Wii like to box!

I have decided that the Wii is a multi-purpose tool. It entertains, it helps with coordination, it burns calories, and in Kinley's case, it allows an outlet for relieving tension from dealing with bossy siblings. :) Gotta love the hunched over position and the impeccable form.

Family Hove Ning-ning

I love the cute things kids say--so much so that I have banned my older two kids from correcting Kinley when she says something wrong. My baby is growing up fast enough! Our weekly family night, known as Family Home Evening, is something we've been pretty good about doing on Monday nights. Kinley, however, calls it Family Hove Ning-ning. She now hears that it's wrong, but she can't quite straighten out the words when they come out.

In any event, we had a good time tonight visiting a local pumpkin farm and picking our own veggies and pumpkins. We got very lost in the corn maze, climbed some pretty tall haystacks and tested what little Spanish we know with our tour guide on the farm (OK tour guide is a bit fancy--he was the driver of the tractor that took us out to the field to pick our own veggies). They owners of Miller Farm painted several old cars to replicate the ones from the movie Cars and the kids loved checking those out.

I am not a fan of colder weather, but I have to admit it was pretty nice coming home to a bowl of warm chili and a mug of hot chocolate after a cool evening on the farm!

More wedding shots

For some reason, mine and Erika's work computers block slideshows that are created on slide.com. So, I'm trying to see if this other slide show will show up. Many of the photos are the same, but is it so much to ask to be able to use work property to show fellow co-workers some photos? :)

A storybook day!

I am going to attempt to make it through this post without getting tears on my computer. But, as I reflect on just how perfect it was and how happy I am for my little brother and his new wife, the tears are hard to hold back.

The day was perfect, the bride was gorgeous, my brother was a confident and amazing groom, my kids did a fantastic job and I feel like this is really what life is all about--making memories with close friends and family. And, I loved sitting with Doug reflecting on our own wedding and thinking about how lucky I am.

We started the day with a full breakfast served by the owners of the B&B where we are staying, which was fantastic. My mom and I got to go for a run in historic Crested Butte and then it was time to start getting ready. I am far from a hair expert, but the girls hair actually turned out pretty cute. We got to help Erika get on her dress and be part of that whole process as my girls just watched in awe.

Thousands of pictures later, it was time to start the ceremony. Cooper looked like a million bucks in his tux and the girls didn't miss a beat as they dropped every petal in their baskets down the aisle. The ceremony itself was very personal and I bawled through it all. Cooper had the rings in his pocket and when the pastor asked for them, he lightened the mood by pretending very briefly that they weren't in his pocket. It drew a lot of laughs and was a perfect moment to do so. Brandon was a rock and was so confident--I wish he knew just how proud I am of him . . . .

For hours afterwards, we danced, ate, watched my youngest brother Bennett do a fantastic toast as the best man, shared many, many hugs, and reflected on the day. As guests left, the immediate families on both sides stayed up late to visit--I think not wanting this perfect day to end.

I was proud of my kids and loved watching them be the life of the party. Cooper was so grown up, polite and witty; Miss Kinley charmed the pants of everyone, and Kaiya just enjoyed every minute. I was honestly nervous about the girls lasting that long without some sort of meltdown, but they rose to the occasion like champs.

It really was a storybook day . . . one we will never forget. We love you, Brandon and Erika!!

The "practice" wedding

The much anticipated event has FINALLY arrived and we are alive and well in beautiful Crested Butte. The drive up here was amazing with the fall colors--much different than the drive the kids are used to across I-80 to Utah! My dad came with us and got to experience life with a carload of kids. :)

First of all, this place is unreal. I could stay for months. The Crested Butte Retreat is like a 5-star hotel and day spa all in one. Each room has its own private hot tub and our room is two stories with a full kitchen. Wow!! We are living it up. :) The main lodge is where the ceremony will take place and it has multiple levels with the big eating area and tons of cozy nooks to relax.

For whatever reason, my girls cannot seem to remember the word "rehearsal", so they have been calling today the "practice wedding" for months. They have been so excited to be flower girls and they have practiced at home for months--my hallways have been lined with flower petals on a routine basis at home. Well, they finally got to practice for real and they did great (which might have something to do with the fact that they have been told Santa will not stop at our house if they act up)! They are so excited to get ready in the "girls" suite tomorrow and to get their hair done in an "up-do".

I have already bawled hard twice. Once when we watched Brandon and Erika practice their vows and once when my dad and Brandon mentioned how much they wish my grandparents were still alive to be here for this day.

More to follow after this is all official!! :)

Gotta love a happy ending!

So, we are off to the big wedding tomorrow, but not before Cooper and I got to take part in a very special homecoming for some friends, whose adopted 12-month-old daughter arrived today at DIA from Korea. I know many have posted their own stories about this special day, but it's my chance to share this with my family and friends.

Since May when they found out this little angel was a possibility (and having to give up on a year-long process of trying to adopt from Vietnam), I have been helping the mom (Kris) review her medical records. There was initially some questions about her health, but in the end, she has turned out to be nothing short of perfect. Each time I looked over her records, I had very strong impressions that this little girl belonged to this family. Hard to describe almost . . . especially since I am just a friend.

A large group of us came to support this family wearing our matching "Team Malia" shirts (her new name) and I was so touched watching total strangers (including an entire soccer team from New Mexico) take in the moment. It froze people in their tracks.

So, here's to the gift of adoption and for many happy years to come for this family! I will forever remember watching them take in the exact moment she came up the escaltor in the arms of her escort into the arms of her new mom.

Betty Crocker, Jr.

This certainly isn't a newsworthy post, but after finishing 4 hours in the kitchen, I am amazed how Miss Kinley never left my side. She loves her stay home days with me and we had a ton to get done this morning.

First, we had to make freezer jam since we were out (the store bought stuff just isn't as good!), then we made banana bread, cookies and then my grandma's chocolate cake for my dad's birthday. My other kids have enjoyed helping in the kitchen, but not like this girl. The others usually lose interest about half way through and then return for the taste testing. Kinley was actually helping me read the recipes and knows how to measure and is fabulous at stirring.

She lasted all 4 hours with me this morning with only a quick potty break and she was more help than she was in the way. How cool is that? :)