We have never seen her more excited to play with anything else. She loves her baby Disney princes ride.



















































My favorite image from her Birthday. Let the fun begin!




















































Once she noticed the balloons, she crawled through the cake to play with them...












then she sat in it...


















and ate it...















and now a bath in the kitchen sink.

Our weekend.

It's been quite the weekend and we're ready for bed, but had to share a little before it comes to an end.

The wedding I photographed Saturday was beautiful. Our good friends, Ryan and Becca were so happy and I had the pleasure of following them around capturing their day. Here's a little taste.

She wore Converse sneakers.


































































Charlie is so handsome :)












Since a bunch of friends were in town for the wedding, we got together for a cookout. It was like re-living the glory days from youth group, only now we have spouses and babies. We laughed till we cried, bringing up embarrassing stories and watching way old mission trip/retreat videos. It was such a good time!
Lisa, it was so much fun to hang out with you. You have to get on facebook so we can keep in touch! ;)


















Die hard youth group buddies back in the day!










































After Sunday school and church this morning, we had a family Birthday party for Abby. Tomorrow is her B-day, so you can see all the fun we had and the pictures to prove it.

After the party, Brian and I drove straight to church for the night service and to photograph baptisms. As we walked into the building Brian was confronted with the news that one of the high school seniors (Matt) was in a car accident. On the way to church, his car flipped over and EMS were in the process of getting him out. Matt's best friend was going to be baptized, all his friends and family had just left a party to celebrate beforehand. Brian spent the evening with students in the prayer room and he is now at the ER. Matt is ok and the latest CAT scan showed nothing wrong. I know it shook a lot of people up, including Brian. His job definitely isn't 9-5, it's more like being on call 24/7. If you are reading this please pray for the high schoolers, their family and Brian, for the Lord to guide him during this time. Also, praise God for his protection.