Time goes by

Tomorrow marks 11 years since Brandon and I tied the knot.
I still remember - ya know cause we're so old :),
the first time we really spoke to each other - those blue eyes
the first time he brought me flowers - beautiful tulips
the first time we kissed - a typical us story
the first time he told me he loved me - took my breath away
the time we almost broke it off - not fun
getting back on track - ahhhh

Nothing like the firsts right?
While they were wonderful, they are long gone. Replaced by days, weeks, months of being married. The ups, the downs, the in betweens.

It's much more than I could've hoped for.

I love the fact that we have built a life together. How comfortable I am with him. That we helped create the most fascinating, beautiful people I know. That he leaves and comes home everyday with a kiss.


So those butterfly firsts have come and gone
but I still get
those blue eyes, the beautiful tulips (sometimes :) ), always a typical us story, my breath taken away, the not fun and then always the ahhhh.

He is the best, I couldn't have asked for more. I love that I am so in love and feel loved in return.
Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

Our Hannah nanna

turns three ....
she's been waiting for at least a month. I'm not sure she really expects anything huge to happen, but we make a big deal of it, so she figures its gotta be great.

We had a family bday party last week while Anya was still in town. I asked her who she wanted to come to her party (fullying expecting a guest list for her "friend" party...we like to party) and she listed her cousins and Aunt Carmen, Grandma, Grandaddy..and they were leaving town, so we had an impromptu get together, balloons and cupcakes...all she talked about in relation to a party.

Tomorrow she gets to go on a date with mom and dad and she wants Wendy's. When I reminded her she asked all hopefull, can I get chicken and fries annnndddd, Sprite? and of course she can. So so precious!!!! If I could bottle her up I'd make a fortune!

this past year's hi lites for her.....

loving gymnastics
surviving her siblings' swim lessons
the mountains and the mountains again
helping dad bring tomatoes from the garden
swinging and begging to swing some more
learning that she might like the water
surviving potty training (maybe)
forgetting that her belly button was her best playmate
singing, singing, singing, singing (Don't Stop Believing, Eye of the Tiger, Christmas Bells are ringing....just a few) thankfully her fave right now is Book of Mormon Stories :)
talking, talking, talking, talking, talking, talking
discovering the stove and cooking in general :O
more talking...for real

I love my Hannah nanna, might go waker her up....and maybe not
I hope it's a wonderful birthday!

Here's a pic from last year and then this year, growing growing

Static

Cole asked me for the second time of late if the tv stations go off at night. I told him that now they do not. The majority of them stay on all night, but WHEN I was growing up all of the television stations signed off around 1-2 am. The last show would air, the national anthem would play with the flag flying, the colored bars the beep then ....static. Ah good memories. It was a very nostalgic moment that gleaned how I watched too much tv growing up :).

Cole then asked why they would keep the tv on all night (pause for a moment of gratitude and appreciaiton for him not wanting it on all night) and I explained about people having different work schedules/lives, people who are in the hospital, etc. He seemed satisfied.

I'm thinking technology might be caught up enough when Cole's a teen that I could install a program that signs the tv off for the night...I know I'll need it.
I would love to have to explain why only our television signs off at night. hmmmmm the more I think about it the more I like it.

The day after Christmas in July ;)

My sweet Cole's bday is the day after Christmas and like I tell him all the time there are advantages and disadvantages to just about everything in life. For the most part he always looks on the bright side of having a birthday the day after Christmas. He likes that he gets to open more presents...he really likes presents.

This year we decided to have his "friend" party in the summer. We knew it would be a water party and I decided it would be a surprise water party......fun, fun, fun!

So today was the day. I thought maybe Cole was onto us, because he knew it was supposed to be in July and we're nearing the end, but I was able to put him off. And he was surprised. One disadvantage of having a party in the summer, for us (this is our first party in the summer) is not having a connection with the kids at school. We did have two of Cole's friends from church come, and it turned out great.

They had water gun/balloon wars, a horseshoe type game, then I found (what turned out be a huge hit at play group and Cole's party) in Family fun Magazine an erector type set where you use pvc pipe and joints and connect with the waterhose and build whatever with water coming out. Turns out it's for all ages as the pics will show.

