Alyssa's First Race

On your mark...

Get set....

GO!!!

GO!!!

GO!!!

Yeah! I won! Fists full of watermelon and all!

Tim's family had their reunion a couple weeks ago. It is the most organized family function I have ever attended and I think it has been going on for like 30 years. Every year they start with a dinner on a Friday night, then on Saturday morning there's a race (I believe it's about 3 miles, I wouldn't know because Timmy and I always seem to sleep through that part....)

Later on Saturday morning the entire family gets together for the talent show. There's the family band that plays while everyone comes in and then anyone who would like to gets to take the stage and perform. Now, you have to know just how musically talented this family is. It really is incredible. The bad part is, when my mother-in-law isn't there to play for everyone, they hand the music to me. Oh the anxiety....

After the talent show everyone heads to the park for lunch and games. Every year they do races for the kids according to their age. Alyssa won the 1-yr old race! Of course she wouldn't put her watermelon down to go run. It was all over her clothes, her face, her arms and legs were a big sticky mess, but she did just fine with her little fists full.

I'm not quite sure what this puzzled look is for. I get it from her quite often, and it's usually followed by a smile when she's figured something out. She's such a funny little girl.

After all the racing and playing outside, she was just tuckered right out. She fell asleep and took a nice long nap with her cousin. The perfect ending to a busy little day.

Share Your Stories

For any of my family who may pay a visit to my blog, as you're reading my post about Grandpa, if it brings back any memories I'd like you to send them to me. I want to put them all in a book, which I will be happy to duplicate for everyone who wants one. You can either post them in the comment section here, or email them to me at tim_and_cas@yahoo.com. I'm going to make it so we can always add to it as we learn and remember new things about Grandpa. I love you all!

I love you Grandpa

This is my sweet grandpa. He passed away this last Father's Day. I've been so spoiled to have grown up all my life knowing all 4 of my grandparents and 3 great-grandmas. All my life I have lived within a 25 minute drive from Grandpa Richard and Grandma LaWana. Because of this I have been able to have a very close relationship with them. However it makes it harder to say good-bye.

There are so many good memories that have been coming to mind the last few days. Grandpa was diabetic, so there is always sugar free candy at the house. That didn't stop him from finding the good stuff and sneaking treats, though. My grandpa was funny. He would sass my grandma (she kind of likes to boss people a bit) and I was lucky enough to witness it! One of my favorite times was when I walked into the kitchen, and into a little spat...

Cassie: "I hope you two aren't fighting again."
Grandma: "We're not fighting."
Grandpa: "She's still standin', ain't she?"

I witnessed my cute grandpa sticking his tongue out at grandma when she was trying to give him his medicine; putting up his fists like he was ready for a boxing match when she was trying to boss him a little bit; and putting an empty banana peel on the counter like it still had the banana in it to try to trick her. I tattled on him for the banana, told gram that he hadn't finished his dinner. He called me a traitor! I had to work really hard for the rest of the evening to get back my "favorite grand-daughter" status. I did it though.

Grandpa spent his life working with his hands. I believe he may have even been a mechanic and worked on airplanes during one of the wars, I'll have to double check with Gram on that. He has a wood shop out back where he could build anything. I have a desk that he built me one year for Christmas when I was younger. He loved making these little wishing wells. All my aunts and uncles have one, and he even made a mini one to go on their fire place in the living room. Alyssa loves to play with the bucket and rolls it up and down in the well.

He could fix anything. Even cars, but not if they're foreign. If it's not a Chevy, then you shouldn't even be driving it, according to Grandpa.
As he got older and worked less outside, he came to LOVE word search puzzles. He was always at the kitchen table doing a word search. I, of course, liked to help him find words that he'd had trouble finding, and could usually do it pretty quickly. He would just look up at me like "how did you know that was there?" and say "I've been lookin' for that one."

Grandpa loves Alyssa. Whenever I would take her over, he would brighten right up and say "Come here to Grandpa." Of course Alyssa, not really liking to go to anyone would run off. But before the visit was through Grandpa would have his hug and kiss from her. Just last week, on Thursday, we took him out on the back deck in his wheel chair. Alyssa climbed on up on his lap and got to go for rides around the deck. She loved it so much she cried when it was time to get down and come inside.

Grandpa also loves stuffed animals. The super soft kind. Every time he had to go to the hospital my mom would get him a "hospital" prize. He has so many stuffed animals they don't all fit on his bed anymore. Whenever he would get a new one, he would bring it out to the living room and ask if we had met his new friend that was "keeping him company." The past couple years he's been sleeping with a stuffed puppy that I gave to him. Alyssa loves all of them, of course, and Grandpa was always so willing to share them with her.

My most precious gift from my Grandpa is my piano. I believe it was his mother's. My mom put me in piano lessons when I was 5 years old, and we would go to my grandparents so I could practice. When my parents moved to their house in Kearns Grandpa said we could take it with us so I could have it. It's the same piano that's sitting in my living room today. Grandpa always talked about this music box that used to be attached beneath the keys at the top of the keyboard. Knowing how old the piano was, I couldn't really picture what he was talking about, but sure enough, there are holes under the keyboard to attach something, exactly where he said they were. I am so grateful to have that piece of my Grandpa in my home.

