Paul and Lisa Get Hitched--April 2009

Paul Blackwell, Rusty's first cousin, and Lisa (formerly Jackson) got married in March in the Salt Lake Temple and had a ring ceremony and reception on April 11, 2009. The ring ceremony and reception were held in the Blackwells' barn. This is their cake. Paul has built canoes for the past few years, hence the decor for the top of the cake.

Here Lisa is waiting for the ceremony to begin in the barn loft overlooking where the family was sitting. My favorite part about her "attire" was that she wore her boots with her wedding dress.

Some of the family patiently waiting.

Lisa and her dad.

Sam was the ring bearer. Before the ceremony, Paul gave Sam Lisa's ring to hold. After seeing Sam play "Who's got Lisa's ring" (his version of "Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?") with some of his cousins, I opted to hold it until the moment he needed to walk up and hand it to Paul.

After the ceremony Paul's second cousins all sang "Families Can Be Together Forever." Molly is staring at Lisa, who sat down to watch the program.

All the girl cousins on Rusty's side.

The photographer was great, and I followed him around for a while as he showed me different photography tricks and how to better use my camera.

Paul, Lisa, Uncle Mark and Aunt Valerie

The reception was catered by The Cheddar Box, or more specifically Lisa. She has worked there for years and spent most of the the week before making the food. It was awesome.

The beverages were sodas in these big tubs.

Molly rarely left Lisa's side. This is the romantic first dance shared between the married couple. . .with Molly. Molly was also rarely seen without a bottle of soda in her hand.

Ben, Adam and Sam. . .cousins.

Another cousin pose with Charleton (second cousin) and Molly.

What a surprise, Paul wasn't careful to place the piece of cake in Lisa's mouth.

Maysville Triatholon--May 2008

Every year for the past four years Rusty has participated in the Buffalo Trails Triathlon in Maysville, KY, hometown to George Clooney. The hotel we stay at is on the river and right out the front door is the transition area for the triathlon. Friday night we eat pizza (Rusty's choice of pre-race meal) and then walk around the town.

For some reason, in each other's absence, Rusty and I love to take pictures of stuff like this and show each other. Usually I say something like, "Here's a picture of you in 5 years." btw, I'm sure it won't surprise many of you, but Sam was the one who brought this gentleman to my attention first. (He's not a race participant).

While we were waiting for Rusty during the bike leg of the race, a little girl befriended Molly and wouldn't let go of her hand even while she/they were running. Unfortunately, the run ended in a crash with Molly's head hitting the pavement. The doctor from the race came and examined her.

Coming in from the bike.

Tying his kicks. He forgot his tie less laces and we heard it about it for the next week while lamenting his transition time.

Almost finished. The kids on the left.

Scenic finish line on the Ohio River.

Molly was a little grouchy and refused to look at the camera.

Mr. Brian, his kids, Rusty and Meg and Ben.

Rusty got second place in his age group. Molly still not wanting to get her picture taken.

Yeeeeeesss!

One thing that I never want to forget is my kids saying under their breath, "yeeessss" to the most simple things (which I know will change all too soon). This is something that seriously happens at least 3-5 times a day per kid. For example:

Running with Ben today (we went two and half miles and he totally kicked my butt)
Ben: "Mom, when we get home can I have a Propel?"
Me: "Sure, Ben."
Ben under his breath in a whisper: "Yeeessss."


Meg: "Mom, can we jump on the tramp for a little while as a family after dinner?"
Me: "Sure."
Meg while moving her hand in downward motion: "Yeeessss!"


Sam: "Mom can I bring two big soft guys on the trip and one little one?"
Me: "That should work."
Sam under his breath: "Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessss."

Ben: "Mom, can I have a CFDC (caffeine free Diet Coke. . .we make a lot of things in our house acronyms)?
Me: "Okay."
Ben: "Yeesssssssss."

