Every so often I think you meet certain people in life that just “get you”. These were those people for my family. We were both young parents that either had kids or were about to start a family when we met as new next door neighbors for our community. Well, after hanging out a few times (more like once), we realized we all loved each others company. We had countless impromptu game nights, our Survivor / CSI rituals on Thursday night (including our beloved “uniform” of navy t-shirts with “CSI” plastered across the front), and many, many other great times. Not to mention, my husband, Ryan, had now met his match with Fabe- another sports fanatic. It could get pretty ugly with chats about the Mariners and the Angels. But our boys hit it off and I officially began to call Fabe Ryan’s “wife” (yes, I am calling another woman’s husband, my husbands wife. After all, they saw each other more than we saw our own husbands!)

A couple years pass and I hear the devastating news that they’re thinking of moving….to Missouri. Now mind you, I’m no amazing geography wiz, but I do know one thing- it’s far away. Really far away. Way farther than next door!!!

Turns out, yes, they do move and Ry and I are crushed. How could this possibly be true? We decide right then and there that we have to promise to see each other at least once a year and keep in touch. Over 3 and a half years and so far, so good. Long story short.. The C’s may be many miles away but they’re always close in our thoughts and just a phone call away (but don’t forget about the time change). When we went there for our soon-to-be annual Missouri Thanksgiving, we had a super fun time- doing nothing. Isn’t that the best kind of vacation? Forget about hiking the Grand Canyon or busting your butt learning to surf, I’d much rather have a game of Cranium, crank out some Karaoke Revolution (with Fabe’s awesome rendition of The Reason), and kick back to watch a movie. They’re sooo my people!! 

Of course, there was no way I could not take their family pics while we were out there and for those of you who saw our holiday card, you can thank Mr. Fabe for our pics (thank the Lord for manual exposure, fast lenses, and auto focus because he’s no Annie Leibowitz- if you don’t know who that is, try google- she’s incredible!!!). They have 3 of the most beautiful kids and we just love them all!! It’s so weird to see them each year and see how much they’ve grown. Just amazing… Here’s to great friends and great laughs.

It’s just such a shame the only good picture I could get was this one of their dog Libby…