Pre-warning... these are all out of order
Artwork with Q-tips from school
Shelby, Boppa and Charlie playing trains while wearing conductor hats!
Haley came too
These two share a love of trains
Caroline made a key lime pie for Justus' 27th birthday
Happy birthday Justus!!
Old man
JJ & Aunt Line
Playing outside, trying to stay cool
That's one way to stay hydrated
Love from Boppa
Cute puppies and plaid themed shower for my dear friend, Tricia and baby Campbell
I monogrammed the onesies on the mantle
Tricia was my very first friend at UT, a constant prayer warrior for the past 12 years, we were bridesmaids in each other's weddings, and now it's so exciting to share this time in our lives together being mommies!! (
This is us back in 2009 when she hosted a shower for me and Charlie) I can't put down in words how much I love and treasure Trish. I cannot wait to meet Campbell and for our boys to be lifelong friends too!! I love you, girl!!
Tricia and Lacy (two of my roomies from sophomore year at UT... Steph, wish you were there)
All the hostesses with Tricia
This cracks me up about Charlie & worms at school:
Apparently this is a butterfly from school
More painting
A few scribles
He's advanced, using a wheel barrow
He's still sleeping with mittens at nighttime and during naps too
At Caroline's wedding shower
Linda (Carson's aunt) and Monica (Carson's cousin) at the shower looking beautiful
Linda, Monica & Wendy
Charlie and Parker had so much playing in the pool before Justus and Caroline's wedding
Sweet boys
Kelsie and Charlie trying to warm up in the cold water
Lyn (Carson's aunt) and Parker
Charlie and Boppa
Happy boy
The morning before Shelby and Kevin's wedding we all went to the train tracks to put pennies on the track. This brings back a million memories for me. I grew up on the same piece of land from birth until I went away to college at UT. I have been to these train tracks hundreds of times to smash pennies, play in the woods, walk with friends to another friend's house, and the list goes on and on.
Parker, Grayson and Charlie waving at the train
(Grayson didn't like the loud noise)
Charlie was thrilled!
Looking for our smashed pennies
Carson, Parker and Jeff
Parker looks like he found some treasures to sell for scrap metal :)
Jeff, Grayson, me, Charlie, Parker and Papa Jess
Grayson playing with the backhoe
I guess he's heading back to Fort Worth
Charlie and his Papa Jess
Charlie loves to talk about train signals
No trespassing? Oops
Parker was a little dirty after collecting all his treasures
One last look at the trains
(Grayson was in the truck crying)
More dirt
NEW HAIRCUT!!!!
Where did our baby go??
Collage from school
Description of Q-tip artwork and what's he's been learning
On our way to Justus and Caroline's wedding, this was our pit stop!
This is Charlie's idea of a playground
To help Bear not twirl his hair I bought him a few Koosh balls and...
a lion. Why the lion? Well, he has learned to twirl the lion's mane instead of his own hair. So far he loves this idea!!
Wyatt and Charlie at the pool
We're ready for some summer days at the pool!
Goodness I could just eat him up
Where's Charlie?
My mom had this portrait made as my mother's day gift. I love it and want one of each of our future children too.
My niece, Izzie
Showing off his new big boy haircut and blue smile
Kissing Mia and Kevin and Shelby's wedding
Tire swing was a little full at my parents' house
With my soon-to-be-sister-in-law at their rehearsal dinner
The cute couple
Charlie and Parker "fishing" with sticks at Justus and Caroline's wedding
Charlie was extra happy for JJ and Aunt Line!
A picture from my cell phone with the beautiful bride
Another shot from my iPhone of the happy couple
My handsome hubby
YAY!!! I love my Caroline!!
Happy hour with friends from work, Tracey and Allison
Charlie LOVED meeting baby Hudson. He wanted to hold him, kiss his fingers, toes and head, and touch his face. It was such a sweet moment. One day he is going to be such a great big brother!!
The brothers in Justus' wedding: Andrew, Landon and Carson
Monica took this beautiful picture of the couple praying together
Charlie driving Mac's Mustang... well kinda. He didn't really steer very well.
Lilla, Charlie and Mac playing in the river
We went to Austin the night before Justus and Caroline's wedding and stayed with our good friends, the Kovacs. We had so much fun catching up and letting the kids play together. Zoli and Carson took the kids on a canoe ride too! Thanks again, let's do it again soon!!
