The girls favorite activity: reading.

Ring Bearer: All grown up!

Does this handsome young man look familiar?  He was the ring bearer at our wedding.  How did these kids grow up so fast?

More Uncle Doug

Uncle Doug

My brothers

I have been blessed with 2 full brothers, 2 step-brothers and 1 half brother.  Doug, or if you are around our house it is "Uncle Doug" is the eldest of my full brothers.  When I surprised my parents with my arrival into this world, Doug was a ten-year old kid.  Instead of being annoyed by me (though I am sure he was at times) he was such a fun big brother.  Both Doug and Steve taught me everything I know about sports and especially basketball.  I remember many times Doug was tasked with the chore of doing my hair.  If you know me, you know my curls.  My family didn't really know how to handle all my curls at that time and when I had to have my hair brushed out, tears usually occurred.  However, Doug was really gentle about it and I remember always preferring it be him that helped me.

Steve was my next full brother.  He was the that introduced me to music.  I think that is really where he and I connected.   Steve was a DJ (Disc Jockey).  I thought that he was the coolest brother ever.  He could string together songs and keep an event going like it was nothing.  I remember the first time I went to a dance to "help" him.  He took the time to explain everything to me and even let me pick songs.  That is probably one of my best memories of Steve.

Steve was also the assistant soccer coach for my team.  Soccer was a big deal in my life as a kid.  He taught me so much as right sweeper.  I also remember all my friends having crushes on him.  That year my season ended early.  I broke my wrist (again).  I was determined to play despite having my wrist in a cast but the refs wouldn't allow it.  Apparently the plastered cast could be considered a weapon if I hit someone over the head with it.  I remember Steve actually arguing with the ref for me because I was so upset.  As I sat on the sidelines desperately trying to take the cast off, Steve had to come and talk me down and tell me that I would just have to wait till next season.

Doug and Steve were close.  They were the only boys in my family of five.  I have heard the stories (and have seen the pictures) of them fighting but I honestly don't remember them ever not getting along.  Perhaps that is because I came along later in life, I don't know,  I just remember that they always had one another's back.  I do remember them getting into trouble together - but now that I am older those memories just make me laugh.  My poor mother.  Seriously though, those two had such a strong bond.

5 years ago we had a family reunion.  It was the last time the five of us kids were altogether.  I am so thankful that we have those memories.  The best time was when we were just standing around the table and Steve and Doug were strolling down memory lane and Steve was adding his wise cracks throughout the dialogue.  Those two had us girls laughing so hard that we were in tears and I am sure my chin was shivering.

It was the perfect decision to have Doug speak at Steve's funeral.  Doug knew just what to say.  It was impressive given how little the poor guy had slept up to that point (he drove pretty much nonstop from Texas to Utah).  I don't even know where he found the time to write such a wonderful talk but I am sure glad he did.  In his talk he mentioned that he was listening to the radio as he drove across the country and a song came on that made him think of Steve.  It seems only fitting that it would be through music.  I am almost certain that the first time I ever heard this song was from Steve.

REM
Everybody Hurts

When your day is long
And the night, the night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life, well hang on

Don't let yourself go
'Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes

Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone (Hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go (Hold on)
If you think you've had too much
Of this life, well hang on

Everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand, oh no

Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you are not alone

If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on

Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
Everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes

So hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts

Flowergirl all grownup!

Some of you may recognize this beautiful face holding Elizabeth.  It is my niece, my eldest brother's only daughter.  She blessed Husband and I by agreeing to walk down the aisle at our wedding as our little flower girl.  Eight years later she is beautiful inside and out. 

Cousins

We were missing some cousins (and we sure did miss them) but here are the ones that were able to make it out.  I really love all of them so much.  So do the girls.  Katie and Elizabeth thought it was the best thing ever to have all these cousins to play with.  When they weren't showered with attention from the cousins they were showered with love from grandparents, aunts, uncles, family, my childhood friends, former neighbors, parents of childhood friends....  It was amazing to see so many people from my childhood come to the funeral to show their love for my brother and our family.  Here are a fraction of the cousins.  I sure love them.

Elsa and Anna

One great part of all this sadness was the fact we were able to see all my family.  Katie and Elizabeth met cousins that they had never seen before. 

My niece has a business where she dresses up as princesses for children's parties and events.  She (Elsa) and one of princesses (Anna) surprised Katie and Elizabeth one morning. 

The girls thought it was great.  Actually, Katie was shy and hesitant while Elizabeth ran right up to them and gave them hugs.  After some prodding (and actually revealing to Katie that Elsa was her cousin),  Katie gave hugs and posed for pictures too. 

Squeaky Cheese

The Friday before my brother passed we received an unexpected surprise in the mail.  A package.  Squeaky cheese!  So most people call squeaky cheese, cheese curd, but in my family it has always been squeaky cheese.  Growing up we would also go to our local dairy and this was my favorite treat as a little kid.  I have been craving it for 10+ years. Friday, my brother surprised me by shipping me some.  It was amazing and so thoughtful. There is just something about as you chew it, you can hear it squeak between your teeth.  This special treat brought back so many memories as a kid.  Since Elizabeth doesn't like cheese, it didn't surprise me that she didn't want to partake in this deliciousness.  Katie, however, I have to fight off!  She would devour the whole bag if I would let her.  I know we need to finish it because it will be bad soon, but I am having a hard time finishing the last present I will ever receive from my brother...cut to now.

The cheese is now gone and so is my big brother.  This is the second brother I have lost.  The first one was 20 years ago.  Sometimes life is just hard. 

