Things Have Changed in Eleven Years

Last Saturday was our eleventh anniversary. It also corresponded with the day that our friend Kim was available to shoot some family pictures. And what a perfect Minnesota fall day it was too! The colors were stunning!!! Mike chose the perfect location. Everyone's clothes fit (once Mike made a rope belt to keep D's pants from falling down). The small Vs were ... mostly cooperative. Quinn is not quite photo session pro yet. She does great when it is a photo of just her. But the "come here, stand with your family, and smile" skills need a bit of polish.

Luckily we were able to walk around in the woods, pick up some leaves, throw some rocks in the lake, watch our dog go for a swim (silly puppy!), and have fun. It's amazing how pictures look better when we are actually having fun!

Then Saturday night, my sister watched the kids for us. My parents were in town too on their way home from an extended vacation. But as Q established, Auntie was in charge. Mike was on call, so we just headed out for some drinks and apps and barhopped our way around a couple suburbs - with the Wild home opener on in the background. It was a low-key, but very fun, date night out. Mostly just nice to spend some time together and relax.

It's fun to look at these photos and see how our family has grown in the past eleven years. We've gone from two kids with stars in their eyes, standing in front of a church, promising to love each other forever. To two less young people with stars in their eyes (and bags under them) who now have three kids and a dog of their own. Who still promise to love each other. Forever. So ... maybe not that much has changed over the years.