Egg Fights, Sugar Consumption, and Uncontrollable Laughter

Easter 2011 was a success! Spiritually it's such an incredible holiday - and we had plenty of time to reflect on Christ's resurrection and the atonement. For blog purposes... we're documenting the less spiritual side that consisted of - family, food, sugar, more food, egg dying, egg fighting, and games. Happy times.

Christine dazzled with these bunny shaped napkins... seriously... no one wanted to use their napkins, they were fabulous.

But really... what does the double rainbow mean?

Plotting out egg designs

Sophia showing off her artwork

Matt thought it might be a great idea to represent the scene from Miracle of Forgiveness, where the apostle discovers that Cain is actually a sasquatch - aka big foot. What a dork.

"Singin' in the rain"

Just Adam is pictured - from the "Adam and Eve" egg

This must've been before the egg fight.

Dreamy

Wolves in wolf's clothing

Every birthday past the age of 26 has become a depressing sign that I'm one step closer to the end. I'm not sure why it bothers me so much but I guess it has something to do with a gnawing sense that I haven't done everything that I want/need to do in this life. I also question whether I'm living up to my true potential.

While still feeling like I need to do more, I was able to cross a few things off the old bucket list during this last birthday's festivities.

1. Play with wolves. We headed up to a wolf sanctuary near Divide Colorado to take a tour of the sanctuary and to spend some time in the wolf's cages to get a little more intimate with the animals. We played with timber wolves which are the largest breed of wolf in the world. They were very large, even compared to Rocco.

Candice aka "little red riding hood" with the big,bad wolf known as Navi. Yes, unfortunately the sanctuary decided to name this magnificent creature after the indigenous people from Avatar.

Most of our interaction with the animals was done while we were sitting. I guess when you stand up it intimidates the wolves or causes them to not want to come close to you. Also, they prefer women over men. While facial hair is commonly known to increase a mans pain tolerance and ability to chop wood, it is also a wolf repellent, who knew?

We were also able to play with the cutest little foxes. These little guys were rescued from a fur farm. Please don't wear fur, there's just no need.

I'll revisit the whole crossing things off the bucket list for next time. For now just digest the awesomeness that are Timber wolves.

My Grandma Jody rules!

I had the fortunate opportunity this last weekend to fly home to UT to spend some time with my Grandma Cornwall. Just take a look at the picture below and try to tell me that she wasn't the cutest little thing. The cool part was that we had time to just talk and hear so many of her life stories. She has some really interesting tales and has not forgotten one detail. It is amazing how she can remember such specific details. Plus she's a crack up!

Here she is with her mother Virginia (who was referred to as Virginia, not mother) and two of her three brothers. She only lived with her mom until she was 6 when she then went to live with her grandparents on a Citrus farm in So. California.

Here she is pictured with her father who passed away at 34. He and his wife Virginia had moved to Hollywood to pursue careers. He was a musician, a writer and arranger of music. My grandma found a large record of sorts recently of his big band music from the '40's and they put it on disc. Pretty sweet!

The lovely bride (coast maid) - who remembers sewing on these buttons right before the wedding. What a cutie. My grandpa's mother wanted to go to ZCMI to pick out a pattern (china), and my grandma had no idea what she was talking about.

The happy couple - Grandma & Grandpa Cornwall

Aren't they so cute!

My grandpa was in a singing group that resembled the moderaires sound, isn't this great? All his love!

Here are the ladies of last week. My mom, grandma, and me. We had a great time just talking with her about her life. What a happy, fun soul! Sure love her!!

"Oh...the burning fires of love"

Valentine's Day was something else. Who's surprised. I mean honestly, put Matt in charge of anything and every detail is going to be way over the top, more than you expect, and unbelievably wonderful. I woke up to breakfast in bed which consisted of pineapple upside down pancakes with creme anglaise, cherry lemon pancakes with whipped cream and a blueberry compote, bacon, tator tots, and fresh squeezed orange juice. When I say fresh squeezed I mean he was in our kitchen with our juicer and some oranges taking care of business. Needless to say it was incredibly tasty and thoughtful.

That night we went to Gumbo's for a lovely dinner, came home to a romantic foreign film that he had read all the reviews on to be sure was exceptional, chocolate truffles with flavors like pommegranite and salted caramel, love songs playing on pandora... I mean is this guy for real? I think he should coach guys on how to win ladies. who's with me?

Other delightful happenings this month include two family visits. My mom came out from UT to play the piano at a fundraiser we had for Denver Health. of course she was fabulous. and Ryan came out last weekend to interview for a pharmacy residency in Fort Collins. Good times were had by all. I can't believe how quickly 2011 is happening - but things seem to be going okay... such is the battle.

Bring it on 2011

The new year came in with a bang and a ton of style during our annual party up at Doris and Mickey's. We had an Olympic theme and many athletes were represented. There were fireworks, the national anthem was sung (who knew Nancy Kerrigan could sing), we shot off the potato gun, played dodge ball, had refueling smoothies, and many, many more games... It was a ball and we're ready to face 2011.

Dana Torres made an appearance along with an injured Nancy Kerrigan

A sweet (unnamed) 70's track star showed off his agility on the limestone tiles

Tanya Harding and track star carried the torches triumphantly

Bryan Boitano had a few too many Izze's and split his teal leopard pants.

The American referee posing with one of the Olympics many victors

Caught on camera Nancy Kerrigan and Tanya Harding "chatting" before the short program.

A boisterous national anthem.

The "javelin" throw

The thumb war competition

As tradition - we always have a white elephant game. Mickey landed this sweet - terrifying "baby tony"

Ahh a pepper planter - something he's always wanted

That luscious green box "art" has been passed around for years.

Matty came home with the "bear butt"

I received the Russian dolls all with Russian leaders painted on them. Truly a treat.

A chocolate champagne bottle and a giant candy cane - what more could they want?

Happy New Year!