The rest of these pictures are from Justus and Caroline's rehearsal dinner at The County Line on the Hill in Austin
Landon, Caroline and Justus
The cute couple
Caroline is family now, but more than that, she's a great friend
Andrew and Kelsie
Mandi, Klare and Colton
Peggy, Wendy and Judy (all first cousins)
Jeff, Bryon, Shelby, Linda, Monica, and Haley
Parker and Charlie
Debbie, Ashley and John
Papa, Gary and Mom A
My parents, Janet and Jess
Me and Ashley
Carson and me
Landon, Shannon and Carson
The boys all playing
Nathan and Landon
Justus and Caroline during the slide show
Groomsmen gifts
And with the groom
Me and Kelsie... hopefully she's the next sister-in-law ;)
If you know me at all.... you know I don't do toasts. I usually just cry or say something stupid, so I've refrained from embarrassing myself until now. Justus lived with us for the past two years and since I introduced these two I had to give them a little toast at the rehearsal dinner. If you read it, you'll get a glimpse into their love story and you can see how blessed I am to be an Anderson. Here it is:
Toast to Justus and Caroline
Now if you're like me, you can't believe that it's here!
It’s the wedding of Justus to Caroline.
So hear my own version of this love story, so sweet.
Sit back and listen and have a good time.
I'm the only sister-in-law in this Anderson Clan,
But “I’m” the match maker of these two.
Justus and Caroline may not agree with this natural fact,
So let me explain before the "I do’s."
I married just the oldest of the Anderson boys,
But for seven years, I've lived with three.
Justus moved to Fort Worth to go to law school,
And live in our tool shed, you see.
Then one day at work, I meet this beautiful girl,
Really quite awesome, THE Caroline.
So I ask, "Do you like Jesus and children?
How would you like to babysit for me sometime?"
She says “Yes” and comes to our house for a small fee,
Later, I ask Justus to "check" on Charlie.
I missed their first meeting, but twas easy to see,
My plan hatched two love-birds-to-be!
By now my brother-in-law is scheming and planning,
Where is a good place to "study" outside?
How about Botanical Gardens, cozy lunch date for two?
He’s daydreaming of her by his side.
Date nights and late nights, these two make the time
For museums and movies and more.
You mention Caroline and it sets off the sparkle.
Wow! I've not seen Justus like this before.
By the time Christmas arrives, he is TO-TAL-LY lost.
And the right gift has confused him a bunch .
I'm hinting at cute little gifts, with just the right touch,
But Justus, TWELVE presents? Too much!
I couldn't be more excited or elated for these two,
Yes!! He's in love with her, it's true!
But how to tell her, he is racking his legal mind.
Yes, 1000 post-it notes will do!!
Now I lost my best babysitter to my tool shed guy,
As they're off to travel and explore.
Wendy, his mom, is encouraging them both to elope
In Cabo San Lucas , DC and more.
Then he tells us he's got the diamond, and it’s
Hidden somewhere in our house.
In typical Justus fashion he didn't tell anyone.
He was quiet as a mouse.
In Austin by Town Lake , he popped the question.
And of course she said "YES!!"
Then off to registering for forks, plates, and knives,
And shopping for the perfect dress!
Then premarital counselor, with books to read,
And questions by the hundred.
Then more books and questions, more tears and hugs,
These two are clearly Spirit-led.
Now, Carson and I can hardly believe Justus has lived
In our shed for two years.
When he moved his stuff out just yesterday
I think I shed a few tears.
But I am jumping for joy to have a sweet sister
In this family to shine.
And Charlie is just as excited for the marriage
Of his JJ & Aunt Line.
FINALLY, another girl in the Anderson Clan!
I have been dreaming of this day.
Sweet Caroline will fit right in; Wendy and I
Are thrilled it’s the end of MAY!
So now, advice from a friend and happy couple.
As my dear father said one time:
“Remember a wedding is for only one day,
But a marriage is for a life-time.”
So, here’s to you, our Justus and Caroline. (raise glass)
Remember always and whatever:
Happy wedding, happy marriage, happy family,
Happy always and FOREVER!!
We love you, both!!
