Dudes night out

Kenton took the big boys out for a dudes night out.

Pizza, basketball, snacks, games, oh my!

They stopped into their favorite pizza place.
Brooklyn Pizza

Griff looks pretty comfy between the dancing girls.

Go Pelicans!

After the game the boys went on the court to take a shot.
Air Roman!

Walking off the court with a little swag...

Kenton is such a great husband and father.

I adore this man and the boys do too.

We so blessed to call this man husband and daddy.

love you Satch!

Father's Day 2013

Last year on Father's Day we returned from the hospital with our 3rd baby boy. Here we are one year later. When I currently think about my life it takes my breath away. When I picked, I picked well. Our boys are blessed to call this amazing man "Daddy." Happy Father's Day to my husband and best friend. I love you more than you will ever know...

Andrea

Kenton's Graduation

The big day FINALLY arrived.  

Kenton's graduation from graduate school.

He has been working on his executive MBA for the past 19 months.

Honestly it was the longest and shortest season in my life.

As we were "living" it, time seemed to go on forever.

Now that it is over it seems just like the blink of an eye.  

When he started the program we had a 2.5 year old and an infant.

19 months later we have a 4 year old, 2 year old, and weeks away from another addition.

Wow...

As we were driving to his graduation I said to Kenton,

"did we REALLY just do this?!"

Truly it was a lofty goal for a crazy season of our lives.

I am so proud of my husband.

I don't have words to put to my feelings.

He gave this chapter of his life 110%.

He was dedicated to his family, full time job, and full time school.

Can you imagine executing on so many levels?

He never once complained about the load being too heavy.

He endured the season with a positive attitude an undying level of dedication.

Living "behind the scenes" is what makes this graduation day so very special.

I saw the hard work that went into this Master Degree.

He worked so hard.

He earned it.

20 years out of college he went back with a goal and completed it.

With a 3.8 GPA.

Congratulations Kenton.

I am so proud of you!

Poppa, MiMi and the boys.

MiMi , Baby Bear, Griff, and Mommy.

I was extremely a little nervous about the
boys sitting quietly through a graduation ceremony.
I went in ARMED with bags full of goodies. 

I got there early to secure our seats.  I was hoping to locate
closest to the nearest exit!  I picked front row seats so the
boys would have a little wiggle room.
Here is Baby Bear munching on snacks and playing
with new tractors in front of our seats.

Graduation 2 year old style.

Graduation 4 year old style.

My guy walking up to accept his diploma.

Griff waiting to cheer on his Daddy!
We practiced all week.

It's official...
Kenton, MBA!

This is one of those life moments.
HE DID IT!

The boys congratulating their hero.

Practicing for the future.

Love this smile!

Beyond sweet...

After graduation MiMi and Pop took the boys home.
Kenton and I took advantage
 and enjoyed a great meal at Cristiano's.

Cheers to my husband!

Final surprise of the day?
A new Ipad!

 Congratulations Kenton!

I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments.
Thank you for being such a wonderful role model to our children.

You are truly a gentleman and a scholar....

Husband, Father, Gentleman and Scholar

I honestly can't believe that Satch had his VERY LAST graduate school class today.

This has been the slowest and fastest 19 months of our lives.

Satch and I discussed the idea of him going back to get his MBA over the course of a couple of years.

One day he came home very convicted that now was the time.

His explanation was quite simple.

At the time we had a 6 month old baby and 2 1/2 year old toddler.

We were home anyway so it was now or never.

If he waited any longer he would miss out on too much.

Watching his boys play sports, school activities, etc.

Missing out on their lives was not something that he was willing to do.

I supported him 100% in his decision.

Oh my goodness.....

I was so naive. 

In my opinion he is a very smart man and he would just breeze through school.

He would walk in flash his brilliant smile and dazzle them with his intelligence.

I knew that he was committing to class every other Saturday.

How bad could that really be?  

Right?

Needless to say it was a tad bit more than I anticipated.

He had been out of college for 20 years.

