Lindsey and Ben Get Married

Ben and Lindsey Patrick

Matthew and Lucas-the sign bearers.  They carried a sign that said "Here Comes the Bride"

For Lindsey and Ben's rehearsal dinner, Ben's mom had food catered in from Young's Dairy. We had lasgana, salad, and bread at Lindsey and Ben's after the rehearsal.  The rehearsal was short and sweet because it was rainy and cold outside-so unexpected for June!  But, we made the best of it and headed back to their place for dinner.  Lindsey was so sweet to get all of us bridesmaids Vera Bradley bags and a monogram bracelet.  Even Natalie got her first Vera Bradlely bag :).

Me, Lindsey, and Kristin at the rehearsal dinner.

What started off as a rainy, windy Saturday morning in June turned out to be a super fun wedding and reception!  My parents sure know how to throw a party, that's for sure.

We took a picture similar to this at Kristin and Joey's wedding, but Lindsey was pouting because she didn't have a wedding ring.  Now she's smiling!

Our day started with the kids and I heading to Lindsey's to get my hair done.  While us girls took turns with the stylist, the boys played video games and Natalie just kinda sat around and watched, wondering what exactly was going on!  Afterwards, we headed to the Simon Kenton Inn in Springfield.  It's an old home, that's been turned into a bed and breakfast.  We all got ready up in what would end up being Lindsey and Ben's room for the night.  

Natalie, so sweet, was so worn out that after I got her dressed in her flower girl dress, she passed out on the bed and took a pretty good nap.  All while there were four girls flittering around getting ready and beautiful for the day.  Meanwhile, the boys, who were uber handsome, hung out with my dad and the other guys.  From what I understand, they spent much of their time playing video games in the corner of the reception tent.  Hey, whatever works, right?

Mom helping Lindsey with her necklace.

After the typical pre wedding photos, we hung out up in the room and watched the guests arrive.  It was kinda fun to see who all had made the trip, what they were wearing, etc.  Finally, the time came for us to start making our way to the aisle.  It was all set up outside, in a grassy area.  It was windy, and even started to rain a bit, but that didn't stop anything.  Natalie just pranced right down the aisle, her eyes on Derrick the whole time.  

After she and the boys made it down, they had a seat with my parents in the front row.  Derrick did a great job marrying Lindsey and Ben.  They had a sweet sand ceremony, instead of a unity candle ceremony. They each put some sand in a glass vase, then had Wesley and Riley add some, and then Lindsey and Ben added some more, signifying the families coming together.

Me and my handsome boys-Lucas and Matthew

The reception was in a huge party tent.  Dinner was so awesome-even Kristin and I went up more than once to get food!  Lindsey and Ben looked so happy, but we were all so tired and ready for rest at the end.  Matthew and I headed back to the hotel, while Derrick, Natalie, and Lucas headed home for bed. Matthew and I stayed so we could make an appearance at brunch/gift opening the next morning, and Lucas went with Derrick to help him pack for Disney.  

Matthew, Derrick, and Lucas

Lindsey and Dad dancing.

It was a beautiful, wonderful, memorable day!  We're so glad to have Ben, Wesley, and Riley as part of our family now!

Lindsey's Wedding Shower

Lindsey and the flower girl

For Lindsey's wedding shower, Kristin and I decided to host it at Matt the Miller's Tavern in Dublin.  They gave us the party room toward the back of the restaurant and it was so very nice!  



Lindsey gave us a list of some of our family and a few of her friends.  Most everyone we invited was able to make it.  I think Lindsey really enjoyed being in the spotlight and getting some nice wedding goodies.  


We had assorted flatbreads, a fruit and cheese plate, a veggie plate, and their bottomless chips and yummy dipping sauce.  We also gave a copy of their invitation to the Ribbon Box, and they came up with a beautiful cake!

Kristin, Natalie, Mom, Lindsey, Riley, and Me

Natalie finishing off the cheese and fruit tray. She was loving the smoked gouda!

