Thursday, April 9, 2009

Seven Years

A Lot can happen in seven years.






A lot can change.









For instance.....










I'm not as fat, Jere isn't as thin and frankly, I don't recall marrying a 12 year old, but pictures don't lie, right? Seriously, what is he 10, 15 maybe here?





We celebrated our 7th anniversary this weekend. April 4 to be exact. 7 years ago was a most beautiful day. Literally beautiful day. The weather was stunningly perfect. Cool, bright, gorgeous. The flowers at the Temple were out of control in their lovliness. MY day had finally come and God saw to it that it was perfect. Even though my Dad couldn't be there (busy in Honduras), my Mom was able to fly in and spend a few days with us. My besty Angie flew in 8 1/2 months pregnant to share the day AND my beloved G'pa Shumway flew in from PA. I had all the people I loved in the world (minus Dad) around me to share in this day. It's a very happy memory for me.




This was always my favorite picture from that day. I just like the look on my face.


Yeah, we did. Our photographer and video guy were dying the whole day with us. Apparently they weren't used to such irreverant and animated people. Eh, what can I say? We're cool like that.
So, exactly 7 years later, to the day, all we could manage to do to celebrate was squeezing in a lunch between conference and pageant and all our life craziness. We headed off to Charlestons, 'cause Jer loves it there and it was gonna be his last steak for a long time. We snapped this gem of a pic ourselves. Impressed?





I don't know, it's just a random shot of our bread and Jere. After a lovely little meal we headed out to purchase a new and muchly deserved and NEEDED toy.




I gots myself a brand new camera. Nothing fancy folks, just a nice Canon Elph(thank you tax return, NO, thank you two kids and poorness for making tax returns like this possible). I heart it so. Our old one was really on the verge of a breakdown. I mean, it was an 80 dollar Kodak that was nearly 5 years old, what can you expect?





Anyway, point is, simple as it was; it was just nice to have a little quiet time, just me and the manz. It's amazing to think we've been together for 10 years, married for 7 and that we're still in one piece. Oh you KNOW! I'm thankful for the fun, the laughter, the tears, the drama, the life lessons learned, etc. Here's to another 50.






And lastly I leave you with this beaut of a shot. And this question.....When did we get OLD? I swear I feel like we all look the same, but then you see a shot like this and you realize, holy CRAP we look OLD! Ageing sucks, but this picture doesn't. I have a hawwt family.









Memories lighting the corners of your mind,
Allyson

9 comments:

Dana said...

Okay....I can NOT get over that picture of us!! Pretty sure we were all feeling "old and wise" back then, but obviously we were CHILDREN. Yikes! (good thing we're getting healthy.) And....by other really favorite thing. the fact that there is space--actual air- between Dixie's back an your body. Sheesh....SKINNY. I just always remind myself that we are very closely blood related to her!

jen said...

And six months later the Dentons fell into your life and made you whole!

Jere Van Patten said...

Amen Jenny! We were NOTHING without you. You complete us. You had us at hello. =)

Greg and Tammy said...

WOW!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! We celerate 6 in MAy. I didn't realize that you were only one year ahead of us. I love all the pics. So funny how seven years can change things so much. Wonder what things will look like in another 7?

Mel said...

awww, happy anniversary! Love you guys.

Dixiechick said...

Like I said, these past 7 years have held a lot of trauma and drama for all of us....how could we NOT all look much older. I feel myself aging by the minute sometimes...like right now. I should be sleeping, but instead I'm sitting up, typing on this blog and my eyes are starting to sag and wrinkle at this very moment. Ugh. I hate getting old. I remember thinking how old all of you were at that time and now I'm older than you were and almost as old as Eric was. So weird!

Silky Smooth and the Night Rangers said...

Can you believe that at the time the picture of your family was taken, I only knew You and Jere? I had yet to know the awsomeness that is the Shumway Clan in it's pretty near entirety. WOW hard to imagine a time like that ever existed... I Love you all so, SO much....Happy Anniversary!

✩Molly✩ said...

man, I love you guys! Happy anniversary :)
Time sure flies when you are having fun! I remember the first time I met Jere at a family function, and of course I instantly liked him. :) You guys are awesome and I am so glad to be related to you :) xoxo

Tara L. Stradling said...

I love you guys too! I love your entire family. I love that you and Jere found each other and are so happy. I love you my friend and I wish you many, many more years of wedded bliss!