Loss

For the last few days I have wanted to post about what has been going on in our lives this past week but I haven't been able to find words.  Last Tuesday, September 30, 2014, my brother passed away.  He was 38.  He leaves behind his amazing wife.  She is one of the sweetest, most beautiful (inside and out) women I have been blessed with knowing.  My brother also leaves being his two son - my wonderful nephews.  The three of them were the center of my brother's world.  He loved them so much. 

Times Square Toys R' Us Ferris Wheel

Geoffrey the giraffe sent Katie a special birthday card.  She took that birthday card to our local Toys 'R Us and given a birthday crown, balloon and two passes to ride the Ferris Wheel.  Katie was very excited about getting to ride the ferris wheel at Toys R Us for her birthday. When she  got off she did, however, tell the ride operator the ride was "kind of boring."

Nothing better than hanging out with (on) Daddy!

Central Park

One last time at our diner

Our diner is going through a remodel.  Quite honestly since Elizabeth's birth we have not frequented our diner as much as we used to.  They are currently closed for an indefinite period of time as they go through a complete remodel.  The weekend before it closed we had to visit one last time.  

First day of Kindergarten

We interrupt these birthday pictures for a very important message.  Katie started Kindergarten!!!  There were no tears shed (at least by Katie) and when I picked her up Katie's response was that "THIS WAS THE BEST FIRST DAY EVER!!!"   I think that means it was successful.  After all the worry, countless school tours, millions of prayers and conversation, I think we are on our way to a great school year.  Today and tomorrow are half days but Monday she will be going for the full day.  Katie cannot wait for Monday because she wants to eat lunch at school.  Let's hope this love of school lasts for another 20 years!

Katie's Birthday

Katie's Cake

As requested, Katie and I made a strawberry cake for her birthday.  The cake had a strawberry filling and strawberry cream cheese.  It may not have been one of my prettiest cakes (you try making a cake in 90 degree weather, a small kitchen with a 5-year-old sous chef) but it tasted yummy.  That is all that counts, right?

Katie's Special Birthday Call

Katie is not a fan of dogs. For the most part she is terrified of them.  However, there is a show that she absolutely loves called Paw Patrol.  Her favorite pup is Rubble (and he is my favorite too!). He is a cute little English Bull Dog (my dream dog).  Katie had a special call on her birthday.  The Paw Patrol called to wish her a special Happy Birthday.  She must have listened to that message a dozen times and each time she squealed with happiness!

Katie turned 5!

This week I have been rather emotional.  Just over a week ago (August 21st) Katie turned 5.  This week she will start kindergarten.  I am sure I will reflect more on it later but needless to say, I am blown away how fast these past five years have gone.  I am terrified for how fast the next 5 will go.  My little baby is growing up into such an amazing little girl.  She is beautiful both inside and out.  Daily, I sit back amazed at the intelligence that comes out of her mouth and the love that pours out of her heart.  We have been blessed.    

Katieism of the Week

Recently, Katie has been asking a lot of questions about God. This afternoon, I told her that God knows everything. Katie immediately responded, "That's just like Daddy! Mommy, are you sure Daddy isn't God?"

What a Ride It Has Been

In about a week, it will be seven years since we moved to Manhattan.  Seven years ago, we just a couple newlyweds driving across the country - driving to the West Coast - to say goodbye to Wife's family and temporarily leave our vehicle while we  moved to New York City for a nine-month journey.  The purpose of our journey was so that I could get one final academic degree, and as soon as I had that piece of paper, we would get back to the civilized world as soon as humanly possible.

Our plan was never to stay in New York City.  We were only here a few days when we realized that this place was so crazy, that we needed to start a blog to chronicle the crazy experiences we would endure during these nine months.  Hence, we started this blog to both share the experience with our friends and family and, more importantly, to create a way for us to remember our nine months in Manhattan.

But God has a sense of humor.   We're still here. 

Not only are we still here, but we've multiplied.  Seven years ago, we were a typical young married couple concerned about ensuring our careers were on the proper trajectory.  Now, we're a little family with two beautiful, smart and creative little girls.  I can't even remember life without them.

Not only are we still here, but the realization has begun to sink in that we will probably be here for a while.  The blog has evolved since our time in New York transformed from a crazy temporary experience to just our normal lives.

Our little girls are New Yorkers.  They are REAL New Yorkers.  They aren't those "B & T" fakers who claim to be New Yorkers.  For those who aren't snobby enough to be familiar with the terminology, B & T refers to the bridges and tunnels that those who don't reside in Manhattan need to take to get to all the action.  Those who live in Manhattan are absolutely convinced that the only REAL New Yorkers are those who live in Manhattan, and perhaps some of the trendy parts of Brooklyn.  We hear rumors that some claim that there are five boroughs in New York City, but we know better.

Wife and I have done quite a bit of contemplation lately.  We have had opportunities to leave New York.  Good opportunities.  But we don't want to.

I fully recognize how blessed we are, and it continually amazes me.

If anyone had told me when we flew out to New York that if looked ahead seven years, my career would be where it is today, that our family would like it does and that all of this would have happened in New York City, there is absolutely no chance I would have believed it.  No chance.  Zero.  None.

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

The Stuff Katie Says

This afternoon, Katie and I were walking, and she reminded me that we had gone in the optical store over two years ago to get my glasses fixed.  She then recounted how that visit played out.  I said with some surprise, "Wow, you remember that long ago?"

Katie responded and explained, "Daddy, you're smart.  That's what you do.  It's your thing.  I remember EVERYTHING.  That's what I do.  It's my thing."

I'm just so happy she still thinks I'm smart.

Elizabeth wants in!

Berenstein Bears before bed.

Our little curlies!

Girl Selfie

Sisters that are best friends.

Gazing up at Big Sis!