Love them so!

 

I love this channel!

ALL DAY LONG!

After eating a ton of seafood and playing games, we sang the infamous Wenzel birthday song to GaGa... this time with only one extra verse. 

"Because...It's your birthday day, it's your birthday-day, it's your birthday-day all day long!

Unfortunately, I didn't have much space on my phone, so I didn't capture many memories. Next year, she'll be another year older, and I'll be sure to capture many more happy memories.

105 is the goal!

 

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

 

25 years fighting & loving!

25 years of marriage (30 years together) has been a journey filled with many highs and, at times, even more lows. From the early days of dreaming together to navigating the challenges of raising children, we’ve faced trials that often felt heavier than those we’ve seen others endure. Children bring joy, but also sleepless nights and chaotic days, often leaving little time for us. Needless fights became part of our story, always leading to regret and remorse. In the midst of life’s demands, stolen moments with each other became precious—time to reconnect and remember our shared purpose.

Despite the struggles, our love has only grown stronger. It’s a deep, unique bond—cemented by faith and shaped by the trials we’ve overcome. As we celebrate 25 years, I take pride in the fact that we overcame challenges that made us who we are, and I look forward to continuing this journey together, bound by a love blessed by God that will last forever.

But we’re not done yet. For the next 25 years, there are still things we ought to work on. My zero-to-twenty temper which flares too quickly. Your sleep apnea (snoring!) sawing logs that loud could make Sleeping Beauty awake! My itchy fingers with experience insist on helping in your kitchen—hey, you love to cook, so I’ll let you have at it! Most importantly, I want to have the ability to be vulnerable, break down walls, and truly open up. I'm sure your list is longer... I know how much you love your lists. We'll face together, just as we have faced everything else, with love, patience, and grace.

 

B-day Dinner w/ Mom & Sash

I had a fantastic time with great company and an amazing view! Missed two members of the family... Perhaps next year,

 

Summer fun!

Since we're coming toward the end of summer I'm glad Sam had a chance to spend some fun with his friends! Burr that water was cold! The girls just sat and watched, but I'm happy they went! 

4th 2.0

I was teasing Dane with flowers before heading to Grandma & Bop-Bob's for their Fourth of July celebration. It was a hot day with good food, company, and games while waiting for the sun to go down. Then the real fun came...blowing stuff up! 

 

Sunday fun!

Dane had a hankering to play Clue. So Dane, Christian, Sam, and broke out the old original game Sunday dinner to play!

Country Pride Fourth of July!

My niece has turned another year older! Time to celebrate! Dane picked out a flower...Hope she can keep it alive as I surely couldn't! 

White Orchid

Need MORE!

The girls thought the boys were crazy! SAFETY first, or this will be the last time you have all ten fingers! 
 

Monkey Time!

God's beautiful creation!

 

Death Battle!

Sam had an amazing 16th B-day! An air-soft party with all his friends and family!!!

Manners Day

Unspoken Resilience

Puzzle pieces, scattered and broken,
Her mind is like a puzzle left unspoken.

Fifty as a child. A hundred as a tween. 

Two hundred as an adult, it seems now to be! 

Her brain struggles, a routine no one can see.

Her pain I can feel, anchors my heart to hers. 

Wash, rinse, repeat...the same old song we sing. 

Yet her coy smile pushes my patience to do its thing. 

Though her mind is a haze, 

Her voice is now loud, her spirit ablaze.

A fighter, a warrior, one day at a time. 

Her strength I'd love to share, with all sometime! 

Puzzle pieces, scattered and broken, 

But her spirit remains forever outspoken. 

Her will to push on, her strength to fight, 

A beacon of hope in the darkest of night.

-Her mom

Fat Bozo!

This pic needs no words! 

Spring-break cabin fever!

 So a trip to the arcade was in order! 

Emma turned 12!!!

The theme of this year's party was horses, and the color scheme was lavender. I was happy to see that all of my daughter's friends this year were able to attend. However, only one of them stayed until the end. The same friend who stayed overnight and we dropped off that evening.  

The candle that burnt the cake! 

Spring Break Fever!

Today, I decided to switch things up. Instead of the usual car turnaround for pick-up, I parked my car to soak up the contagious excitement in the air. It was such a sunny day, and all the kids were out running around on the playground. Once Emma spotted me, she ran and asked for a piggyback ride back to her friends. She loves directing me like a horse and I was happy to play along. Her friends and teacher were fun to chat with so we stayed for quite a while. On the way home, she talked me into sharing a snack at McDonalds. 

 

Beautiful!

She actually took a selfie with me! 

Emma had a wonderful day of pampering! Her Grandma and Bop-Bop treated her to a professional haircut, giving her the exact style she wanted for her upcoming big day. It's bittersweet to see her grow up so fast. She's turning 12 soon...it's also going to be a fun age (insert eye roll)!

Cupid was late

Due to Maddy and Sam being severely ill this February, our annual Cupid hunt at Wenzel Mountain had to wait till March! It was worth the wait, as Ga-Ga and Grandpa spoiled us with an amazing dinner and lots of sweet treats! 

Just before the hunt...

A train with clue #3

See's candy at the end of the hunt!