Wedding Season

May has come and gone and officially kicked off wedding season in our world. We are so glad to be closer to home and able to attend some, yet we can't make them all. A couple of weekends ago, Brad and I were able to take a long Memorial Day weekend to help celebrate with some friends.

Before leaving we celebrated our FOURTH year of marriage! Has it really been that long? It feels like just yesterday we were picking out colors, flowers and making our guest list. We decided to treat ourselves to a nice steak dinner at Fleming's instead of buying gifts. It was my first time there and we really enjoyed it! A night to ourselves to enjoy each other's company, reflect on the past and dream about our future together... especially now with a baby boy on the way!

Our wedding weekend took us to North Carolina, but it didn't start there! We made our first pitstop in Blacksburg, VA to have lunch with Brad's cousin. It was quite a beautiful day and Oscar loved all the attention he got as we sat on the outdoor patio for lunch. Brad and I had some extra time and used it to walk around the campus of Virginia Tech. If I'd have lived in VA growing up, I would surely have attended college here... the campus is just absolutely gorgeous and I've always loved it. The Hokie stone really makes it.

After Blacksburg, we drove a little further to Bedford to have dinner at Bella Italia with who I would say have come to be our closest long distance friends. We go about three years back I suppose, when the boys were in their 101 training together here in Dayton. Brad and I were stationed in AZ at the time and the Cashen's were and still are in NM at Holloman. We visit each other any and every chance we get and it feels like we haven't ever skipped a beat. We have visited with each other in Ohio, New Mexico, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, and now Virginia. When we first met we were both newlyweds... just enjoying the beginnings of Air Force life. Now Chris & Christi have two amazing children, Nate and Elaina, and Brad and I have our little boy on joining us in November! I don't think I could say enough about how much we cherish their friendship.

After Bedford, we made our late night trek back west to North Carolina to stay in Boone for the night with B's parents. We truly have impeccable timing, because some other best friends of ours who live in Boone had their baby BOY (!!!) the night of our anniversary and he wasn't quite a day old yet. We of course stopped by the hospital to see Kayla and Nathan and meet baby Cole. I'm sure he and ours will make the best of friends back in Boone. I absolutely can't wait!!

Have I mentioned all of this traveling was done in one day?

Saturday we dropped little man Oscar off with my parents and made our way to Hendersonville to help celebrate with Cory and Amanda! They put all us wedding party people up in such a nice house and bungalow with a peaceful little creek running through it. We LOVED it. (Thank you Shufords!!) There we spent our next two days catching up with my high school/B's college friends. I'm so happy we were asked to be part of this wonderful day for C & A and it couldn't have been more perfect for them. Amazing weather, great venue, and of course a beautiful couple. We didn't want to leave!
(On a side note, it was pretty exciting to know we stayed just a couple of miles from Camp Kanuga that weekend. Mtn. View people, ya feel me?!)

 

Now we're back home, back into the swing of things and fond of the memories from such a wonderful weekend with friends and family. Oh, and we're 18 weeks along now! We get to see little man next week at our checkup. :) yay!

Saying Goodbye

During my two weeks in Ohio with Brad in May, we were able to spend Memorial Day weekend with my maternal grandparents in my hometown of Findlay, OH. Grandpa Reamsnyder wasn't at his best when we visited... he had recently taken a small fall and couldn't walk or do too much on his own.

He is a man I've always loved and looked up to. He fought for our country with the USCG as well as the Army in WWII. He was one of the first to land in Okinawa. He had a great time telling Brad stories from his time there, show him 'souvenirs' he took from Japanese soldiers, and weapons he used to defend himself. Needless to say, my husband was in awe and fascinated the first time meeting my Grandpa shortly after we were married in August 2011.

It's hard saying goodbye to family, but I know he's in a better place now.

Love you, Grandpa.

Father's Day 2012

Happy Father's Day to the Dads in our lives! Thank you for your strength and guidance throughout the years and for your support as we got married and moved out to AZ. We can't begin to tell you how much it all has meant to us.

Happy Father's Day to Grandpa Reamsnyder, Pepaw, and Grandaddy Warren also. We're thinking of Grandad Bob today and remembering what a great man of God he was.

We love you all so very much :) Have a wonderful day!!

The Heart of it All

Since Brad has been at training at Wright-Patt since mid-April, we were able to fly me up to stay for a couple weeks to break up our time apart and be able to spend our anniversary together (thank goodness!).

Brad's rental car :) 

back together!

Wright-Patt

We were able to go to visit Young's Dairy for ice cream and putt-putt, watch all of Harper's with everyone, go to Cheesecake Factory for our anniversary dinner (!!), and go to a couple Braves vs. Reds games at The Great American Ball Park! If you guys/ladies from 101 are reading this, I had such a fun time getting to know you and spending time with you while I was up there! I know Brad values the friendships he's made, and I do as well!

