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. 

June 14^th

I spent the morning at the dentist with the girls.  All looks well with their teeth.  They have several that are ready to fall out and are on strict dentist orders to keep wiggling!  We stopped at Wal-Mart and picked up bubbles for our trip to Manti later this week. 

After getting home, feeding everybody lunch and unloading the car, CJ & Madi went with me to go and visit Grandma Jo.  We stopped at Days on our way and picked up her favorite Yogurt drinks.  She was so sad today.  It broke my heart.  I had a list of things to do a mile long this afternoon, but could not stand to leave her.  So, we took her outside for a walk and to feed the ducks.  We had a great chat in the shade while she told me about every duck in the pond.  I wonder if she really knows them, or if she just makes it up as she goes along.  She told me how the workers there need to get their priorities straight!  It’s kind-of funny coming from her – I reminded her that they are probably doing the best they can, but have been given so much work to do that they cannot possible do it all.  Her next quote was the best, “You would think they could hire some body to help me that isn’t more retarded than I am?”  I asked her to clarify and if I could quote her.  She said, “just go and tell them that the help here is more retarded than JO is – and that’s pretty bad!”

We giggled and she accused us of not taking her seriously.  I gave CJ the "eye" and he got the message.  She then went on to tell CJ that this may be the last time she has to tell him a few things.  She went through a list, obviously prepared in her thoughts for quite a while, of all the things she wants him to remember throughout his life.  How to be a good husband and father, that she expected him to get a good education and to stay active in the gospel.   She shared her testimony with us and her love of the gospel and reminded us how much the gospel blesses her life and ours.  She spoke so clearly today it was almost strange.  She followed the conversation between us perfectly and her speech was like it was 10 years ago. 

I asked her if Grandpa had visited her lately and she told me he was busy and hadn't had time to stop by, but that he was coming back to get her this weekend.  It really freaked CJ out and he asked me on the way home if I thought she was serious.  I told him off course not, but I guess you never know.

UPDATE - It was very strange over the weekend when Grandma's condition deteriorated.  CJ was convinced he should have taken her seriously and that she is really going to go this time.  Only time will tell.  

Grandpa Rex

June 6^th

It has been a year since Grandpa Died.  I spent many moments today pondering his influence in my life and the life of my children and other family members.  It is hard to believe that it has been a whole year without him.  Some days it seems just like he has only been gone a few days, and I can just drop by the house and find him with his big old hat on working in the garden.  Then there are days that I worry that I have forgotten exactly what his gruffly voice sounds like or the classic Grandpa Rex smell of herbs mixed with menthol. 

I was looking through photo’s today and there isn’t a single one of Grandpa Rex where he doesn’t have that big smile on his face, with that little BABB evil eye (the one so many of us have) that says I LOVE YOU as he squints with a crooked grin.  I can hear him laugh in my mind as I look at pictures of him teasing the girls and getting such a kick out of them falling for the same old riddles and tricks we all grown to love.

My thoughts were also on Grandma Jo today.  Still here, hanging in there, but so lonely.  I cannot imagine what one year on earth is without your sweetheart.  She has endured so much since his passing and while we never know why we are the one taken, or the one left behind, I know she is still with us because it is part of God’s plan.    She tells me often she feels Grandpa here and I know she is right because I often feel him too.  If there were only one person I could send to heaven to be my angel, knowing that they would watch over us tirelessly, it would have been Grandpa.  There is no doubt that he is watching and helping us in every way that he can.

I love you Grandpa, miss you tons.  I am sure that you are super busy up there, and have many important things to do, but I, but I know that you have made the time to watch over each one of us still here.  I look forward to being with you again.  I am sure that you will have things well under control and are anxious for us to join you when it’s our time.

School is OUT!

May 28^th

We have endured the last few weeks of school and made it to the end.  I am going to say with out a doubt that MAY is in the running with December for the craziest months of the year.  I’m usually full of happy feelings and ready to start summer with a bang, but this year it comes with mixed feelings.  I’ve thought about why all week long and I think the sad feelings come from a few places.

First, I was not able to spend time in the girl’s classroom this year.  Usually when the year is over, I have logged many hours and made tons of memories with the kids at school.  This year I felt like I struggled to know what was going on, and didn’t have that special connection with the girls.  I didn’t really worry about it all year long because I knew I was doing what I could, but at the end it made me sad to realize I had missed all those days with them.

The second thing on my mind is that we are usually celebrating finishing another year of school with the boys.  Each one until now has been about recognizing their accelerated academic achievements, being proud of many sports and fine art accomplishments.  This year instead of wanting to celebrate a great year in high school, I was left worrying about KC and just how far behind he really is.  Feelings of the painful hard work to accomplish so little toward graduation and still not knowing how he will make up all the credits and if will be able to graduate on time.

Summer will be a welcomed changed from the school year.  Hopefully KC will continue to make progress and be able to handle a full schedule next year.  I'm looking forward to spending one on one time with the kids as well as lots of time together. 

KC's 15th Birthday Party Menu

I can say without a doubt that we are so happy to see KC looking so good to celebrate his birthday this year.  I thought it would be easier to put a link to the blog, instead of texting the details.  And yes, I know I can't ever keep it small. 

So if you bet on the fact that I couldn't keep it to a single dessert and few appetizers, YOU WIN!  

 Here it goes!

Party starts at 5ish......That means arrive sometime after 5pm :)  We will go as long as people last, or until the clock strikes TWELVE (midnight that is).  Please feel free to come and go as you are able.  We'd love to see you all, even if it's just for a few minutes. 

The plan is to talk, chitchat, banter, parley, shoot the bull, kibitz, yak, lecture, negotiate, catch up with each other

AND

play some games! 

THE MENU

KC's Favorite Things . . . To eat!

Grilled Cheeseburgers

 with all the fixing's 

(Dave is anxious to put his his "45" patty grill to the test!)

Harry Carry Fries

(Deep fried goodness - it does start out healthy - fresh potatoes, cut into thin, twirly ribbons, deep fried by the fry master himself CLIFF, smothered in your favorite sauce....BBQ, Ranch, Fry Sauce, Ketchup etc!)

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Hardly counts as a vegetable it's so good, topped with crunchy candied pecans, feta cheese and sweet poppy seed dressing.

THE BIRTHDAY CAKE

A torted, rich chocolate cake,  filled with whipped sweet cream and diced strawberries, drizzled with milk chocolate ganache and topped with more strawberries.

ECLAIRS in a PAN

The legendary, feed a thousand, decadent dessert.  Layers of rich vanilla pudding and graham crackers topped with a velvety chocolate icing.  One of our MOST famous crowd pleasers!  

Aunt Kristin's Pretzel Jello

Crunchy, Sweet, Creamy....need I say anything else?

Aunt Elizabeth's Carrot Cake

Grandma Mullen Style - if you haven't tried this one you've been missing out! 

& Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Does anyone else see the strawberry theme happening here?

Grandma's Pie Crust Cookies

Hot from the Oven!

KC requested his favorite ones, the snails!  If your a flat lover, let us know, we'll do some of those too. 

Aunt Wendy's AWESOME POP

In many varieties, and you can request yours on the rocks at our house:)

Aunt Susie's Green Salad

We were hoping for one thing healthy?  This might be it? Maybe?

And . . . . . . anything else I come up with in the next 24 hours!

Love you all -

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!