Lucas is the Treasured Student

Every student in Mrs. Siefker's room had a chance at being the "Treasured Student".  So, when it was Lucas's turn, we diligently gathered all the needed supplies.   You know, the baby pictures, pictures of a special time, filled out his paper about his favorites, etc.  Something super special his teacher had the students do was to write a letter to his or her parents to read aloud to the class.  We, as parents, also included a letter to Lucas to read to his class.  

Derrick was excited to see that when Lucas grows up he wants to be a pastor. 

Since I was off of work well before the boys were out of school, I was able to be present for Lucas's "Treasured Student" moment.  It was really very cute.  The kids all gathered on the carpet, and Lucas was in the teacher's chair.  He proudly read his letters to and from us.  He slowly pulled each "treasure" out of his bag....LEGOS, his pin trading set from Disney, favorite books, etc.  Also, the class was allowed to ask me questions about Lucas.....sort of those embarrassing moment type of questions :).  

I love that his answer to someone he admires is "My dad".

It was so sweet, to see Lucas sitting in this chair receiving compliments from his classmates, sharing himself through answering their questions, and enjoying being in the spotlight.

Looking a little unsure about the letter he's about to read.  

Enjoying the compliments from the letter Derrick wrote him.  

First vs Last

Mrs. Seifker and Lucas on the first day of school-August 2011

Mrs. Canterbury and Matthew on the first day of school-August 2011

Matthew and Mrs. Canterbury-last day of third grade

I always love seeing the differences in the boys from the first day of school to the last day of school.  The first day of school pictures are filled with smiles, but hidden behind those smiles are fears and anticipation of the new year.

Matthew and Lucas-August 2011

The last day of school pictures show two boys, one school year older, and excited for summer break.  Having conquered another year of school is quite an accomplishment.  They should be proud of themselves.

Matthew and Lucas-June 2012

This year, I boogied out of work right as the bell was ringing so I could make it to Northwood for the boys' last day of school at the end of the day.  This year, Matthew's teacher had organized a "Disney cruise" for her, and the other third grade classes, to end the year.  The boys were excited to wear their mouse ears and new Mickey t shirts {we had gotten for our upcoming trip} to school.  In fact, as I looked around, they were the only third graders with real mouse ears.  Super cool.

Lucas and Mr. Woerlein-his long term sub, on the last day of school

Mrs. Seifker and Lucas-last day of third grade

Anyway, as part of the end of the year traditions, the whole school lines up in the hall to "clap out" the fourth graders.  I stood there, with Lucas's class, clapping out the fourth graders.  Then, it hit me.  That will be me, next year, "clapping out" my two fourth graders as they move out of elementary and into Intermediate school.  You know me, I started crying like a baby.   You would've thought I was one of the fourth grade moms, who was sad her kid was moving out of elementary school.  No, just a mom who is thinking of the future and her kids actually having the audacity to grow up and move on to another school.  Like to fifth grade.  Booo, hoo.  My tears were a flowin'!

We've said time and again this year how blessed we were with the teachers we had.  The boys were placed perfectly with someone who cared for them how they needed to be cared for, and they learned so very much this year!

Flag Football {Spring and Fall}

Lucas

Last fall, Matthew and Lucas really enjoyed playing flag football through our local YMCA.  We spent every Sunday afternoon at the Y watching them play, loving it, and cheering them on.  Their coach was Jason Isaacs and his grandpa.

Matthew

They were so wonderful with the boys.  They taught them how to play, how to be good sports, and how to enjoy themselves on the football field.  It wasn't overly competitive {we have enough competition between the two of them}, and the weather was almost always perfect.

Natalie easily found the playground, so we spent some time over there while the boys practiced or played their games.

Lucas

Then, in the spring, they brought home a flier advertising flag football through the Marysville Junior Football Association.

This league is much more "serious" than the Y, but the boys enjoyed it nonetheless.  I really appreciated how the coach put Matthew at center the majority of the time, if for nothing else so the kid could touch the ball every game.  

