visitors

James and I were eating our delicious dinner (shrimp and chicken spaghetti, with green beans and sourdough bread) when I got a phone call from Cousin Eric (Micah's cousin not mine). I hadn't talk to Eric for a few months so I was delighted that he called me. Then I was even more delighted to find out that he and his wife and unborn child were only two exits away from my house!!! We gave them quick directions and within minutes I was hugging the Ellis'. Eric's family lives in Canada and they were all camping for the weekend in WA. Eric and I have been good friends for years, I am so happy for him and I am so proud of the man he has become, I can't wait for him to be a dad!. Eric and Nakita are so cute. I love them and I am so excited they took time to visit me and meet James.

and they're off

Dad's least favorite part of "Father of the Bride" is at the end when the Steve Martin can't find his daughter to say goodbye to her before she leaves with her new husband (my dad always cries). With that in mind I made Steph find Dad before she left the reception.

Stephanie and Rob left to the sound of their family and friends makin' some noise (we had all kinds of noise makers)

The Bride

Bye

partying it up at the reception

Me wearing my sassy wedding outfit

James was a huge help at the reception, it was so great to have him there with us

James hit it off with Michelle and Lindsay-that made me so happy

Stephanie and Rob with all of the kids

I love me some Leah Rose

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Rob Nyland

Eating cake, I don't think they really cut it (I missed that part)

Probably one of my top 5 favorite pictures of us!

Dad jumped in on one of the best pictures of Nicki, Emily and I

The party (I have a little Farrar gimp eye going on)

The party with Mr. Quigley

Rob and his last 3 roommates

Aidan and Greyson with the newlyweds

My grandmothers

Farrar and Carter our traditional "sisters picture"

Provo friends- it was so great that Michelle and Lindsay came for the wedding

A little dancing/singing to Air Supply! Where's Rob?

party of the century

Natalie (our family wedding planner, available for hire) and Steph did an awesome job planning the reception-every detail was perfect. It was such a wonderful party. Tons of people came and everyone had so much fun! It was totally worth all of the work. Stephanie and Rob were really happy. And that is what it was all about.

at the temple

Waiting for the Nylands to come out of the Temple:

Here they come:

Stephanie looked absolutely gorgeous:

Michelle made her beautiful bouquet

Don't worry that it was one of the hottest days of the year (we nearly melted):

pre-wedding celebrations

Jacob and Lisa flew in from Florida in late Wednesday night. Grandma Jackie, Aunt Susan, Uncle Jerry and Meredith were also all in town. It was so fun having so many people here for the wedding. On Thursday James picked up the boys for the weekend and then drove up to my parents to party with all of the Farrars. Around 10 o'clock that night we decided we wanted ice cream from McDonald's and off we went.



On Friday I picked Lindsay up early from the airport, Michelle had come a couple of hours earlier and then met up with us. Kendra also came in from Indiana (I really have no idea when she actually got to Lynnwood, but she was in town for the wedding celebrations). All of the girls met for an afternoon of pampering and girl talk. It was perfect. It was so nice to take time out of our busy schedules to relax and celebrate Stephanie.

After lunch with all of the girls we did some setting up at the church. Linds, Michelle and I drove into downtown Seattle to pick up flowers at Pike Place Market (we got ice cream cones at Dicks first). In the evening we had a big Mexican dinner at the Beach for both Rob's and Stephanie's families and friends. The weather was gorgeous and the food was delicious.

Rob welcoming everyone out

Miss Leah

Some of our side

Leah's first time playing Pinata (she didn't like wearing the mask)

Aidan was a mad man

She might not have been sure about the Pinata, but she loved what came out of it

Grey and Aidan, the little Pirates, with their booty

Stephanie with her Ricks College roommates

Steph with Kendra's three kids

Of course I made James take a couple pictures, he doesn't complain as much these days

Lollipops

Leah saying, "give it back Greyson"

The happy couple

Party goers, this is about the time the dang mosquitoes attacked

Grandma Jackie and her brother Uncle Jerry

steph's a nyland

aloha

Its official...we just registered for the Pumpkin Push in Oct. that is two whole months to learn how to run 3.1 miles. I think I am seriously crazy this time. I have least one teammate, who else wants in on the fun? There is a costume contest maybe we could enter!

half way there

It's 6:10 in the AM and I am about to head to the gym (I am off even before the garbage man comes)

I am hardcore

I made it to the gym and look at my face, I am oh so happy about it

Thanks to all of you who have taken the challenge with me, it is so helpful knowing that I have awesome family and friends in Florida, New York, Arizona, Utah and Washington doing it too. Starting September I am going to train for my 5k, no big deal, I have done one before, but this time I want to run. I should be able to run it (or most of it) right? If you want to do it with me mark your calendars for Oct. 25Th. Or choose a sporting event of your choice and let me know about it, we can be each others cheerleaders even if we leave states apart.

P.S. The wedding is this weekend, its going to be hard to work out on Friday and Saturday, but I'm committed.

look what i did!

Before:

After:

Do you like it? I was a little nervous to do it, well a lot nervous. But, it's just hair right? It can grow back. I like it now, it's cute and fun. However, I do kind of miss my long locks. I am going to wear it curly, or all natural, tomorrow and that will be the real test.

P.S. Monica got her hair cut too, it took her lady like an hour to dry and straighten it.

the van of my dreams!

While the boys were town I watched them with along with the 2 little guys I nanny. It was crazy and fun, but because my car was is not big enough for 4 passengers in car seats we rented a mini van. I was so excited, I have always loved mini vans. If I was buying a van I would want a few extra features, but this was pretty close to the perfect car for me. I really felt like a grown-up for 10 days.

Beauty

Magic! The boys watched ALOT of movies in the van, it made all of the driving we did so peaceful

Otter pops and a movie in the van after Olive Garden

Driving across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (on our way to dinner with Rob's family) the boys held their breath...

even our fearless driver

when the quigleys came to town

James' parents, Paul and Diane, and his brother Scott (who served a mission in Cebu, a couple of years after me) and sister-in-law Arren came to town in the middle of July for a long visit. It was great for the boys (all 3 of them) to have their family in town and I enjoyed getting to know the Quigleys better. I had to work during the day while they all played hard, but I was able to do a few fun things in the evening and I even took half a day off.

After 4th of July fireworks

Ballard Locks:

Family Bowling Night:

After my strike!

Greyson's Birthday Breakfast:

Fish Tacos and Harbor Cruise (with Stephanie and Lindsay):

a challenge has been issued

and that challenge has been accepted. Watch out America for the whole month of August I will be working out everyday but Sunday! I know I am off my rocker, but I like to challenge myself (not really, I mostly like to take the easy road) and this is something that will be good for me. Walking is my exercise of choice, either outside or on the treadmill, but since I have to do like 27 days of exercise I will maybe add some new things in, like a class or something. My part of the deal is to do at least 30 minutes at the gym or 45 minutes outside of the gym. I think for the most part it is doable, some days will be hard (like Stephanie's wedding day). I will be reporting my progress so keep checking back. Does anyone want to join me? Maybe I can make it worth your while....
P.S. Day one complete: 40+ minutes at the gym