I love my Grandpa. I'm going to miss him so much. I am truly thankful for my knowledge of the gospel. I know I will be able to see him again. I know that he's with our Father in Heaven and has been reunited with his family that has past on before. I know he's been able to spend time with Kadence. I believe that he's taking his time loving on little Karlee before she comes to join us here on earth. And for probably the first time ever, he and my uncle Willis may actually win aunt Donna in an argument. Grandma isn't there after all to even things out or help take the lead.

I love you Grandpa. I miss you so much already and can't wait to see you again.

So that's where it all began...

(Please note, Tim asked me to change the last picture of us to this one. I didn't want to. I like that picture. So to make my dear hubby happy, I'm putting it here. However, I feel that the picture should be accompanied by some background, so why not tell you all just how we came to be. Yes, this should be some sort of anniversary post..... oh well.)
Utah State University.

Tim was born and raised to be an Aggie. He followed several siblings to Logan, as well as his parents, though there have been rumors that his dad is a closet BYU fan. (We won't hold that against him.)

I (Cassie) ended up at Utah State because it was far enough away from home that I could have my independence, but close enough that I could come home to do laundry and grocery shop.

We met each other in May of 2001. Both of us had decided to stay up at school for summer semester for whatever reason, and ended up living in the same apartment complex, which we affectionately call Cambridge Courting. (quick side note: Tim and I have different versions of our meeting. Since I am posting this, mine is to be considered the "true and correct" version, regardless of what he adds or comments later... hee, hee) Tim was called to serve as the Activities co-chair person with my roommate. When I saw him, I asked Jen to please have her meetings at our apartment. She ever so kindly obliged. Tim knew darn well that Jen didn't get home from work until noon, but he would come over for their meeting at like 11:00am, an HOUR early. Hmmm... I wonder why?

I'll be honest, I did my fair share of stalking. He lived right by the mailbox. I checked my mail a couple times a day to see if maybe I would see him, or see his car to see if he was home. I was interested, after all.

A while after we met a group of us decided to go to a movie, Shrek, I believe. Tim came over to my apartment after to hang out for a bit. That "bit" turned in to a few hours, I didn't mind. When he left he asked if he could take me out. But not before he made his move. That's right, he kissed me before he even took me out!!! Now I wasn't objecting, by any means. He later said something like "why waste you time dating someone if they are a crappy kisser?" Apparently he was confident in his kissing abilities, and I guess I passed the test.

Within the next two weeks he had met my entire family. By entire I mean parents, sisters, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, pets, everyone. I remember around the 4th of July we had a family BBQ and softball game. My aunts and cousins kept telling me how cute he was and funny and what a nice guy. He had their approval from the start.

Somewhere in the midst of all this, I was able to meet his sister Cherie who still lives in Logan, and her family (the Child's). He took me to her work because he had to "do something." I later found out that something was to introduce me to her. I guess I got a big thumbs up and was "a much better match than that other girl." Thanks Cherie! Over the summer we spent quite a bit of time with the Child clan and I absolutely fell in love with them!

At the end of June, beginning of July, I was able to start meeting the rest of Tim's family. Not all at once, just pieces at a time. It was a good thing it happened that way too. So many brothers and sisters and husbands, wives and kids to pair up with them all. WHEW! I'm so horrible with stuff like that and I didn't want to look like a total idiot. I loved them all. Everyone was nice and welcoming, and they all teased Tim! About his driving, his sleep walking/talking habits, this girl he was "dating" (me, we had gone out once or twice) amongst the many other things. It was great.

Then it was time for my next test. Mary Louise, Tim's mom, is a phenomenal pianist and teacher. I knew this, Tim had told me. We were at her house one day, I don't even think we were engaged yet and she asked me to play for her!!! I about pooped my pants! I had been up at school with no piano. I hadn't practiced for months, hadn't even TOUCHED a piano for weeks and she wanted me to play?!?!?! I expressed a little of this to her and she told me "it's just like riding a bike, come on." So I did. I played Jon Schmidt's Waterfall, the only song I had memorized in the last 4 years. I managed to get through it all right. When I was finished she told me my fingers were still in pretty good shape! Yahoo!!! Tim's dad, Linford, said "Looks like she can hold her own on the piano." Yahoo again!!! I had passed.

Here's the time line:
May - Tim and Cassie met
June - Tim and Cassie start dating
July - Everyone has met everyone
August 4th - Tim proposes to Cassie

And what a wonderful job he did on that proposal. He took me to dinner at some cute little Italian restaurant then told me we were going to a park. He drove up to this little park bench that over looks the Logan temple. We sat on the bench and he hands me this little bag of funny things. There was a Shrek book (first "date" remember?), some chap stick and lotion, because I can't live without those things, some tums because I had funky heart burn that summer. All these little things that would remind us of things that had happened that summer. While I was going through it and laughing my head off, he was getting down on one knee, said something like "will you marry me?" I said something like "yes." Then kissy kissy, smooch smooch and we were engaged.

