New Toys!

Troy and I decided that needed to purchase an outdoor toy for Bella and Max to enjoy in this beautiful fall weather we have in Utah. We decided a Little Tikes plastic castle and slide would be something they would enjoy. We knew they would love it because their cousin Colin has one that they love to play on during family get-togethers. We lucked out and found one significantly cheaper on KSL.com, that had never been used and was still in the box! They love to climb up and slide down and do it over and over again. Even Max can climb up and loves the climbing wall, I don't know why I ever doubted that he would, he is so active!

The best part was that we got two toys for the price of one because the box it came in was fabulous! There is nothing better in this world than a huge box to play in! Kasey and Chelsey made it even better by turning it into a house just Bella and Max's size. They love opening the windows and sitting on their little Dora couch. Kasey and Chelsey always make things more fun and they love spending time with the little ones!

Chelsey & Kasey's Wedding - Play "Then" by Brad Paisley

How can a day be so wonderful, yet so hard and so much work? Preparation for this day started about 10 months ago. So much planning and so many decisions. All in all the day was everything we hoped it would be! Chelsey and Kasey, surrounded by family and friends, pledging their love and commitment to one another. The day was perfect, the setting spectacular, the people they love surrounding them. For those of you who were unable to be with us on that special day I am sharing part of the ceremony that we were so honored to be apart of.

A Quote directly from the ceremony:

"Chelsey and Kasey, real love goes far beyond the feeling of romance and bliss. It is caring more about the well-being and happiness of your marriage partner than your own needs and desires. Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them.

When you enter into marriage, you enter into life’s most important relationship. It is a gift, given to bring comfort when there is sorrow, peace when there is unrest, laughter when there is happiness, and love when it is shared.

A successful marriage is not something that just happens. It takes work, honesty, and unselfishness. Most importantly, it takes commitment from both of you."

Part of the ceremony included a sand ceremony, this is what was shared:

"There are 3 vessels of sand before us, each representing you as individuals. Today just as you are joining your lives together so are the grains of sand joined together in the family vessel. As you pour the sand into the vase, remember that just as the individual sands represent each of you as individuals, it intermingles into a single unit, a family. Each layer supports the next, each layer unique yet bonded inseparably from the next; so is your family built in love and support inseparably mixed together from this day forward."

It was truly a beautiful ceremony and a beautiful day! To those who were in attendance, thank you for sharing this amazing day, to those who couldn't make it, you were truly missed!

To Kasey, welcome to our family! You are such a good man. I watch you with the little ones, you are such a kind and patient man. I love you so much, and that love continues to grow every day. To Chelsey, I love you more than you will ever know. I am so proud of the woman you have become. You are so beautiful, yet so strong. You are my first child, and now you are becoming my friend. Never lose sight of who you are and always reach for the stars! I love you sweetheart!

Wedding Details

The things I always remember most about a wedding are the details, the little things that are almost so subtle it may be a couple of days before you realize that they were even there. I was determined to make Chelsey's wedding so full of details that people would be talking about her day for several weeks after the event. In order to have this kind of impact, it takes a team of individuals to pull it off. I would just like to take a minute and thank several amazing people that made a huge impact on Chelsey's day.

First of all thanks to my Mother and my sisters Jenn and Kris who helped me make the bridesmaids dresses. I think we were all so sick of those dresses that if we never had to see them again we would have been fine. However, when the procession started and the girls started walking down the aisle with their escorts, it actually took my breath away they were so stunning! Jenn, thank you for making 35 table cloths. You are my hero!

Kelly Dyches my friend, thank you for designing the fabulous invitations! They were truly amazing and were exactly what Chelsey envisioned. They really set the mood for the entire wedding. You really outdid yourself!

Pam Whitlock, the flowers were stunning. The bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres were all gorgeous! The decorative flowers were also amazing, what vision you have! Also, thanks for helping me through all the drama.

Suzzi Williams, you are my rock! Thank you for always getting my back through this whole process. You helped Chelsey and I make the decorations work! You really know what you are doing! Also, thank you for doing the photo booth, it was such a hit! Check out her website: www.smilenowphotobooths.com. People are still talking about it! Also the "candy bar" was so much fun, I want to know where you got the cherry lips, YUM! Thank you Lorna, you are my favorite! Thank you for the yummy lemon bars and eclairs. I love you so much and think you are one of the most wonderful women I know!

Sandy Sjoblom and girls--thank you for cooking all the delicious food. I can't believe you made over 500 homemade rolls, what a woman! You are such an angel, I will never forget what you did for Chelsey and I. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Also, thank you Gloria Hintze for the hookup with the chicken, you saved me so much money! You are such an amazing lady and I am so happy you are my friend!

