Happy Anniversary!

Eight years ago on a brisk California morning, Dan and I trekked to the San Diego temple to get married. The weather was cool with clouds, rain and sunshine.

This is how Dan and I spent our final winter break from college. I flew from Arkansas to Tucson and then drove over to San Diego with Dan's family. Dan drove down from Provo to San Diego. We married the 21st. We had a reception the 22nd in Tucson. Christmas with Dan's family. A drive to Arkansas for a reception. A final drive to Midvale, Utah (near Salt Lake) to celebrate New Year's.

My last semester at the UofA was torture because it was pass/fail. I hardly slept and I rarely ate. (That's how I lost the 20 pounds of pasta and gelato I had gained in Rome.) The most I did for my wedding was choose my colors, pick out the patterns for the dresses, and pick out which flowers I liked. So basically, everything in the picture above was my doing. Everything else June took care of. Becoming part of a family that was so loving and caring was an adjustment. Why would anyone else care about my silverware pattern? There were things that I thought weren't important that someone else did, and with time I've realized that although not crucial to our eternal marriage were important to my new family's traditions. Thank you June for taking care of the things I couldn't see were important from small architecture bubble I was housed in!

We had a long distance engagement. It was weird to see him everyday again after we were married.

Our photographer made us look so young and beautiful. Thanks again to June for finding him. We took family pictures on the beach with the same photographer immediately following these temple pictures.

Tucson reception. I may have met Mark twice before this event. Even though we didn't know each other then I'm glad to have this picture. He and I are the in-laws and we find comfort in each others presence at family outings! And Jason is my dueling buddy. I always make him play games with me when we are together.

And this is just one picture from my Arkansas reception. This is the archi crew that came for my reception. Mark, Deric, Heiko, Timmy, Meredith, Cheryl, Me, Steve, Ben, and BJ.

Thank you hubby for 8 great years. I love you and am so glad that our fates collided. I'm also glad that I had just returned from Rome when we met. I think it gave me an exotic edge that you were looking for in a wife! I agreed to marry you because the Lord made everything fall into place. (Oh, and I loved you. That too!) I know He is still blessing us (just look at our 3 amazing kids!) and will forever more. Te amo, Principessa Crystal

Christmas is coming

This Christmas brings something new for me. Dressing up a little girl in dresses! I'm having a good time putting together outfits with bows and tights. Macey first laughed on Sunday and laughed again yesterday. Guess who it was for? That's right; good ol' dad. Yesterday Alex said, 'I don't think I can wait for Christmas to come!' I asked what he was going to do; he said he didn't know. What fun to be a kid and have the anticipation of Christmas looming ahead!

We went to the Wrights to decorate Rice Krispie Treat houses and gingerbread cookies.

Ryan dumped the chocolates chips on top. He loves chocolate!

Alex made a very nice house. The boys had a fun time playing with their friends.

Ryan had a party at school on Thursday. He made Dan and I a gift and wrapped it himself. He desperately wanted me to open it right then. He'll be the guy that tells you what it is if you don't just open it when he gives it to you. Alex on the other hand is very good at keeping surprises. He came home from the Santa shop with gifts for each of us and he'll be mum until Christmas morning.

Here is Ryan in something a little nicer than sport shorts and an old t-shirt. This is Alex's uniform that he wore in kindergarten. No doubt, little brother won't be that little much longer!

Tooth Fairy II

Yesterday I took my sweet boy to the dentist. For those of you who do not have any young children, they now can put sealant on new adult teeth to prevent them from getting cavities. I'm not sure how fool proof this is, but isn't that amazing? Anyways, while under the gas Alex was also scheduled to have 1 tooth removed. However, two more would have to come out in the next 6 months so I requested that we do it now to save some cash later on. Dr. Kelly said that was fine and went ahead and took 3 teeth away. Alex cried when he received the numbing shot and was a little loopy from the laughing gas when I rescued him from the back. He'll have to have soft foods today. So now he is waiting for two front teeth to come in at Christmas. Dad is on another business trip and missed the Tooth Fairy again. Drats!

Thanksgiving break

On the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving Alex had a basketball party at Peter Piper Pizza. His coach had very nice things to say about his skills. Here is his trophy and certificate.

My husband is very understanding about the pressures of having to take care of children all day. So the boys, Dad and Grandpa went out to give me some quiet time. They went back to the Tucson Children's Museum. Ryan likes to see the dino display and asks about going back a lot.

I'm not sure that I would let Ryan do any doctor work on me. This is a brave Grandpa.

Rock climbing. Where is Alex?

I love this picture because of how the guys are 'studying' this marble race.

The first time we visited this museum Alex refused to get on the police bike. Second time he did it. Maybe Dad pressured him?

If you know Ryan then you know he loves chickens. The perfect mask for my little big boy.

Thanksgiving day we went to the Bailey's. We had a large crew. Alex came down with a 24 hr flu that morning and managed to spread it to his cousins and Dad before the weekend was over.

Alex slept away most of the day and Ryan spent most of his day watching Tom and Jerry upstairs.

