A Trip Down Memory Lane

Today is Andy's 35th birthday. I wanted to take a trip down memory lane, and show the years together that we've had. He has such a free spirit. He is skilled at many things, and what he is not skilled at, he figures out how to do it. I'm grateful for that. He completely forgot, this year, that his birthday was coming up. Until my folks offered to take us out for dinner. Also, when I explained that Jenna had an orthodontist appointment on his birthday. His response was "whose birthday?" Just like him. He is not a selfish person, in any way, shape or form. He gives so much so that I may be home with the kids each day. He devotes his time to God, to his family, and to service to others. He has taught me so much! So, take a walk with us on our trip down memory lane!

Here we are in our apartment in Hays, Kansas. I was going to school there. I had about two years left. This photo was taken in 1994. At this point we had been dating about a year and a half, maybe more.
Below is a picture from our wedding. I have several, but this is my favorite. This is back when he wasn't afraid to kiss me in public! LOL! He is so handsome!

Well, this picture was a day after having Jenna. So, April 3, 1997. Yes, for those of you who know Andy, he has gained some weight over the years! And, cut off sleeves use to be his signature look. Love that guy!!

This is probably one of my favorite pictures of Andy with Jenna. It was Jenna's first trip to the zoo. You very seldom see them not being completely silly. So this snapshot in time of a look of love from a father to his daughter just melts my heart. He loves his girl!

Here is a photo of Andy, Jenna and myself in front of the Dallas, TX temple. It is a rare occasion that we have a family photo opportunity, so glad we had this one! This was in March 2000.

Andy and Jenna were often found in the following position. Jenna loved....and still loves to snuggle up with her daddy! It was summertime 2001. We were preparing to have twins in about 5 months.

Then, came the twins. Zoie(left) and Baylee(right). Having twins is an exhausting job. You can just tell by the look on Andy's face. The funny thing is, everyone kept asking..."aren't you going to have anymore kids....try for a boy?" Andy's response would always be..."my girls can learn to do anything a boy can! I'll take them fishing and hunting, and camping. I'm good with my girls!

One of the few professional family photos taken when Zoie and Baylee were almost a year old. Jenna would have been 5, almost 6. Professional photos are very difficult to do with Zoie and Baylee....as you can well imagine, they don't like to sit still.

This is the first Christmas after we moved into the house we're in now. My mom and dad had bought us a coffee table and two end tables to help fill in our living room. We are in their basement. This would have been in 2002, or so. As you can tell, Andy has worn many different hats in his days! Just wait, the next one is the best one!

The following photo was taken on Halloween, of course, I can't recall what year. I'm thinking 2003-ish! Andy would, and still does, where this pumpkin hat to work and everywhere he goes on Halloween. The kids absolutely love it! He is a big kid himself!

And, here he is today, wearing yet another hat! His buddy took him to this Mexican restaurant they frequent. They always sit in the same waitress' section (Pamela). Well, while Andy was in the bathroom, his buddy Drake arranged for Andy to get his birthday dessert (something I can never do, cuz he would walk out of the restaurant if I did!) It was fried ice cream with lots of whipped cream on it! His waitress, Pamela, shoved his face in it!

I love you Andy! I hope you are having a wonderful birthday! I know tonight we will enjoy steak, greek pasta salad, and garden salad. Then we will wrap it up with your all time favorite, banana cream cake! Happy happy birthday!!!