Lorekeet Love

We tried the Lorekeets out with Amy a little while back.  We had so much fun.  I should say the experience was comical.  There is something similar at the Hogle Zoo, but the birds are much smaller and they don’t tend to land on your head.  We were the first people in to feed the birds so naturally the birds come swooping from every direction to get food from us.  They were everywhere.  All the kids start screaming, except Hudson and I couldn’t help giggle to myself.  We were quite the sight.  I think he was good since he chose to chase the birds down instead of waiting for them to find him.

Forever to Go

     Will and I decided to lay low for our anniversary this year.  We have had fun other years enjoying the lighthouses on Cape Cod or the beaches of Brazil, but we just needed a break this year.  We went shopping together and cooked Greek.  Will can grill a mean fillet mignon.  Will enjoyed the Kolokithokeftedes (zucchini fritters) and then the Melitinia for dessert.  Oh and yes, I did blur the dessert on purpose, it was supposed to come out as a cute octagonal pastry with a mizithra bake in the middle, but, yeh…there was nothing octagonal about them, although they were quite tasty.  

     Anyway, the people at the grocery store were horrified that we opted for a chickflick and weren’t watching the Chargers game(Will flushed in the store a little bit, but I explained and I think I just embarassed him more).  How unpatriotic we were.  Sorry, I just couldn’t bring myself to pile my china plates high with cheese whizzy nachos and BBQ chips.  There is a time and a place and I decided my foam finger and bolt attire would have to wait for another night.  I love you, Will!!

Happy New Year!!

I love the whole idea of New Years –  dressing up fancy(I’m a sucker for Black-Tie events), dancing through the night, staying up past midnight, getting a kiss from your sweetheart and then starting a new year reenergized with a fresh slate.  The Galas(Ok, so I have never done the whole Gala thing…maybe someday) were all put on hold this year so we could have some family time and celebrate with Jim and Nancy.  I was quite the site since I had had more than my share of staying up for the last week enjoying late night into the early morning romps with Monopoly and Scrabble.

We celebrated the New Year with Jim and Nancy this year.  I even got my hair cut an hour earlier for the occasion.  Hudson informed us that he was tired and put himself to bed at 8:00.  A little while later, we informed Annie that she was tired and put her to bed.  

For all intents and purposes we made it to midnight…Nebraska time, okay so maybe it was 11:45 Winnemucca time.  When my body tells you enough is enough, I listen.  At least we sported the spirit of New Years ala sparkley hats and crowns.

Looking at the great snacks and entertainment you would never know it was just the 4 of us.  I had so much fun, even if I never actually won a game of scrabble (I was close on several occasions).  Thanks Nancy and Jim!!

6 years…Really?

     Will and I have made it 6 years. We had an extremely rocky start.   I’m thankful he is still by my side.  For those of you who weren’t there, I ended up in the ER a couple of days before the wedding with a bulging disc(New Year’s Eve) and then back in the ER the morning of our wedding because of severe allergies to the muscle relaxers and pain medication they had given me, which had resulted in 72 hours of puking. Will got pulled over for speeding, but was let off, due to the fact he was the groom that day. He arrived at the temple without me and endured several hours of people wondering why I hadn’t shown.
     Meanwhile, back at the ranch, ok ER, I took 4 bags of electrolytes and a cocktail of fun stuff IV style. It was very unnerving laying in the hospital watching my scheduled wedding time pass by. I remember thinking, “I was supposed to be married 15 minutes ago.” I begged the ER staff to hurry and they soon had me on my way to my “rescheduled” wedding.
     Honestly, I don’t really remember much of the whole ordeal. I remember Nancy and my mom propping me up so they could get me dressed and how much the ties hurt when the laces in the back were pulled tight. The pictures tell me my fancy updo came as a ponytail and I was left without make-up or jewelry. I do remember being wheeled into the sealing room of the temple in a wheelchair, greeted by wide-eyed stares. After that I turn to my wedding DVD for the details. It looked like a nice wedding, the cake looked tasty and all my brothers-in-law cut in on the bride/groom dance. My only memories of the reception were spilling a cream cheese stuffed strawberry on my dress(My mom was less than happy) and the horses startling as I was getting into the carriage jostling my back a bit too much.

     The next year brought heart problems for me as well as so many other “make or break” challenges.   Just making it that first year was a miracle in itself. Will has been so wonderful as we have met life head on and learned from so many of the experiences we have had together. As life happens, I believe our capacity to love increases. Each new day brings experiences that continuously weave us closer together. I always wondered when people talked about loving someone more with each day, how that would happen, when I felt that I already loved him with my whole self.  How thankful I am for the refiner’s fire and second chances.  Will, I love you today and forever!  Happy Anniversary!

I think here, Will might be having second thoughts.  It was too late though.  The deal was sealed!!

Sorry, I couldn’t include any of our photographer’s photos due to copyright issues.

A Winnemucca Christmas

Do you ever have the feeling you’re in the middle of a Christmas comedy?  Every time we go to Winnemucca for Christmas the feelings surge to the surface.  I can’t help but take a step back and watch all the aunts and uncles joke as cousins dodge through a forest of legs and feet.  The cousins scramble for the door to be first in line for tubing behind the ATV.  Monopoly and and Scrabble boards emerge each night after each child is tucked in snuggly for the night.  Enough food passes through the kitchen to feed a small army.  Truly, the resemblance to a band of military troops is astonishing.  I think the count is 15 cousins and 14 aunts and uncles…all fitting comfortably in one house.  My mother and father-in-law are such good sports to sacrifice their house for the festivities.  We have had so much fun this year and are so grateful for them and everything they do to keep the family close(Matt, Kathy, Dan and Kim…we missed you).

The carols and reading of Christ’s birth on Christmas Eve was a highlight.

Even the little ones were captivated.

The blizzard that spanned Christmas Eve through Christmas Day had Negin and I rocking the leg warmers.  Thanks, Nancy!!  My legs did stay warm.

Hudson enjoyed quality time in the backyard with Goo.

Annie turned out to be quite the little snowbunny.  Hudson takes the cake with presents.  He got “Bat wings.”  Yes the little rip cord on the side can be pulled to have them pop open, Buzz Light Year style to span 5ish feet.

Last, but definitely not least, here are some of the faces of Christmas…