Big ol' Barn Wedding

A while ago Brooks was asked to be a groomsman at his friend's (from medical school) wedding. He has never BEEN one nor knew what to do. The fact that the wedding was 6 hours away didn't help Brooks actually want to do it. But he and this friend were good buddies and I frankly just said, WE.ARE.GOING!!!

I was just excited to go because I've never BEEN to a non-LDS ("Mormon" weddings are in a temple. Small attendance, short ceremony and a sacred experience) but I had seen many movies when they go all out on the decorations, food, etc.

My sweet friend kept all my kids for the two days. Another friend texted because she didn't actually believe I would leave the kids and go away with Brooks for a while, so I sent her this selfie of us in the car driving.

CLEARLY I'm pretty excited....and Brooks still refuses to do selfies.

Brooks went to the rehearsal and I worked out and chilled in the hotel. It was amazing. Then we both went to our very first ever rehearsal dinner. But even BETTER, I got to meet the lovely bride-to-be, Charlotte. She was pretty awesome.

ANOTHER first for me would be trying the famous Southern-cuisine of Fried Chicken and Waffles......of course with a side of fried okra

It was actually pretty good.

It was ALSO fun sitting by old medical school friends.

These are Matt's (the groom) parents. It was wonderful seeing them again and apparently since they "always talk about us", it was exciting for them to see Brooks too. She reminded me how after medical school graduation seven years ago, we invited them over to our house for rootbeer floats with the four kids to celebrate. Man, we sure DO know how to par-tay! I had forgotten that memory. We just love them.

We went to a prayer meeting the next morning, then Brooks went shooting with all the Groomsmen while I napped, exercised and watched HGTV. It was pretty sweet.

Then it was time for the actual wedding.

But while they were setting up Brooks had to follow his nose and go talk to the BBQ man...and by "talk" I mean, ask-the-poor-man-a-gazillion-questions-about-what-he's-doing.

But this guy actually KNOWS his BBQ. He goes to cook-offs with his meat and won 5th in the nation! It WAS quite tasty.

My friend's three year old was asked to be the ring-bearer. He was SO tired of waiting and wouldn't hold still (ummm, totally normal behavior. I can't blame him). Then all of a sudden he was sitting still forever....thanks to my sweet husband. He sat there and kept little Cole entertained before their turn to walk up the aisle.

 

The wedding was sweet (and LONG.....apparently a long sermon is normal?)

Then after the groomsmen escorted the bride's maids back down the aisle. Here is Brooks' grin at me as he walks by. During the rehearsal he was paired with a young lady a good head taller then him so I had my camera all ready to capture it. Then they changed it up so he got someone closer to his size. Darn. I would've LOVED to have see him with the tall girl.haha

Poor little Cole never ended up walking down the aisle and refused to do it. His mom I think was embarrassed but I couldn't help but grin thinking at how many smiles this kid brought to all their faces. After the wedding Brooks kept entertaining Cole. (Cole wanted NOTHING to do with me) His parents were so grateful. He's magic like that.

All the Groomsmen

This is actually one of my FAVORITE picture from the whole thing with all men (some forgot their's I guess) with their beers in their holders and Brooks with his water bottle. Another thing we learned at these weddings.....there is a LOT of drinking and a LOT of food.

Instead of wedding cake they hired a Donut Truck to come make homemade doughnuts. But of course, Brooks had to talk with her before and ask her a gazillion questions.

We had the most wonderful time together and the wedding was beautiful. Marriage truly is an institution set up by Heavenly Father for the betterment of each individual. Grateful for this man of mine.....



June is over!

Other activities in June included 

a LOT of golf and swimming

Hanging with some new families here to practice our Spanish (since they don't speak English)....yes, the girls even wear swim suits when people come over. I at LEAST made Aleeya put some shorts on. Nothing says "BIENVENIDO" like girls in swimsuits and shaved ice.

Camden, Emerson, Aleeya and Iris were all invited by our neighbors to go to a Vacation Bible School at their Baptist church. We decided to let them go because I think it shocked them when my kids told them we read the Bible every night (trying to finish the New Testament). I think they thought we just read the Book of Mormon.....which happens to be ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ since it compliments the Bible perfectly. 

The theme of the VBS was something to do with science so they did experiments. This is Iris showing me her cool blue water experiment when she got home.

