We celebrated our fifth anniversary on August 10! Has it really been that long? And yet, at the same time, has it really only been that long? It feels almost like there was no life before Dave, though I have always had a happy, good life. He is just such a part of me, which is the way it should be. He makes me so happy each day, and I’m grateful he is mine! He is so good to me and to our kids! Five years ago, we were united in the House of the Lord for time and eternity. What a blessing that we can be together forever! I love that man so much, and I’m grateful for who he was, who he is, and who he is becoming. Here are 5 pictures from that blessed day!
To celebrate our anniversary, we made it kind of a family deal on Tuesday, which was our actual anniversary. The kids and I looked at wedding scrapbooks during the day and talked about what an anniversary is. Dave got home with a beautiful bouquet of gerbera daisies, lilies, and all sorts of other beautiful flowers in purple, orange, and yellow. What a cutie! Then Emma and I hid his presents to find. So he went around the house and Emma helped him find his gifts. I usually stick with the traditional wedding anniversary gifts, and the five year anniversary gift is wood. I got him a little wood sign that says “For Ever * For Always * No Matter What”. And along with that, we got him a BB gun that had a wood handle, with some BB’s. He was pretty excited and he and the kids had a fun time practicing their shot that night. Then we went out to dinner. I was craving some Texas Roadhouse, so that’s where we went. Mmmm… Dave always likes that place, and it’s one of Emma’s favorites, too. Then we came home and watched our wedding video and ate ice-cream. Our wedding video is getting so worn out because Emma loves to watch it all of the time, it is starting to skip now. I’m with her though, no matter how many times I’ve seen it, I could watch it over and over.
The kids loved the gun and had to practice their shooting as well.
Sharp shooter!
Flowers from Dave, awww!
We always try to get away for our anniversary, so we have at least one outing a year without the kids. We take turns planning, and this year, Dave was in charge. He hooked us up at the Grand America, which he got a great deal on. He found a great deal on it, so Friday afternoon, we left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Ryerse, and headed on down to the ritziest (I don’t think that’s a word, but I like it) hotel in Utah. I almost felt like I didn’t belong; it was so fancy, all of the employees were French, and I am just so plain. But we had a fun time living it up. That afternoon, we checked into our room. While we were waiting in line to check into our room, we were greeted and offered some gourmet chocolate chip cookies and lemon water. Then we went to our room, which was huge and super nice! We went out on the balcony and looked at the view of the city, wow! We were on the 15th floor! Then we went shopping in the little stores they had there, which were pricey! But we did find each of the kids a little toy in the children’s toy shop. We got Cal a little wind-up monkey (since he’s been loving monkeys and making monkey sounds lately), and Emma a wind-up ducky that swims in water. After that, it was out to dinner at the Garden Café restaurant there. I had the Grand America Macaroni and Three Cheese, which was a deluxe macaroni dish with tomatoes, fancy cheeses, and bacon in it. It was good. I also had a fancy salad and bread with it. Dave got the Cajun hamburger and battered fries. We had great a conversation, it was a fun atmosphere to be there. Then we walked around and explored the hotel a little bit more, and went swimming and hot tubbing. That was so fun to be together and play together, and not have to worry about Emma and Cal, as much as we love them. We also realized that I was really starting to show that I was pregnant when I wore my swimsuit. He he! When we returned from swimming, we opened the door to our room, and heard some noise in there. I was kind of worried at first, but Dave knew right away it was room service. He was right. They got our bed all ready, and put bath robes on the beds, along with two little boxes of chocolates. That night, we put the “Do Not Disturb” door hanger on Room 1558. The next morning, we slept in, I slept in a little past usual, and then read until Dave woke up. Then we hung out for a while in our room, just relaxing. That’s what this whole weekend was, relaxing, and it was so nice not to have to do anything at all! Then we went down for their brunch buffet, which was delicious! We had all kinds of great things! My favorite was the crepe with ricotta cheese filling and raspberry sauce. Then we went back, bathed and got ready, and then went to the sweet shop to buy a few goodies. We bought some temple chocolates, a grand candy bar, some fudge, and a brownie. Thanks to my babe, for an awesome weekend!
