11th Anniversary

Memories of our wedding day

Seriously, is there a more beautiful girl?!!
We have been married now for 11 years! … 11 years! Where did all that time go? At least I can say for sure that the time has been an amazing adventure! It’s been packed with really great and happy times mixed with some big trials. I thought I’d try to reminisce a bit on our wedding day. Our story has been skipping around a bit but not much has been written yet about this day so I’ll step up and tackle it. I’ll start by writing some memories from my journal.

Jan 23, 2002 – Tons of new news – Jenn and I are married! I guess that will explain why I haven’t written for a month, but I guess I should have. The wedding was perfect! We were sealed on Dec 28th in the Salt Lake Temple by Earl C. Tingey. The day of the wedding I drove down to Jenn’s and we went to the temple together. (If I remember right, I got down to Jenn’s house pretty early. She must have woken up at an insane hour to get ready!) We met up with our parents in the front lobby of the temple and Jenn and I were taken into an office to take care of all the paperwork. The thing I remember most about that meeting was Jenn putting a ton of lotion in my hand. I told her my face was dry but I wasn’t exactly expecting lotion right that second!

Jenn and I were lead up to the celestial room to hang out till I brought her through the veil. My hands were sweating so bad! (temple hand) It was nice of Jenn to keep holding it. She could tell I was nervous but she didn’t even look phased.

Earl C Tingey sealed us. He spoke of how important it is that our families are linked through sealing all the way back to Adam. I don’t remember too much. I do remember how I felt so good inside. I was so happy to be kneeling there with Jenn. We are perfect for each other.

I can remember Elder Tingey taking a moment to talk with us in the Celestial room. Don’t remember a word he said. I just remember thinking that he looked really tall. Later Terri asked us if we remember the promise that was made to us during the sealing. I know I didn’t. She said that we received a promise that our children would remain true and faithful.

Today, I can think back and remember still how beautiful Jenn looked! I can also remember how happy that day was. It was freezing and everyone’s noses were red. And Jenn’s nose was cold! I know because we kissed at least 100 times! We had big smiles on our faces. Just watching our wedding video, I’m amazed at how much we were laughing. I like to see those pictures. My Grandma Leah was there. Grandma and Grandpa Richards were there too. The nieces and nephews were so small. There’s a pic of Tayah and Josh walking behind Jenn holding her dress. I think they were about 3 at the time. We look younger in those pics. After we took a few thousand pics and some video around the Temple, Jenn and I cruised over to her parents place for some lunch and a break before the reception. That was a good time.

That night was another packed event with our reception at the old rock church in Farmington. There were so many people that came! All those amazing friends and family members were really generous with their gifts, giving us a much easier head start in our marriage. Except for the nice gift we got in our car -- that gift being Fruit Loops and Rice Krispies in the air vents and all over the car. Roger, Jer and Marty did some serious work on the car. For a long time after that, the Honda would occasionally spit out cereal dust!

One of those gifts was our hotel stay at the Armstrong Mansion. That’s where we spent that first night. And Jenn’s Grandpa paid for our hotel up in Jackson Hole the next few nights. That was a really really cold place to go for a honey moon. So much more to write about that.

Here’s another memory from my journal:

1/26/02 – The night before the wedding was so perfect! The day before with all of the decorating was crazy, but that night was sweet! We all went to Little America for a dinner with close friends and family. My highlight was the very first of the dinner – Jenn sang to me! In front of 60 people! I know how sincere that act was. She sang, “Fools rush in” and I don’t know of any other gift that has meant more to me.

My memories I can add to that event today are that the night started out really hectic! I was sweating it a bit because 20 minutes into the dinner Jenn wasn’t there! Oh ya, I was super sweating it! I later learned that 20 minutes late to your own wedding dinner is just “Tingey time.” Also, I am sure Jenn would add that she was sweating it too! Brooke was set to play the piano for her song but pulled out that night so she was scrambling to work that out. She reached out to see if Jenni Cook would fill in. But back to me, I was really glad to see Jenn arrive!

11 years later and I am even more excited to see her! Every time I fly somewhere I park in the most crazy expensive parking so I can get home 20 minutes earlier. I am a blessed guy.

Happy anniversary Jenn! I love you!

Pics of the boys

Our boys - they are more than a handful - but we love them! We were up all night with Thad last night and we are feeling it today. Every one of these little guys have put us through the ringer. One day we'll break out the tub pics for their girlfriends as paybacks. Till then we realize that these boys grow up too fast and one day we'll miss holding them and rocking them.
We hope we have more kiddos to add to the family even though we are barely keeping up with these three little dudes. We hope and pray to add two little girls to the mix. We'll see what the
Lord has in store for us.

Spelling test

Temple square

We went with the YSA ward to temple square this year for FHE. The boys love FHE with the YSAs!

Keat

Keat loves looking back at this post. He's sentimental like me. Some sweet things he has said. BIU for BYU. Skapetti for Spaghetti. Lake Powwyall for Powell.