You get the idea, but some of my other favorite "yeeeeeeeeesssss" include:

• Meg getting extra magnets for her locker.
• Sam being done with chores after only picking up the shoes in the "mud room.'
• Molly and Sam getting to eat a bag of chips on the deck AFTER dinner.
• Molly getting to ride in dad's truck with the green car seat instead of having to go in the van with me.
• Ben getting to play the old Nintendo in my room because the other kids were watching "Zack and Cody on Deck" (I mean really, Disney had to move the entire show from a hotel to a cruise ship? New episodes. . .more $$$).
• Sam getting extra honey on his Honey Nut Cherrios.
• Meg getting to text her friend on my phone (we haven't given in yet. . .middle school begins soon."
• Ben getting to order a Sprite at the pool snack bar instead of just an ice water (many of Ben's "yes's" have to do with beverages and food. . .like father, like son).

Meg's Dance Recital--May 2009

Tap and Jazz costume.

Ballet costume.

Grammi has come every year since Meg was five to see her dance.

I always arrive about an hour early so that I can sit on the first or second row. Grandma Kathy comes to help me save seats (and to see Meg dance). Hey, I pay good money all year and want a fabulous seat to see my investment.

Molly's First Haircut

Let me just start off by saying I hit that point that every mom hits when your 3 or 4 year old CRIES hysterically every time you brush their hair. Therefore, I began "prepping" Molly for the "bob." I got out the home videos of Meg when she was 4 years old and showed how Meg had a cute "short" haircut and never cried when we brushed it out. Molly's response, "mom, Meg can't wear a bow, her hair is too short." Which was true. She had it just bob just a little below the shoulder. . .oh how I loved it. After viewing more footage of Meg, Molly conceded and decided she could get a "short haircut, but not a bob." Great, whatever you want to call it. I did not hesitate. The next morning Meg, Molly and I were waiting at the door of "Shortcuts" when they opened. I wasn't about to have Molly watch "Enchanted" or "Little Mermaid" and change her mind about the "short haircut." Here is Molly, stringy hair and all (why waste another morning combing out that mess. . .I opted to let the highly-trained hair technician deal with the snarls).

The first cut. She got 5 inches taken off the back.

Getting it styled.

The finished product. No I didn't put bug spray on her. . .hence the bug bite on her forehead, but I did put sunscreen on her and she still got burned.

The back view. She was so mad and threw a MAJOR fit when Rusty came home from work because I had already left for a meeting and it wasn't combed and styled to show Rusty.

She's very happy with her hair cut. I just dread the next time when Molly watches "Little Mermaid" and sees Ariel laying on the rock as her long hair flowing blows in the breeze.

4th of July

Cousin Adam and Grandma Kathy came for a 4th of July party (on July 3rd) at Uncle Mark's and Aunt Valerie's.

Molly striking a pose at the pool's 4th of July party. btw, Molly has a "flag" swimsuit but refused to wear it because it made her look "ugly" (her words not mine).

Our swim coach (Scott) is also a children's minister for his church and always goes the extra mile with all the kids on the swim team. He genuinely loves to be with them. Since the weather was cool (68 degrees) and not many people came to the party, he helped Ben and Max with some of the requirements for their Webelo Aquanaut pin. Here Ben is "saving" Max's life while Coach Scott is "saving" both of them.

Just freezing at the pool on a Kentucky 4th of July. I'm taking pictures while wearing a sweatshirt and definitely not getting in the water.

Card playing and making a fort (it started sprinkling) was a better option than swimming.

Monkey see, monkey do (Rusty's not the monkey). Molly needed a "fort" as well.

Since so few people were at the party the DJ gave us many of the awards and prizes. Now we own 6 lays, 4 mini-American Flags, a bunch of red, white and blue windmills, a new beach ball ("Yet one more inflatable that takes up space in the third bay of our garage." Rusty's words, not mine), and many more little trinkets that will end up in the garbage before next Tuesday garbage day.

Oh, and "flag glasses." Rusty spent about 10 minutes explaining his "Elton John" reference to our kids.

Sparklers in the rain. Is this a safety issue?

Molly discovered "Pop-its" this year and was extremely meticulous about "popping" them one by one.

4th of July gear. . .

We celebrated both July 3rd and July 4th. July 3rd we went to Aunt Valerie's and Uncle Mark's annual party where we ate, visited with old ward members and played games. On the 4th after the pool party, we went to the Miller's house and had a cook out and fireworks.