The Ryan and Jill's

It's funny....I can't say that I have met too many people in a restaurant and became best friends with them.  As most of you know, "the other Ryan and Jill" met us at Holigans in Ormond Beach one day after church.  When I say "met us" I mean we introduced each other randomly at this establishment.  Ryan Ronk had on a browns hat and that sparked conversation.  However, us Jill's are the ones that really connected and began talking.  We exchanged phone numbers and began chatting.  Eventually met up and had an actual dinner together and the rest is history.

So now over 4 years later, we are finding ourselves at Holigans (in Palm Coast) sharing an evening with them.

The two Ryan's got along great as their love for sports was ridiculous.

The kids got along too as they adore each other.

  A friend is a hand that is always holding yours, no matter how close or far apart you may be.  A friend is someone who is always there and will always, always care.  A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart. 

Getting so big

Had to post a quick pic of precious little Owen.  We slipped by real quick before games started that evening.  He is getting so big and I am grasping onto the reality that we won't be watching him grow up in Florida.  We will have to hear what he is doing via facebook or phone, or visits!

Cheering Grayson on before his game.

Locals,

We met up with the Ronks at the beach to eat.  We were only going to be locals for a little longer.

The Jill's!!

The girls washing their feet after the beach.

Jill's niece Mackayla from Canada was in town, so we were able to dine with her and sing Happy Birthday too!  I have met her twice and it was so nice to see her again before going up north.

Yummo!!!

Of course, Owen wanted in on the action!

And Willow isn't going to miss any of this good stuff either!!

Ronk-Butler Christmas

Well, it was that time of year again. 

The traditional Ronk-Butler Christmas.

The food was amazing.

The smiles never left their faces.

Even Ryan couldn't keep the smile off his face with the yummy food.  He was eating Jill's yorkshire pudding. 

Decorating the Gingerbread house is always a hit.

Jill's mom was in town from Canada and it was an honor to meet her.  I hear so much about her and it was so nice to finally put a face with this wonderful person.

Of course, grandma didn't tell Willow NO to the 2nd cupcake.

We played some games and the hit of the night was Headbanz.

The game was so much fun and it was made for kids.  But we found ourselves playing it too.  The Christmas tradition is so much fun and so special.  Words can't describe the memories in these pictures.

The other Jill

The other Jill had her third baby and I wanted to throw her a little sprinkle (aka small shower without presents)

I ran with the orange and green theme.

I decorated with legos too.  It was to represent how the Ronks have built their beautiful family, piece by piece.

The food was mostly green and orange.



Can you tell I had a little fun with the colors?



The cupcakes were made by a sweet friend starting her own cupcake business. 

The other Ryan and Jill

and their two children

until they added the third.

Of course, sometimes Scarlett thinks she is part of their family.

It was hosted at the wine and cheese shoppe along AIA in Hammock Beach.  It's a little casual place to throw a small party and the location was perfect.

 

We tried to grab a few fun shots too!

We have laughed and cried over the past few years together.  She has helped me in so many ways, I just couldn't wait to host a little party in her honor.

New baby in town

Our sweet Maren is now a big sister.  We let her use Scarlett's "big sister" shirt.  And the reason being.....

Sweet James Owen came into this world.

Ryan and Jill had baby Owen on Tuesday, Sept.27th.  He was 6.6 and 19 1/2 inches.  I was going to be watching their children while they went out on one last date, but Owen had other plans.  Talking to Jill early in the morning on that beautiful Tuesday warmed my heart.  She started labor very early but went into the hospital after dropping off her kids.  She has the most beautiful family and we are so honored to be their friends.  We actually feel like family.  Our girls love their kids and now they are so excited to welcome the newest addition.  I know how hard it is to be away from family and her family lives in Canada.  I can't wait as soon I am having a little celebration party when Owen is about 2 months.  It is to celebrate how thankful we are for a healthy, happy, sleeping good baby.