Malone Family Reunion 2009

We enjoyed a wonderful week in Pagosa Springs, Colorado with great family time, great cool weather, and some great relaxation. It sure was hard to leave the beautiful mountains and cool, afternoon rainshowers. It was Mollie's first time to meet most of the Malone's, so we were very excited to be able to make the trip and to get to see everyone ourselves! That doesn't happen often enough. We really had a blast with everyone and are already looking forward to next year! 

When we weren't sitting around visiting, we explored Durango, hiked to see a waterfall, window shopped in Pagosa Springs, toured the ancient Chimney Rock dwellings, white water rafted, clif jumped, fished, canoed, and ate, ate and ate!!! We had some of the best food this week....one of the perks of staying in a cabin is that everyone brought groceries and cooked there. Yum! 

We stayed in an amazing cabin that held all 17 or so of us, comfortably. It was very nice, was right on the lake, and is so the way to do vacation. If we only had a few million dollars to purchase our own cabin on the lake in the mountains...

Here are some pics of all the fun:

Kayley and Mollie

Reagan and Mollie

Uncle Jeff and Jason playing ladder golf...fun times! 

Waterfall...pretty

Chimney Rock

Our little family

Fishin'

Morning jogs are a great way to burn off some energy!

Bath time for the babies

Sisters!

(below) Hiking to see the waterfall...Mollie loved it! 

When I found the one whom my soul loves...Song of Soloman 3:4

We've had a busy week so I'm a little behind....

Six years ago (7/12/03), I married my sweet boy! What a great 6 years it's been. I've been sitting back and reflecting on our life together and have to say I am pleased. It's been fun to think about how much our lives have changed in 6 years! I remember the two of us and Ahlee (the dog) going to the park to walk around and let her run through the water to cool off, and doing things on whim just because we could. Now there's 3 of us and 2 dogs, and we can't do anything without lots of planning and either a babysitter or dogsitter! I wouldn't trade it for anything, though. 

I'm reminded more and more each day how much of a blessing Jason's been to me. I couldn't ask for a better husband. I'm so thankful for a healthy marriage, especially when it seems like those don't exist thanks to the overly publicized celebrity population. Marriage is definitely a lot of work, but we don't want to settle for anything or just exist. We've been going through a study with our small group on the book "The Love Dare". It's been challenging, but has already blessed our marriage. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to strengthen your relationship, no matter how good or bad it is! 

On our actual anniversary, we were both volunteering with VBS at our church, so we decided to celebrate on Saturday. Some may say it wasn't much of a celebration ( breakfast and coffee at Sugarbrown's, checking out the sidewalk-sale at Cardinals Sports, and a movie) but it sure was nice to spend the morning just with each other. We LOVE having Mollie around, but we needed some Mommy and Daddy time! Overall, it was a great day and we were thankful for the quality time we got to spend with each other. 

At the movies...

Looking forward to the next 6 (or 60) years! 

On a side note, we'll be heading to Pagosa Springs, CO this Sunday for the 2nd annual Malone family reunion (Jason's side)! We're super excited to head to the nice cool mountains and get out of this dreadful heat. We'll be gone for about 8 days, so I hope to have some awesome pictures of all the fun when we get back! Have a great week! 

Happy 5 months!

Our little lady celebrates 5 months on Friday! We're so proud of her and absolutely blessed to have her in our lives. Life as we knew it changed forever on February 10th, and how wonderful it's been since then! We love you Mollie Michelle!

Here's what little-bit has been up to lately...

- Rolling over from tummy to back...haven't been able to catch in on camera yet, though. It's so cute, we clap and cheer for her and she smiles so big! 

Almost there...

- Babbling, cooing, laughing! She talks and coos and sometimes will even have long conversations with you in her own little language. Even laughs at herself...she must have said something funny. 

- Blowing raspberries...it's precious but she flings drool (and sometimes spit up) everywhere! 

- The Itsy-Bitsy-Spider is her favorite song. It always brings big smiles.

BIG smiles!!!

- Superbaby is her favorite game...just don't leave her up there too long or you'll get a mouth full of something unpleasant. 

"Da ta daaaa ta da da da daaaa" (thats Daddy singing her Superbaby song)

- Snuggling in the mornings. Priceless. 

- Evidently, she likes swimming as well. Thanks to Lacye and Maddox for letting us join you for some pool time today! Good times!

Saturday in the park, I think it was the 4th of July!

We enjoyed a lovely July 4th weekend with friends and family! Earlier in the week, Maddox and Mollie got pictures made together in their matching red, white, and blue outfits that GiGi picked out for them. What a fun way to celebrate! The pics turned out pretty good, minus a few cheesy poses, and we all survived a photo shoot with two little ones. Fun times! Now, I'm going to be lazy and tell you to check out the Kalivoda's blog because she already has the pictures posted (the link is to the left and titled Maddox Bradley Kalivoda)! However, here is one of her still in her outfit playing airplane with Daddy...

On Saturday, we spent the afternoon at Papa and Gigi's house just hanging out and eating some yummy hotdogs, watermelon, and apple pie. We then joined the festivities at Mackenzie Park to watch Jason perform at the concert and watch the fireworks. He did a great job! Unfortunately, they had to put several acts on stage to appeal to all demographics (which I could have done without) so we only got to enjoy one of his songs, but it was worth it. We always enjoy us a Jason Fellers performance! Mollie was an absolute champ at the concert...when it first started the loud noise startled her and she got a bit upset, but then started to enjoy the music, especially when her Daddy went on stage. She sure knows his voice and turned to watch him. She even woke up a bit for the fireworks! I was worried it would be too loud for her (not to mention too late), but we covered her ears with a blanked and she really enjoyed the pretty lights. Then she fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep till the next morning! I'm so thankful she's easy-going enough to take her places! Here's her and Gigi at the concert and Jason performing...

We finished up the weekend with a wonderful picnic after church with all of our Westminster friends, a nap or two, and then dinner with PopPop and Nanny. Good times! We are very thankful that we have the freedom to celebrate and a God, country, family, and friends worth celebrating. Happy Independence Day! 

Aaaaahhh.....nap time!