Happy Birthday, Tedder!

So I don't normally do birthday posts for everybody. I find they are a source of stress for me if I don't get them up in time, then I'll feel bad if I miss somebody (like how I'm kind of feeling bad now I didn't do one for Bets...sorry sis.). BUT these have been big birthdays for the boys! Plus, it gives me a chance to share some fun, old family photos!

Tedder turns 21 today. I can't hardly believe it. Literally, when I was pulling some pictures off of facebook I almost started crying. I sat there and rationalized my rush of emotions by thinking to myself, "this is normal...and if people think it isn't...then those people just don't get it, because they are my baby brothers. Tedder is just a kid." It is easy for me to think "I am grown-up...I can do all the grown-up things...but Tedder is just a baby. He can't be old enough to be in college? He definitely can't be old enough to drink beer now?!" WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?!?!?!

I decided I don't care how old they get...I will always call him my baby brother, or my little brother despite the fact he is now a legally-able-to-drink-beer, almost-done-with-college, 6'6" person. I feel this way about both Ted and Joe. And if I keep typing about it, I will start crying. Moving on.

I am so proud of the man Tedder is becoming. He has grown so much in his time at Sterling, and while we liked to refer to him as "Awesome Ted" when he was younger...he has only become more awesome in the last few years. I love showing him off to people. I love bragging about him. I just love him.

Here a few fun old pics to enjoy. Happy Birthday, Teddereddie....I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!




 Goodness...wasn't he just the cutest.
 



 *Note to self...find the sweatshirt Mom is wearing and steal it next time I'm home.







The next picture is our family trip to Chicago...one of favorite family vacations and definitely the source of some of the best Dower family vacay stories.



And just a few from Bets and Ted's joint birthday celebration! Seriously...they could be twins. :)



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Steph and Kevin | Engaged!

This past weekend I had the absolute pleasure of taking Steph and Kevin's engagement pictures. We were actually supposed to take these pictures in December, but had to reschedule. A few days before we were supposed to meet up, I got an email from Steph. It turns out her and Kevin had been in a terrible car accident on their way home from Thanksgiving. They were stopped on the highway for construction (or maybe another accident) when they were hit from behind by a car going 75 miles per hour. Steph was life-flighted out to one hospital while Kevin was taken to another. They showed me pictures of the car. How anybody came out of that accident alive is a miracle in and of itself. To be fully recovered with little to no residual pains or injuries. As you will see in these pictures...they looked amazing. The whole time they kept sharing different stories that came out of the accident. They couldn't stop talking about how grateful they were for their friends and family, and how I better be ready for an emotional wedding. Considering I wanted to tear up at the site of a picture of their reunion in the hospital...I am pretty sure I will sob like a baby at the wedding. I told them I needed to apologize in advance if all of their pictures are blurry because I thought through my tears they looked in focus enough.

Now on to their pictures....first picture, the ones of their reunion in the hospital. Amazing. Fun story, Kevin told me in his post-accident, post-surgery, drug-induced state he insisted upon wearing a collared shirt so he looked nice for Steph....but sweatpants because he still wanted to be comfortable. Loved that.






 And another just because it is a closer up of the photo itself.

 I told Rob when I got home, "those two made picture taking easy." It was hard to narrow down pictures just for the blog because I loved so many of them.

 



















Steph said her ring was completely bent out of shape in the accident, but her finger and hand were left unharmed. Incredible.


 Kevin proposed by giving Steph this bible.















While on our way to a different cafe, we happened upon this really neat little row of coffee houses. So fun!









Whenever Steph and Kevin leave his parents' house, his mom would always pray that God go before and behind them and keep them safe. When Steph first started coming to after the accident, she kept saying "before and behind, before and behind." It wasn't until later that her family realized why she was saying that. They both now wear bracelets that say "Before and Behind" on them.















Thanks for choosing me to take your pictures guys! Can't wait until the wedding! :)

BETSY IS GETTING MARRIED!!!!

Last week my family got a little bit bigger! Matt asked my sister to marry him and she said YES! Of course, there was never any doubt. :) Matt is perfect for her in so many ways. I have been telling people all week that I am just so excited because I truly think they bring out the very best in each other. Bets is a "better Betsy" thanks to Matt, and he is a "better Matt" thanks to Betsy.

I am so thankful for Matt. As you all know, my sister is my best friend and I like to think that I hold all the guys she dates to a pretty high standard. Matt meets and exceeds that standard. He is so good to my sister and I can't wait for him to be officially part of our family!

Here are a few pictures I took of them over Thanksgiving and another one from the night they got engaged!











My brothers "ruined" their little photo shoot.







And from the night they got engaged! Matt did such a good job picking a ring. I think it just fits Bets' style and I love how much HE loves it. He worked hard to pick a ring reflective of his feelings for Bets and at the same time something that really suited her and her style. He is so proud of himself and he should be....it is gorgeous!