Happy Anniversary!!!

6 Years Ago today... 

I married the Man of my Dreams!

The Happy Couple!

Our AMAZING Wedding Cake!

Yum!

Our First Dance!

My Beautiful Bridesmaids and Personal Attendants!

Our Handsome Crew of Groomsmen and Ushers!

Our Wedding Party!

Sisters! One of my Favorite Pictures!

LOVE!

Happy Anniversary to my Husband! I love you so much and am really excited for the arrival of our Lil Man in a few days!

-M

Lolo Mae Johnson - Our First Baby!

Meet Lolo the Boxer!

Lolo as a baby!

If you have already met her in person, you will agree that pictures and her mama's words will do her no justice. I can only say that if you weren't a "dog person" before meeting her, you will be after.

I should start by telling you that I never had pets growing up. Ok fish, but they didn't last long! I wanted a dog for as long as I can remember. I think I got my dog-loving-gene from my Grandma - Nonnie and my ability to love a dog like a human from my amazing Aunt - Shanlee. After Jake and I got married and had bought our first house, I started to beg for a puppy! I had all this love to give and needed the mama practice. I finally wore him down and we got lolo for my 25th Birthday! She was SO worth the wait.

Lolo was on the front page of KCCI for a cutest puppy contest!

I can best describe my love for this dog as excessive. She was my first baby. The sweetest,  most gentle, snuggly puppy anyone could have ever asked for. She has so much to say with just her facial expressions, its precious. OK, you get it? I love my Dog :)

Mama snuggling her new baby!

Here she is in her first piece of clothing! A muscle tank that says "Google Me" - I thought it was only fitting that I get this for her (Jake didn't see the need) since her name was often confused with Lola and people wanted to know why we had to be different. Well... Lolo Mae Johnson was named after a local runner (hurdler) from Des Moines. She also ran (and bobsled) in the olympics. You may have heard of her... Lolo Jones! So when anyway gives her (or her mama) a funny look about her name being different or unique this is the stink eye I that I imagine her giving while wearing this shirt... thinking "Google me people!"

Lolo went on her first road trip with us to Green Bay, Wisconsin for one of Jake's Marathons!

Goin for a ride!

Celebrating with Daddy after the race!

This is what time with Mama looks like...

Painted Nails

This is what time with Daddy Looks like...

It's rough being a vikings fan!

Family Pictures with our Lolo Girl!

We love her SO much and can't wait to see her as "A Big Sister"!

-M

Baby Shower!

My Amazing Sister Morgan and Best Friend Kaleigh threw the most fun baby shower to help celebrate our Lil Man! I can not thank them enough for their organization, creativity, generousity and love! It was a great event with lots of family and friends!  

Thier Adorable Invite



The Parents to be before the shower started!



One of the last pics as a family of 3!

The beautiful Hostesses!

Mama with the hostesses! Can you see the little Man's foot poking out?



Our great Friend Anita came from Chicago to help us celebrate and became the third hostesses! She helped so much this day, we can't thank her enough!



One of my favorite parts! I love reading these as I sit in the babies room!

The beautiful Waffle bar! What a yummy idea!

One of the most creative gifts was a Diaper Barge!

Made by my talented Cousin's Lauren and Kelly! Thank you so much guys - It was awesome!

The hostesses made it a book vs. card shower and had the cutest "labels" made for the guests to write who all the books are from. We are so excited to read them all to the lil man soon!

Our Amazing family friend from Church - Sandy, made this beautiful play mat/Quilt for the baby! It's perfect!

Amazing!

Had to pause for some baby kicks! Lil man was feeling so blessed!

This one made me tear up a little bit! A boston Red Sox shirt from our friends the McDermotts who we were with at the Boston Marathon the year of the tragic bombings. Before all the craziness we had seen a game with them. A trip we will always remember! Thank you for thinking of us when you went back this year! He will wear that shirt Boston Strong!

Kaleigh knows my love for Monkies!!!

And the cutest Monkey Book!



Current family Fav Onesie!



Mama down!

The cutest "Beach Hat" from the Lil Man's Nanni!!! Love!

And some goofiness!

My Niece Hayden winning present Bingo!

Baby Running "shoes" socks from the Palmers! Adorable!

A part of the whole group! Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate!

Cousins!

Me and Dani!

The Martens Beauties!

With the lovely Lisa! It was great to catch up with some friends from College!

Me and My Mother-in-law!

  

Proud Aunt Wendy holding the first Mealiff grandson! Can't wait for this Christmas when there will be two!

Me and my Mama Cuz Lauren! She looks so great!

The Amazing Party Favors! Little Man Onesies with Bow Ties and Banana Runts in them - Yum! and the greatest Monkey Cookies!!! These two really know me :)

And as a teaser... here are a few pics of the Nursery at the time of the shower.

A HUGE thanks to my sister and Dad (Lil Man's BooPa) for the greatest paint job on the stripes!



Much has been done since these pictures but this will give you an idea of the room and the greys. We have a few more final touches and then I will post a Nursery tour!

All in all, I couldn't feel more blessed to have the greatest family and friends to celebrate this exciting time in our lives! Jake and I are so greatful!

-M