It was a Friendly January!

*Play song, "Get by with the Help of my Friends" with this post

We were lucky in the month of January to have friends visit us, and likewise we visited some as well! Friends old and new, but all near and dear to our hearts!

First was the Harpers. Now, we first met Angie and Megan at the conference back in Indianapolis in July. We were really excited when we found out that Megan has 18q- same as Em.... and even more excited to learn they live in Utah! However, they do live in Logan, which is about 2 1/2 hours from us, so it will still be a treat every time we see them I'm sure! Nicely we pass through Logan when we go to Preston, Idaho to see Steve's grandparents and other extended family.... but this time they came to us!

We started off with lunch at a fave, Texas Roadhouse. And when we suggested things to do, Angie expressed a real desire to hit the Disney Store. I didn't really know until last summer (when I was hunting down Emarie's Rapunzel) that we have pretty much the only Disney Store for a big stretch of miles.... only one in Utah anyway, but actually found out that won't be for long! Apparently they're opening one in Salt Lake next month! But anyway, I don't blame them for wanting to go, and I never mind a chance to get there myself (like a kid again when I go in there!). It worked out nice since we were able to let Megan choose a gift for us to get her (late Christmas gift). She chose a Minnie Mouse (smart girl!). 

Next we went to the Provo mall so we could finally finish Em's birthday activities! And that was to ride the carousel and train they have there. 

 Em had pretty platonic emotions for the majority of the ride.... only reason we knew she liked it, is that she "asked" to get back on when we got off!

 Megan on the other hand was very apprehensive from the get go... and her unease only increased!

 This was right after Em had bumped her head on the bar in front of her... she didn't cry just had a surprised look and then made sure to hold on after that! Though we didn't notice a war wound until later.... we blame the fact that there was no nose piece on her glasses where the scratch occurred. 

Em holding on now!

 And this was the point that Megan was really not being shy about letting her feelings known to all!

 This was after it was done moving... she had stopped crying, but still was sure to let everyone know she wasn't happy being on there!

 "Did you like it Em??"

Thankfully the train went over much better with Miss Megan!

 Love this one of Megan!

 Em standing!

Angie and Megan

I should also mention that we finally got to meet Angie's husband (and Megan's dad of course!), Danny. He wasn't able to come to the conference due to what he does for a living (their family manufactures the wonderful Creamies that are amazing!). Sorry we didn't get any pictures of the guys this time.... next time for sure though!

Next friendly visit was when I went up to Taylorsville to see my dear friend Bekka! I first met Bekka several years ago when I interviewed her to be one of the assistants in my classroom and she and I hit it off right away! We are alike in a lot of ways, and just can relate on so many levels. I love this girl to pieces and she has been going through some really hard times! She had her first little girl Grace and shortly before she had her is when she quit working for me :( and moved North to be closer to hers and her husband's families. A few months ago they found out her mother has a really aggressive form of cancer and has had quite a few other (rather nasty) things on top of that. One was a flesh eating bacteria that caused the need for her to get her leg amputated, and my goodness I could not imagine having to see my mom go through something like that. And this girl is incredibly close to her mother, so please keep them in your prayers!

 Adorable Gracie!

Grace and Em playing together. Em didn't quite know what to think of Gracie's busy demeanor! She was very interested in Emarie, and kept pulling on her clothes, glasses and even her skin! Em was a good sport though!

Like I said, Grace is a very busy girl!

 Putting everything in her mouth (pretty typical of any baby though!)

And playing with the lights... which mom doesn't like!

And Grace with her beautiful mother Bekka!

I should also mention that we attended my bestie's (Lacey) baby boy's dedication.... but unfortunately I did not remember to take any pictures, even though I had my camera! But I have a lot of pictures of this cute boy, so here's a few!

 Adorable Elijah!! Just love him!

So, I am finally caught up with everything in January I believe! 