Oh and the cake......some may say it was underdone....some may say it was overdone....some may say it was just plain heavenly (I'll go with those)! I don't know if I'll do it again, but it was great for a son who is continually begging for some KK and strawberries. Happy Surprise July Bday Cole! I loved tucking you in tonight and seeing the love and thank you in your eyes, so sweet! Can't wait to surprise you again !!!!!


Cole being surprised, blurry, but noteworthy.

Back to our trip

Working backwards now I suppose. These were the first pics in put in a collage so there.

Brandon and I honeymooned in Yellowstone almost 11 years ago and were excited to share it with the kids. Well, you know how some plans can go. The kids wanted to stay at the cabin and watch tv. The drive was too long there and even inside. I remembered loving the waterfalls so that's where we headed first. Along the way we saw a ton of buffalo, well probably a few ton.

We go to the waterfalls and a shower came down..it was already cooler than we anticipated and Cole forgot his jacket at the cabin. Well we strongly encourage him to come with us to the falls lookout and it starts raining but we trudge ahead we quickly see the falls all the while Cole is beyond miserable then as we head back to the car it begins hailing on us. We were drenched and pelted by the time we made it to the car. Two minutes later the rain was gone..for the day. Go figure. Cole didn't get out to see the lower falls. Laura my fish could have whatever happen when it comes to water and she wouldn't care. She was unfazed. Hannah was in the stroller slightly traumatized, but we survived.

We went back the 2nd day determined for the kids to see Old Faithful. It was cold and they were happy the pavement was warm, that's the crust of the visit.

We've decided to go back when they turn 21ish and can really appreciate it.

It was so beautiful. When I go back I would like to stay inside the park and have a good time seeing it all, just driving along the rivers was breathtaking.

Say

what you need to say...

Just heard that song on another blog and it reminded me of the movie "The Bucketlist".

The beginning was slow and silly, some of the language needed soap. The ending needed a box of kleenex for me and .....(don't tell) Brandon. I think for different reasons.

I loved the message that monogamy is lasting happiness.

I liked that Morgan Freeman is the narrator and (Brandon pointed out) for more reasons than just to here his voice.

My favorites on the list were
'kiss the most beautiful girl in the world'
'laugh till you cry'
'witness something truly majestic'

Won't say too much more because you should see it for yourself.

If you'd care not too take the time, spend the time you would have loving your family and living life to it's fullest - which is kind of one in the same.

D Day

I enjoy Father's day, for the most part. I like boys/men, ya know in general - one in particular more than the rest. I am not a fan of male bashing. I suppose some of them deserve it, but I believe they're just trying to get along like us gals. Everyone's got their pros and cons and the fact is we couldn't get along without them.

I have a variety of "dads" in my life...

my father who instilled in me the importance of education, being fit and strong and a certain amount of discipline.

Daddy G., father #2, who helped raise me and set such a great example of being a kind husband, father and that men could/should help around the house and with the kids.

Frank, my stepfather, who is an excellent grandaddy, with so much energy and thirst for knowledge and one best of alls was he so generously was my pathway to the Big Apple, twice...a dream fulfilled.

Rhoud, father n law, one of the hardest working people I know. Was such a good father to Brandon that it seeps out of him.

Brandon, father of my babies, I couldn't have asked for a better dad to help me raise my children. The kids adore him. He is an excellent teacher and I am amazed and fall in love all over gain when I watch him with them.

Cole, the father to be I am raising, I don't often give this much consideration, but he has a gentle heart and is so incredibly smart, I know he will be a great dad like his own.

My Father in Heaven, I know that He lives. I know that He loves me. I have had experiences in my life in which His hand was undeniable. He. Is. There.

Cole gave Brandon a drawing for father's day that is a picture of him getting married in the temple. What a gift to give. I've thought of this throughout the day. How as a parent to want the peace the blessings of the temple bring and felt maybe a little of the hopes Heavenly Father has for us and what a gift it would be for me to continue to set my focus on the temple,attend often, and do what I can to help Cole fulfill his gift to his dad.

Happy Father's Day!