Lucas was often put as a "decoy", faking that he got a pass and running so the quarterback could throw it to another player.  Lucas thoroughly enjoyed this role.  He thought it was cool to be a decoy.  To each his own, I guess.  

They finished the league as the MJFA Champs.  They had an undefeated season.  It was great to see them on a team, winning, and being a part of it.

Destination Imagination

Destination Imagination, aka "DI" is an after school enrichment program.  Matthew and Lucas were old enough to join a team this year, and they were super excited to do so.  Basically, they got together with three other boys, around their same age, after school once a week.  Together, they had to choose from a list of challenges that their team could create a solution to and present to a group of judges.  

The challenge they decided on was one where they had to build a toy, devise a way to "ship" it to the customers, and come back to the "warehouse" to assemble more.  The name of their team was the "Toy Building Crew", name decided on by the team itself.  EVERYTHING they came up with had to be decided on by the team.   Their coach could provide them directions, but the kids had to make the decisions and come up with the ideas on their own.  Not easy when your team has too many chiefs and not enough Indians.  

Well, they came up with the idea of building a ping pong ball launcher and a balloon catcher.  The ping pong ball launchers were made of PVC pipe, rubber bands, and of course ping pong balls.  The balloon catcher was assembled with a plastic cup, yarn, bobby pins, and a balloon.  To transport their "parts" from the assembly station to the customers, they used a bike with a small trailer attached to it.  


After many weeks of practice, we traveled to Marion, OH, for the district tournament in March.  Granted, they didn't place, but it was a great experience overall.  At the tournament, they had "order" cards, and they had to fill as many "orders" of toys as possible in about seven minutes.  The Toy Building Crew did an excellent job!  

The boys are excited for DI again, and say they want to do it next year.  I hope they do so.  I think they really enjoyed it.  

Yes, It's Been Since Easter.......

 Wow.  I'm so disappointed in myself when I look at my posts from this year, 2012, and there are only 4. Three of which occurred in April.  Bummer.  This year is half over, and I've only written down what's happened in our life four times.  Why?  Well, mainly because I've let my other blog take over a lot of my time.  Plus Pinterest, Facebook, and writing for Chip & Co, a Disney planning site.  


But that doesn't mean our life hasn't gone on.  I look through the pictures and see so many things that have happened.....that I need to record and then someday stop procrastinating and turn this blog into a book of memories.  So, here we go. I'm going to make more of an effort to blog more.  This blog isn't for the enjoyment of others, although I know some of my friends read it and enjoy seeing our life.  It's for me, for our family, to look back on someday and see and remember all the fun and excitement that was our life.  

The boys are facing a double digit birthday next year.  Wow!  What happened to my sweet boys who needed me every second?  Who wanted to sit and play games and puzzles with me?  Who begged for another trip to the park?  Now they're school aged, facing double digits in February, boys who love their video games, science experiments and series of books.  

And Natalie, who will be three in October?!  Three?!!  Seriously?!  She's the one who is the picture of independence!  Yes, with a capital "I".  Her sentences flow so well, she asks questions and strikes up a conversation.  Like, "Mommy, did you buy Cheez-Its at the grocery store for me?"  When I answer  yes, she's says, "Thanks.  I like them."  Or last night on the way home, she was loudly complaining that she didn't want to go home.  Derrick asked where she wanted to go instead and her answer was "Disney World to see the princesses."  Carries her babies, and loves on them.  Brings me her Baby Anna every morning so I can give Baby Anna a hug and kiss in the morning.  Goes up the play structure at the park with no fear.  Sometimes I feel like I missed her baby and toddlerhood because she's developed her speech and thinking skills so quickly.  But, from what I've heard, that's a girl for ya.


Okay, enough rambling.  I need to write some more posts to play catch up...Lindsey's Shower, The Last Days of School,DI, Flag Football, Lucas as the Student of the Week, Lindsey and Ben's Wedding, and our most recent Disney vacation.  Whew!