Family time

Today was one of our niece's first birthday so we got together with Jake's family {his parents, brother's family, uncle, etc.} to celebrate Emerson's first birthday. There were babies and kids everywhere and it was so fun!! We really do have the cutest little nieces {I forgot my camera so this auntie got no pictures}. It's always so much fun for us to hang out with Jake's brother & his family and getting to see his parents was wonderful too. His parents came over afterwards to see our house and all the baby stuff we have. I really love Brennan and Mary and getting to spend extra time with them this past summer {although the circumstances weren't always the best} only brought us closer. It really is nice having his parents and my parents be neighbors...nothing like killing two birds with one stone on a trip to Iowa City! ...I hope that didn't come across wrong....

Here's a picture of us with Jake's brother's family and Jake's parents:




Anyway, Jake and I spent the afternoon putting together Jake's new grill {his pooped out} in the warm sunshine {!!!!!}. We even got the cats out for a bit to enjoy the sun, which they loved. We took a short walk around the block too before grilling. What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We couldn't help but wish we had a little baby to carry around and hang out with us. :)

So many times today we found ourselves saying, "This could be our last ______." What a reality check! Could've been our last walk just the two of us; could've been our last Sunday at church just the two of us. Everyone keeps telling us to enjoy this time but c'mon people - weren't you excited at this point? Yes, you were. You couldn't wait to hold that precious baby either. :) I'm sure there will be days when we'll look back and reminise about the times when we could just run to store "real quick" or spend the mornings sleeping in, but right now we are just too excited!