Happy Birthday Justin!

 His last year in his 30s and life is looking pretty amazing. These five kids (and their mommy) look up to him quite a bit!! 

It's also becoming a tradition to have a big group hug for his birthday! It makes me so happy!!

16 years

He's my favorite guy and I love that we've had 16 years together. Some people feel they do best gaining experience and being on their own for a while before they get married. But for us, we did best growing together. I would definitely not be where I am today without his love, support, and example. I love us and the life we have created! ❤

I also love that we celebrated with good food. :) 

his way to celebrate

On Justin's birthday, he only had a few requests: spend time as a family, a massage from the kids, steak for dinner, and a great big hug. He got everything he wished for. And of course he deserves much more because he is everything to us. Happy Birthday Daddy!!!! ♥♥♥

father's day weekend

We started the weekend with having dinner at cousins house. We had barbecue chicken, coleslaw, and watermelon. Perfect summer evening meal. The kids also went into the backyard and ate raspberries to their hearts content.

Saturday morning several Packer girls headed to Grandpas house and watched West Side Story. Adeline watched for an hour then she sat with Grandpa and fell asleep. I think she'll like this tradition. It was so nice to spend some time with my dad on this father's day weekend. I quite like that he is my dad and I love watching him be a grandpa who tells the best stories. Afterwards we went to Shautel's baby shower. Still can't believe that my very first nephew is going to be a dad and I'm going to be a great aunt! 

On Sunday, we celebrated all things daddy! We gave him a tie in the morning, Rudger spent a long time making a special gift for him (which included wrapping some of his own toys), and we had a special dinner because that is his love language. We sure like him....a lot!!

anniversary weekend

Our anniversary was on Sunday. It still surprises me every time I realize that we have been married for 14 years. Time just keeps on flying by. We like to talk about those early years; how I never planned on moving to Salt Lake but it was just meant to be, how I almost lost my opportunity to date Justin (we actually don't talk a lot about that, because it depresses me), how young we were. I don't think anyone knows what they are really getting into when they get married, but when I made that choice 14 1/2 years ago, I just knew everything about me marrying Justin was right, and it was the best choice I ever made. 

Our weekend first started out with celebrating the amazing weather we were having! Playgrounds after school, popcycles, and hide n go seek in the bushes.

Then after THE longest four day wait, I finally got to see my adorable nephew!! My sickness that I had for two weeks before and felt like I was getting so much better decided to come back with a vengeance for two more days. I was so frustrated. By Thursday I was feeling much better, and Friday I was a new woman. I didn't even get a picture of him because I was too busy admiring him and talking with my sister! So so happy for her! But I did manage to get a picture of our two girls wearing matching shirts ♥♥♥ 

 

 :: Saturday night anniversary date in the new car Justin just bought ::

 :: this girl fell asleep three seconds after I took the picture on the left + daddy in a suit holding our sleeping girl melts my heart :: 

 :: and just because this picture makes me happy - chocolate face + drawing letters + fell asleep while trying to write those letters ::

I'm quite happy with the little life we have created!

(not pictured: Corbin - how did he get out of getting his picture taken!  Also - Taylor was away from us all Friday evening at a birthday party and we missed him like crazy! And I attempted a fun Cinco De Mayo party, but it definitely did not turn out how I envisioned. There are just not enough hours in a day!)

my valentine

^^ definitely one of my favorite pictures ever (and it makes me long for summer) ^^

Justin says if you set expectations really low, you will never disappoint anyone.

We have never been very big on Valentine's day. Most years he has surprised me with flowers or chocolates, but some years we really don't do a thing.  With Valentine's Day on Sunday this year, I was not expecting a thing.  For the past week I had been feeling overly stressed about many things, number one being, how in the world I was ever going to get on top of house chores. It made me a less then happy mommy and wife. Justin picked up on this pretty quickly. :) Over the weekend, he spent much of his spare time taking care of the things I just wasn't getting accomplished. He even managed to get the boys to clean their room, which I can nag them until I am blue in the face and...nothing. Justin has a different effect on them.

And this was his gift to me this Valentine's Day. He really knows my love language!

Unfortunately for him, he just set the expectations a little higher this year.

we love daddy - love the 'bos'

For some reason, this Father's day we were not on top of it. Saturday was a crazy day and we just were not prepared with a lovely breakfast and lots of gifts and treats and cards. Lucky for us (not really, but sort of) Justin had meetings in the morning before church and then had to stay after to do tithing. As soon as the boys and I pulled into the driveway we ran inside and got out the paper and markers and got to work. 

I was so proud of them, they really took their time on these cards and were so thoughtful. Then we thought about what we had in our home that daddy loves. I love that the boys know their dad - a can of squirt, a peach, and some chocolate. 

When Justin came home and saw how much love the boys have for him, I realized I didn't need to stress about not spending lots of money on him. He just loved the affection and admiration we have for him.

One of my favorites...the little note made from cheez-its that Levi spent FOREVER on. He went through each cracker to find the letters he needed, in the end he couldn't find a Y.  

mid 30s

Back at the beginning of June we celebrated daddy's birthday. He has officially entered his mid-30s. He is never one to make a big deal on the number, but he says it is kind of weird to be entering the last half of his 30s. 

Obviously our four boys absolutely adore him. Corbin has so many of his mannerisms, Taylor has inherited his artistic and creative abilities, Levi and Daddy are fearless roller-coaster buddies, and Rudger is a HUGE fan of his daddy. 

I don't leave the home in the evening often, but when I do...as I am walking out the door I can hear all five boys yell..."now it's time to PARTAAAAY!!!" I probably should be offended, but secretly I love it.

We could not do life without this man!