Collette reunion 2011

making valentines with Grandma

Lorna has the grand babies come over to make valentine cookies for the entire family and they are delicious! This annual tradition is one of my favorites.

Collette cousins 2010

my lover

the date on this picture should read February 12 2004.

When I first met Josh I was sitting by the computer at his apartment and he walked in wearing his snowboarding clothes and a hankie around his neck. I sure thought he was the hottest thing I had ever seen! He casually said hi and I remember that I just sat there staring. ha! We chatted for a few minutes and then I was off with some friends. But not for long, two days later I was sitting at sunday dinner with his family and I fell in love with all of them. They were so friendly and warm.

Josh left on his mission and that was hard for me. I tried to write him often and send him pictures and packages. And guess what, the day after he got home, we were driving around town together in my car listening to Jack Johnson just like old times. He remembered all the words we made up to our favorite songs and it was magical. We had the best summer wakeboarding and spending time talking about different letters, companions, and things we had only been able to write about. I wanted to marry him so bad.

Anyway, Im so glad I agreed to marry Josh and that he agreed to live with all of my stubbornness. He is so good to me and takes such good care of our little family.

We are a happy fam-il-y.

Love,
Blossom (nickname he made up for me within the first few dates)

project 5224

We bought a little house/project in california and Cari and I are the designers. We have had pretty much everything ripped out and we are excited to start putting it all back together. Actually, what I should say is that my Dad, Josh and Alec have to make all the big, not so fun decisions, and Cari and I get to do all the exciting stuff.

Ill keep posting pics of the progress..

kitchen

hallway

family/dinning room

neal + monkey

= best friends

a special surprise

Cari will be having a baby 10 days after me!

When I opened this sweet gift we cried and celebrated such an anticipated day.

Emphystrong (Em-phee-strong)

Last summer when we were driving somewhere in the car Grace's imagination was running wild (when is it not?) and Grace told me about her naughty friend Emphystrong. She was her friend that kicked and punched and pushed people and was not choosing the right. Well since then she must have had a change of heart because she is back, and better than ever! Grace and Emphy play most days together with the dollhouse and occasionally play dough and they really get along great. Grace can boss her around like she loves to do and Emphy doesn't even mind one bit she even lets Grace be Cinderella while Emphy is the sultan from Aladdin.

I asked Grace what we should name our new baby and without hesitation she yelled EMPHYSTRONG!

Mom, do you need a little help? you know, with the dishes.