Then we went to pick up the kids, and then headed to Dave’s 10-year high school reunion. Dave went to Viewmont High School, in Bountiful. They had all kinds of fun games for the kids to play, and balloons, they kids had a lot of fun. Dave loved talking to those he hadn’t seen for years. Most of his best friends were out of town or living away from Utah right now, so we didn’t get to see them, but we see them often enough. On this big table, they had a big poster that they had signed when they were seniors, and they wrote why they’d be famous, or what they would be doing ten years after graduation. Dave wrote “World’s Strongest Man”. He he! In high school, his nickname was “Huge”, because he lifted a ton. We just laughed about that.
My brother Adam, his wife Meghan, and baby boy Steven (15 months) had flew in from Michigan Friday night, and came to stay a whole week with us. It was so great to see them! Saturday afternoon, as a family, we just talked a lot and caught up. The kids were so excited to see each other! Cal just grew to love “Steben”, and Emma was helping Steven out and being the little mom the whole time. She affectionately called him “Steves”. Cal and Steven were about the same size, so it was fun. Then we went bowling as a family to Bountiful Bowl. I did terribly! But we all had a good time. Then we watched a movie, “The Game Plan”, which was pretty cute. But not as cute as the kids! They had so much fun playing together! Cal loved giving Steven hugs!
Cute cousins!
We always try to get away for our anniversary, so we have at least one outing a year without the kids. We take turns planning, and this year, Dave was in charge. He hooked us up at the Grand America, which he got a great deal on. He found a great deal on it, so Friday afternoon, we left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Ryerse, and headed on down to the ritziest (I don’t think that’s a word, but I like it) hotel in Utah. I almost felt like I didn’t belong; it was so fancy, all of the employees were French, and I am just so plain. But we had a fun time living it up. That afternoon, we checked into our room. While we were waiting in line to check into our room, we were greeted and offered some gourmet chocolate chip cookies and lemon water. Then we went to our room, which was huge and super nice! We went out on the balcony and looked at the view of the city, wow! We were on the 15th floor! Then we went shopping in the little stores they had there, which were pricey! But we did find each of the kids a little toy in the children’s toy shop. We got Cal a little wind-up monkey (since he’s been loving monkeys and making monkey sounds lately), and Emma a wind-up ducky that swims in water. After that, it was out to dinner at the Garden Café restaurant there. I had the Grand America Macaroni and Three Cheese, which was a deluxe macaroni dish with tomatoes, fancy cheeses, and bacon in it. It was good. I also had a fancy salad and bread with it. Dave got the Cajun hamburger and battered fries. We had great a conversation, it was a fun atmosphere to be there. Then we walked around and explored the hotel a little bit more, and went swimming and hot tubbing. That was so fun to be together and play together, and not have to worry about Emma and Cal, as much as we love them. We also realized that I was really starting to show that I was pregnant when I wore my swimsuit. He he! When we returned from swimming, we opened the door to our room, and heard some noise in there. I was kind of worried at first, but Dave knew right away it was room service. He was right. They got our bed all ready, and put bath robes on the beds, along with two little boxes of chocolates. That night, we put the “Do Not Disturb” door hanger on Room 1558. The next morning, we slept in, I slept in a little past usual, and then read until Dave woke up. Then we hung out for a while in our room, just relaxing. That’s what this whole weekend was, relaxing, and it was so nice not to have to do anything at all! Then we went down for their brunch buffet, which was delicious! We had all kinds of great things! My favorite was the crepe with ricotta cheese filling and raspberry sauce. Then we went back, bathed and got ready, and then went to the sweet shop to buy a few goodies. We bought some temple chocolates, a grand candy bar, some fudge, and a brownie. Thanks to my babe, for an awesome weekend! 
Then we went to pick up the kids, and then headed to Dave’s 10-year high school reunion. Dave went to Viewmont High School, in Bountiful. They had all kinds of fun games for the kids to play, and balloons, they kids had a lot of fun. Dave loved talking to those he hadn’t seen for years. Most of his best friends were out of town or living away from Utah right now, so we didn’t get to see them, but we see them often enough. On this big table, they had a big poster that they had signed when they were seniors, and they wrote why they’d be famous, or what they would be doing ten years after graduation. Dave wrote “World’s Strongest Man”. He he! In high school, his nickname was “Huge”, because he lifted a ton. We just laughed about that.
My brother Adam, his wife Meghan, and baby boy Steven (15 months) had flew in from Michigan Friday night, and came to stay a whole week with us. It was so great to see them! Saturday afternoon, as a family, we just talked a lot and caught up. The kids were so excited to see each other! Cal just grew to love “Steben”, and Emma was helping Steven out and being the little mom the whole time. She affectionately called him “Steves”. Cal and Steven were about the same size, so it was fun. Then we went bowling as a family to Bountiful Bowl. I did terribly! But we all had a good time. Then we watched a movie, “The Game Plan”, which was pretty cute. But not as cute as the kids! They had so much fun playing together! Cal loved giving Steven hugs!
