Charlie, you are now on two hands!

Happy sixth birthday to one of my most favorite little dudes! First of all, I cannot believe it is already 2014, and I really cannot believe that you are six. The days go by too quickly, and every day with you is an adventure. You are funny and smart and caring, and your enthusiasm for everything in life is amazing. Your laugh is infectious and your smile is a big ray of sunshine. You make us so happy, and we are so proud of you. Of course, you have your moments, but, Charlie, everyone does. 

You try hard at everything you do. I know you hear this all the time these days, but you, little man, are a ripper on the slopes. Seriously, how are you so good at skiing? And the best part is that you love it so much. You are in your second year at Snowbird Mountain School, and you truly enjoy it...and you are so, so good at it!

You started basketball this year. It has been fun watching you play on a court (although a small one), as we have watched you play for several years in our basement--shooting the ball at your Fisher-Price hoop. Your team is called the Suns, and you play with lots of your Cosgriff buddies. I think it is so hard for Ry Ry because he cannot go out there and play with you. But he cheers you on at each of your games.

This has been a great year! You and Daddy had a great trip to Alaska to watch the start of the Iditarod, and I know that was an experience you will never forget. YOu got to stagy with Grammy and spend time with Uncle Wiley, Aunt Brandy, Leah and Casey. And you got to skate on ponds! We had a fun family trip to Lego Land and Laguna Nigel. Your favorite part of that trip was not Lego Land but spending time at the beach looking for shells and swimming in Uncle Craig and Aunt Lisa's pool. Then we had an awesome fall trip to Montana. What a blast that was! We got to spend time with Muti and Papa Wiley and with Lily, Cole, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Z. 

You are such a sweet boy. I will never forget how, the day after Halloween, you said to me, "Mama, I got four Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and I think you, me and Ryan should go visit Grandpa Charlie at the cemetery and we can bring him one, and each of us can eat one." My heart melted because you knew those were his favorite candy. We went up there and left one at the grave for him, and we all ate ours. Then you wanted to know all of Grandpa Charlie's favorite things (smell, color, and you asked if he liked to go on walks or journeys). I know I have said this so many times before, but you, my little love, are an old soul. And I know Grandpa Charlie would be so proud of you. You, he and Ry Ry would have had a blast together!
So, Happy birthday to the coolest six year old I know! Here is to a great year with lots of fun and laughter. I love you too, too much!
--Mommy
 

My little workout buddy

Charlie,
I have to say that you really impressed me yesterday! I had to go for a run, so I thought I would try running while you rode your bike. We went for SIX MILES!!! That is pretty amazing for a five-year-old to ride that far. And we had a great time! We rode from the condo in Park City along the trails to Newpark. You had a great time, and we talked most of the journey. I truly enjoyed every minute of it. In fact, I think it was one of my best times running...EVER! Thanks Super Dude! Here are some photos of the trip:

Mile three (thumbs up)

Mile Five (not the best photo of me)

Mile Six--We did it!

I cannot wait until we do it again!

I love you!
Mommy

Happy Three, Ry Ry!

Yes, it is true…you are now officially THREE (on June 22…I forgot to post this)! For months you have asked me if it was also your birthday every time we celebrated someone else’s birthday. But now, Sweet Boy, it IS your birthday! We have had such a great year, and you have grown up so much!

Every day when we ask about each other’s favorite parts of the day, you always tell us that you loved playing with Sully, Jackson, William and Quentin. I know it is going to be hard for you (and us) to leave First Baptist and all of your friends and wonderful teachers, but it will also be so great to have you at Cosgriff with Charlie. You will love it there, especially when you have the magical Mrs. Lee as a teacher!

You love sports so much! On any given week, you and Charlie will play basketball, lacrosse, soccer or baseball. In fact, you were an honorary member of Charlie’s tee ball team this year. Nothing beats that big smile you had when you would run the bases. You are tough and strong and very coordinated. In fact, you just started to balance on your Skuut bike. You will be riding a real bike sooner than we know.

