oh brother

Is there anything like a brother? No. I think not. Well...maybe two brothers. That is what I have been blessed/cursed with...two brothers.

First there is this one. This is John. He is the oldest (notice the really gray hair!). Six years older than me, 19 years older than Alex, 22 years older than DeAnne. John had his first (and most-likely only) child three years ago - the sweet Nicholas that readers of this blog have grown to love! He graduated from Sehome High School (boo-hiss! haha), went into the Air Force, is currently retiring from the military and started working for Boeing doing...something...I am a bad sister...I never know/knew what he does/did. I know in the Air Force he did something with planes (good deduction on my part...). John lived away from us for a long, long time. He moved back (to Washingon) about four or so years ago. It has been fun to have him closer, share holidays and bbqs with him again.
And this one. This one is Alex. The baby brother, but not the baby. He was born when I was 13 - my first baby! He graduated from Bellingham High School (the same year I graduated from college) and has stayed local. He is a homebody. Alex is fun and sweet and is one who really enjoys life. You can usually find him at Cornwall Park playing Frisbee golf or hanging with his friends. He is usually pretty laid back, but can be really serious when he wants to be. Alex is a great uncle. He is Archer's hero, role model, buddy.
See? He is a happy boy. He really doesn't like my camera - gets irate when I whip it out! These covert shots are usually the best anyway.
Typical brother thing. He was spying on his little sister...reading her messages...waiting to get the crap beat out of him (you don't mess with the DeAnne)!

One of my favorite scenes. I love to see my big brother with his little boy, being a dad. It is something I never thought I would see. John was always a meanie big brother (he laughs and loves his meanie stories), but he has become a wonderful, loving dad to his little boy...So...it's all good.

Oh the joy of brothers. With brothers you get it all. The good. The bad. The ugly. The fun. And at the end of the day I love my brothers - unconditionally!

weekend recap

Where shall I start? Maybe with a weekend breakdown...

Friday Archer and I began our summer vacation. Quick trip to town, lunch, a new video game (really...what else is there to do in the summer? whatever).
Saturday was DeAnne's graduation party.
Sunday lunch with Troy and a BBQ at my cousin Lorinda's.

Okay. So those are the facts. What really happened?

What about the lessons I learned this weekend? That may be much more fun for you.
Lesson 1 - I am not in the 18 - 22 year old range anymore. Interpret that how you will.
Lesson 2 - umm....Okay. I think one lesson is enough. If you think you want details you may want to think again.
Oh yea - maybe lesson 2 should be make sure battery in camera is charged prior to party...

I got a few shots over the weekend (before the dead battery).

*The Graduate* All decked out like a movie star. Those are some rockin' pants and sunglasses!

Alex who looks like he walked out of Top Gun (which he has never even seen...). Where does one find sunglasses like that? I have to admit he pulls them off pretty well.

One of my favorite things is seeing my big brother with his son. I never thought I would see the day. He is truly a great father and Nick is a wonderful little boy! We bought Nick some "big" books and he spent much time reading...Lovely.

Cousins. I am so grateful that Lorinda's boys are such great friends to Archer. It is precious to have friends that are family. (Caleb, Dawson, Archer)

My cousin Kelly, who wasn't able to join us, sent his kids up for the day with his sister. I haven't seen Kelly in years, however I usually get to see the kids a few times a year. This is Skylar and Alexis. Darling girls.

Kelly's son Ty who is just days older than Nick. Ty is a hard one to get a picture of. I have quite a few of him running away from me. As soon as I would hold up the camera away he would run!

One last one of the graduate. Sweet, smiley girl (don't let the cute fool you! haha)!

Happy Monday. First Monday of summer vacation! Yay!

The last of the wedding flashbacks

A glance a smile became friendship grew into Love.

Here it is. The last of the wedding flashbacks...Today Troy and I celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary. When we met 14 years ago we had a very quick connection. We became instant friends and less than a year later - married! There is so much I could say about Troy, about being married, but I'm not going to. Anyone who knows us must know how much I love my husband (or why would I still be here really? haha). We have a wonderful son, we are independent of one another, yet very much intertwined. We have a good life. I love you sweetie.

The Bride & Groom. Not my favorite picture, but the one I could get to easily! The groom.

The bride

The wedding party. Carrie, DeAnne, Joel, Jerrie, Troy, Sharon, Alex, John.

One of my favorite pictures from my wedding day. Me & my incredible siblings. My brothers John & Alex, and my little sister DeAnne. Lovely.

Wedding Flashback: Part 3

A few more wedding pictures to share. Me and my mom. I always really liked this picture. I had a hard time during pictures - I laughed almost the entire time!

Me and my bridesmaid - my little sister DeAnne. She refused to be a flower girl (so we didn't have one) - she wanted to be a bridesmaid because she was already a flower girl and didn't want to do that again. The first experience was fine - she just had the "been there done that" attitude. She was adorable and made a wonderful bridesmaid! (Look at how little she was. Now she is 18, getting ready to graduate high school and is a few inches taller than me! Time flies!)

My brother, John, gave me away. I think this was the day he looked forward to most of our lives together - giving away the little sister must feel really good! (haha). I was glad he could come home from Texas for a few days to help us celebrate our day.

Yay!

Tonight (after the glorious coffee/chocolate tasting - oh yeah) I went into my mom's to see brother John and nephew Nicholas.

Nick is one of my favorite little people. He is full of personality. And he is adorable. I brought him some fresh blueberries - that makes him love me! haha! It does help break the ice - no shyness when you bring him food (kinda like his Aunt Jerrie...hmmm)....Nick LOVES his Grandpa-pa David. Evidently he was waiting at the door with his arms crossed waiting for Grandpa to get home from work today...Didn't even take a nap waiting for Grandpa which could be why he was so tired tonight.
Nick alternately likes to beat up Uncle Alex and be held by him. Alex is very tall and makes a short person like Nick very tall as well.
Aunt Paula, Aunt Berta and Alex hanging on the couch. I am at the end. Our family can fit a lot of people on a couch. If DeAnne had been there she probably would have squeezed in as well. People comment on how tight we squeeze in or pile on...
I was commenting to Troy the other night on how few times John is mentioned on my blog and how there are even fewer pictures of him...So, my goal tonight was to get a picture and post it. Uh...yea...didn't happen. Oooops. Maybe tomorrow.

Better.

Thank you friends for your kind words. Yesterday was a challenge. Many days are a challenge. Today was challenging, yet a much better day than yesterday. Your words of empathy, kindness, and encouragement were (was) happily received.

Looking forward to this weekend. It is full and is looking to be fantastic!

Saturday - From 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. there will be a free coffee/chocolate tasting at the Lynden Pioneer Museum. If you are close by you should come by for a taste of Starbucks and some chocolate from the new Lynden Chocolate Shop. What is not to love? If you are around town stop by the museum, say hi to my beautiful cousin, Lorinda & I, and enjoy a little cuppa joe & some awesome chocolate.

My brother, John, and my gorgeous nephew, Nicholas, are at mom's for the weekend. After the coffee/chocolate day I will go to mom's for a visit. I haven't seen Nick since Christmas and John since Nick's 2nd birthday party in August! John was in Germany for four months serving our country (he spent his 40th birthday there- so not only have I not seen him for six months he got OLD in that time - haha).

Sunday - Oh the beauty of Sunday. My friend Cheryl and I will be going to see our boyfriend, Matthew, in his new movie Fool's Gold. While the movie may not have received good review (dumb newspaper) I don't think they took into account the review of Matthew himself. Can't wait for that one!

Those are the plans. My guys? I don't know - video games, air soft, boy stuff.