Part 2 Missouri/Illinois- The people

*Play song, Route 66 with this post as well

We had many reasons for wanting to see Missouri and Illinois- Steve's mission (which I already mentioned) and families he met while there. But, there was also another Ch18 family that lived there that wasn't going to the conference, that we had talked with online and the phone and really wanted to meet in person. So, we made plans to meet up with them for dinner the night of the 18th, which was Monday evening. So basically after we'd been trooping all around downtown St. Louis in the heat, we got to go meet up with the Zyducks/Wrights sweaty and gross for dinner ;)

At dinner

The Wrights/Zyducks- Theresa, Chloe, Gavin, Taylor and Brittany

Our best attempt with all the kids... you know how that goes ;) Though, I did think it cute that little Gavin couldn't keep his hands off Em (so to speak)!

Then, after dinner we decided to go to the mall for a bit

 Em and Gav riding the fire-truck

And cute Ms. Chloe on the Jeep

The next day, Tuesday (the 19th), we met up with them again for an initial plan of going to The Magic House (basically like the Children's Discovery Museum at the Gateway in Salt Lake, but much bigger!). The Zyducks got there before us though, and unfortunately it was way too crowded (no where to even park!). So we decided on the St. Louis Science Center, which is free.

*Don't know how we didn't manage to get any pictures of Gavin here ??

 Looking at the ball-chute mechanism (best I could do on the name!)

The barbaric dinosaurs (yes the T-Rex is killing the Triceratops!)

 Standing Em in the dinosaur footprint, Chloe about to join in ;)

 Em trying to hold Chloe's hand (they are a month apart)

Cute, cute girls!

This is where we said goodbye to the Wright/Zyduck family :( But hopefully we'll see them at next year's conference in San Antonio!

After we were all done at the Science Center, we went to Ted Drewes for some shakes. It was so hot that Em did not appreciate being out of the car for very long, and sadly this was an outdoor place! So, we obliged to eat in the air conditioned car... what sacrifices we make for our girl ;)! But no, seriously, there has been record high heat everywhere we've been, so really we couldn't have picked a better time to visit :S

Steve has a picture just like this from his mission too, only a few years younger ;)

After driving around a bit, it was time to go to the house of one of the families Steve served on his mission in Waterloo, Illinois. This was the McCann family, and Em and I are so glad we got to meet them! As well, as I'm sure Steve was really happy to catch up with them!

But first he had to show us his apartment in this area. Funny, when we were taking this picture, the guy who lived there came and poked his head out wearing nothing but underwear mind you! He probably was wondering why in the heck we'd want a picture in front of this place!

The McCann clan

Alyssa, who was only 4 or 5 the last time Steve saw her

Alyssa, Reed and Karen making Em laugh

 Giving Karen hugs *so sweet!

And the whole family (at least the ones who still live at home) with Em and Steve

So, that's it for this part of the trip! Next up will be the conference..... and it may have to be broken up as well, seeing as we've taken so many pictures and have so many amazing things to tell!!

Yet another party!

* Play Harry Potter Theme Song for this post

It seems as though Steve and I have been quite the hosts this year! In fact, we've probably had more parties at our house in the last couple of months than the whole time we've lived here combined!

The latest ones were when my long lost brother was in town with his family

Then, Steve's family (in the last post)

And this last one was a Harry Potter party (and yes, I am that geek). Mainly it was to watch the last Deathly Hallows movie (part 1) since the next part (part 2) is coming out this Friday!! But, why not have a little fun with it?? 

So I decorated (just a little, I swear!), and made and had people bring treats that complimented the movie :)

I made Butterbeer. You probably only know what this is if you are a fan! But, it is the drink that the kids at Hogwarts get when they go to visit the local village (Hogsmead) near their school. I found a few recipes online, but they all sounded incredibly sweet (with butter, butterscotch syrup, sweetened condensed milk and cream soda being some of the key ingredients)! So I played around with it, and traded/lessened a few ingredients... and the end result was still a bit sweet, but nice in small amounts. 