The last day they had a big presentation where they sang all the songs they've been practicing. Camden told me he was NOT going to go the last day because he didn't want to sing and do the many  (MANY) actions that went with the songs. I told the kids I wouldn't MISS it. (Baptist songs tends to be more energetic then our church's so I knew I was in for a show)

I was just bummed I couldn't see them very well while they were performing since they stayed in their seats.

I spy Aleeya.........

 Emerson was the one kid in class who asked the preacher if he believed in the Trinity. When the pastor said he did Emerson said, "Then who was he praying to in the Garden or talking to on the cross? HIMSELF?" Emerson came home and said their pastor has a REAL big imagination. Oh gosh, leave it to Emerson to call ANYONE out.
Emerson is the last (short) one on the left in the gray shirt.

Emerson was all making fun of the songs beforehand so imagine my SHOCK when during every song he was probably the MOST into it. I could've watched him all day. I couldn't stop giggling inside at him jamming out to these Baptist songs. link

Aleeya took her singing VERY seriously. Iris on the front row decided not to sing that song so she was the only one sitting down. Anyway, this video is a minute long. I included it mostly for family
link



Bronson is old enough to be in Boy Scouts now and has been excited for his Monday-Saturday camp ever since he turned 12! They were waking up at 4 in the morning to leave and Bronson didn't want to forget anything. I thought it was cute how he left the note on the fridge reminding him to  get his water bottle out of the freezer.

Here are the 3 twelve year olds from our ward. They were meeting up with another ward with 10 or 12 boys to make up their troop. This is right after Brooks dropped them off. Seriously, Bronson was SO excited.

This was his first time really spending the night away from us, but for some reason I knew he wouldn't have ANY issues with it. I started feeling sad for missing my boy and then I couldn't help but get all excited about it too since I knew he would be having a blast.

He came back looking 2 years older!!!

I guess all those adventures involving bull frogs, giant spiders, fishing, water blobs, pranks and cleaning bathrooms will do that do you!

(He already can't wait until next year)

Iris turned 6

As the ever-creative title suggests, Iris turned a big whoopin' 6 this month.

For her piñata she was very particular in getting a chocolate chip cookie.

It was one of those proud-Mommy moments when you realize that your daughter is just like you. There are FEW things I love more then a good chocolate chip cookie.

She had a fun party with her friends here swimming, whacking the piñata

and eating Sofia the First cake.......on Frozen plates. She kept asking for random, non-coordinating things. I love it.

On her ACTUAL birthday we gave her a Barbie and her junk box. It's always the favorite gift. (trust me, this is the BEST picture I got of her smiling.....the other ones were creepy.)

And she wanted ice cream cones with vanilla ice cream. WHAAAAAT?!?!? Vanilla?! 

So we put caramel topping in the cones and then the ice cream. She thought it was the best thing ever.

We love our sensitive, kind, loud-talking and peace-making Irisita.

no. No. NO!!!!

When Brooks started his second residency I made him promise that when he finished it we would fly the WHOLE family back to Utah and see both of our families. We haven't done that since I was pregnant with Aleeya......meaning most of the family has not even MET half of my kids.

There's a lot to plan but mostly my concern has been our CONDITION and my peace of mind when we get there. 

So I made some personal goals/rules of things that I will NOT allow and will NOT happen before we go. 

The first one being......  Kellyn WILL still be in diapers. 

I have always potty-trained right around their 2nd birthday but since her's was in October (and I don't potty-train in winter) I thought I would wait until spring. Then spring came and I thought of the trip and the LAST thing I want when I'm socializing with my family is to hear, "Mommy PEE PEE" and have to drop everything and b-line it for the bathroom. Let ALONE worrying about peeing all over the airplane/airport, and everyone's carpeted homes. But within the last month she keeps taking off her diaper and running to the jon and pees in the toilet.

She loves it because all her siblings cheer and dance for her. Great. just great.

Then when we she has a diaper on and says she has to pee I beg, "Kellyn Just PLEASE go in your diaper". "No, pee pee seat", then she runs off.

This is NOT happening.

AHHHH!

She even POOPS in the potty by herself. Hasn't had an accident in two weeks of her running around without a diaper on. 

Despite all my begging just to pee in her diaper, I think I've failed this one. And I even bought a ton of diapers and had them shipped to my MIL's house waiting for all her diaper-ness!!! Arg. I think I will still make her wear them though. #horriblemom

(ALWAYS wears the floaties)

Another big fat NO is scissors. Mostly because my family is getting pictures done. I'm been kinda paranoid. (My family hasn't had the whole family together is in 15+ years). 