Young's Dairy

WORST hole on the putt-putt course! haha

Fountain on the course 

Wine and flowers Brad brought me on our Anniversary!

Reds vs. Braves at The Great American Ballpark!

I was fortunate to have another AF Wife to spend time with during the days when the boys were in class. It was good company and gave us something to do after sleeping in most mornings. :) Thank goodness Christi that you and Chris aren't too far away from us and hopefully we'll both be able to make trips to visit!

For Memorial Day weekend, Brad and I drove up to Findlay so we could spend some time with my mom, grandparents and see my other family in the area as well. Brad was able to help my grandparents out with some work outside and I was able to get my grandma out of the house some for errands. It was refreshing to be around some more familiar faces!

George House Coffee... a local coffee shop in Findlay that is fantastic!

My Uncle Bob's restaurant, Oler's Bar & Grill

Fuzzy from the camera phone, but this is my cousin Andy, Me, Brad, Aunt Jane, Uncle Tom and my cousin Layne at Oler's Bar and Grill (Uncle Bob's restaurant.. who is taking the picture!)

The past two weeks were so great and I can't wait to have hubby back home! :)

Mother's Day 2012

Happy Mother's Day to some wonderful women in our lives! We love our moms very much and are so grateful for their love and support. Thank you for raising us to be the people we are today, we wouldn't be where we are without either of you.

Also, a happy mother's day to Grandmom Burton, Grandmom Dot, Grandma Reamsnyder and Heather (who gets to celebrate with a new addition this year!).

We love you all :)

New Baby Boy!!

This morning Brad and I became an Uncle & Aunt a second time over! My sister had her baby boy back home in North Carolina at 10:06 am and a healthy 6 lb 12oz.

We're sad that we couldn't be there to be with you all today and enjoy his newborn-ness, but cannot wait to meet him soon!! Congratulations on the baby boy Sis, Grahm & McKenna!

Welcome to the world, Jake Kelson!!

We LOVE you so much!

Kansas City

Today we spent time in Kansas with Brad's Uncle's family. I enjoyed the no driving part :) Amy made us pancakes for breakfast and we watched the State/Carolina game. (We won't discuss it any further than that.) The boys had fun on the trampoline and wrestled while Amy, Rob and Robert played with marshmallow guns. I also snuck in a nap and got some reading done on the nook. Pretty good day if I do say so myself... On to more driving in the morning!

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Today my wonderful sister-in-law celebrates her birthday. Happy 22nd, Sarah! We love you so very much and are incredibly excited about you and Jeff gettin' hitched this fall! Enjoy your last birthday as a single lady!

  

 

Happy Birthday Momma!

Today is the day my momma was born!

Mom, I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me (and for Brad & I) through the years. Thank you for raising me and putting up with me! You are a wonderful, caring, loving person and I can't imagine having anyone better to call my mom.

Hope you have a fabulous day, we love you so much!!

Love,
Brad, Dani & Oscar

Congratulations Sarah & Jeff!!

This is a bit belated, but toward the end of December, a few days before the celebration of the birth of our Savior, my beautiful sister-in-law got engaged to the love of her life!

Brad and I are so excited to be gaining a brother-in-law this year in September! It will probably be our first time back in NC after moving out to Arizona (which is only a couple months away!). Anyway, congratulations Sarah & Jeff! We are so very happy for you and will be praying for you as you begin your lives together!

This post wouldn't be complete
without a nice shot of the bling!

We Love You!

-Brad & Dani

O Christmas Tree

Brad surprised me last weekend by coming home (after spoiling me with his presence all of Thanksgiving!) for the night on Saturday and heading back to Havelock on Sunday.

One day is so worth it.

Saturday night we had dinner with three lovely couples. Two of which Brad helped to build a barn for a few months back (they had dinner for all of us). Very delicious food, great fellowship and a game of Taboo (which our team won at by the way!).

Sunday mid-morning we went out to a Christmas Tree Farm and picked out our very own first Christmas tree as a married couple! We also brought Oscar along to help in the selection process, of course.

It was fun going out to pick our tree, bring it home and decorate it together while listening to Christmas music! One trick we did this year was using icicle lights once our two strands of regular clear ones didn't quite make our tree glow properly. :)

This Christmas was so great and I'm glad we got to spend it together and with each of our families. Here are some pictures of this season!

Picking out our first tree!

All set up!

Christmas Eve was spent with my family
in Winston-Salem at my sister's house!

(front) Me, Mom, Heather (Baby BOY!) & McKenna
(back) Brad, Dad & Grahm

Mom got a couple outfits for my NEPHEW
who is going to be here the beginning of May!!

Christmas with the Shields'

All of the Grandkids!
(R to L) Brad, Me, Jessica, Amy, Burton, Robert, Mere & Sarah

ANNND Sarah got engaged a few days before
Christmas this year!!! So we took a ring picture :)

Hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas this year!!

-D