The shock of getting back into the school routine was a bit startling at first.

Yes, he had class every other Saturday.

BUT.... he also had homework 

every. single. day.

He hung in there and never once complained.
Not even once.

I believe I did enough of that for the both of us. :)

He was first and foremost committed 110% to his family.

100% to his full time job.

100% to his school and studies.

Do the math.

That adds up to quite a load for anyone to carry.

The program started out with a brutal accounting slap in the face.

The program was designed for each student to be placed in a group of 3
to work together on assignments and projects.

A few classes in one of his partners resigned.

Now he and his other partner divided the heavy work load of 3 between only 2.

He and his partner, Luci, complimented each other very well.

She is a trained technical writer and he has a business back ground.

Thank God he was blessed with such a great partner.

They both gave it their all.
From start to finish.

I could not be more proud of my husband.

I admire his hard work and discipline.

I am so proud to be his wife.

I am so proud that he is the father of our children.

He is such a fine study of leading by example.

Dream BIG my love...

Happy birthday Satch!

Happy birthday Satch!  We love you so much and enjoyed celebrating "you" with you.  You are the best husband and father.  You always take care of our needs emotionally and provide for our family financially.  You are such a great role model for our boys and always lead by example.  Thank you for showing them what a true gentleman looks like instilling and the value of hard work.  You make our days brighter and we love you for it! 

The boys hanging with their Daddy for his birthday morning picture.

The red place mat is out for a delicious family dinner.
As I was fixing steak for dinner Griff told me,
"me and Roman no wike dat, we wike chicken nuggets."

All ready (with a bakery bought cake) to
sing to the birthday boy.

Singing to the birthday boy.

Make a wish and keep dreaming big.

Candles out followed by a round of high 5's.

The only girl in the house to wear the crown.

Happy birthday Daddy!

Mmmmmm, did someone say cake?

Oh how I love those genuine smiles.

A much more efficient way to get cake in mouth faster.

Birthday card with 18 holes of golf.
Enjoy your day out!

Father's Day

I am so happy that my boys have 2 strong and positive male role-models.

They are able to witness examples of what a

father and grand-father is.

  

Today we celebrate

Kenton and Big Poppa.

Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you for leading our families in His image.

Thank you for providing for us.

Thank you for loving us in the purest and most unconditional way.

Big Poppa, Stach, Baby Bear and Griff.

Satch and his boys.

Satch and a few of his gifts.

Nothing sweeter...

Print that I made.  The story of us...

Happy Father's Day Satch and Big Poppa.

We love you "big, big, like the sky!"

Father's Day~ Kenton

"I do" today, tomorrow, forever... 5 year anniversary

5 years ago today is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life.  It was the "best day" in a series of best days to follow that have changed my life forever.  On April 8, 2006 I said I do to my Prince Charming.  

The Blushing Bride

The dashingly handsome groom.

The day was PERFECT.  It was the most beautiful day imaginable.  The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and the angels were singing!  We were married outside in the French Quarter 8 months after being devastated by Hurricane Katrina.  I remember tearing up as my Dad was about to walk me to hand me off to my Groom.  Kenton had the BIGGEST smile that I have ever seen on his face.  Yes, it was THAT big.  (you can see it in the picture)

The perfect spot to say, "I do."

Followed by the kiss.

We were carried off by a carriage ride

 to dance the night away and celebrate with our closest family and friends.

We had the most wonderful evening with dancing and savoring the moment.

Oh yeah, we even did a little 'stachin!

Even though our wedding was "just a day" it was a beautiful start to the life that we have created together.  

Life is constantly changing, but the changes over the past 5 years have been monumental!  We went from the city to the suburbs and are toting around 2 beautiful boys!  

A few months ago just the two of us were having dinner at our favorite sushi spot.  We used to have dinner at this very spot every Friday night.  5 years later we are living the dreams that we used to imagine.  Such an awesome feeling!  Our life is crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  

Happy Anniversary Lovey..... cheers to our "forever."  

All my love,

Ayia