You see EVERYTIME before a family picture something happens.....usually involving scissors.

Mullet #1 in 2010:

Mullet #2 before family pictures:

I don't even have a picture of Kellyn's from last year before our family pictures.

I have literally tried to hide every pair of scissors for the past month and it's exhausting with always-wanting-to-craft girls!

Then you have the let's-skid-my-face-on-the-driveway-before-family-pictures move:

But it's not only THAT...... now I have to be concerned about bees and stings!!! NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO GET STUNG OR HAVE ANY CONTACT WITH POISON IVY BEFORE WE FLY BACK.

DO YOU HEAR ME?!?!?!?

This is actually Iris when she woke up this morning after being stung on her nose by a yellow jacket yesterday.

Mom, wouldn't you just LOVE that face in our family picture?!?!?! 

If I painted it blue it kinda resembles......

But I digress.......

Then Iris came to me and said that her front tooth is just a LIIIIIIITTLE wiggly and how she's gonna keep wiggling it until it pops out.

no. No. NO!!!!!!

PLEASE KEEP YOUR BEAUTIFUL AND STRAIGHT BABY TEETH IN YOUR MOUTH FOR JUST A FEW MORE WEEKS!

I'm begging. I'm desperate and getting close to putting one of the boys' football mouthguards in her mouth to keep her from touching it.

Is it too much to ask to just NOT have a potty-training toddler, no mullets, tooth-full smiles and no abnormal swelling because of ridiculous insects?!?!?!?!

For my family, it probably is.

Last Day of School

June 5th was their last day of school and I thought it might be a fun time to post a few pictures of Aleeya's school outfits. I let her dress herself however she wants as long as it's clean and not ripped, etc. 

Here she is on the last day of school. She added some felt, yellow flower thing to her outfit. Her teacher says Aleeya always makes her smile when she comes to school.

Sometimes she got all fancy with a cute outfit and then added some striped leggings under.

Other times, it was just.......pure-Aleeya.

This was actually her outfit for Career Day (What they wanted to be when they grow up Presentation). Aleeya picked a Mommy. 

However I ASSURE you I don't throw polka-dot tights under my dresses.

This picture doesn't show it well, but this Sunday she had a black eye. I just loved how she owned it with her floral dress and polka-dot tights with sandals.

To finish it off I thought I would post the outfit she wore as we went to Krispy Kreme on the last day of school for the free doughnut day.

If anyone can rock a striped shirt, soccer shorts and zebra-printed pumps, it's Aleeya.

I also had a new 3 ft pool thing set up to surprise them after their last day of school. They were so excited because our neighbors have one and they always want to go over. And it's just plain easier for me then hauling them all to the YMCA. This way, I just stick the littles for naps while the older kids have a blast.

However the littles are the ones that spend the most time in it anyway. Kellyn just wears her floaties on her arms all day for anytime she decides to go jump in. They love it.

And WITH all this swimming action I also stated my mean-mom-rule #784. That is: you can NEVER use a towel after you swim.

(just THINK of all the towels I would always be washing and cleaning from dirt!)

So they are always drying off on the hot driveway. I remember doing that as a kid! haha

Even more then Aleeya's outfit, the doughnuts or the pool, it was a pretty monumental day around here for us. However I didn't KNOW about it until the day before when I get a text from Brooks seeing if I could get his white coat dry cleaned by the next day at 3pm. I asked him what was at 3pm and he said, "Graduation. They're making me go."

I took a picture of him on his way to graduation with Camden. 

Camden has actually been our "gage" as to how long we've been on this medical path together since he was born on the first day of medical school 11 years ago.

Brooks and I arrived in Johnson City city for medical school with our chubby 1 year old, Bronson and past my due date with Camden. We finished it all as a family of 10. 