“Shaking your boo boo” is also a favorite of yours. And little man, you can dance!

You are definitely a Mama’s boy, and you are so sensitive at times. Even if you think I have gotten mad at you, you throw your whole body to the ground a cry your eyes out. Speaking of, those big, beautiful eyes are going to get you out of trouble. You really are too, too cute!

You are so silly. You love to make us laugh. You love to play with cars…and destroy LEGO creations in Charlie’s room. You are OBSESSED with Captain America and Iron Man. You constantly ask to watch “The Four and Lokie” (aka The Avengers). In fact, right now I am using a Captain America costume as a bribe to try to get you to poop on the toilet, but you say that doing that is scary.

Thank you for being so sweet and loving and wonderful you! You make my heart melt. I love you so much and am so proud of you. May you always be happy and smiling.

Love,

Mommy

Charlie is FIVE!!!

Happy birthday (Jan. 12), Bubba Snooks! Are you really the big FIVE already?? I cannot evenly (as you would say) believe it!

This has been a fantastic year! Watching you grow and grow up has been such a joy. You are so sweet and kind, and just the thought of your infectious laugh makes me smile. You have become this wonderful little artist, and I cannot believe how well you can paint. You have a taste all your own—one that exceeds your years at times. You love to get dressed up and really wanted dress clothes for Christmas (Thanks, Nana!). You also love good food and will eat anything. In fact, your request to Grammy for your birthday this year was to have her send you some smoked salmon from Alaska. Now how often does a four-year-old make that request?

You have become quite an impressive skier, and right now your favorite thing is finding jumps to go off of at Snowbird. Daddy loves going skiing with you each weekend, and I know that you have gotten so good because he takes you out so much. You had a great time playing soccer this year and have grown leaps and bounds from where you were a year and a half ago. Plus, I think Coach Tracy is about the coolest coach ever!

I think one of your best memories this year will also be the fabulous Mrs. Lee. I know she will be one of those teachers you remember your whole life, and I will never forget the day you told me, “Mommy, Mrs. Lee is MAGIC!” And she really might be! You have learned so much, and I am always amazed at how smart you are and how much you remember.

You and Ryan are becoming much better friends now that he is old enough to really play with you. And boy does he look up to you. He tries to do everything you do, so always be good to him—he loves you so much!

We had a great celebration for you on Saturday. You, Daddy and I went skiing at Snowbird, and it was a blast—despite the freezing temperatures (maybe 5 degrees!). Then we surprised you with a night at the Newpark Hotel in Park City. You were so excited! You were also so appreciative. You kept saying, “Thanks, Mommy and Daddy for doing all of these nice things for me!” You make my heart melt! We got take out from Maxwell’s, hung out in the hot tub on the deck of the room and then spent the next day at breakfast with Uncle JB and then swimming. You told me that the coolest part was how you went under water in the pool and then you would swim outside. Too funny! It was a great night! You and Ryan had your first sleepover, and you almost made it through the night in the same bed. Ryan woke at 4 a.m. crying.

Thank YOU for being wonderful you. You are always there to dole out the compliments—you tell me how pretty I look (even on days when I know that is not the case). And you always, even since you were really little, you always ask us how our day was. Lately, you like to ask, “How was your good night’s sleep?” You are always so willing to learn, and you want to know everything about everything. Thank you for making us laugh and helping us to remember the pure joy of things in life. There is no one like you. We love you too, too much and are so very proud of you.

Love you forever,
Mommy

BEST.LAUGH.EVER.

http://s257.photobucket.com/albums/hh209/idlewild49/?action=view&current=MVI_0444.mp4

This is one of the best videos ever! Charlie was only four and a half months old and had already developed that infectious laugh that we all adore. I tell him he sounds like Woody Woodpecker. Makes me smile every time I see this...even if I look like such a dork! Thanks, Charlie, for making us laugh a big huge full-belly laugh!

