12.28.02

Every night at bedtime, Hank asks me to tell him a story; his favorites are Thomas the Train and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. As Aaron and I celebrated our 6th anniversary yesterday, I decided to write down a story that is special to me...
Our story began on the beautiful little island of Hawaii, where we both lived while attending school at BYU. We didn't have any classes together because Aaron was a business major and I was a political science/english major. However, Aaron had noticed me on campus and decided that he wanted to find out more about me. In true fifth grade fashion, Aaron got the lowdown on me by passing notes with a roommate of mine whom Aaron shared classes with. Aaron finally got up the nerve to ask me out on a date--we saw Ocean's 11, had frostys at Wendy's, and went to a BYUH basketball game. I must have done something right, because Aaron was hooked and quickly rearranged his entire class schedule so that we could spend all of our freetime together. We spent many a Saturday sunbathing at the beach in the afternoon and then driving to Waikiki in the evening to eat dinner and watch a movie on the beach.

Aaron graduated from BYU-H in June of 2002 and was returning to the mainland to pursue his career. I still had one semester of school to go before I graduated, so we were left with a decision to make about the direction to take our relationship.

It didn't take Aaron long to decide that he couldn't live without me (it was probably vice versa) and he proposed in August, 2002.

Aaron and I were sealed together in the Portland temple on December 28, 2002. Six years ago!

I can't believe how far we've come, how much we've acheived, and how much we've grown in only six years. Aaron has had three or four different jobs before landing his current dream job. I made my way through law school, passed the bar, and now practice law. We've lived in three states and three apartments before purchasing our home.

Like most marriages, we've had our ups and downs, but we love each other more everyday.

Best of all, we have two beautiful babies! Our sons are our greatest joy and blessing.

The decision that I made to marry Aaron Grover in the temple six years ago was the best decision I have ever made. I can't wait to spend the rest of eternity together. I love you, Aaron Grover!

....and they all lived happily ever after.

Hank-ism

I walked by my utility room this evening and this is what I found...Hank had put his new "Sam the Sweeper" broom away beside my broom. For some odd reason, the sight of that little broom next to mine almost brought tears to my eyes. I just love Hank and his sweet, quirky personality. Hank is truly one in a million and I'm so lucky that he is mine.

Name that Baby!

Its time for another exciting round of Name that Baby! Four pictures, two are of Hank and two are of Max, both taken at the same age. Who is who?

Answer key: the second and third pictures are Max and the first and fourth pictures are Hank. I think as they grow, both boys are developing their own looks and features but maintain a strong resemblance.

a Merry little Christmas

In part due to the current political/economic condition, I felt the need this year to move away from the hallow, consumer-driven, frenzied gift giving Christmas experience, to a Christmas experience that focused more on the true meaning and purpose for the season, Christ and his gift to us of eternal families. This year I tried to center Christmas around what matters most to me, my family. We certainly didn't skimp on toys and presents for Hank and Max, but I tried to handmake the majority of my gifts to our family members. I don't know what, if anything, Hank will remember from this Christmas, but I hope he remembers the time we spent together and the experience that we shared instead of the gifts that we exchanged.

How did I get so lucky?

Hank and Max enjoyed the attention from their uncle Adam and aunt Brittany.

Obviously Max wasn't aware of the presents being opened on his behalf, but he enjoyed being snuggled by his Grandma.

Elmo pajamas! I can't stand how cute Hank looked in his new pajamas from his Nana Grover.

We begin every Christmas at my parent's house, where we spend Christmas Eve together. The night begins with a delicious spread of appetizers and treats, then we have a short scriptural program, and then the present opening begins!

Hank loved his new bike from Nana and Papa Z.

Early, early Christmas Day we travel from my parent's house back to spend Christmas morning with Aaron's family. This year, the usual 2 hour drive took a grueling 4 hours of white-knuckled driving due to the icey road conditions. Once we arrived, Hank got to enjoy round 2 of present-opening!

There is a good reason why we open presents on Christmas Eve in my family.

Of all the presents he received, Hank says that his favorite is his vaccum! Crazy kid!

grubby grub

I know its somewhat of a textbook no-no to feed babies cereal before 4 months of age, but I can't seem to keep Max's tummy full! Max can't seem to get enough to eat so I decided to give rice cereal a try a little early to help curb his appetite. Max hasn't mastered the art of eating with a spoon, but he definately likes the cereal and tries to slurp it off the spoon. Since feeding him cereal I've noticed a marked increase in his night-time sleeping so mama is happy too!

Watch out...

He rolls! I have been lax about enforcing regular tummy-time periods because Max gets cranky when I make him play on his tummy. Two weeks ago I flopped Max onto his tummy and he automatically rolled right back onto his back and had a big grin on his face like he had just pulled a fast one on me. I was secretly hoping that I could stop Max from growing up if I just held him foverer but I guess he just proved that theory wrong.

Can you believe what a mini-giant Max is? Doesn't it look like I photoshopped a baby head onto a big kid's body?

That smile just melts my heart.

Frosty

Playing in the snow this afternoon and building our spectacular snowman made me feel like a little kid again....we took Hank to the playground at the park, threw a few friendly snowballs, and Aaron even made Hank a little snow-slide.

Snow Day!

After being gone for a few days and missing Hank and Aaron like crazy, I was really happy that it snowed this morning because we got to play together outside and then enjoy a cozy afternoon inside.
Aaron made a weak attempt to build a snowman but it was thwarted when Hank thought that the "ball" was to kick.

Aaron coached Hank into throwing snowballs at me (mean!) so Hank chased me around the yard trying to whitewash me.

Blue-Roof for Life!

This week I stepped into a time machine and travelled backwards six years to when I lived in a litte house in Hawaii, known as the "Blue Roof House," with six amazing girls. At least thats what it felt like when my roommates and I reunited in Utah for the wedding of Nicole, our fellow blue-roofer. Honestly, it felt like no time had passed at all...except that we are all big girls now with husbands, houses, real jobs, and kids. We spent four days together just hanging out, reminiscing and laughing about old memories, visiting until the wee hours of night and then getting up early with cranky babies, cooking dinner together, being silly and taking random pictures....good times.

Our toddlers didn't join us, but here is a picture of some of the roommates with their babies. These girls are amazing mamas and they constantly inspire me to be a better mother to my own babies. They help me to understand what a sacred calling motherhood is and how blessed I am to be a mother.

Felicity, Andee, Max, and Lincoln--the 2nd generation of Blue Roofers.

Nicole and her soon-to-be husband, Si'i, in their ceremonial fine mats.


Jacque, me, and April freezing our bums off outside the Salt Lake temple. It was a Blue-Roof miracle that we were all able to witness the special sealing together. It was such a powerful experience to be able to sit in the sealing room together.

April, Kelli, Jana, me, Whit, Jill, and Jacque...all lookin' good!

Nicole looked gorgeous in her beautiful wedding dress.

My girls. I love you guys!

Congratulations, Dode!

The reception was a crazy Tongan party complete with a whole roasted pig, luau style food, and polynesian dancers.

I am so grateful to these girls for their friendship. Each of one has made a tremendous impact on my life and I continue to be inspired and uplifted by them. I am blessed to have such caring and supportive friends who have helped me learn and grow over the past six years.