We were married on November 7, 2001. Tim finished his bachelor's degree in May of 2002 and we moved to Salt Lake. After a few jobs and a couple apartments we ended up buying a house and continued waiting for our baby. On November 7, 2005 Alyssa was born. The best anniversary present you could ask for.

And that's how it all began.

Tag! I'm it!

I did not know that tag was played in the blogger world. You learn something new every day don't you? Well, here it goes. Eight things that you may or may not know about Cassie.

1. I am deathly terrified of worms. So much so that I will not go outside after it rains. If I see one on the sidewalk in front of me I walk in the street or literally jump over it. This one time, my senior year of high school, it rained. On this particularly rainy day all of the worms on the block decided to come and play on my street. When I looked outside and saw all of them, waiting to attack me when I came out, I went back in my house and woke my dad up to drive me to school. Here's the kicker. We lived 10 houses away from the high school. Do you all want to know why my yard looks the way it does? WORMS! I am afraid to pull weeds because of what may be attached to the end of the root! (But, be proud. I have been doing yard work for the last couple weeks. It about kills me, but I'm starting to do it.)

2. I LOVE Pepsi! I would call me an addict, actually. The deciding factor on where I go to lunch is whether they have Coke or Pepsi. I tend to frequent Taco Bell, Sconecutter, Arby's, Arctic Circle and Subway for that reason. I have been known to go to Burger King for their french fries, then either go to Maverick for my Pepsi, or hit another drive up at one of the previously mentioned establishments. Maverick, by the way, has the best fountain beverages.

3. I can not eat yogurt, pudding, cream cheese or anything else with that thick, coats your throat texture. I gag if I try.

4. I have been playing the piano for over two decades. I love to play in front of people, but still get nervous when I perform. It makes me more nervous to play in front of 1 or 2 people than it does to play in front of 200.

5. While I am constantly telling my husband that his Xbox is a waste of time and money, I have been known to get it out and play Guitar Hero or Tetris while Alyssa is taking her nap. I would like to call myself the Tetris Champion.

6. I don't believe in seeing any of the following numbers on a clock twice in one day: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. I'm ok with staying up until one in the morning. But if you call my house before 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning I'll most likely still be in bed. And we have trained Miss Alyss to do the same. I purposely make all our doctor appointments for the afternoon just so I don't have to set an alarm in the morning and get my can out of bed.

7. I can't believe that I'm actually about to admit to this to some of you, but here it goes. In 7th grade at girls camp, I out belched the young men's president in a contest around the camp fire. Not very lady like, I know. I'm a changed woman, I try to have manners now. It certainly isn't something I hope to be reading on Alyssa's blog in 20 years. But don't the scriptures tell us not to hide our talents?

8. I'm a control freak, but I'm not. I don't necessarily have to make all the decisions, but if there is a "plan", it can not be changed without me having some kind of small mental breakdown or anxiety attack. Things can be left out of the "plan", but no additions. It throws me off. When something gets added to my "plan" I tend to shut down and not do anything at all. This makes me somewhat not dependable. However, I don't always have to have a "plan." But I have to know that there is no "plan" and then don't try to make one. When I look at the great plan of my life and all the changes and additions and subtractions.....I think I'll go to bed.

18 months already?

My sweet little Alyssa will be 18 months old TOMORROW!!! I can't believe how fast the time goes. We took her to nursery for the first time today. She was such a champ. It was harder on me than it was her! I took her to her little class and she got right down on the floor. She stood there for a few minutes, checking things out, but didn't really care that I was there. So, I sneaked out the other door. Of course I thought I should check on her about every 15 minutes, not that I needed to, she has fantastic teachers. But it was so cute. She was sitting at this table for snack time and her little chin was only like 3 inches above the table. The next time I checked she was under the table, then she was playing with clay. Of course she had to be climbing on chairs, too. Big shocker. The last few times I looked in she was sitting quite contently on Brother Royce's lap. That did shock me! She never holds still!!! I'm going to send her up to sit with him in Sacrament Meeting! After church was over I went to pick her up and she ran over to me. She did notice I had left! That made me feel a little better. Hopefully she loves nursery as much next week as she did this week. My little Alyssa, such a big girl. I just love her!

Our Little Climber

Can you believe this!?!?!

That's right ladies and gents, she is inside my dryer! If you'll notice, she can stand straight up in the thing with absolutely no problem. Alyssa always like to help me with the laundry, and she's getting quite good at it, too. I'll open the dryer, she'll pull out the clothes and put them in a basket. Then I will hand her clothes from the washing machine, that she also puts in the basket with the dry clothes. While doing the laundry a few weeks ago I wised up. I took the basket of dry, yummy clean smelling laundry into my bedroom. When I returned.... Well you saw what happened. She just climbed right up in there all by her big girl self. The dryer is not the only thing she climbs on....



In addition to her crib and baby doll's stroller, she has recently added kitchen chairs, stairs, book shelves and my favorite, her pink 4 wheeler. I wish I had a picture of that one. (You can see part of the 4 wheeler in the background right above) She stands straight up on the seat, takes her hands off the handle bars and dances. There is no picture of this because I'm afraid if I left to grab my camera my next picture would be of her first trip to the ER.