Tribute to Friends

Here are just a few of the reasons we will be missing our friends, (it is really hard to not just say their last names, but I know they like to be internet safe)

It was love at first sight for our oldest. Madison kissed Cayden the first time they met and they haven't really stopped since:)

Cayden was a bit more aggressive, typical boy!

There's more to the relationship than just kissing, however, much more. Madison has always taken Cayden's hand whether figuratively or literally and shown him the way. I know Cayden is smarter today because of his friend Madison.

Cayden and Noah are 5 months apart and they were destined to be buds. Just look at these sumo wrestlers!

We've had numerous people ask us if they were twins, and there are times, as moms, we've had to do a double take to figure out which son was ours:)

We've had the joy of having various characters show up on our door step each October:

(2007)

(2008)

(2009 was skipped due to sickness on our part)
2010-is 6 hours too far to drive for candy?

Super Bowl Parties:

Fun for the Kids,

Work for the moms,

Food and Games for the dads,

Annual Activities for the kids

Shared Birthdays

Days at the Park

And Swimming...

Best Buds...

Who sometimes fight...

But always make up!

Play Dates

(proof that long distance friendships work?)

Barrel Rides

Craft Projects

Birthday Parties

Through it all, we knew their kids would have an influence on Cayden, the good as well as the bad:

Snack Time!

Pajama Parties

"Snow Fun" to be Together:

The friendship isn't just among the kids though:

We know how to have fun too! :)

2009 "Mom's Only" Florida Trip

2008 New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball

2009 New Year's Eve Lethal Luau

We even celebrate the ups and downs in life:
Like Nate turning 30 (a year early)

(Whew, good thing we got that in!!!)

Or me getting laid off

(note what the cake says, "Happy Loss of Job Lyndi")

And so it only seems fitting that we celebrate this as well:Congratulations Nate On Your New Job!
We know God has great things in store for your family.

(I will look forward to our ANNUAL vacations starting next month:) )

Memories

Karen Kingsbury wrote a poem in a book I read that she later turned into a children's book, "Let Me Hold You Longer" I recommend this book to any mother as it is so true. It's about how we record all the "firsts" in our children's lives, but we never realize when the "lasts" happen. The last time they had a bottle, or crawled, or ...

I love memories, it's why I love to travel, I figure when I'm old and gray, sitting in a rocker by the window, all I'll have left to keep me company are my memories. After all, our life is made up of our memories. Anyway, I say all that so you have some understanding of my next post:)

This was quite possibly the last time I get to have the pleasure of watching these 3 friends have lunch together while I babysit. Cayden and I will miss them so much and I was told by a wise woman that it's ok to grieve the loss and then move on, so bare with me as the next few posts may very well be me "grieving the loss"... :)