It's been a SUPER long path/adventure for Brooks and our family and to think the "end" is here is pretty crazy. Brooks worked his HINEY off the whole time but I actually felt like we had a pretty fun and awesome time during it all. Brooks and I grew closer during tricky medical times as he relied on me to keep things going and I relied on him to provide for the family and provide for my (and my kids') emotional/mental stability when he got home. Our constant texting felt like he wasn't away as much as he was since our daily goal was to make the other smile in our texts. (Actually, my goal was to make him laugh out loud to look all silly while trying to work) 

It doesn't really feel like an end either (since we're staying here in our same little rental for a while) but it feels kinda exciting as a new beginning. I'm excited for the more hours/weekends our family will have with Brooks, a little more funds in my monthly budget and the challenge now to get our loans paid off as soon as we can. (because we ALL know Brooks and I like a challenge)

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend was pretty......well, MEMORABLE for me. 

Our ward here had a ward-temple date schedule for all ages on the Saturday. It dawned on me that we didn't have anything Friday to do.......and I hadn't spent some birthday $ I received........and my husband is SUPERMAN and can do anything.........sooooo, with all those things together I decided I would do something I've never done before:

GO TO A HOTEL BY MYSELF!!!!!

(I know my mom is probably passed out on the floor now having fainted in disbelief, but it's true Mom. Your daughter that would follow you around EVERYWHERE because I never wanted to be alone, NOW LIKES TO BE ALONE. Oh, and now I'm the mom, I'm sorry I followed you around everywhere. Truly.)

Words can't express how excited I was nor can a picture.....but this is getting close.

I was going to drive down to Columbia and stay there then meet the family at the temple in the afternoon. I stopped by Applebee's for their Asian Chicken Salad (I think I actually like Chick Fil-A's asian chicken salad better now though)

and then went through the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A to get a Lemonade.

As I drove away he said, "Have a wonderful day"..... I just answered. "Oh yes, yes I will. I'm planning on it."

HE HAD NOOOOO IDEA.

The two hour drive to Columbia I talked on the phone with my two sisters. I NEVER get to do that anymore because one of us always has noise/kids in the background (between the three of us we have  23 kids).....imagine THAT!

Then I got there and I TRIED to keep my squealing down. It was super hard to contain.

I got my jelly bellies, sparkling water and charleston chews and I was READY to watch some HGTV.  (we don't have any channels at our house like that). EVERY TIME I go to the hotels with the family we are either watching ESPN, Animal Planet or cartoons. 

The next morning (after I SLEPT IN. EEEEEEEE!!!!) I sat my lazy self in the hot tub and then worked out in the exercise room (without worrying who was watching my kids!!!) and went to the temple to do an endowment session and some sealings. 

Really, to say "I felt like a million bucks" afterward wouldn't even do it justice.

It was nice meeting my family at the temple too. I was even impressed on how Aleeya did Kellyn's hair  (since Brooks doesn't "do" hair).

I really and truly love this group so much.....and to think they are all mine!

Monday we got with our friends and drove a little over a hour to a place called Sliding Rock. When we saw the pictures online, Brooks and I KNEW our kids would love something like that. It costs $2 per person (to cover lifeguard fees) but if you show up before the lifeguards get there at 10 then you get in free. You better BELIEVE both our vans got there around 9:50!!!.

However getting there early ALSO meant the sun wasn't out in full force. And when you are dealing with water between 40-45 degrees, it was kinda something we should've considered. On the PLUS side, we had the whole thing to ourselves.

Just walking down to it (not even stepping in the water yet) I had goosebumps all over my arms. Then when you step in the water it catches your breath for a bit. It took everyone a while to build up the courage to go down (Emerson went first), but it ended up being pretty fun.

When I say "fun" I mean "crazy". 

I decided we didn't drive all this way to not at least TRY it, so I went down with Royce. He didn't want to go down (smart kid), but Brooks said he would give him a dollar if he did. So here is our slide down. 

  (link)

You keep telling yourself as you're sliding down to keep your face neutral when you hit the water with everyone watching at the end, but there is NO way. You are just unable to not look like you're being slapped by a huge iceberg when you're dunked underwater. You really can't even breath for a little while. haha

Brooks grabbed Kellyn and made her go down.  She didn't really have a choice in the matter. Her face at the end says it ALL! (link)

I will have to say, the best part of Sliding Rock was watching other people go down. Other people started showing up and we would just sit up on the landing and watch their faces when they hit the bottom. Brooks seriously couldn't control his laughter. He lost it every time someone went down for the first time.

Here is our freezing group

We ended up finding a picnic place downstream with shallow/warmer water and a few ledges to jump off into the water for the boys. It was probably the best part of our outing, but we STILL wear our figurative badges of honor for braving Sliding Rock.