A Little Side Note

While goofing off and checking out other blogs, I noticed a link that I saw several times and decided to check it out. It is the blog of a woman from Mesa, AZ that was in a terrible plane crash with her husband and a friend ( I remember hearing about it on the news). The friend, sadly, did not make it and the couple was severely burned. Her sister has continued her blog, re-posting her old messages, and the sister has devoted her blog to telling her sister's story and how her recovery is slowly progressing.

Let me tell you- I'm hooked! The one blog will put a smile on your face, and make you realize everything you have is amazing and wonderful.(http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/) The other blog will inspire you, and proves how important family and siblings are. (http://blog.cjanerun.com/)

The AZ Republic also just ran a story about this couple/family and you can link to it here: http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/10/26/20081026sisters1026a1.html
and the follow up article here:http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/2008/10/27/20081027liv-stephanie1027.html


I will warn you, cjane and the two newspaper articles will bring tears to your eyes, if not having you full out bawling! I will repeat again, I am absolutley hooked, and hope, if you get the chance to check these out and read their stories.

TACO TUESDAY

So, a few months ago, I had suggested to Abe we have our friends over for a 'Taco Tuesday.' Well, we finally did it, and it was a blast! We had a great turn out and a ton of food. I spent all day making shredded beef and chicken, plus fresh guac, and all the fixins' for a great Tex-Mex fiesta. I didn't get too many pictures because I was pretty busy, but here are a few I was able to snap after dinner. Abe even pulled out our "$30 pumpkin" and finally carved it! Everyone had a blast, especially Cole (what, with all the attention and kids to play with), and I think we are all hoping to make it a rotating tradition (you know- have it at a different house, once or twice a month, but we'll figure out details later)

Happy Anniversary

Today is mine and Abe's 4 year anniversary. It's crazy how time flies, especially now with Cole in the picture. However, I don't think either of us could be happier at this stage of our lives (unless, of course, one of us hit the lottery!) We have a great marriage, an incredible little boy, live in a great place, and are just all around fortunate for all we have.

I, especially, am fortunate for having such an amazing husband, who also is a truly remarkable father (I always knew he would be). Abe takes such good care of our family and I am so appreciative of all he does. I am so grateful to Abe for making me a better person and helping me see that, while things may be rough, all hope isn't lost. He is my best friend and I am so blessed to have him in life and to know he is my partner through it all. I love you, Abe!

Back from my LONG LONG LONG week and catching up...

We finally made it back, and I'm still trying to get all of us back on track. But, first things first, I have a few pics from the last week.

First are from the Pumpkin Patch

Cole definitely was not to sure at first, and then he took off like a mad man running through the "patch"

Cole and me picking out a pumpkin for him

Abe and Cole going into the petting zoo.

Again, Cole wasn't too sure about the petting zoo, but he finally decided to touch this pig.

Then here is quick pic from my card swap. We had a blast as always! Cole enjoyed himself, too, taking shovel-fuls of sand and dumping them around the backyard. He tried bringing a few into the house but we were able to just stop him.

Here are all the ladies working hard. This was an abnormally small turn out, but it was nice because we were all able to catch up, gossip, tell lies, eat, drink, and be merry.

Here are the cards we all made and swapped. (Mine's the bottom middle)

Here are our make 'n' takes. Jeni (the hostess) always comes up with such cute ideas and fun little projects for us. I'm sad I don't get to make it to more of these things, but I'm trying!

The rest of my week was pretty much devoted to wedding/decorating excitement. My parent's, Cole and I were at the Nielsen's (the home where the reception was at) pretty much every night except one night when we helped my sister move some clothes to her new apartment. I was so frustrated and exhausted and extremely busy for that matter, that I didn't get too many pics from all this fun, but here are a few I did get from different events.

Cole goofing off.

Cramming egg rolls in his mouth at the Groom's dinner.

The happy couple, Rachel and Bobby.

Me and Cole, my parents and Cousin Mindy, Aunt Paula, and Aunt Stella

Rachel and Bobby leaving the temple. She looked so beautiful!

Cole looking sharp, and looking to go home.

It was a beautiful Arizona October day, with the temp reaching about 96 (can you sense the sarcasm?). Since we were outside for about 5 hours straight in the blazing sun, I couldn't punish Cole for being the smart one and splashing in the fountain. He would put his hands against the fountain and the water would just run down his arms and soak him. He was still soaked when he woke up from his nap just before the reception started. Oh well! Boys will be boys!

