All Because of a Broken Elbow

On this day, June 30, 2011, Brian and I celebrate 10 years of marital bliss. Okay, maybe "bliss" isn't quite the right word. Really, is there really anyone who can say that their marriage has been complete bliss? I sometimes joke that Brian and I never went through a honeymoon period in our marriage. It's true that things started out kind of rocky for us, and there were some (maybe many) who believed we wouldn't make it past our first year. But here we are ten years later. 10 years! Crazy how time flies when you are with the one you love.

Many people know that Brian and I met at Bingham High School. Yes, we are in fact high school sweethearts. But, with him being a year ahead of me in school and with nearly 3,000 students at Bingham, I think we are lucky to have even met. And we actually didn't meet until the last half of his senior year.

What many people may not know is that Brian and I are married today because he broke his elbow. It might sound strange, but it's true. Here's the story:

Brian was on the wrestling team at Bingham High School - surprise surprise, right? Ha. Anyway, during practice one day, as he was wrestling with a teammate, he got into a position that caused his elbow to bend in the opposite direction that an elbow normally bends. His elbow hyper-extended causing his forearm to touch his tricep and he heard a very loud pop. OUCH! His injury required surgery, two pins, a sling for several months, and ultimately his departure from the wrestling team. He was suppose to take a weight lifting class the following semester, but could no longer do so. He now had a hole in his schedule that needed to be filled. He opted for an “easy A” and decided to take a foods class, which is where we met for the first time. I thought he was really cute, but also saw him as being the "class clown" - surprise surprise again! He thought I had a beautiful smile (so he says). So you see, if he hadn’t broken his elbow, there is a very good chance that we may have never met.

And, there you have it. Boy breaks his elbow, boy takes a foods class, boy meets girl, and the rest is history...

We have laughed together, cried together, learned from each other, and leaned on one another. Each trial and triumph has been shared. We are the best of friends. We have created three beautiful children together and are dedicated to the life we have built together. I love you Brian. There is absolutely nobody I would rather be sharing this journey with and I can't imagine my life without you in it. Here's to another 10 years of bliss!

Snail Huntin'

Brian has a new favorite past time. I think it's disgusting. So does Trent. Ashlyn, on the other hand, thinks it's funner than a night at the circus. Okay, so I haven't actually given her the option of going to the circus, but I think it's a safe assumption. After all, this is the same girl who prefers dog food to ice cream.

The first night yielded 20 snails, the second 58, and the third 32. That's a total of 110 snails! Gross! Ashlyn couldn't keep her hands off em'...sometimes I have to wonder if she really is mine.

I actually do think it's great that she doesn't get all freaked out (like I do) when it comes to worms, spiders and snails, oh my! And better still, it has been great bonding time for these two.

Happy Hunting!

Havin' A Ball!

Luke's was surrounded by his biggest fans last Friday when we celebrated his 1st birthday with a Ball Party!

It was a pretty casual night, just a good ol' fashion BBQ with a lot of balls.

Since it was Luke's party, I wanted the party to be centered on him and didn't want activities that wouldn't involve him. So, I had the kids take turns in seeing who could make Luke smile or laugh. If they succeeded, they earned a treat.

We also had a guessing game for the adults.

You see that baggie I'm holding? Well, that is a collection of stuff that I have taken out of Luke's mouth. Here is a better look...

Yep. My baby has a serious problem. He puts anything he can get his tiny hands on into his mouth. Everything from q-tips, earplugs, and toilet paper to crayons, fairy shoes, and bouncy balls. The guess to this guessing game was, how long did it take me to gather this collection? Days, weeks, months???

It was, in fact, exactly one month. I started collecting on May 15th and ended on his birthday. Uncle Jake was the winner with a guess of 27 days. He was awarded with a box of Junior Caramels.

We ate dinner and opened presents...

and then it was CAKE TIME!

Luke completely destroyed and devoured his cake. He loved every minute of it. But, when he was done, he sure let us know!

After a bath, clean jammies, and a bottle, he went right to bed. Everyone else enjoyed their own cake and ice cream, visiting, and for some, a little time on the trampoline.

Each kid took home a ball (because I really don't need or want 15 10-inch balls in my home), and a bag of candy balls - the adults were also welcome to partake of the candy bar.

We sent everyone home on a sugar high. I guess the night was a success!

Luke's 1st Birthday!

Luke's big day started out a little rough when he woke at 6:50 am to his leg being caught between two rungs of his crib. Luckily he recovered quickly and things went uphill from there. First, he enjoyed (what I believe to be) his favorite breakfast - pancakes.

Then it was time to open presents, which required a little assistance from big sister and Daddy.

Luke's favorite gift was a box of his very own tissues! I got the idea from my cousin Jen, who gave her baby a box of tissues for Christmas one year. Since Luke is constantly into everything, I thought he would get a kick out of it, and I was right. I just love all his facial expressions.

Then it was time for a bath with his new bath toy. When I saw this, I knew Luke would love it because he loves running water. There is a pump in the bottom that recycles the bath water and creates a constant stream.

After getting dressed, I let Luke loose, to terrorize the house and much as he pleased, with out the normally repeated 'no'!

After he played with his new stacking cups, he was tuckered out and took his morning nap.

For lunch, he ate bologna (that was a first), cheese, and grapes. Sorry about the girly bib buddy!

After lunch, I went for a run, and from what I understand he was grumpy the entire time I was gone. So, I gave him a bottle and he took another nap. Oh, what I wouldn't give to have a nap or two a day!

After regaining some strength, it was time once again to terrorize...

and then we took a little trip down to the farm at Thanksgiving Point.

Luke had so much fun and really got a kick out of all the animals. It was so fun to see his face light up as we walked past each new animal.

And I had a serious case of deja vu when I snapped this photo:

Here's why:
This picture was taken when Trent was about 11 months.

Yes, you can definitely see the family resemblance. And here are some more pics from our little outing.

Here is Trent before he decided that he didn't like horses. After this, we walked over to see another horse and when Trent got close enough, he bit Trent's earlobe. Ouch!

The calves were especially adorable.

We ate dinner at the cafe and then Luke had a special birthday treat.

We came home, had a wardrobe change and then headed up to Red Butte Garden for a reception and took the opportunity to snap a few photos.

By the time we got home, Luke was plum tuckered out and so we put him in his jammies and he went right to bed. It's unfortunate that he will not remember this day, but at least he enjoyed himself in the moment. And, at least it is recorded so that he can read about it some day.

He is such a joy and has added so much to our family in the last year. We will be celebrating his life with our families on Friday with a ball party. I have a feeling that he is going to give us a good show when he eats his cake! So, stay tuned!