45 years..Brads parents

Saturday night we surprised Brads parents with an anniversary dinner at Old Town Inn. We invited the immediate family and it was really nice. Then they all came out to our house for awhile for cake and ice cream and to visit. They are wonderful people and really have shown me the love of family and how to make a marriage last. All of Brad's family is just amazing, that is pretty much it in the nutshell.

Trinity family fun festival

Friday night was the festival at Trinity. Talk about fun for Emma. She had a blast. They had lots of things for the kids to do. They had the jumping tents, of course the playground, face painting, games, snocones, pizza..bail and jail, etc. Emma pretty much stayed the whole time on the jumping and inflatable slides and the playground. She enjoyed playing with Camryn on the playground and Damon on the inflatables. It was a gorgeous night for it!!

The band did a tribute to breast cancer awareness and made the symbol in the middle of ohio. They had the spielman family stand down in front....it was very touching and emotional.
One of the highlights for me was seeing Evan Turner and coach Tressel shake hands at the 50 yard line. It was pretty cool.
We went with the Wellers. We always have fun with them and I love this picture of them!!!
This was Emma's first time in the stadium. We took her to a basketball game this year and thought the spring game would be a good start for her..for 5.00 we thought what the heck, if she makes it til halftime that is ok. The game was at 1pm. Emma can usually make it til 2:30 or 3 and then she will crash for a naptime. She made it thru the first quarter and then she crashed on me for an hour. It was still have having her there and we left at halftime anyways because it started to rain. It was fun being in the atsmophere and it made me excited for football season!!!

In Step Dance Pictures...

My little bumblebee....Wow..this was a fun but crazy night...
Emma and her buddies at dance Maggie and Camryn
Emma was so excited to put on her costume and sing her bumblebee song..but I had to remind her that this was not the big recital time. This was just picture night. She was excited for mommy to braid her hair and put a little bit of blush on her face and lipgloss. Once we got to the studio though..she kinda broke down. She was like..what the heck is going on here, this is not my normal routine. I had to go upstairs with her to where they were taking the pictures and then the cries began. Don't leave me mommy...ow boy, I thought this was going to be a disaster!!!! I went in the room with her, and explained what was happening and then she saw the other girls getting there pictures taken, and calmed down. What a 100% turnaround...she got up there and became a total ham!!! Her picture turned out awesome, I can't wait to get them back!

Reds Opening Day

Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds..Brad and I went the day after Easter together. It was a beautiful day! I got Brad the tickets for his 40th Birthday. We had a great time. We went down early and ate at the Big Red Machine Room, and then went over to the hall of fame. They had a flyover, Johnny Bench was the catcher for the first pitch and Ms. Ohio brought the ball to the mound for the beginning. The reds were in the game for awhile, but they played the cardinals..and well, Pulhois decided to hit a few home runs..ow well. We still had a great day together with lots of fun.

EASTER BLESSINGS

Easter morning is one of my favorites...I love getting Emma all dressed up even more special and the joy that is always on peoples faces as we walk into church. There does not seem to be as much s tress as Christmastime. I love how our church creates this beautiful flower cross..

Easter is not complete without an Easter egg hunt and getting lots of candy in my basket. What a joy! It was so nice this year being able to wear summer clothes and be outside in the beautiful weather. We had a great weekend full of family.

Happy 8th Anniversary to US

Today is our 8th anniversary..wow, how time flies, but I will be honest, it feels like we have been married much longer than that! We dated for 4 years before we got married, so I guess we actually have been together for 12 years, now that is more like it. We have been thru alot in those years together. We have suffered a house fire, lost a child, seen all of Brad's grandparents pass away but then be able to have another beautiful child in Emma Karen. Life is good for us though and we have been blessed in so many ways. We have a house, cars, food everyday and clothing, a wonderful family who loves us, amazing friends and an amazing church family at Trinity. Through the good and the bad we have always made it because we love each other, and love is not always an easy thing to keep going. Brad is my best friend and I look forward to the many years we have ahead with one another.

Spring is Coming...FINALLY!!!!

Ok, so I have made it clear that I hate winter! I can not stand the snow, the ice, the freezing cold, the rain, the no sunshine..really..how can you like it? I think it is so depressing! So, this past weekend, we actually were able to see the sun and it was like 40, I felt like it was a heat wave!! Of course there was still snow on the ground, but the beginning of spring was in the air. Emma could not wait to get out! We went for walks, she rode her Dora trike and of course I had to buy her the first tball set! I think she really has potential, she was hitting the ball pretty good...that put a big smile on mommy's face of course! Yesterday, we even went to eljer park for a couple hours..we had to dodge the snow and wetness, but it was still nice to swing on the swings and go down slides with her. I can not wait for all the fun to begin and be able to enjoy the outdoors again!

It's official....Trinity Open House for Pre-school

Ok, I can do this post without getting emotional...Not! Trinity Lutheran Church and School is a major part of our family. We love our church family...they are so special. Brad has been a lifetime member there..and all of his family and attended Trinity School all thru 6th grade. And now...we get to start our future again at Trinity School with Emma beginning the 3 year old class in the fall. Wow, did I just say that? Emma will be 3 in May and so excited to go to school!! She kept asking us last night if she gets to start school tomorrow. She loved her classroom and walking around. I got her all registered and we are good to go. We are hoping she will get into the Tuesday/Thursday morning class since she still naps at times. I had to take a picture of the bulletin board in the hallway...Trinity students follow in Jesus's footsteps..I love it and I pray everyday that Emma always has Jesus in her heart. God is so important to me and Brad and I want her to have that Christian upbringing. I love the picture that I captured of Emma with her buddy Camryn. They are just adorable together and always hugging each other. My little girl is growing up...I love you Emma Karen Gilbert with all my heart. You are my blessing from God and I am going to treasure every moment I get to spend with you.