Here's the recipe if you want to try it:

Microwave 1/4 C of sweetened condensed milk, 1/4 C of butterscotch syrup and 1 T whipped butter for about 1 minute in a glass dish. Stir and add 3/4 C of club soda (but you can use cream soda if you so dare!), stir again and enjoy! Makes enough for about 1, so you can multiply this to get more :)

I also made my always crowd pleasing Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake (recipe here)

Here's a few pictures from the party:

Everyone enjoying the Butterbeer and Pumpkin Cheesecake

L to R: Tyler, Lacey *peanut, Dakota, Bret, Bama, and McCord

Bret, Bama, McCord, Gabi and Xander

Em, not cooperating for a picture... what she does lately *sigh

 The adorable licorice wands Lacey made

 The darling "Pumpkin Pasties" (treat from the Hogwarts Express) decorated with HP memorabilia, made by Marci (who unfortunately I forgot to get a picture of! was going to do it with her and me) :(

Pretty much the only decorations... and no, that picture's not mine! I actually got it for my step-dad Mitch for Father's Day (it's to go in his theater room), and then asked to borrow it for this

So, yes, I fully admit to being a full on Harry Potter nerd!! But, I'm proud of it!!

A Whole Lotta CrAzY for one Weekend!

Play song, "This Years Love" with this post

Never a truer statement!! But it was oh so worth the CrAzY!! 

First off, Em and I finished up with the school year (as was mentioned in the last post), then I did the flowers for my best friend's little sister's wedding that very night (wedding was the next day, Saturday), and then (the best part), my brother who I haven't seen in 13 years came to town! Bringing with him, his two kids (who I met for the first time) and his girlfriend. More of this to come in the next post though. 

First, I just thought I'd show a few of my favorite pictures of the wedding. I took all of these because Steve was busy video-ing the wedding. So happy we got to be such a big part of Bama and Bret's special day. This girl and her family are like family to me, and I love them all dearly.

Steve had to get a few of our little cutie! We were there almost 2 hours before the show, so we had some time to kill ;)

The beautiful mother of the bride

The pastor and the groom Bret

Brother of the bride, Dakota and one of the bridesmaids, Kira

Best man and maid of honor (also sister to the bride), Lacey (this girl is one of the bestest friends I have!)

Kids of the bride and groom, Dawsen and Anjul (they were a little nervous)

The men's side

And the lovely ladies

 The bride led down the isle by her uncle Greg

 Probably my favorite picture of the day. Totally captured the pure joy as she laid eyes on her groom

 Just look at the love in her eyes. And it should be told that the girl is talented, made that veil and hair piece.

Their symbolism of starting their marriage, by mixing sand

 Enjoying the toasts given by the best man, the maid of honor (Lacey), and Dakota (brother of the bride)

Cutting the beautiful cake! Done by another of mine and Lacey's friend's, Kelly

 She wasn't very nice

 But I think he got his payback tenfold!

First dance, don't they look so happy?!

Family dance, that's Bama with Anjul and Bret with Dawsen

 Bama's dance with her grandpa Leone (so sweet!)

 The bouquet toss (thought this was kind of a cool capture on my part)

This was after the garter toss, I just love how happy she looks :)

There ya go, Congratulations to Bama and Bret Hansen, May 28th, 2011!

And I know I said this would come in another post, but these really belong here. Because the truth is, my brother came into town literally right after the wedding. I called my dad, and he said they had just arrived, and I said we were on our way (cuz really, I couldn't wait any longer! It had already been 13 years after all!!). And on the way there, is when reality finally set in. You see, I hadn't let myself believe that this was really going to happen..... mostly because I didn't want to be let down. But when I knew he was actually here, 40 minutes away, that's when I let myself get excited.

Here's a couple pictures I caught of the first evening

 Emarie and her cousin in the flesh, Sable Rose (She is Curtis's oldest, she is 9)

This is blurry, but it was almost impossible to get a good picture in. This is Sable trying to teach Steve a hand trick. Amazingly, she took really well to Steve, as he did to her. This is rare ;)

Like I said, more to come! More amazing. Because where this post ends was only Saturday, so really it was a chuck-full weekend!