Dad & Daddy
Daniel and A.J. at the Grand Canyon 2012
Dad (Daniel) and Daddy (A.J.) met 11 years ago in the summer of 2002 when Daniel was a student in Veterinary school and A.J. was working for two non-profit organizations. We met through mutual friends and immediately knew that we had found our lifelong partners in one another. After Daniel’s graduation, we moved to Winston-Salem, NC where Daniel was an associate doctor for a local emergency veterinary clinic. A.J. began work at a start-up Children’s Museum and eventually became the Director of Finance and Human Resources within his tenure there.
Daniel and A.J. Wedding Day 2009
In 2009, we affirmed again our commitment to one another by becoming legally wed in the state of Iowa. Later in that same year we met our first son, Jackson shortly after he had turned 4 years old. Jackson’s adoption was finalized in 2010 in the same month that we finalized the adoption of our second son, Peyton who we brought home from the hospital. After Peyton’s adoption, we decided to move back to Iowa to be closer to A.J.’s family and our close friends. Daniel now works as a medical consultant for a large pharmaceutical company and A.J. is full-time student and stay-at-home daddy to Peyton while Jackson is in school.
We enjoy spending as much time together as a family as possible. We often ride our bikes at a local park and have family fun nights with movies and popcorn for the kids to share. We are fortunate that many of our friends have children in the same age range as ours, so we have play dates frequently.
In June 2013, we moved to the Greater Chicago area to a new home in a nice, private neighborhood with lots of families and children of all ages. We chose this neighborhood because it is fairly close to Daniel’s work plus Jackon’s new school is within walking distance. Previously, when we lived in Des Moines, Jackson attended the same international baccalaureate elementary school that A.J. attended as a child (A.J. also was the Parent-Teacher Association President last year). As a family, we enjoy spending time in our community with its many offerings by attending local parades, the Children’s Museum, the zoo, botanical garden, art center, and much more. Also, there are several parks in our community where we take pleasure in spending time together.
Our Extended Family: Nana, A.J., Grandpa Kyle, Daniel (back row), Jackson, Mammaw, and Peyton (front row)
A.J.
Daniel
I have to admit when I’m feeling kind of down I read the bios of you guys and the kids- it always cheers me up! Congrats on such a beautiful family!
What a beautiful family. Your sons are absolutely adorable ^.^
I HAVE JUST FINISHED READING YOUR BIOS AND THE ONLY THING I CAN THAT COMES TO MIND IS WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY YOU GUYS HAVE.YOU TWO HAVE SO MUCH LOVE FOR THE KIDS AND IT SHOWS,IT ALMOST BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES TO SEE SO MUCH LOVE IN A FAMILY SETTING THAT THE TWO OF HAVE,KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING,AND MY PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Great family! Proud to be the Mammaw of such loving grandsons. You both are doing an excellent job of raising your sons and providing them with so many opportunities to experience the world around them. Congratulations on your new move to the Chicago area. At last Daniel will be able to be home with the boys more often. Looking forward to your posts about your new neighborhood and all the new adventures you share with your sons. <3
The stories the two of you post always brighten my day. You two are adorable, your kids are precious, and the stories you share a priceless. I can not wait to start a family of my own some day with my eventual hubby. Please keep sharing, it gives hope to some of use who need it.