Happy 5th Anniversary Kevin!!!!

So, 5 years ago on July 23, Kevin and I were sealed in the Jordan River, UT Temple.  It was an amazing day and the 5 years have flown by.  I just wanted to write a little post to say thank you to Kevin for our lives so far and to share with the rest of you Kevin's and my trip over the last 7 years of getting to know one another.  (Briefly, well at least I'll try)

It started with an invite to play ultimate frisbee.  Kevin and I started dating the summer of 2003, but he soon left for two 4 month stays in Alaska for work.  We talked pretty much every night on the phone and got to know each other better.  After another 4 month work thing in Texas the following fall, he was finally home long enough to find me a ring and propose.  His initial plan was to propose on a hot air balloon, but the ring didn't make it in time.  However, the balloon ride was spectacular and the proposal was perfect the next evening.

Our attempts to take engagement photos always occurred on the windiest day of the week.  We got a few good ones though, despite the crazy hair.  This isn't one we sent out, but I thought it was cute.

The pier in this picture is next to the pier where Kevin proposed.  It is on the river

So after 2 months of being engaged, we headed to Utah to be married in the temple.  We wanted Kevin's grandparents to be able to be there for the wedding, so we went out there. 

The Jordan River Temple

We drove to the temple for a morning sealing, but the parking lot was full.  We drove around a while and finally found a spot.  After finishing the paperwork and some other important things, we were headed to the sealing room.  I then remembered that I had forgotten his ring in my locker.  I had to hurry downstairs, get the ring, all the while everyone in the sealing room was waiting and wondering what the hold up was.  So I was a little nervous and shaky with all the running around, but as soon as we stepped into the beautiful sealing room and saw all our friends and family, and holding each other's hands, everything was perfect.  I knew I had made the right choice and that life wouldn't be perfect by any means, but that Kevin and I would tackle the obstacles and stroll hand in hand through the smooth times together.  And that is what we are doing!!!!

Kevin and I at the reception

All the boys, Bob (father-in-law), Kerry (dad), Steve (brother-in-law), Kevin (husband!), Nathan, Jacob, and Joshua (nephews)

My bridesmaids: Chamaine, Beth, Kim, and Mesha

A year later our first little girl came along, Jane Elizabeth

2 years after that, our next little girl, Alice Mae, joined our family

Now it's been 5 years, we have another baby on the way, Jane is about to start Pre-school, and it seems like just yesterday, I was checkin' Kevin out (but only after he was checkin' me out) from across the room at Stake Conference.  Thank you, Kevin for all you do and for who you are.  I love you!!!!!  I've loved the last 5 years and look forward to an eternity of adventures and laughter with you!

Happy Anniversary!

Florida Visitors and more vacation

While we were in Utah, my little sister, Beth, and her 2 kids came to Florida for their 2 week summer vacation.  So the afternoon we flew home, Beth picked us up at the airport and took us straight to Gramma's house for dinner and a pool party.  My cousin, Lisa, and her husband and little girl were also visiting from Tampa.  It was a full house.  Jane and Alice were very excited to see all of their cousins on my side again. 

One of the mornings we took a little trip to the zoo.  It's such a fun place.  Here are Jane, Ben, and Morgan posing as sea turtles.

Jane looking oh so fine!

That Saturday we (my parents, Beth, Kim, and I and our families, minus Cody (Beth's husband who had to stay in Ohio and work.  We missed him).) headed to St. Augustine to have a little get together with my Grand-father and Inez.  Uncle Larry and Pat were also there, visiting from Boston.  We had a great visit.

On the way home Kevin's contacts were bothering him, but it was a little too sunny, so he was trying out the glasses/sunglasses combo.  I laughed pretty hard. 

The girls were exhausted from another afternoon in the sun and pool and playing with their cousins.  Hence it was a very quiet trip home!

I have no idea how Kevin squeezed into her room to take this picture, but she was too cute.  This is Alice napping right behind the door in her room.  She loves mommy Pooh, Daddy Pooh, and little baby Pooh.  Too cute!

Memorial day was a funfilled day of the beach and the pool.  And both girls amazingly let me do their hair.  They looked so adorable.  I love the picture of the 2 of them at the top of the blog.  Jane's smile is perfect.  And Alice looks like a doll.  Too sweet.

Jane and Mikayla (or is that Bo Derek? her swimsuit was barely covering her at all by the end of the day) at the beach.  This was the first time Jane dared go in the water.  A huge breakthrough for her!!!!!  Yay Janie!!!!

Joshua the human lobster, thanks to Uncle Kevin

Uncle Larry and my Dad.  Also, notice the clouds in these following pictures.  They were just beautiful!

Beth and Kim wading out into the surf

Kevin with Ben and Jane

Morgan, Ben, Jane, and Mikayla

Ben and Morgan

Larry, my Dad, Nathan, and Mike just relaxing in the sun.  Taking a break from the rough surf.

And this is how Alice cooled off.  She doesn't like going near the waves, so I bring the water to her.

Jane, Mikayla, and Ben

Running toward the surf.  Such a wonderful beach day.

Then after the beach we headed to Gramma's house to enjoy a barbecue and the pool.  Alice sported her very Patriotic dress.  And amazingly still had the pigtails in her hair.