Dance class..

Emma has been loving dance class! It is absolutely adorable to watch. We go on Thursday nights and it just priceless to watch...this was parent observation week and so I captured some pics, but the pics don't really do it justice. She is in a tap and ballet combo class for 2-4 year olds. Her recital is going to be in May and they are going to be bumblebees...if I have to listen to that song one more time... She has made some great friends in her class. I believe it or not, was in dance while I was little and still remember most of it. I hope that Emma wants to continue with it and just keep making memories. She has a fairly large class and so it amazed me how well she listenened and followed directions...always for others and not the mother right??

Disney on Ice...

These are just a few of the trillion pictures I took at Disney on Ice. I knew that it was coming, but we did not get tickets since we were going to the real place in June. BUTTTT, that all changed when last Wednesday I heard on the radio on my way to work that they had 10.00 tickets availabe. They were on the side, and not center stage, but who cares...we still ended up beign able to see everything beautifully!!! So, I told Brad we were going and Emma wanted to invite Ella with us..I knew she would love it too. I took the girls to Olive Garden for dinner beforehand for some noodles..and we ventured down. It was amazing!!!!! Of course I would expect nothing less from Disney. Of course the prices were Disney too...the popcorn I bought for 6.00 that cost them .50 and the lemonade to drink that cost me 7.00 and them probably .25...wow! But, it was all worth it and sooooo much fun. It was amazing to think that it was all done on ice!

Brad's 40th friends party..FINALLY!

My two favorite girls forever! Kaylee and Emma..so they are so adorable together. Emma had dance class and Brad's parents were babysitting her after class was over, but Kaylee said where is Emma Tara, I want to see her. So, we had his parents bring her out for a bit, it was so cute! They sat together in the same chair, and just hugged all night. Kaylee was just giving out hugs galore, and well, I just can not get enough of these girls. Love them both with all my heart!

Brad and his cake...yummy! Got it at ribbon box...so good!!
I always tease Brad because he loves Elvis music...cracks me up, so I had to get an Elvis themed cake...

Margo, Eric and Chris...what a hoot!

The Micheal's..forever buds of ours!

Ken and Kendy..I am so glad that they came. Brad and Ken have been buddies a long time!

I had to have a pic of Brad and Christy together....they both turn 40 and celebrate there birthdays on the same day. Crazy! Still looking good!!

Karol and Brad....there is a bond there that I think will never go away. I know they will be forever friends.

The Smith family with that precious baby Caroline...what a blessing they are to us. I just love Laurie's whole family.

I always am able to capture an awesome shot of my sister Jody with KK...I love this pic..so cute!!

Brad and Ken...they have been buddies for a long time and will always be forever friends. My favorite of the night, Ken brought a bunch of old pictures of them together with friends, and well, let me just say, they cracked me up!! Memories...I can do without the underwear shot though Brad.

Cheers to the crew and good times by all!

Ann and Trisha came a little later, but let me tell you..we had a blast with them. We ended up going to the elks with Ann, Trish, Karol and what laughs we had...my goodness.

So we were finally able to have a get together with some of Brad's friends at Benny's to celebrate him turning the big 40. We were suppose to have it last week on his actual birthday, but with the nice snow storm mother nature blessed us with, we had to reschedule it. We had a blast. I got a cake for him, Elvis theme, and a few decorations. We had food, friends and drinks. Who could ask for more! Of course someone had the brilliant idea that we could go to the elks for a bit. We have not been there in forever, so the faithful followers, Karol, Ann, Trisha me and Brad went to the elks and before we knew it, midnight had arrived. Ow dear...let me just say that when the alarm went off at 5:30, I was not a happy camper! I hope that Brad enjoyed all his fun and that I made his 40th a good time.

Brad turns the big 40!

On Saturday night Brad and I had our first big getaway night away from Emma. It was a combination of him turning 40 and Valentines day. Emma spent the night at the Wellers and had a great time. We ate dinner at spagetti warehouse and then went to check into our hotel at the Hampton Inn. They were really busy, and asked us if we minded a free upgrade...of course we said sure. WE WERE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE...talk about nice! I about died. Then we went to the Blue Jackets game, they won 4-0. After the game we got another surprise, a favorite band of mine the Reaganomics(they play 80's music), were at Frog Bear Bar so we checked them out for awhile and then stopped at Barley's next to our hotel for a beer before heading back to the hotel. It was awesome and I really enjoyed my night with Brad. Happy Birthday!

On his actual birthday today, I got the day off work because of this blizzard we seem to be having...so I hung out with Emma in the morning and then we met his parents at Old Town for lunch and presents. He came home a little early from work and we headed out to play in the snow for awhile. Wow, did we get a ton of snow, I could hardly walk in our backyard..Emma had a blast in the snow. The night ended good...Brad said his birthday would not be complete without pizza, so we headed to family pizzeria. We were suppose to have a gathering tonight with some friends at Benny's, so we got that changed due to the weather to next Thursday.