hitched

The main reason for all the fun and family last week was because Colin and Amy got married. They were sealed in the new Draper Temple in the largest sealing room in any of the temples and it was packed. Outside was really bright and windy. Can you tell...

Didn't seem to matter to Colin and Amy though.


We made the long trek across the parking lot for the luncheon. As per Colin's wishes, we did a program which included the telling of their story with some oldie but goodies interspersed. We actually did practice (a little) but were totally shown up by Colin's folk dancer friends. They really practiced and were so cute. Colin finished it all off in style though by singing "I Chose Right" to Amy.

After the luncheon, we headed off to Leatherby's for a birthday celebration for two of Dana's girls. Dave was excited to go to Leatherby's because he has fond memories of it from California as a child. All the kids were excited by the huge dishes of ice cream. I didn't order one but there was still plenty for me to eat.

Of course, we were late in getting to the reception for pictures. Why is it that no matter how hard you try you always end up being late for pictures on a wedding day? I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked but there were a few...

Don't you love Nathan's haircut? He did it himself a couple of days before the wedding.

Dave bought his first suit in 15 years for the occasion.

The reception was at Amy's parent's home in Draper. They had cookies made from family recipes with a photo of the family member displayed. There was chocolate covered strawberries and my Aunt Laurie's amazing chocolate covered caramels. And also strawberry and chocolate milk, which my boys thoroughly enjoyed.

You can read my Mom's take on the day and see more pictures here. A few favorites from the day:

Finally, I have to add that it has been a bit like deja vu watching Colin and Amy the last year or so. A few similarities:

• met on the BYU folk dance team
• dated on and off and on and off for over a year
• went on tour to Europe (Dave and I both went the summer of '97)
  
• went to tour to China (I went the summer of '98)
• sang "I Chose Right" in the reception/luncheon program
• car broke down on honeymoon (luckily, Colin and Amy came out of this one a lot better than Dave and I did)

I hope for Colin and Amy that they end up with as happy and blessed a marriage as ours.

cousins!

Last week was such a crazy, full, fun, wonderful week that I must get it documented. There is so much to share it will take a few posts.

The fun began when my sister Dana and three of her kids flew in from Boston on the night of April 16th to stay with us. They live way too far away so there is always much joy and rejoicing when we wind up on the same side of the country.

Slade turned 7 on Friday. He got just what he wanted: two Wolverine claws (plus a few other things) and Subway for dinner.

On Saturday, our new swing set was installed. We started looking a year ago and finally came to an agreement to buy the more expensive, metal one. It took some convincing to get Dave on board. Its not easy to spend that much money but I felt it was the best option for us. The kids were so excited and have put it to good use ever since it arrived. Money well spent.

Nathan has been asking for a swing set the most. When we told him it was here he ran out to the truck, looked in and with a quizzical look said, "I don't see a swing set."

There is a lot (A LOT) more work to be done in the backyard but this is a good start. Dave has even graciously allowed me a few "I told you so"s.

On Sunday, Dave headed off to Boise but my sisters were there to lessen the blow a little. We celebrated Slade's birthday with cheesecake (his request). Do you like my birthday candles? I'm so resourceful. :)

The kids all played outside until they were all just filthy. This picture does not do justice to the amount of dirt on their feet.


Dana and I took our kids to Jump On It on Monday.

Audrey wasn't feeling too well and apparently is a camera hater. She happily posed for her mom when she was holding Anne though.


On Thursday, we welcomed more cousins to the house when my brother Jeff and his wife Crystal stopped by. Andrew immediately went to find cars and trains. Mathew held Anne the whole time. Felicity disappeared with Emma, Avery and Audrey. Jeff entertained us all, but especially Sawyer, with balloon tricks.

I'm so glad that all my brothers and sisters grew up to like each other so we could have such great times as this.

today

• I had a good hair day. I styled it using this hairdryer (which I found via Barb) and a curling iron. With my fun orange shirt from Target, I almost felt cute.
• I mopped my floor and got the main level all picked up and vacuumed. However, it is a wreck again. There are groceries on the counter. Folded laundry on my bed and more in the dryer. Garbage, shoes, toys, and stuff everywhere. Sigh.
• It became apparent to me that it isn't a good time to start dieting when my husband is out of town. Bring on the Zingers!
  
• Sawyer was extra needy.
• I said a prayer of gratitude for the baby swing which Anne happily sleeps in and the swing set in the backyard which the kids happily play on.
• My kids were in bed before 9:30!
• I listened to the Wicked soundtrack and was so happy that I got to go on Tuesday.
• I was so very grateful for my sister-in-law, Megan, who came over to help out and let me go grocery shopping kid-free even though she wanted to get home early.
• I didn't know what to say to my husband when he talked about getting a different job that wouldn't require travel to Boise but that he might not love as much.
• I finally forgave myself (a little) for the easily avoided mistake I made that cost us almost four hundred dollars. I thanked my lucky stars once again for a husband who is so amazing and understanding.
  
• Slade taped his mouth shut and then decided to communicate with me on paper. The handwriting is awful and the spelling atrocious but I was so thrilled that my very reluctant writer initiated it all on his own.
• Emma got her first Webkin as a reward for the Girl Scout cookies she sold. She is so thrilled. Who knew such a thing could be so exciting.

Easter

On Saturday night, we dyed 4 dozen eggs and everyone was wishing there were more. I love all the colors.


On Sunday, we celebrated the true meaning of the day at church. This was my first Sunday back to church with Anne after month break. It will be tricky juggling church duties with the Anne's needs but doable nonetheless. Dave will actually be doing most of the work. After such a long break, it was nice to be back. And next week, I'll enjoy Sacrament meeting even more when I'm not sitting alone with five kids while Dave sings with the choir.

After church, we did a quick Easter egg hunt in the backyard. Sawyer cracked about three-fourths of the eggs along the way but they all had fun. Slade did complain that he was no good at finding eggs. I told him that I can completely relate. I was always the worst egg-finder in our childhood hunts.

In the late afternoon, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Daniels for our annual egg hunt and a most delicious dinner. I thought the day was truly delightful. The weather was nice, the food plentiful, the conversation flowing, the kids happy. What a wonderful way to spend the Sabbath.

Today the beautiful green of the wheat grass on the table made me very happy. I am growing all these buckets for my brother's upcoming wedding luncheon but it worked out perfectly for an Easter centerpiece.

do re mi

This just makes me happy. It feels like something my sisters and I would do. Only bigger. Much much BIGGER!

chicken pox, part 2

The boys broke out with chicken pox right on schedule (exactly two weeks after Emma). I saw spots on Sawyer first and by Saturday night, all three were covered. Through the weekend they were still feeling good but there was misery all around on Monday.

Nathan got by fairly easily. He continued to run and jump all around the house. Sawyer and Slade on the other hand got hit hard. They both got fevers and Sawyer's bum was a very sorry sight. They took lots of baths, ate popsicles for breakfast, and watched an obscene amount of TV. By Thursday, everyone was feeling better and were all scabbed over by Saturday.

I was so very lucky to have had my parents there that week to help me. Don't know how I would have done it without them. For a few more details on the week, check out my mom's post here.

slacker

So I know my blog slacker status has hit the ultimate high when my husband who RARELY reads my blog tells me I need to update it.

I have several posts in the draft stage. Coming soon!

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