That's it for pictures. I'll try to get more from my brother. Overall, things went well. And I think I can speak for all involved when I say I'm glad that its all over.

One more thing...

I also wanted to mention Abe's grandmother passed away on Friday, October 3. She had a stroke around the same time my grandmother passed away in 2004, and unfortunately never recovered. We did not attend her memorial service in Columbus, OH but will be going to the family's service in Michigan this summer. I unfortunately never got the chance to meet her, and I know it has been a bittersweet loss for the family considering her health conditions the last 4 1/2 years. She will be missed.

My LONG week in Phoenix

I am in Phoenix this week (Sat 10/11-Sun 10/19) because my sister Rachel is getting married on Sat. the 18th. I came down early to get the family's hair done and help out with wedding stuff where possible. I figured while I was coming into town I would also cram in getting the dog groomed, Cole's 15 month appt., my crop/card swap party, and getting my hair done! So rather than drive back and forth a bunch I am staying here the entire week!
Since I am not on my home computer I'm not posting pictures now, but I will have a lot of pictures come next week.

Abe and I also took Cole to the "pumpkin patch" in Chino Valley on Saturday before I came down. It was a good time but cost way more than I had anticipated. It wasn't that it was expensive, they just charged you to do anything! It was $2 here and $3 dollars there and before we knew it we had blown through like $30 in about 45 minutes! Cole had a blast though, so that's all that matters! Pictures to come later!

The BIG trip to the Ranch

So-- with all that said about Bob-- this weekend we (34 of us plus 7 dogs) went up to the Ranch to give Bob his final resting place. Bob (very fittingly) passed away at the Ranch while working on a sprinkler head. He died in classic Bob fashion wearing nothing but his flip-flops!! We all went up as his closest friends and family to spread Bob's ashes in the place he lived for and loved. Tim (another dear friend- also the one Abe went to the Ranch with to help Bob's girlfriend Millie when we all got the news) kept saying how Bob died up there because he just wanted someone 'to dig a hole with the tractor and roll him in it' because he really was just that simple. So, anyway, we all had a great weekend up at the Ranch telling stories and remembering how truly legendary Bob was. We each were able to place Bob where we had had a memorable experience with him and that was truly a special gift. His children, Damian and Katie, were incredible to include so many in such a personal experience, and we were all so very grateful.

This was also Cole's first trip to the Ranch and he had a BLAST!!! He loved riding Abe's 70, disrupting the "golf games" and just running everywhere he could. It rained off and on all day Saturday, but that didn't stop him. He loved all the dogs running around and everyone loved taking him around. He went and helped pick apples and pears, hung out at the pond, and picked up every rock, stick, pecan, and fruit he could find. Here are some pics from this weekend:

Cole sleeping on the way in.

Cole off on his own!

Helping Daddy with the tent.

Stealing golf balls

Cole's 1st ride

the lower orchard

the beginning of Bob's service

playing in the sprinkler

running for another sprinkler

keeping warm while Cole's clothes

dried by the fire

Dozer taking a nap

Cole deciding Dozer needs a hug

not a nap!

a dirt hole that cole liked walking

in and out of

I found a shoe!!!

stealing more golf balls

why steal balls when you can steal a club?

waiting for another ride

"helping" take down the tent

sleeping on the way out.

All in all it was a good weekend, although the Ranch will never be the same without Bob.

A Tribute to Bob

Before I write about this weekend, I need to say a little bit about Bob. We met Bob about 4 years ago when we stumbled upon the MT Ranch on our way to camp on the Rim. Bob and the rest of the ranch-goers invited us in and instantly we all became friends. Bob invited us back and Abe jumped at the chance. As time went on, Bob made Abe his own set of keys (which was a huge honor to Abe) and Bob became one of (if not) Abe's best friends. Bob, very sadly, passed away on September 11 and is now very truly missed. Abe absolutely admired, adored and respected Bob and all Bob stood for (I adored Bob as well). Bob was a simple man, but made up for it in his friendships. He was always there WHENEVER you needed him and would give anyone the shirt off his back (if he was wearing one!) His son said it best when he said "Bob never met a stranger, he only met friends." Bob impacted so many lives and you became a better person for knowing Bob, because Bob was the best. He was truly a legend and will never be forgotten. WE LOVE YOU, BOB!