Cute cousins!
Our family goes bowling!
Steven's turn!
Steven's turn!
Being very choosy about which ball to use.
"GO!" is what Cal always said as he pushed his ball off the ramp.
Sunday, we went to Music and the Spoken Word together. Meghan had never done that, and really wanted to. So we went there, and that was neat, it has been a few years for me. I always get the chills when I hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in person. My mom took the kids to Temple Square, since no one under the age of 8 is allowed in the Conference Center for this program. They loved the fountains and flowers and just being with each other. We all then went to church with my parents and it was good to see some old faces and friends that I grew up with. Then we had a family dinner/birthday party for Meghan and Grammie. It was delicious and great to all just be together again!
The kids at the reflection pool.
"GO!" is what Cal always said as he pushed his ball off the ramp.
Sunday, we went to Music and the Spoken Word together. Meghan had never done that, and really wanted to. So we went there, and that was neat, it has been a few years for me. I always get the chills when I hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in person. My mom took the kids to Temple Square, since no one under the age of 8 is allowed in the Conference Center for this program. They loved the fountains and flowers and just being with each other. We all then went to church with my parents and it was good to see some old faces and friends that I grew up with. Then we had a family dinner/birthday party for Meghan and Grammie. It was delicious and great to all just be together again!
The kids at the reflection pool.
Emma at Temple Square.
Cal and Daddy!
Little Steven was so tired! He just wailed on the ground at temple square. He has a very orderly sleeping schedule.
Emma licking the frosting off the cake topper.
Monday, we went to the Splash Park for a picnic, to play and splash with the extended family, since most of that family lives up here. And then it was off to a Raptor’s baseball game. I forgot our camera, but we had a blast!
Friday, we went to do the Salt Lake Connect Pass with my parents, Adam, Meghan, and Steven, and our family. We went to the Utah Museum of Natural History, Tracy Aviary, Lion House for lunch, Living Planet Aquarium, the Museum of Ancient Life, and Thanksgiving Point Gardens. It was a busy, fun, tiring day! Thanks to my parents for the great memories!
Saturday, we had a big breakfast with everyone, and then went up to the park for games, a picnic, and ice-cream in a bag. It was so much fun to see Adam and Meghan as much as we did! We love them so much and miss them, but are glad they are doing so well in Michigan. My brother just got a new job at Dow Chemical out there, so he had a week off in between jobs, which worked out perfect for a summer visit. We wish him the best in his new position, and Meghan with the new baby on the way in early March!
Little Steven was so tired! He just wailed on the ground at temple square. He has a very orderly sleeping schedule.
Emma licking the frosting off the cake topper.
Monday, we went to the Splash Park for a picnic, to play and splash with the extended family, since most of that family lives up here. And then it was off to a Raptor’s baseball game. I forgot our camera, but we had a blast!
Friday, we went to do the Salt Lake Connect Pass with my parents, Adam, Meghan, and Steven, and our family. We went to the Utah Museum of Natural History, Tracy Aviary, Lion House for lunch, Living Planet Aquarium, the Museum of Ancient Life, and Thanksgiving Point Gardens. It was a busy, fun, tiring day! Thanks to my parents for the great memories!
Saturday, we had a big breakfast with everyone, and then went up to the park for games, a picnic, and ice-cream in a bag. It was so much fun to see Adam and Meghan as much as we did! We love them so much and miss them, but are glad they are doing so well in Michigan. My brother just got a new job at Dow Chemical out there, so he had a week off in between jobs, which worked out perfect for a summer visit. We wish him the best in his new position, and Meghan with the new baby on the way in early March!
We’ve had a fun end-of-summer. Lots of outings to the parks, summer play group, swimming, and just taking it easy, yet staying busy. We went to Lagoon one day. Emma got to go with Tayla, and they had a blast! They rode about five rides, we saw the parrot show, and just walked around to see the sights. Emma’s been begging all summer to go to “The Goons”, and she loved it! We saw “Joseph”, that our friend Brandon was in, he did a great job as Reuben! Ah, how I love summer, and hate to see it go. But as far as I’m concerned, September is still summer, too! So we’ve got lots of fun in the sun left, exactly a month from today, in fact, until the first day of fall.