The kids love playing in the tubes

Pat and Pepper (Beth's little girl)

If you want to see more pictures of the visit, you'll have to see Beth's blog.  I always forgot to take pictures of the events.  We had wonderful visits with everyone and sadly miss all of our cousins and aunts and uncles.  Kim and her family now live in Alabama, which I'll be blogging about soon!

Day 4 and 5 Saturday and Sunday

It started snowing Friday evening and continued through the night.  So at the end of May, this is what we woke up too.  It was gorgeous.  The girls were so excited.  This is the view from our upstairs bedroom.

Alice throwing snowballs and thoroughly enjoying herself outside on the front porch

On the back porch

Five of the cousins.  Alice, Kyle, Jane, Lincoln, and Marina.  We were missing Carter and Ella.

The view down the street

Luckily the roads were clear and as we headed down the mountain, there wasn't much snow as the sun got stronger and stronger.  We went to the Olympic Park area from the 2002 winter olympics.  It was pretty neat.  Our Brother-in-Law, Ryan, got 10 free tickets and then we split up the rest of the bus tour cost.  Thank you!  Here are Carter, Marina, and Jane playing on one of the sleds.

 

Kevin, me, and the girls in a bobsled

Jane on another sled.  I think she looks ready!

Kevin and Jane on the tour bus

The look from on top of the ski jump used in the Olympics

It was steep!

Our little family.  And yes, our hair just blends into the sky.

Ella and Kara on the bus

All the grandkids and Steve packed in a bobsled.  Oh, yeah, they are all excited to be in that picture!

Carrying the Olympic torch.  Good helper, Alice.

The ski bums.  Jane, Kevin, and Alice (I love her face.  I think it was supposed to be a smile).

Our last night at the cabin was Sunday night.  After spending the morning taking family photos of the whole group and then going to church, we had a relaxing afternoon.  We took a nice long walk and had, yet another, scrumptious meal.  Each little family took a turn making lunch or dinner for the rest of the group.  Grandma and Papa Terry, were in charge of breakfast each morning.  We checked the weather report after dinner and it didn't look good.  We were scheduled to fly out Monday morning and had originally planned to leave from the cabin.  However, with the impending storm, we decided to leave Sunday night and stay the night in Sandy.  Luckily we did so (thanks to answered prayers) because it was a bad storm and even Sandy was covered in snow in the morning.  Planes were de-icing as we pulled into the airport.  Alice loved the stairs in the cabin, so here's our last shot of the girls playing house on the stairs.  It was bedtime!  It was such a nice trip to Utah.  It was good to see all our family and spend so much time with them.  Thanks again.  We love and miss all of you.

Utah Day 2 and 3

Sadly, I did not take any pictures on Thursday.  I have no idea why.  We had a wonderful and very busy day that day.  We either went to a neighborhood park that morning or to an aquarium, but both were fun.  In the afternoon Kevin, the girls and I met up with my good friend Mesha.  We got to see her Aunt Barbara (for the last time) in her care facility.  She was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer and was very weak and very much in pain when I saw her, but always smiling.  She passed away a week or so later at peace with the choices she had made in her life.  Knowing too that her family and everyone that she had ever met or taught was better for having met her!  We love and miss you Aunt Barbara!!!!

After visiting Aunt Barbara, we went and visited Mesha's mom, (Sister Whaley), who is still recovering from a stroke she had about 6 months ago.  She looked great and the girls were quick to give her big goodbye hugs when it was time to go.  Then we rushed over to Chamaine's house (Mesha's sister and another great friend of mine) to meet her two little girls before they went to bed.  It was so good to see all of you.  We love you guys.  I wish I had taken at least one picture.  Anyway, next time we visit I will for sure.

Which brings us to Friday.  Kyle, Jane, and Alice enjoying their breakfast at the bar!

We all drove up to Kennecott mines.  That is the one that can be seen from space and for sure from the airplane as you fly into Salt Lake.  It was awesome.  Just amazingly huge.

Jane modeling for us

The whole family

So it looks like a little Tonka truck, but if you look closely, those are stairs on the front of it and if you notice the normal size truck down in the right corner, then that is one massive vehicle.  At the bottom of this post is a picture of the size of the tire.

After the mines we got some lunch to go and had a picnic at Wheeler Farm.  Kevin used to come to this place as a child.  I loved it and it turned out to be a gorgeous afternoon.

The girls and Kevin enjoying their lunch

Alice chasing the ducks (her favorite pasttime).  I love to hear her squeal with joy as she runs after them.  They are not as excited!

The most vivid memory Kevin had of the place was the treehouse.  Here are Jane and Alice also enjoying it.  That opening was tiny.  Like a henhouse door.

The treehouse

We all enjoyed a wagon ride.  Kevin, Alice, Jane, Grandma Terry, Steve, Kyle, and Valerie

Jane giving us her best "Yeehaw!"

Then giving Alice some pointers

Alice's "Yeehaw!"  What a great teacher she had.

Steve's big red truck.  That's a minivan next to it.

Wheeler farm.  Love the scenery.

After the farm, we all headed up to the cabin in Park City for the weekend.  It was Kevin's whole family, so their were 21 people.  It was wonderful.  We had a great time.  Thank you Valene and Bob for arranging it all.  We loved it.  Alice and Jane were so excited to play with all of their cousins.  They were especially grateful to play with Marina's dress up clothes.  Alice made a charming Belle.

Marina, Jane and Alice on one of the many window seats at the cabin.

Here is the size of that truck's tire.  Kevin, Alice, Jane, and Carter.