march 9th memories

per blog tradition, i try to post a previously unseen wedding photo...this is one of my favorites. (but i think i say that every year).

and beginning a new tradition, here are a few important wedding guests.

joan...she looked amazing that day, and i LOVE this picture of her and clif. it is due in great part to her that clif is such a good husband. not unlike his mother, he very rarely loses his cool, but when he has a strong opinion about something you know he means business. admittedly he has a hard time expressing his feelings, but when he does it is always genuine and true. and even though he works very hard, his family is always first in his heart. it is also because of joan that clif is kind, gentle, and has that amazing "cook" gene. it hasn't been until recently, having a son of my own that i realize how amazing a gift sharing your son truly is. thank you joan, for sharing yours with me.

and sweet grandad bauer, another man who was all heart. this is THE perfect shot of him. i can still hear him say "we love you shuuugar." he always said we....i guess it was just second nature after all those years with grandmother. what an example of how to be a loyal, loving spouse. he took care of grandmother (who was a diagnosed alzheimer's patient for over ten years) until her last breathe. but possibly my favorite memory, is when vivian was very little and crying in her bouncy seat. i was quickly rushing to get her a bottle, when all of a sudden she stopped. grandad had picked her up, and was quietly bouncing her and talking to her, saying those same words he had said to me for years, "we love you shuuugar". it was an awesome sight. so many memories on this wonderful day....