An Ode - To Andy

Today marks 3 years since Andy and I were married...and in honor of this special occasion I thought I would share some of my favorite things about him (along with some pictures from along the way)....

He is my best friend.  There is no one I would rather spend my time with than Andy.

He makes me laugh.

He is one of the hardest workers I know.

He always tells me he loves me.

He is very intelligent.

He is a wonderful father.

He supports our family financially, emotionally and most importantly - spiritually.

He honors his priesthood.

He makes me want to be a better person.

Lastly, and most importantly...he makes me very happy!

Happy anniversary Andy, here's to many more years to come.

xoxo

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Here are a few things I have really been enjoying lately....

I'll get this stuff out of the way, so we can move onto more important things!  

First, yes that's Boy Meets World.  ABC Family has been playing episodes every morning and you can bet that I have been recording them to watch when I have time.  I love it...who's with me???   Second, a little frozen Yoplait fruit smoothie really hits the spot...and the commissary has them for a GREAT deal.  Andy and Noah and I have been yumming these babies up like mad. Third, a little plug for Pampered Chef.  I have never been one to go to a Pampered Chef party, let alone buy anything.  A few months ago I went to a party my cousin was hosting and got myself a couple of the Micro-Cookers.  Let me just say, it's amazing...and I use it almost every day!

Also, I am loving this.....

The newest member of our Stockhoff family.  We were trying to push off buying an additional car as long as possible...but since we weren't able to live on Post...it presented us with a little transportation problem (meaning I was stranded at home all day).  So we decided to go ahead and buy this beaut.  I love her, and I think her and the Volvo make quite a pair.

A new ride wouldn't be complete without some sweet tunes to jam to while you cruise.  Here is one that we have been listening to over and over around here....

Most importantly...Noah is definitely my favorite of them all.  I find him completely entertaining and adorable.  We recently made a trip to the pool ...it took him a few minutes to warm up but he loved playing there.  Even better is that the pool on post is FREE and just remodeled their kiddie area...it's awesome!

Then just on Friday we had a little picnic at the park and took Noah to play on the toys.  Little did we know that there was a little water area there where kids can play, and as you can see, Noah didn't care that he was fully dressed - he got all wet anyway!  It was hilarious.  As you can see in the second Video...Noah found a hole, decided to stick his finger in it and then lick his finger.  I found it gross, but he was obviously having fun. ha.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

 

Lastly, just to give you an idea of some of the things Noah enjoys doing in his spare time (I am sure the grandparents will enjoy these videos the most :)

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Meet Me In St. Louis

Let me just say, if you haven't seen this......

or this...

Then you are really missing out!!  I love this movie...and I also like St. Louis!  This weekend we took a little trip to good old St. Louis to get our baseball on.  It's no secret that Andy loves MLB, particularly the LA Dodgers - but just for the fun of  it we went to see the STL Cardinals play the Oakland A's.   The game was great, the weather was warm, we stayed in downtown STL and even ate breakfast by the Arch.  Next morning we hit up the mall, had lunch at one of my favorites- CPK and even found a frozen yogurt shop in a beautiful part of town.  We can't wait to revisit when the Dodgers come to town!!

Beautiful right?  If you can't tell, Noah was REALLY tired during the game...but he did great!  He did fall asleep for a while, but then the Cards scored and he didn't sleep after that.  Can't wait to go back!! 

******************

I can't end the post without mentioning this very special day...FATHER's Day that is!  A little shout out out to some VERY special guys. 

First, of course, is my husband and best friend.  He is a WONDERFUL father and a great man.  I am very lucky to have him and Noah is just as lucky.  He couldn't have a better Daddy.  I love you Andy...very much.

Secondly...to Andy's dad Gary and my pops, Lynn.  Two of the most generous, funny, hard working, patient and awesome dads around.  We love you both so much!! 

Lastly, a little shout out to all you fathers, uncles and friends.  Happy Fathers Day!

Dickerson Park Zoo

Since Andy has had a little time off of work, we have been able to do some fun things as a family.  Monday night we took a shopping trip to the Ozark Outlets...it was fun, and Noah came away with some great summer clothes!!  Last Friday we took  a trip to the Dickerson Park Zoo.  I was pleasantly surprised with how many animals the zoo actually had and we really enjoyed ourselves...aside from all the heat and humidity that is!  I am not sure why I even curl my hair anymore...within an hour it is straight anyway.  ha. 

Here are some highlights.....

Feeding the Goats...

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Riding the Titus Express...

After our visit to the Zoo we had lunch at BWWs...that's Buffalo Wild Wings.  It was great!!

Voyage to Missouri

Andy and I are sitting here watching She's All That.  You know...that movie with Freddie Prince Jr? Yeah, awesome.  It's surreal actually, sitting in my own home...with my husband.  It's wonderful, and I am certainly not taking it for granted (I am sure many of you can relate). 

Our journey here was long...and by long I really mean long.  Andy returned home from Afghanistan, spent a week in Kentucky for out processing and then made the trek to MO a day later with his dad.  Lots of traveling.  Originally we had planned on living on post...but due to housing management changes it didn't work out.  Needless to say, Andy and his dad found us a great place to live- all in one day!  Noah and I were supposed to fly directly onto post - but after one cancelled flight and another delayed...we finally made it a day later then expected.   Even with all the bumps, its been great being together again. 

So obviously there has been A LOT of unpacking going on.  We still have to tackle some of the garage...but overall the progress has been good.  Noah has LOVED exploring the new place and loves to hide himself in the cupboard.  I think that's his favorite place in the house actually.  It's quite adorable. 

 

Some exciting/eventful things that have happened since we got here??

1) Our neighbor (since we live in a duplex/townhouse) decided to wash her car IN her garage.  Since our garages are connected the water leaked over into our garage.  It was awesome (not really)...thankfully only a rug was seriously ruined. 

2)  Andy came down with a bug...and spent all Sunday in bed.  He was miserable and I am so glad it only lasted a day.  Poor guy.

3)  Andy's brother Greg and his wife Allice (who just happens to be my BFF) had baby number two yesterday!  Little Gary Finn Stockhoff (G.Finn for short).  And we couldn't be happier for them!! 

4)  Andy's youngest sister MacKenzie graduated high school.  Just wanted to say CONGRATs to Kenz and tell her how proud we are of her!!

If I Had A Dollar...

...for every box I have unpacked, I would be a very wealthy woman.  I have enjoyed it though...aside from my lower back pain that is.  We have already been in Missouri for a week (a week already??) and I have spent all my time unpacking...and working on this -

Not the best picture, obviously.  I will post more when I have a chance to load pictures.  Yesterday I was a sewing maniac.  As I mentioned in a previous post...we recently purchased a new sofa...but the throw pillows were zebra and leopard print.  Not really my thing.  So I took the liberty of recovering the pillows and even making some curtains!  It was a lot of fun, and I am really happy with how it came together. 

Even more exciting news??  A little preview of our family pictures were posted on Chantri's blog!  Go HERE to check them out.  I am so happy with them! I will be sure to post some here when I get our copies.  She did such a great job.

Until tomorrow!