My Little Brother Graduated

It's true.  Harrison is a Laguna Beach High School graduate.  I know for most of you he's just the happy little baby zooming down the hallway on his car. (too early in the morning)  But now he's all grown up and off to college!  He made it through zooming down those halls waking us up to being dragged to every single soccer game to welcoming us home from Colorado with excitement to visiting us in Erie/Atlanta all by himself to walking across the stage hearing nothing but extremely loud screams from his two big sisters.  He made it!  And his journey has yet to begin.  Because you see...he's going to be a BUFFALO!!!!  WOOHOO!!!

So if you see a handsome young lad roaming the streets of Boulder most likely with a Salvaggios sandwich in hand and a little girl named Katin tugging on his shirt...say hello!  He's the most committed, determined, focused, intelligent, caring, compassionate young man you'll ever meet.  Just don't get between him and his Salvaggios...

We love you Harry!!!

 Best part of the whole day was seeing all the graduates being escorted to the graduation site in town.  Harrison spotted us right away...maybe it was the sign?

 Proud Parents

Proud Grandparents

Proud Big Sisters

Proud Big sisters screaming

Class of 2012

America!

Get your twang on.  Get that low, grunty, twang on and repeat after me:

"MERICA!"

Hop you all had an explosive fourth of July!  As Thomas and I were watching the fireworks last night, we  were both reminded of how fortunate we are to live in America.  How blessed we are to have the freedoms we have.  We are especially thankful for the following things:

1.  Our Military- especially Eric Pittman, Rob Bucknam, Blake Bucknam, Rane Roweder, Abe, and the random Army guy we met at Gina's the other night with his family.  He will be leaving for Afghanistan in two weeks.  Thank you!
2.  Our safety- our heads approach the pillow without worry of what the night may bring
3.  Our Faith- which cannot be shaken

How does living in America make you thankful?

Last weekend we had a little mini stay-cation.  Staying at mom and Doug's house is like going out of town for a few days....even though we're still "in town".  I think it's the view- there's just something about it that makes you take a deep breath, close your eyes and thank God for His many blessings.  Katin, on the other hand, thinks it's like a vacation because she gets to ride the free Trolley around town.  Last weekend she got to ride it to dinner.  You'll see remnants of it on her face :)  

Can't wait for another stay-cation at Grandma and Grandpa's house! 

Waiting for the bus

Riding the bus

Mini Kinney's Shower

What a treat it was to have my sweet sister Becky here for an entire WEEK!  Her and David came out for Harrison's graduation (a whole other post in itself) and while they were here we threw a little baby shower for mini kinney...complete with shower games, hot tamales, and chick fil a nuggets.  I think she felt very loved and celebrated.  We are all so thrilled to meet this little girl in October!  Love you sister!!!

 Does anyone know why my picture got turned during upload?

 Monthly Onesies- So cute and SO Becky!  Look for mini Kinney featured in these on facebook soon.

 Besties (I've always wanted to use this word)

 "She's gonna be a soccer player."

 One of my favorite gifts she got!  Go Buffs!

 Again, why?!  Just gotta turn your head.  It was cute how Katin helped hand her the gifts.

"I can't wait to meet my little cousin!!!"

6 years ago...

I married the greatest guy in the world!  Seriously, the whole entire world!

So today we strolled along the crowded streets of Laguna and walked down our "isle" again.

As we got the chance to talk about life and the past 10 years of getting to know each other one thing still remains... Thomas has been and always will be the greatest encourager and challenger of my faith.  His desire to be sold out for Jesus is contagious.   

 Oh, and of course we celebrated with some ice cream!

Happy Anniversary Smoken Hot Hubby!

Seriously though, the whole entire world! 

Soccer!

You shouldn't be surprised that our little Katin has just finished her first session of indoor soccer.  I'm so excited that she now knows the words dribble, shoot and score!  We play soccer at the park, in the backyard and even in the living room.  If she doesn't grow up playing soccer, I won't cry for too long.  But no volleyball...shorts are too short!

Here's our little soccer stud in action:

Listening intently to the coach (Katin is in pink)

 Dribbling.  She doesn't really know how to turn around so she will dribble all the way to the wall and then go the other direction.

Coach said stand against the wall.  She's waaaay over there against the wall ready to play "rooster tail"- one of her (and now daddy's) favorite games.

 Getting down to business....with strategy and boogers.

 Now they will scrimmage.  There is at least one person who gets kicked in the face because he (usually a boy) tries to pick up the ball with his hands.  No hands in soccer, silly boys!

You might find Katin

You might find her walking around the house singing to herself.  Very cute!  Usually songs like twinkle twinkle or Jesus loves me.  Lately, though, if you were a fly on the wall you'd hear, "Red solo cup...I fill you up!  Let's have a party!"  Blame Daddy.  Why...because it's on his playlist.

You might also find our little darling in time out.  Timer and all!  Yesterday she was in time out for not obeying when I asked her to put the pillows back that she had strewn across the living room.  As always, she sits in time out.  She then tells me why she was sent there.  And we have a very quick chat that ends with an "I love you" and a hug.  Yesterday she ended with "I love you Mommy.  Forgive me please."  Blame Mommy.  Why...because I say it VERY often.  To both her and her daddy.

And then again you may find her doing one of her favorite activities...puzzle building.  Her latest and greatest is a four foot long floor puzzle of the alphabet.  She puts it all together then walks on each letter singing her ABC's.  Then she asks me what my favorite letter is and I tell her every time that it's the N because it has a picture of a Narwhal.  (Random)  When I ask her she always says, "D for my Daddy.  I really love daddy."  (You have to say "really" with a very deep and throaty voice)  And then crawls Aubrey.  Of course Katin wants to know which one is her favorite.  Well...Aubrey's favorite is to DESTROY things.  When she proceeds to take apart the ABC's Katin has a bit of a meltdown.  Blame Aubrey.  Why...because Aubrey is the most likely cause of meltdowns lately....unbeknownst to  her of course.