He adores this time of year (see previous posts) he loves our elf in the self golden Star. He was waking up at the crack to find where he had moved. We had to have a talk with Golden & ask him to move in the day. My little rule follower was quite upset--"it's Santa's rule that he moves at night. It says so in the book." Luckily we explained that Santa understands & sometimes rules change for each fam. This is a note he left for Golden ( when hr woke up at 5 & couldn't get back to sleep bc he was so excited!)
I LOVE his innocence, his real emotions. He is my boy.

Jonas--The Things He Says

Before I forget, Jonas has said some of the most darling things as of late. In Oct. we went to an overnighter w our married ward friends. Nana was watching the boys.
T was having a hard time getting to sleep & was crying. Jonas came out of his
room & went downstairs. He said to Nana, " just nurse Thad. " (; if only it were that simple!

The night we put up the tree, J was a ham! We were getting all of the decorations out. T was having a heyday. He was going for the garland. Jonas went to intervene. He said to Thad,"I understand you want this, but you can't have it." A little love & logic (;

We were putting up the tree. It was covered w tinsel--aaah chocking hazed for T. So, we asked the boys to help take all the tinsel off. Then, we asked K to take it all to the outside garbage. He was resisting. In a very encouraging voice, Jonas said, "Keaton you are such a big boy to take the garbage outside." Seems to me that Jonas is taking very good notes. I hope I can always remember that.

Thad

So Thad is amazing! An experience that happened the beginning of Dec. had me at the brink of tears.
We were in Keat & Jonas's room. Jonas got hurt & was crying. T was across the room & saw his brothers concern. He toddled over as quickly as he could & started patting Jonas. He was so concerned for his big bro. Jas & I couldn't believe our eyes. True empathy at 13 months old!
It happened again last night when Jonas bit Keat(don't ask!) Keat was in tears. Thad was by his side in a matter of seconds patting him . My baby is growing up.

YSA Christmas Dinner 2012

So, I was flying solo last night at the YSA Christmas Dinner. Jas was out of town. I had a lot of sweet helpers--thank goodness! Delish Famous Daves, White Elephant exchange(K was given someone else's fish bc he was eyeing it!), Bishopbric skit, & the nativity. The boys were Shepards-the highlight of my evening.

She does it all

Jenn is an amazing mom! This picture will tell it all. Jenn and the boys just had their first piano recital. Sometimes as parents we think that if we tell our kids to do something enough times the message will eventually sink in. We really want our boys to develop the talent of playing the piano. Instead of telling the boys to learn piano, Jenn is diving in and taking lessons with them. There is rarely a moment now where they aren't plugging away on the piano. Oh ya, we got a piano too- it was a really early Chriatmas present. Jonas looks really stoked in this pic right?

Powell 2012

Thads first Lake Powell Trip. He was a champ!

I get a kick out of this pick of Jonas and Kelton.  Jonas has a really great pirate expression going. 

And Jonas took the plunge for the first time this year off the back of the houseboat. 

Keat got out on the wake board for the first time!  A natural!  Of course, this picture doesnt tell the story of how we ran into a rock and sand bar seconds after we took this pic.  Another costly sacrifice to the lake.  Lake Problem -- we love it!!

I love Jenn T Wright!

This invite brings back some great memories!  We're still the same two love struck kids in this picture -- just have a whole lot more experience!  You look the same!  Just as beautiful as you were then!  I am on the other hand a bit more weathered!  The stresses of time have marked me up with a few wrinkles.  I will say that I am happier than I ever have been.  Every year just keeps getting better!  11 years!  I'm a blessed guy... 

T says Nana!!

T said NAna! We were so excited!

My nerdy boys

I'm loving these pics of my boys!

Keaton' Blanket

Keat had the most amazing primary teacher, Sister Wayman. She had K come over & pick our squares. Then she made a quilt for K! He loves it! I love that he has a teacher who cares so much.

I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

Love this pic!

Jonas the "Vegetarian" 12/12

We went to Scheels last week.  There is a giant mountain display in there filled with really impressive animal mounts.  That made an impression on little J.  He was bothered by the fact that these animals died.  Now he is swearing off all meat!  Even his favorite -- chicken nuggets!  And...he told me that he is not going hunting with me.

New Fam pic 11/12

Jonas the soccer playin machine. 10/12

This year was Jonas first soccer season. We didn't know what to expect. He is a machine out there! He's one of the smallest but has the heart of a lion! This is a pic of Jonas against Bishop Greenhalghs grandson. Jonas and his team The Tigers domimated the season.

Jonas & Thad Birthdays 2012

The last week of October is pure craziness on our house. Oct 23 is Jonas's bday, Oct. 29 is Thad's, then Halloween.
For Jonas's bday, we went to Get Air! We had a blast. I also took him to Arctic Circle with our best friends Holly & Jaxon.
That Sunday, all our fam came up for dinner & cake. Pretty excited about the cake!!! Nana & I made it!