Happy Princess Day to a Beautiful Lady!

Happy birthday to one of the most beautiful women I know (inside and out)!

Mom, I hope you have an incredible, wonderful day! We will be celebrating your special day while we are in Monte Carlo. I cannot believe that you are sixty! You should be proud to tell everyone your age because you truly look like you are at least twenty years younger. Yes, I have to hear it everywhere we go…”I thought you two were sisters!” Ha!

Thank you for always being the best mom and a best friend. You are my little secret keeper. And you are one of the nicest people I have ever known—probably nice to a fault at times :)  I always wonder where Dom and I came from because we certainly did not get that “unbelievably nice” gene. I have rarely heard you say a bad word about anyone. Ever!

Thank you for saying yes to dad. Dom and I were truly blessed with the best parents in the world.

Thank you for letting me eat a big salad and watch General Hospital when I was little. I still love Luke and Laura. I think maybe it has helped me in life…or not! Regardless, it is a very fond memory
.

Thank you for being my fashion consultant and constantly asking or answering the burning question of “is it cute or is it dumb?”

Thank you for being such a good Nana and loving Charlie and Ryan so, so much! They love and adore you.

Thank you for standing by our sides when we delivered both Charlie and Ryan.

Thank you for always listening. I feel like I can talk to you about anything and everything. I am sure that over the years I have probably shared way more than you want to know.

Thank you for calling me every morning on the way to work just to leave me a message. I laugh every time I hear, “Hi, it’s Mom.” Like I wouldn’t know!

Thank you for always wanting to drink champagne with me...any time of day!

Thank you for always paying us compliments and for trying to teach us that it means a lot more to say those nice things to a person’s face than just every one else.

Thank you for always trying to have a conversation with people—even when they didn’t have social skills or did not want to talk.

Thank you for showing me the strength of true, true friendship. The way you helped care for Brenda while she was dying was unbelievable, and your strength was amazing. And I know she would have done the same for you.  You two had a bond that is rare.

Thank you for trying to be both a mom and a dad when I know your heart was broken. And thank you for trying to help our broken hearts with some trips that will forever be in our memories (the cruise, San Diego). I am not sure I have ever laughed so hard and cried so hard all at the same time.

Thank you for putting up with my nutty self and my sometimes not so nice self and still loving me unconditionally. You have taught me so much about loyalty and love and friendship. I hope that one day Ryan and Charlie will think of me in the wonderful way that I think of you. I love you more than words can ever express. Happy, happy birthday to the world's best Mommy!!!

Ryan is TWO!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ry Ry! What a fun two years it has been! You have such a spunky little personality, and you make us laugh every day. You are a little chatter box with so much to say. You are talking in sentences most of the time--five-word sentences, at that. I love your funny little sayings like "no way, Jose," "No, (insert name), me try it," and "Dog Donnit." And those big, beautiful eyes definitely let you get away with a lot...you are too, too cute, and I think sometimes that you know it.
The past two years have been awesome, especially as we watch you develop into your own little person. You and "Char Char" (As you love to call him) could not be more different, and he is definitely your most favorite person. You try to do all of the things he does, and you get so mad when you are not able to do certain things. Your favorite color is yellow--just like Mommy. You love your two babies--just like Charlie. And you are extremely coordinated and active--just like Daddy. Other things you love...your green Crocs (see photo), motorcycles, firetrucks, fruit (and lots of it), "lula bars," sunglasses, dancing to Jimmy Buffet (oh boy!), eating crushed ice, and Curious George. Right now, you do not like taking a tubby--so tonight you did not have to take one. You say, "No, Mommy, I no like it."
We just returned from a fantastic trip to Alaska, where we spent three days in Anchorage and three days in Girdwood. You loved every minute of it. We were nonstop the whole trip, and you managed to do it all. You slept like a rock. Oh, except for the plane ride home...you screamed--and I mean SCREAMED--for about an hour straight. I was about to have a meltdown right there with you. Thank goodness for many very nice and very understanding people. Sadly, I think it may have been your ears that bothered you. Other than the flight back, and you pushing your cousin Casey, you were so good on the trip. What a fun time we had with Grammy, Oh Wiley, Aunt Brandy, Leah and Casey!
I hope you always know how much we love you and how much joy you bring to our lives. Every day just gets better and better. This photo is from today, and now you are the official owner of the Skuut. Charlie said that you can have it now because he is "too big for it." I hope you enjoy it as much as he did. I cannot believe how big you are getting. I love you too, too much! Happy birthday to my sweet boy. Here's to another wonderful year full of fun, adventure and lots of laughs!

