11 Years ... and Counting!

Today is our anniversary! We were married in the Salt Lake Temple on a very cold, wintry day in February 2000. I was so happy and in love I didn't feel the chill in the air, but looking back at pictures my nose was red and the snow was blowing at a diagonal. Tyler and I didn't care, but I think our family and friends might have as they stood freezing - and not quite as enamored with the day as we were. The next day we were off to Kauai to spend a week on the beach with the warm sun shining down on us. It was perfect.

We have a tradition that started on our second anniversary where we get away together to celebrate. I think its safe to say our first anniversary was a bust because Ty came down with the flu and practically lost all consciousness of what day it was and who he was with by 6pm that night.

But he redeemed himself the following year saying, "We've got to make our anniversaries a priority! Let's do something great every year." And we have. I thought it'd be fun today to try to remember all the years back and see what pictures I can find to go along with.

2002: Salt Lake City - Anniversary Inn and 2002 Winter Olympics



2003: Denver - Limo and dinner surprise

2004: Phoenix - Compass Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Hotel

2005: Coronado Beach, CA (where he proposed), Universal Studios and Sea World

2006: Tucson - Timeshare for the weekend, relaxed!

2007: Scottsdale - Timeshare, dinner and shopping (with baby jake)

2008: San Diego - Knottsberry Farm


2009: Scottsdale - J.W. Marriott Resort


2010: Carribbean Cruise


So what's on order for 2011? It's a first. Tonight we are home and I'm going out to play bunco (romantic, I know). Our Anniversary Celebration has been delayed two weeks until spring break when we take the family to an unrevealed location (surprise for the kids still) that has to do with Leis and Luaus! :)

Love is the greatest! It's a blessing to go through life with your best friend by your side. I love you, Tyler!!

Her first White dress

Blessing Dress. Baptism Dress. Wedding Dress.
This Sunday will be Claire's first special day.

Heavenly Angel

I missed Claire's 3-month post because that was the day she and I flew to Seattle. So I just want to share this beautiful picture of her from this weekend and say how much we love and adore her! She is an angel dropped straight from heaven. The easiest, happiest, calmest, most precious child. We feel so blessed to have her in our home because she adds so much and requires so very little. What a gift she is.

Jake's Playing Soccer

Saturday was Jakey's first soccer game. Tyler and I are happy to have him in a sport now where our family can all turn out to support him after several years of him supporting his older brother and sister at so many of their events. A new legacy has begun... number 9, Jake Hillstead. His team is the tigers.

It was the most windy day we've had here in a long time! The kids were darling, playing "bunch ball" at its best. Coaches started with four on the team and by the end of the half hour game all players from both teams had found their way onto the field.

Parents and coaches alike made sure that every child had a chance to score a goal or two or ten. With a field that was 20 feet by 40 feet they were scoring every 30 seconds. Whoo.... Whooo.. .. Yeah... parent cheering got pretty funny!

Jake took it upon himself to keep score despite the no-score rule. He would look at us and hold his fingers up each time his team or the other scored. It was adorable.

He understands the game well and scored three goals! When he wasn't distracted by the corner flags blowing in the wind he also played great defense! He was cute and we were proud parents.

Black Hawk Down!

I just got home from the most exciting day at the kids' school! I am covered in dust and grass and need a shower, but I wanted to get this great post down first!

They called it Running with Heroes. Typically, the jog-a-thon, but today was extra special because one of the daddies from school is a commander/pilot for a black hawk helicopter. He arranged to land the aircraft on the school field at 8:45 this morning and leave it there on display for the day while the kids did their fun-run.

Our family made sure to get to school early in time for its arrival. Off in the distance we saw and heard it coming. It came down so low and circled around the parameter of the school grounds several times. It was so loud and so awesome to see the pilot reaching out and waving to the pack of kids who ran from corner to corner following along underneath it.

When it came in for the landing, it whipped up a huge cloud of dust - everyone screamed and huddled their faces down away from the wind. I almost cried I thought it was so cool! Exhilarating!

Ashley's class did their run at 10:30. She got five laps in, and I ran with her. They rewarded them with stickers and popsicles. I came back for Luke's class run at 12:30 and let Jake run his little heart out with his big brother. Then we got to climb on the black hawk and meet one of the pilots. She was awesome.

The helicopter left at 1:30. We were wise and got way back this time - and I got a video on my phone of its departure. Again, so thrilling! I felt so much school spirit today with the kids. Loved how special it was to have an army helicopter come and soldiers greeting the kids; loved the energizing music bumping around the school yard; loved that kids were running their heads off and eating popsicles in February; loved that our Tiger mascot was running around with and high-fiving everybody; loved that Principal Monroe was wearing gym shorts and a red superman cape!

Running with Heroes was a hit this year! I loved everything about it and feel so grateful that the kids have such a great school in such a great neighborhood!
Watching the helicopter approach in the distanct
Principal - in the red cape



Guy with baby = Chick magnet

Claire's first date.

"Brace yourself, Claire. This is intense." "Yeah, it's really cool, Lincoln..."

"...I just can't get enough of those colors and shapes!"
"Uh, something tells me, I think we're being chaparoned by your brother." So uncool.

I Fly SWA

Flying over the Grand Canyon
Claire and I on board

They gave her a first flight certificate ;)

Looking down on Washington State

Dinner at the Olive Garden - we'd been talking soup, salad, breadsticks for a week!

Visiting the Keane Family, dear friends, darling kids.

Trying out the exersaucer (thanks Uncle Blake!) and feeling so good!

Brynn asleep

Claire asleep - hard to tell the difference?!

Sunday Dinner, Blake made a delicious roast!

Claire Bear staying cozy in her bunny slippers

The day I left was beautiful and sunny! A good-bye photo of the Spaceneedle (I took from the freeway!)

And dad's old building. Memories!!

Ali's fav shoe store. Cuddling my sweet, precious new niece. I loved the time with her - and them all!!

Thanks for a great trip guys! XOXO

Dinner with the girls

A highlight of my trip was dinner out with my wonderful, lifelong girl friends from Redmond! It's hard to believe that I've known Megan since I was nine - that makes 21 years now - and the others almost as long. They are beautiful and kind women and I love every opportunity to catch up with them. From left to right: Me, Karen, Kristine, Jessica, Jana, Megan - all looking pretty good for being middle-aged! ;)

Positively Paige

Paige is to die for! From the moment she wakes up to the moment she goes to bed she is full of enthusiasm for life! I had a great time snaping photos of her during our time together. She is simply adorable (and hilarious, might I add)!