When he did come down he gave Zack no mercy. Sorry, but that is what you get for being the favorite!

When dark approached we went out back to play games and have smores. A nice ending to a great day.

We spent the rest of the weekend playing Lego Rockband, shopping, jumping on the 'jumpoline' and resting at grandma's.

Smiles, Mesa and New Moon

Macey has an allotted amount of smiles she will bestow on us each day. On this night she was willing to share them with her big brothers.

I'm pretty sure once Macey's sense of humor comes in that she and Ryan will hit it off great. Ryan will have some one to show off for! I'm sure we'll be posting some great video of entertainer Ryan and laughing Macey soon.

Dan's Uncle Chuck and Aunt Jan came down Thursday from Alaska. I get a call at 2:00 asking if I can come get our frozen delights (check previous entry) because there was no room in the freezer there for them. Well, I wasn't excited about driving across the valley during rush hour, but I was glad to go see the Frassas. Grandpa and Macey were having a nice chat. She dished out some smiles for him!

Jan was quick to snatch up our pretty baby. Thank you, Jan, for letting me take a picture of you after your LONG flight and short nap at Grandma's.

New Moon was a great movie! Hooray! I can't wait to see it again!

OK, now, this was Macey's first movie. She was a great girl the whole time.

This is our Twilight crew: Lacie, Julie, Janeal, Kasie, Kristin, Linda and me. We had breakfast at Mimi's Cafe and then went to the 10 am show. Thanks ladies for the fun company.

Food

This has been a fun week for food. Dan's aunt and uncle came down from Alaska and brought our Christmas present: halibut, crab, and Alaskan treats. Ryan the Chef had a great time with Mr. Krabs limbs, although they were a little too pokey.

On Monday Ryan and I made a pumpkin pie. So what, you say, but we did not get our pumpkin from a can. We baked a small pumpkin and mashed it. When it was ready to eat I served Ryan and myself each a piece. When asked if he liked the pie he said, 'I don't like the mashed pumpkin in it.' Ah well, Alex loves pumpkin pie, so he had a yummy after school snack.

We didn't do this this week, but I made homemade french fries. Alex didn't think you could make french fries. He doesn't like potatoes and although he doesn't Love french fries like some kids, I guess it wasn't because he knew they were from potatoes. Now he knows so we'll see if will eat them ever again!

Macey by Stephanie

Tooth Fairy

In the night the Tooth Fairy came and brought my boy $2.00. He came in to tell me at 6:45am. He was so excited. This is why we have children; to share in their joy!

'I lost my tooth today!'

Alex went to the dentist today. Alex's new tooth is coming in behind his baby teeth so it wasn't loosening the tooth at the root. Dr Kelly went ahead and put some numbing gel on the tooth and twisted it right out. So, my baby has lost his first tooth. I'm happy and sad that my boy is growing. Last night at bedtime he had lots of questions about the Resurrection and heaven. He is a thoughtful boy and not only are we his earthly parents proud of him, but I know our Heavenly Father is too.
Hey, Tooth Fairy! Don't forget to stop at our house!

Start of November

We just returned from dropping Dan off at the airport. He is going to Virginia this week for work. It has been flooding there. How strange that he'll be somewhere cold AND wet! Alex has had a wiggly tooth for 10 days. He isn't working it too much, so maybe it will still be in when Dan comes home. However, Alex goes to the dentist tomorrow and maybe she'll make him wiggle it out there. I bought a carpet cleaner at Big Lots. It is a lightweight one, but effective. My carpet is so much cleaner where I've used it. I should have bought one years ago. Live and learn. I used it yesterday on the car floor mats. YUCK! There is something very satisfying about seeing how dirty something was and making it clean again. Have you taken your kids to Big Lots? My kids get way excited by all the stuff crammed into a little building. We haven't been up to much lately. We have one more basketball game, a week until we head off for our Thanksgiving break, and nearly 2 weeks until Black Friday. Should I have a Christmas list yet? The kids change what they like every 2 weeks and anything they think they want I know they won't play with for more than a couple of days. I do have ideas... maybe while Dan is gone I'll make a list. Macey and Julianne.

Ryan and Bruce at a basketball game.

Alex #2 making a shot.

Dad trying to get a smile out of Macey.

There's a smile! Ryan expects constant attention. Here he fell asleep waiting for Alex to play with him. Alex and I were watching a cool Discovery show on lightening.

Macey's Blessing Cont.

We had Macey's blessing yesterday. We had Dan's family come in from all directions. A full house and a full two pews. I made Macey's dress and hair bow; Bobbi C. made the bracelet; Grandma Frassa bought the little slippers. She was a beauty! And of course she spit up on her dress within 5 minutes of having it on. I plan to have Stephanie take some nice photos of her. I don't have any good photos of the boys in their blessing outfits. Why? Who knows, but I figure a girl would care more than the boys. As always we had a fun time together eating and playing. Thanks for coming and we'll see you again for Thanksgiving!
Oh, and the last picutre is of Ryan playing Wii sports. The boys beg to play video games every night before bed time. Ryan is improving!

Macey's Blessing