Love,
Mommy

Happy 60th Birthday, Daddy! (March 30)

Happy 60th birthday, Dad! I wonder what you would have thought about turning 60. I can imagine that it would not have bothered you at all. You never were bothered by age, or getting older.
Charlie and I had a little birthday "celebration" for you today. We went to the cemetery with your favorite treat--Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. We sang "Happy Birthday" to you, and then we each ate one and left one for you. Charlie insisted that I unwrap it because the animal that you "would send to eat it would probably not know how to get the wrapper off." He thought that you would have a deer eat the candy. In fact, that night a fawn showed up on our front porch, and he told me that you sent it to say thank you to us for the treat. I think that he was probably right. It is rare that we see a fawn without her family, and that night we did. Ryan sang to you later that night. I wish you could have been there in person to hear both of them. They would love you so much, and I know how much you would love them. Not a day goes by that I do not think about what a huge loss it is for all of us.
I remember when I gave you this poem. It reminded me of you so much that I wrote it down and put it in a card for you. You kept it in your wallet, and I remember going through your wallet after you died and there it was. I think it says so much about the person you were, and the person you wanted me (and everyone else who knew you) to be. You made us all so much better for having known you.

When I die, give what is left of me to children.
If you need to cry, cry for your brothers walking beside you,
Put your arms around anyone, and give them what you need to give me
I want to leave you with something, something better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people you have known and loved
And if you cannot live without me, let me live on in your eyes, your mind, and your acts of kindness.
You can love me most by letting hands touch hands, and letting go of children that need to be set free.
Love does not die. People do
So when all that is left of me is love, Give me away...

Happy birthday to the most wonderful, nicest person I have ever know. I love you, Daddy!

Four AMAZING Years!

Happy 4th Birthday, to my sweet, sweet boy! How can it be that you are already four? The time has flown by so quickly, and all of it has been so much fun. I think back on the night you were born and that excitement that filled the room. Our hearts were bursting with love. We also felt pain like we had never felt when they told us that you stopped breathing twice, and they would be putting you in the NICU. I am so thankful that nothing was wrong--and really, you probably just forgot to breath a few times.

You make our world a better place. Wherever we go, people smile when they see you. You are a beautiful little boy, but you also have this infectious smile and laugh. People are drawn to you. You make people happy!

This has been a great past year. You started a new school, and you are doing so well. It amazes me all of the things you know and have learned. You are very smart! Sometimes I forget that you are only four because you have this crazy logic, and you will argue a point with me. It is wonderful and frustrating all at the same time. You say some of the most hilarious things to us.

Fridays are still my favorite day because I get to spend it with you. We always have fun, and you are always so thankful for everything we do--even if it is going to buy groceries. You remind me a lot of your Grandpa Charlie because you make everything you do a fun adventure. Last week was the start of ski school at Deer Valley, and I cannot believe how well you are doing. I am sure it helped that Daddy has taken you up to Alta several times already this year. And who says there is no snow?

