Happy Anniversary!!!

Today is Matt & my 4th anniversary! Here is a little walk down memory lane...

My college graduation. Matt proposed the night before!! I was still in shock in this photo.


In China soon after before 2nd anniversary!


Last year's Christmas card. Right after anniversary #3!



Time flies. It's crazy that we're already at 4 years, but I fall more and more in love with him every day. I love living every day with my best friend!

Turkey Day 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I don't have a lot of time to write, but I will say that I'm still full from Mom's wonderful Thanksgiving meal... and it's almost been 24 hours since we ate. We had a wonderful time playing together, eating of course and just being together for the holidays! It's so hard these days with the munchkins but I'm glad we could enjoy most of the day together!

Our family!


Addison, Tristan & Cooper played so well together!


What's a Thanksgiving without clay pigeons? Matt & I were just a little into it this year... my sore shoulder proves that today! good times.

Unfortunately, I can't be at the annual Bontrager hoopla this year, so I'll miss the BIG clay pigeon shoot-out, but I'm glad I got to take part in this one!

The munchkins had a great time playing together all day! It's been fun looking back at photos over the last year to see how much things have changed!

After a moment...

Hi All. I'm back! I had to step away from the blog, among other things, for a couple weeks to get a handle on life. Working full-time kind of sucks, but the check is much better! :) These days, I've finally adjusted to the new work schedule, finding myself in a groove and have even joined weight watchers! (more on that in future blogs) It was high time to get myself back in control.

Here are a couple things we've established during my time off:

It's cold outside, but guess what? Cooper still LOVES being outdoors and cheering on his Colts :)


Notre Dame makes Cooper cry when they lose. This was taken during USC - 'nuf said.


Cooper has been earning his keep around this place helping mommy with chores (hah!)


Last but not least... he's not exactly the most pleasant morning person when he doesn't get a sufficient amount of beauty rest! I wonder where he gets that from?!


On another side note - our puppy Charlie had surgery this week. Long story short we had to have a toe taken off. This poor dog did not get dealt one single healthy gene in his little body. Besides that, he's the sweetest, most loving dog ever! Here's his pitiful sympathy picture post-surgery...

Ok, one more thing... a very special little girl just celebrated her FIRST birthday! Happy Birthday Alyah!

The family!

The cake was bigger than her!


She liked the frosting once she was on momma's lap!


The birthday princess!

One of those days...

My latest facebook status update:

Idiots on parade in Goshen today. No, you cannot take up the ENTIRE aisle at Meijer just for fun and no you cannot stop at EVERY sample station around the store especially if you're walking in front of me! Oh, and there is no "The" in Wal-Mart and Meijer is not plural! Ugh! Ok, I'm done now :)

Please tell me I'm not alone out there! People today were driving me crazy. Here's to a better rest of the day!

Quick update: With the recession, maternity leave, etc., I had been working most of the year part-time, but that all changed this week. I am currently trying to recuperate from my first full-time work week since before Cooper was born! How is it possible to have a full-time career, be a full-time mom AND keep your house halfway decent so you don't break your leg tripping over random things in the house? I'm emotionally, physically and mentally exhausted. I'll update with a real blog soon.

Trick or Treat!!!

Happy Halloween!

Cooper's 2nd halloween! I can't believe it. This year, he was an ewok from Starwars! Cutest little ewok ever!!

(PS - Kim, the ewok's name is Wicket! I know it's been bothering you.)

Friday we went trick-or-treating with Jeni, Alyah, Marcie and the kids at the Old Bag Factory!


Trick-or-treating at Grandma & Grandpa Bontragers!


Katy & puppy dog Tristan! This was our attempt at getting them both looking at the camera AND happy in their costumes... this is as close as we got!


Hope everyone had a safe & happy Halloween!