To the New Year: A Wedding, Pop Tarts, and Birthday

 December 26 started with skiing and snowboarding at Brighton.  There was actually snow!  

We picked up Walker an hour past when we originally told him and forgot to communicate.  Argh.  So sorry, Walker!  It came after getting home from Heber late, and welcoming Mindy to our home close to midnight with baby Aaron.

That evening, we hosted Kevin and Kristen and family, Mindy and Aaron, Eric and Rebecca, and Natalie and Steve and Family: 24 people!  Brady rushed to Costco to stock up, I ran to Smiths, and we put together enough soup and salad for an army.  This is the moment Brady wondered if I could consider recreating a little less frequently (ie leave skiing before 2:30pm).

Kate, Allison and Kelsey reunite for dance choreography, songs, and their cousin vibes.

Roxy, waiting patiently by the door for a potty break.  If only she would have done this at Angela's house...

Ian and Anna's wedding day!  Anna came over early and Rebecca did her hair and makeup while Brady and I admired from the Peloton.  She had some bridal nerves at the house and it reminded me of my own feelings the night before marrying Brady. The ceremony was beautiful and they seemed so happy.

This is when I asked if our family could get a quick picture in but Owen and Kate weren't faring well.  Kate's stomach ached and Owen was tired of waiting in the waiting room for so long.

After the wedding and luncheon at the church, we went to another ward building to watch BYU win in the Pop Tarts bowl.  I went on a walk with Kristen during the 3rd quarter, where we made a 14 point comeback!  We all watched in anticipation of a possible victory during Q4, and cheered loud the last play!

Reception Time!  Brynn had me printout one hour photos at Walgreens. (I have made it this far in my life without every using one hour photo, can you believe that?)   Brynn and her girls made all the food for the reception, conscious of Ian's severe allergies.  Her fee was really just a gigantic favor to Anna and our family.  It was so inspiring to see it come together so tastefully.

 My only contributions were 4 Costco cakes and some veggie trays.  We went home with a full cake for Owen's birthday party two days later.

Another dual parents photo!

First dance

Zac was so invested and charming the entire day, engaging with my aunts and uncles he had never met, with cousins, and with Ian's family.

Brynn and Tom letting lose before we clean up!

Sunday, we said our goodbyes to our family and welcomed Nic and Heidi's family for dinner along with recent Kaua'i-to-Utah transplants, Danielle, Lyric, and Trevor.  Somehow I have no photos!  But picture here our 17-year-old friendship with Clarks and notice how desperately we miss them here.

Monday: Owen's 10th Birthday!

Owen wanted to go skiing on his birthday with me and Kate, and when Nic, Tate, Shay, Trevor and Lyric joined the mix, he had too much FOMO to miss out.  I was happy he could swing another day from work to be with us.  We skied on nearly-bare ground for much of our experience at Solitude until finding some powder-ish snow.  Watching Owen take little jumps and stay hot on Kate's heels was the highlight of my day.  It was also when I realized I am much slower than my kids.

After bunny hill practice, Shay was ready to join Kate and Owen on the green lift.

Kate's tummy was turbulent again that day but she pushed through it.

Even with such little snowfall, it is magic.

Owen kept saying, "There is nothing I'd rather do on my birthday than ski."  (Note: he also told his friend today that he's never had a real birthday party.)

Our skis are way above the ground here but you can barely tell.

BIRTHDAY BOY!

That night, Mom and Dad Edwards, Cory and Kristen's family, my parents and Grandma Nufer joined us for Indian food.  I thought Grandma would absolutely hate it but she loved the Shrimp Coconut Kurma and got a little defensive when I suggested it might not be her favorite food.

Watching Cory and Grandma engage was one of my favorite times that night.

We all shared fun memories of Owen: Cory's "Dragon Eyes" story, backflips with Walker, Elise's list of Owen quotes, my telling a brief rendition of his birth story.  So many sweet memories with this boy.  

Owen is social.  He is a good friend.  He can talk to anyone about anything.  He loves to watch: out windows on drives, games, people observing.  You might think he is tuned out and he will burst out, "Wasn't that an offensive charge?"  

Owen reads (he wants to finish Harry Potter but he's still obsessed with Wild Robot), he writes in his journal, he practices for Knowledge Bowl, he pushes through piano.  Today, he asked me how he could help with dinner and I was so happy to hear it.  He is so sad that he is going back to school tomorrow but he is determined to "Make it a Good Day."  Vacation blues are a real thing.

Owen has been dealing with big emotions and he is working through them.  He feels big joy, big disappointment, big anger.  Lately, he says he wishes so much he could go back in time to when Kate and Zac were also "little" and they played together at the beach.  Me too, O.  Owen also wishes there was less of an age gap between him and Kate and he's a little worried about what that means for him later on.  Owen, you are loved and we will treasure those years when you're flying solo with us.  I know there is a big gap, but son, you were one wanted baby!

We sang, ate cake and ice cream, and then opened presents.  Elise caught on camera Owen's reaction to getting his big gift, "The Bounty."  I had it hiding and he was so shocked to get it.  He also got a Bear Bachmeier jersey and Dybantsa sweatshirt to wear to games.  Those were the gifts he raced over to his friend's house to show off.

He woke up early after a very late night and built for 6 straight hours.

Happy Birthday, Owen Boy!