Thank you to my brother Aaron (Artie) for all the fabulous music, you really set the mood with smooth jazz and oldies for the dinner portion of the evening and taking it over the top to Boom-Boom POW for the reception. The music rocked! Also, thank you Connie McCullough for the quartet that set the mood for the ceremony, you are wonderful!

Thank you to Natalie, Chelsea, and Shar for getting off work early and coming straight to the venue to help us decorate. It is so wonderful to have such amazing friends! Thanks to Jared for letting Whitney and Whitney have the day off for Chelsey, you are my favorite!

To Shauna Leake, thank you for not just offering to help, but actually doing it! You are such a Great Lady! Thanks again for just being there and having such an amazing smile!

To the Cavalry, Mike & Patricia, Sugarbabe, Steve & Linda, Heidi & Eddie, & Debbie, I don't know what I would have done without you! You got off the plane and went straight to work helping us pull this thing off. If you have ever seen the last Lord of the Rings movie, I felt like I did when Gandolf rode down the hill with the huge army to save the day, like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I don't think I can ever repay you for giving me such a gift! I can't even tell you all how much you mean to me, but just know you are all in my heart!

Todd Peterson, you are my favorite! Thank you for videotaping the evening! I can't wait to see this day over and over again! You are such a good friend, thanks for being there for Chelsey and Kasey!

Last but not least, my friend Clarisee who captured this day on film so we can laugh, cry and feel the emotions we experienced that day, forever and ever! You know how dear you are to me and how I feel about you. That will never change. If you ever need me or anything from me, just call my name!

I have said it so many times before but I am so blessed to have all of you in my life! Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Clarification

I would just like to take a second and clarify for a few people who view my blog what exactly my blog is to me. It is a way for me to keep my family and friends updated on what is going on in my life. This is a story about Lisa and her family. I only write about the events of my life and the feelings and emotions I have regarding these events. I also write about the people that I spend time with and document where my family has been and what we are doing. I appologize if this history excludes individuals and makes them feel left out. I am truly sorry, but if those individuals would like to start their own blog about their family it is a very simple thing to do. For me, this is my journal. This is a venue for me to express my feelings about my life and the things that I experience. It is a very personal thing to me and I will continue to write in the way I have been. Thank you all for your support and kind words and giving me the encouragement to continue writing.

Lisa

A trip to the Cabin

After the wedding we decided we needed a much deserved break. Chuck and Kris were so gracious and let us take Troy's family up to their cabin up above Heber. It is so beautiful up there and their cabin is so warm and homey. The Fisher's loved the beautiful mountains and how quiet and restful it was. It was so nice just being together and getting to spend time just talking and playing games. It was so nice to just be...no makeup, no schedule, no phone! Steve did all the cooking and everything was so delicious. We spent a couple of hours on Saturday sightseeing and strolling down Main Street in Park City, it is so charming there! We thoroughly enjoyed just hanging out and getting to know each other better. I have always loved Troy's family, but after the trip to the cabin I can't think of anyone other than my own family that I would rather spend time with.

When it was time to leave, I think we all felt like we needed more time there. I loved every minute we spent together and can't wait until we see you again. We all love you so much and appreciate everything you did for the wedding. I felt as though when you all walked off the plane that the cavalry had arrived! Thank you for all your hard work and support. Heidi, I don't know what I would have done without you. You got inside my brain and helped me carry everything out. You told me "when you walk into the venue, you are going to be pulled in ten different directions and someone other than you needs to know the vision of what you want." How did you know? It happened just the way you said! You are amazing! You are all my heros. You work until the task gets done and you do it happily! You have no idea how much I appreciate and love all of you. Look at the wedding pictures if you get the chance and see what we all accomplished. I am still getting comments about how beautiful everything was!

I love you all and I am so hopeful that October works out because I cherish every minute that I can spend with you. My fingers are crossed!

Papa's Celebration of Life Party

I can't believe it has been a year since we lost Papa. He was the light of all of our lives and nothing has been quite the same since he passed away. Our trip to California was bittersweet this time because we had just had the wedding and spent several days with the Fishers. It was a treat being able to see our family twice in two weeks, we felt so spoiled! The sad part was that our trip was all about Papa, and his tangible absence. Steve did such a wonderful job reminiscing about Papa, we laughed, we cried, we pondered, we mourned. It was a wonderful day and I was so happy to be a part of it. I am so grateful to my in-laws for who they are and what they bring into my life. Troy and I are really lucky that we both married into such awesome families. I am so blessed.