You and Ryan have become such great little buddies. I know he can make you mad when he destroys whatever you might be working on or playing with, but you handle it pretty well (most of the time). I love how when you talk to him, you always refer to him as "sweet, sweet baby boy!" He looks up to you and always wants to do whatever you are doing. You are a very good big brother. And we always tell you to be nice to him because one day he may be bigger than you :)

Your other love is the Utah Jazz. Your eyes light up when you watch them play, and you always wear your Hayward jersey and shorts for each game that we watch from home. I always say that you are their biggest little fan. I cannot imagine that other three year olds know the players or got upset when they heard that Ronnie Price was traded to the Suns. You said, "Mama, can we just fly to Phoenix to watch him play?" Pretty funny!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for making each day a great day! Thank you for being wonderful you! I hope you always know how much we love you--too, too much! Here's to another fabulous year!

Love,

Mommy

Bye-bye baby mullet...

...Hello Big Boy Haircut! On December 10, 2011, Ryan got his first haircut. Scott and Shane came over so that Shane could cut Ryan's hair for the first time. I trust only the best with my boys first do :)

What a traumatic situation it was! Ryan screamed and cried. I had to hold him tight to make sure he did not move too much, but Shane was calm and worked his magic. I am still amazed at the quality of the cut, especially since he used electric trimmers. He was worried he would cut Ryan with the scissors because Ryan was moving so much.

Needless to say, he did a great job, and Ryan looks adorable! Now people will stop referring to him as "such a beautiful little girl!"

Sweet baby boy, you are so handsome!

To our Good Girl...

Dear Sweet Bridger,

What a sad day it was for all of us on Saturday to have to let you go. You are already greatly missed around the house. You were such a good girl. I know we told you (and Dakota) that all of the time because now Ryan refers to all dogs as “good girl.” I am not even sure that he knows what the word “dog” means.

Thank you for bringing so much joy to our lives, especially your daddy’s life for the past 13 years. You truly were man’s best friend. I remember the first time I watched you and Aspen at my house. Dakota, of course, hated both of you and growled every time either of you would come within 10 feet of her. You destroyed a plant I had as well as two pictures frames, but I let it go because I loved Peter, and he loved you two.

You have been a constant companion on runs, hikes, etc., and you were always so excited to do it. It was so hard to see you deteriorating over the past couple of months because you could not do the things you loved most, and that broke our hearts. I went on a run yesterday and thought of you. I could just imagine that you are out there somewhere running around and chasing birds.

We were laughing the other night when we were talking about the day you and Dakota (who did grow to love you and become your best buddy) chased a squirrel down in the backyard and tore it to shreds. No, that is not funny—the poor squirrel—but the fact that it looked like a massive blood bath, especially on Dakota’s face, was what was amusing. That squirrel definitely put up a fight.

You were the best guard dog. Everyone was afraid of that bark. Little did most know that you were the sweetest, most gentle dog. Never once did we worry about the boys being around you. Thank you for letting Charlie ride you like a horse, pull your tail and ears, and poke you in the eyes. You took it all in stride, and he loved you so much. In fact, losing you has been tough on Charlie. I have not witnessed true emotion like that out of a three-year-old. Somehow, he just gets it.

And then there is your daddy, Peter, who loved you like you were his first child. He was so good to you and you to him. I told him that when I die, I want to come back as a dog with an owner like him. True, unconditional love. When the boys were born, you did not become a dog to him like some people said you would, you were still his baby girl.

Well, Good Girl, it is time for you to run wild with your momma, Aspen. Thank you for everything you gave us. We will miss you greatly and love you so much. We were so lucky to have you in our lives.

My three favorite dudes...

There are those times in life when I just think to myself how lucky I am. I have an amazing husband who makes me smile and laugh, and who I truly just enjoy being with—he is my best friend and the love of my life. I also have two beautiful boys who make my heart grow more and more every time I see their sweet faces. Sometimes life is moving so fast that I forget to think about all of the wonderful things and people in my life. I am truly blessed. Thank you Sweets, Charlie and Ry Ry for making my life so incredibly wonderful. I love you all too, too much!!!