The Reception

Ok so I'm a little behind on blogging, so behind I thought earlier I was done with the blog. I don't want it to feel like work. Anyway, I did think I would finish up my adventure to Utah and Idaho which seems like it was so long ago. The main reason I made the trek is my best friend from high school got married. Of course I didn't pull out the camera until the reception missing three days of jammed packed fun and LOTS of good food. I wanted to thank my sister Deborah for helping me throw the bridal shower and making meaningful gifts and cards. My sister is so talented. Also thank you for letting me crash you pad for probably a bit too long. Glad we are still talking!

(Buck and Deborah)

Thanks to all my family who watched my kids day after day so I could attend all the events and get a much needed pedicure. Thanks kids for being good sports and letting mommy have some mommy time.

My Mom, Dad and the future 40 year old virgin (Jake)

Nina

Pat and his new fiancee

Jen and I

Jen getting Jane food for some reason

Andrew and I

Yes Reynolds, we can go home now

5 Years! and counting....

Who would have thought nearly 10 years ago Sarah and I would end up married? When I first met her she was just the chic who sported a bunch of skater shirts and never seemed to wear a bra. Of course she seemed pretty cool, but did I think she was my future wife and become the mother of my two beautiful children? Of course, I never saw it coming. Besides, she must have been repulsed by me, what, with her well known metallophobia (fear of metal) and my hideous braces! Well, we managed to beat the odds (how she ever kissed my metal mouth is still a mystery to this day) and after 10 years of friendship and 5 great years of marriage, things have never been better.

I feel so lucky to have ended up with Sarah, she has truly always been a great inspiration to me. At times when she could have taken different paths in her life, she always seemed to choose the right one when it really counted amid major pressure from those around her. Her faith and testimony have always been a strong foundation for our relationship and many years ago was a catalyst for me in my desire to be a better person. Without Sarah walking into my life, who knows what decisions I would have made or where I may have ended up.

I'll never forget the first time I brought Sarah home to Monroe. It just so happened that my whole family (at least it seemed like everyone was there that weekend) was visiting from their respective places of residence which made for a great introduction to everyone! The image remains vivid in my mind of everyone sitting in the front room of my parents home and after about half an hour wondering how it was that I had convinced this great girl to make the trek to Monroe and admit to my parents that she was my girlfriend, let alone admit that she had actual interest in me. That day, I had a hard time explaining it myself. Lets just say that she must have seen some potential in me, afterall, that is what I always tell myself! She certainly made a believer out of my dad when we went golfing the next day and I didn't even show the least bit of frustration, let alone throw a club down the fairway! He knew this was the girl for me.

Back then I knew she was great, but I still didn't truly get how lucky I was to have her in my life. When I returned home from a 2 year trek through Mongolia I knew I didn't want to let her get away and she has been mine ever since. People may have thought we were crazy, but the thought of waiting any longer was the only thing that would have driven us bonkers.

It hasn't always been perfect, but what relationship is? I just know that we have our whole lives ahead of us to become better people, and that we can do it together alongside our children, as a family. That is truly what I am thankful for the most. Sarah has provided me with most everything worthwhile in life and I love her so much for that. As she likes to say, "She is the cheese to my macaroni".

Sarah, I just want you to know that I love you more than words could ever describe. You mean everything to me and I could never love anyone the way I love you. You have brought me so much joy over the years and I know that we have so much more in store for us in the future. Where does that road lead? Nobody knows, but one thing is certain, I don't want to take a single step in that journey without you, the love of my life. You are truly so beautiful, loving, kind, inspirational, sexy, I could go on and on. But most importantly you are the best wife I could dream of and a wonderful mother. I hope you have enjoyed these last five years as much as I have.

Here is to the last five years and all the years to come!

I love you,

Andrew

Uncle Ben and Aunt Holly's

After the race I loaded up the kids and took a road trip to Utah and Idaho. Lucky for me my nephew Spencer needed a ride to utah so he was able to help through things at the kids while we drove. We first stopped in Provo to see my friend Jenny. For some reason I did not pull out the camera but we had a blast hanging out with her for a couple of days. Next stop was to spend a few dayswith Ben and Holly but first we made a side trip to see Megan and her new baby Evan and her old baby Anna. He was adorable and still forgot to pull my camera out. We were excited to get to Ben adn Holly's to see their new place and meet his daughter Audrey.

