Sunday, September 18, 2011

Catching UP!

I'm WAY behind on blogging!  I realized this when several people sent emails or texts asking if things were OK because I hadn't posted in so long.

Here's the scoop.......Summer started, we played hard together as a family, worked hard together as a family, and spent many lazy summer days together as a family.  I was blogging during "down time" that disappeared when summer came and I was surrounded 24/7 by all of the kids.  Carving out a few more minutes in the day to blog just never happened.  I wrote lots of entries on my new net book, and journal in good ole fashioned ink, but couldn't figure out how to post from anything but the big computer.  As summer continued, life began to get more complicated.  My dad was diagnosed with liver failure and we started the process of getting him listed for a liver transplant - more on that later.  Grandma Jo is still alive and kickin' at Jamestown and keeps us moving and ensures that there is never a dull moment.   KC has progressed amazingly well, but with the start of school we've been forced back into some of the reality of it all.

All of that mixed with family reunions, getting the kids settled in school, work, church callings,  a couple of weddings and funerals make up the last three months.  My plan is to post the events/and already written entries now that the kids are in school and I can spend a few minutes catching up on everything that I'm behind on. 

When I first started blogging my goal was to record my experiences as a mom, wife, sister, and daughter so that my children and anyone else could know and learn from all of the normal ups and downs of life.  I've benefited more from my blog than probably anyone else ever will, so that makes it all worth it.  Hopefully as I go back and fill in the summer gaps I won't drive anyone crazy!  If I do, you can just join me and we will go crazy together.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Muffin's Wedding

We traveled to Colorado this weekend for Muffin's wedding.  Muffin (a.k.a. Leslie) is the daughter of David's cousin Vanessa, daughter of Uncle Jerry and Aunt Wanda. 

We decided to take the little car and send the boys with Uncle Cliff.  They were going to take their trail blazer either way and it all sounded like a great idea.  Caravan with them, save money on gas, little car is easier to park and get around in, could easily fit everything into the trunk.  WELL, let me just say that I'd give about a million buck right now to have 7 feet of van space between the girls and the front seat!

A much deserved rest stop at Mcdonalds!

I'm probably exaggerating, but I never fully appreciated the interior space of the GAS HOG other wise known as the BUS.  We have NEVER traveled in anything smaller since the girls were born so I had no idea what I really appreciated about it.  For starters, just the amount of space that separates the passengers from the drivers is amazing.  Being able to tolerate the happy giggling for hours on end,  with only 1 cubic feet of space from their little mouths to your ears is just too much to handle.   I must admit that when we travel we usually take out the front bench and put the kids as far back as possible. The obvious benefit of more bench room is invaluable.  The back seat of the focus has always seemed adequate while running errands, dropping kids off to school or a trip up to SLC.  BUT it's not enough space to live in for 8 hours while you drive to Colorado! 

OK, now the good parts.  The girls can still sleep in the car (even though they were pretty much on top of each other), we got great gas mileage and enjoyed our satellite radio (we don't have it in the van) on our trip. 

Aside from getting there and getting home, we really enjoyed our time spent with family.  The kids have always LOVED Jerry and Wanda so it was fun to see their home and spend time there too.   We were joined by most of David's other siblings and enjoyed spending time with them also.  We are greatful to Aunt Susie who make us all laugh with her "Salsa" incident.  I will never eat Pace picante sauce again without visualizing Susie in Aunt Wanda's kitchen with Salsa everywhere.  A big thank you to Aunt Wanda for being so willing to have us invade her home for the weekend.


We opted to stay at a hotel to make it a little bit more of a vacation for the kids since we didn't go anywhere else this year. We had adjoining suites with Liz and Cliff.   The kids enjoyed the pool, the "breakfast" of whatever their little hearts desired and playing games all night long with Liz, Cliff and Jerry.   Uncle Cliff bought them each special junk food when I wasn't present.....and voila.....a happy little vacation for everyone. 
 Thanks Cliff for taking the kids to the pool while we ran to Target. 
 It doesn't matter what the sign says, Cliff you can be our lifeguard......I think?

 David and I spent one morning at one of the manufacturing facilities for his company.  It was fun to see how they put all of the instruments together. When we got to the car, we knew we were in Colorado because there was this cute little bunny sitting by our car.


