

Emily- the mad Mr. Potato Head scientist

Ashley!
To see more FFF pictures make sure you check out Sarah's blog! have a great weekend!
BIG THANKS to Aunt Chelle who found this bed head picture of Maddie! LOL


Emily- the mad Mr. Potato Head scientist

Ashley!
To see more FFF pictures make sure you check out Sarah's blog! have a great weekend!
BIG THANKS to Aunt Chelle who found this bed head picture of Maddie! LOL
early dating pictures- yep, rick had long hair that he wore in a ponytail


Our first Thanksgiving married and below our first Christmas- with our first baby, Max.
Our first Anniversary- cutting the cake topper from our wedding cake- yes we tried it and it wasn't that bad!
At Sara and Rich's wedding. Below is one of my favorite family pictures to this day.
I have the song "The Way I Am" set up to play first because I love the lyrics (other songs following include our First Dance Song- In Your Eyes and others that have meaning to us) :)
For kicks- here are the lyrics to
The Way I Am:
If you were falling, then I would catch you.
You need a light, I'd find a match.
Cuz I love the way you say good morning.
And you take me the way I am.
If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I'll make it better.
Cuz I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am.
I'd buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair.
Sew on patches to all you tear.
Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise.
And you take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
Thank you honey for taking me the way that I am! :) I love you!
Rick and I had to make one of the hardest decisions this week. No one wants to make a decision like this, but in our hearts we know it was for the best. We had to say good-bye to our dear sweet dog, Max. Max joined our family when he was just 6 weeks old. He is an Independence Day dog- born on the 4th of July in 1996. He just celebrated his 12th birthday this month. The girls sang to him and tossed "Scoob-i-dy Snacks" to him. Max was our first baby. He was a wonderful dog. He protected us, cuddled with us, comforted us and was a constant in our crazy life. He liked to sit on your feet and would follow me around. The minute I stood still he'd sit and so there I would stay. He loved sleeping on his back (and snored like you wouldn't believe when he did). He detested weed whackers and electric nail guns. It is going to take a lot of adjusting to living life without Max. The girls are not quite getting "it" so we find ourselves talking about it a lot more than we probably would have if they did get it. In a way I think this is good. I've promised the girls they can look at Max's "Puppy Book" in the morning. Here are some pictures I scanned from it.
Just a little pup!
Doing a "Flat Stanley" project with me...
Max loved sticks!
Handsome boy!
Our first "all O'Connor" Christmas - the year Rick and I were married- 1998

Rick and Max scanning the old Lomita neighborhood, watching all the kids.
In front of our peach tree- 2 years ago- he sat the best for the picture of all the "kids"
Our sweet Max, you will be missed!

Max O'Connor: July 4, 1996- July 22, 2008
Mommy and Madeline
Ashley was perfectly happy to be sun bathing on the beach (that's my girl!)
Maddie and mommy- happily lining up sand castles (we wonder where she gets her OCD from?)
Ashley started to put wet sand on my legs, Maddie didn't like it...
She had to get every bit of sand off me, little dear!
So it was another great trip! It will be awhile before Aunt Chelle can join us again, we can't wait for that day. In the meantime, I've finally found the inner tubes I bought in March (yep- put them away for too safe keeping!) so we'll have some new entertainment next trip!