She was a doll and the kids had a blast playing together. At the end of each day the grown ups were worn out and ready for them to go to bed.

Jane found the drum set and we couldn't keep her away.

She could probably watch Ben play guitar all day!

Reynolds was quite the groupie as well. He would stand there and do the head bop.

Thank's Ben and Holly for letting us crash your pad. We hope it wont be too long before we see you again.

13.1 Miles

Exactly a month ago Andrew and I ran our first half marathon. We had a total blast and were quite proud of oursleves. I'm so grateful that our kids were so patient while we trained. They were troppers on those long runs.

I finished the race is an 1:49:15. However, I decided I can shave two minutes off my time for going to the bathroom and also for being at a complete stop when the race began to get through the slow people. 1:47:15. I placed 32 out of 150 some women in my age group. I was pretty stoked since it was my first race. At mile 8 I started getting some mean blisters. I had a total of five all over my feet when I finally got to take my shoes off. It was slightly brutal but well worth it.

Andrew did awesome finishing at 1:39:15. He had a few unexpected stops as well such as running into the bushes to poop. He of course was disapointed in his time and thought he could have done better. He is planning on doing a marathon over Labor Day weekend so stay tuned.

Happy Birthday Jane

Jane turned 3 on June 17th. Unfortunately we did not take one picture of her on that day. She was recovering from a terrible illness that had her expelling at both ends. She has been asking me forever to make her a chocolate chip cake for her birthday. On her birthday I asked if she wanted me to make it and she said, "will you make it for me another day". Reynolds ended up eating all of his and Janes ice cream. Poor kid. We made up for it by having a little party for her at Civic Green park. I was so disappointed when we got there because some punk kids had put bubbles in the little stream the night before so they had to close it for cleaning. The kids still had fun playing in the big fountains.

Luckily Andrew provided some entertainment with his talents.



The kids enjoyed their snack bags

Popsicles

and cupcakes (chocolate chip cupcakes of course).

Daddy kicked the ball around with the kids

Then it was about time to sing Happy Birthday



and open presents. Grandma Cottle we have a special video of Jane opening her goods but it is so long it will not upload and I didn't get any pictures since we have a whole video of it. I will have Andrew send it to you.

I'm going to be a rock star now!

I was determined to get Reynolds in the water to wash him off from his two cupcakes.

"Let go of me Mom I got this!"

"Oh wow that is cold"

"but this is pretty fun"

This is Jane in one of her new dresses that her Grandma Cottle made for her.


Cute little kids!

Indian Creek

Last weekend we decided last minute to go camping at Indian Creek. Reynolds had been puking the day before so we were waiting to see if he would be better. At 12:00 When he had held down breakfast and appeared to be better I ran to Walmart, came home, packed, and we were out on the road by 3:30. We went up with Jen and Travis and Hannah and Eric Pertesen joined us for our second and last night there. We are totally converted to two night camping and hope to do a lot more of it.

We did the usally camping stuff.....We relaxed, sat around the fire, and ate a TON of food. However we got off our hineys and went for a hike up Devils head.

Jane was a pretty good trooper for half the way and than refused to walk. For some reason she would only let I or Andrew hold her. Well after I got tired Andrew decided it would not be hard to hold both kids.

She finally let Travis hold her and quickly fell asleep on his shoulder. Travis was a trooper and carried her dead weight all the way up to the top (A LOT of VERY steep staris).

The girls at the very top. They showed up their cousin Drew who was not too fond of standing at the very edge.

This is the view on the way down after I freed up some space on the memory card. This is what Travis hiked with Jane asleep on his shoulder.

The great brothers that made the hike possible.

The Slaughter

For months now I have been wanting to get Jane's hair cut but for whatever reason have not. It was way too long and took too much energy to care for. She kept telling me that Grandma Cottle would do it. She obviously remembered her Grandma cutting her hair before. After bath last night Andrew was prepared to do it. A fight later I had finished the job. It's pretty much totally screwed up. We will have to end up paying someone to fix it but I might let it grow out a bit so they don't have to go any shorter. Here is Jane and Reynolds ready to go to Story Time. She loves to carry her books in her backpack.



Andrew wants to grow Reynolds hair out for a bit. His new nick name is fuzz. The other day when we were at the library one of the librarians acutally called him fuzz it was awesome. I think that was the same day that Ren dropped my keys down the elvator shaft. That was a fun day let me tell you.