The wedding was amazing.  It was held at a little ranch up on the side of the mountain.  I just want to add here that you should believe the GPS rather than the nice old man who asks you if you are lost and then says, "Follow me, I'll take you right there!" 

It was nice to have the hotel bathroom space to get everybody ready.  The girls had planned their "hair do's" ahead of time and I almost didn't get all of that hair pinned up in enough time.  I guess you could consider this a practice run for the future:) 

Uncle Tom (David's brother) performed the ceremony.
 







While we waited for the wedding party to be photographed we enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres.  The girls caught onto the "bar" concept right away and drank their share of root beer and sprite.  We kept ourselves busy catching up with extended family and taking photo's. 







The girls were escorted by their "big" cousins.  Alexis, Kiersten and Madilynn adore each and every one of their cousins.  We are so happy that they are part of our lives!

 THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!!!!  Just check out the smiles on these girls.  They are having a blast. 

 Melonie, Andrea, Jordan, Nathan (in no particular order) and Don
 KC helping Grandma Mullen

 Grandma Mullen and her handsome Grandsons!

 All of the grandkids at the wedding with Grandma Mullen.  Well, almost all of them.  Where is CJ?
 I decided I didn't like the stairs and fountain......lets move everyone and try this photo again.
 AHHHHH, much better and NOW you can see that I think we found all of the grandkids this time. They are good looking group of kids.   



 Group hugs --  CAREFUL -- don't knock Grandma over!


 Don & Melonie
 Rob & Tracy










Aunt Wanda & Uncle Jerry with the Triplets
 
















The boys were seated at a table with the other "big" cousins.  David and I sat with the girls along with Aunt Pat, Var and Laura.  Not knowing how formal the dinner would be, we reviewed ahead of time what to do if there was more than one fork........the girls were very disappointed there was only ONE fork at the table when we sat down.  The boys were relieved.  Oh well, maybe I'll have to set more forks for dinner occasionally. 
 If you look closely at the table, the boys reserved a space to honor Aunt Martha.  Right in between KC and Jerry. 






Dinner was great and the girls entertained our table exceptionally well.  The toasts came next.  The girls had been waiting anxiously to use that special, tall elegant glass.  I prepped them that they could pour water in it to drink when the time came, but that they would not be getting alcohol.   When the hostess came around she poured sparkling cider in their glasses.  After all the prep I had done, Alexis said politely, "Thank you, but I'll just have water, I don't drink alcohol."  I showed her the difference between the two bottles and she was tickled that her drink bubbled just like the champagne.   The hostess continued around the table.  She poured cider in my glass then Madi's then Laura requested champagne.  Out of the mouths of babes....Madi very nicely says, "Aunt Laura, I know you are an adult, and can make your own choices, BUT that is really not very healthy for you and alcohol can make you feel bad and make you do strange things."  It was one of those moments that you wish you had never given your child those words to say, and at the same time it's all the truth and maybe it's  not so bad to say those things after all.........  Over the next little bit Madi would lean over to Laura and ask, "Do you feel different yet?" Then she would lean over to me and whisper, "she's not acting strange yet."  I guess we are ready for our next discussion on alcohol and it's effects on our bodies.  Hopefully Laura didn't mind Madilynn's attempt at evaluating the effects of drinking one glass of champagne. 

The very best part came next......the DANCING.  The girls didn't hold back!  Out they went to the dance floor.  They danced their little hearts out. 

 Learning how to line dance

 Private dancing lessons from Uncle Rob
 Go Uncle Rob and Aunt Melonie - you guys are AWESOME!






















 All good things must come to an end.  After hours of fun we told the girls they must say goodnight and we said our goodbyes.  The boys escaped early with Cliff who was in need of peace, quiet and some extra "pills".  I really thought the girls would fall asleep on the way back to the hotel, but they were on cloud nine.  Kiersten kept saying this was the best night of their whole life.  "Leslie is a real life princess!"  The wedding fulfilled every dream our little trio has ever had, and hopefully Leslie and Ryan's too! 

Goodbye Muffin - We love you!

Congrats to you Leslie and Ryan!  We hope this is the beginning of a long wonderful life together.  Thanks for letting us be part of your special day.