Happy Birthday!!!!!!

To the best Momma in the whole world!!!!!!

Happy birthday to the most amazing woman in the world.  A best friend, partner, and unbelievable mother to the greatest 3 "kids" anyone could ever ask for.   Without you, there is no us - so we celebrate your special day with you, with more love than you can imagine.  Enjoy your day, and dream big on all of your tomorrows.  After all, our future's so bright......

Welcome to the World...

...Ethan Caden Stachnik!!!  

On August 8th, at 10:11 am....my best friend gave birth to an amazing little boy!

6 lbs, 14 ozs, 20 inches long

We are so excited that you are finally here Ethan! Cannot wait to watch you grow up. We love you!!! 

Happy Anniversary!!!

On August 16th...my parents celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary! I have a good reason for not posting a blog on that day...we were all camping together! So it was a good day, honoring their accomplishment. In today's day and world, being married that long is not so common!

Thank you both for everything!! We love you so much!!! Here's to many, many, many more years of marital bliss! 

Happy Birthday Carter!

...A little late of course!!! 


My good friend from high school, Kristen, gave birth 5 days after I did. It has been a lot of fun watching her son, Carter, and Eva grow and change together. So happy belated birthday little guy! We love you!!!

Carter (left) and Eva (right) as brand new babies!

Carter and Eva at Christmas time

Carter's 1st birthday party

Sock Monkeys and One Year Olds

About a month ago, Eva turned one and we had a great, sock-monkey themed birthday for her. For those of you who know Drew, we knew from the moment that Eva was born that her 1st birthday would include some sort of monkey theme. I have been waiting to post her birthday blog until I got all of the pics from those at the party. I was running all over the place and didn't take any of my own! 


It was so much fun planning the party, making the decorations and the invites and the cake. It was a little overwhelming preparing for my daughter's one year birthday when it seems like she was just born. She has changed so much in the last year...as have our entire lives. Every day she changes...she is walking a little more balanced, pointing out more body parts (so far she knows belly button, head, foot and nose-we are working on bum). She is eating pretty much all grown up food now, loves to swim and go on walks with the pugs. She has come so far...it is really amazing to see her little curious face continue to learn everyday. And I have learned, because of her, just what it means to love completely and unconditionally. Who knew your heart could have so much room in it? 


Ok...enough sappiness...here are some pics from the party! Thank you to all of those that attended (especially Aunty Jen Rogers who flew all the way here from AZ just for the party)! It was so special to have friends and family here to share her special day! 

The Sock Monkey cake that I made. 

The present and cake table before everyone arrives and spoiled our kid rotten!!

The Sock Monkey banner with all of Eva's pics from the past year. 

Can't really see it, but Gramma made Eva a very special "Monkey" birthday dress complete with bloomers! 

Jelly bean favors. 

Momma and her baby on the special day. 

Love this pic...after wardrobe change for playing in the pool. 

Playing with all of the kids. 

Colleen and her munckins. 

Getting ready to cute the cake. 

It was right about here, after Eva rubbed chocolate cake in her eyes that we decided it was time to clean her up. 

Kristen and Carter...Carter's birthday party was the very next day! Love having these two so close in age! 

Playing with her new toy from Aunty Michelle