Wedding Weekend 2010!!!

Hurray! We just (and by "just" I mean On Sunday...) got back from the wedding of Scott (my brother) and Erin, (my new SIL) in Newport!! 
SO GORGEOUS!
SO FUN! 
SO WISH THE PARTY WEEKEND WOULD HAVE LASTED A LITTLE LONGER!!!

Friday Dave and I flew out (Dave's parents graciously came in from Vegas to watch J while we went to the "Adults only" wedding of the century!) to Cali with Ryan and Emily (another bro and SIL) and it was great.  The flight wasn't too crowded, and I had something funny/sad/embarrassing happen...

  I carry a very cute, but very fake LV purse that I got in China.  Well, the stewardess who was being very snooty to everyone else, suddenly became my best friend because of my "Louis" I AM NOT THAT PERSON!  Anyway...she taught me a sure fire way of NEVER having anyone sit by you on an airplane (perfect for a little more arm room, not smelling anyone else's air for a few hours, and being able to quietly read your own book) she told me to hold a barf bag under my chin and breath deeply through my nose. Everyone getting on took one look at me and kept walking in a hurry!! At the end of the flight I was getting off the plane and said, "thanks for the tip!" she said, "Don't thank me, thank Louis!"  EMBARRASSING! That is enough to make me want to STOP carrying this very cute but VERY FAKE purse!

  Anyway, once in Cali we got checked into our hotel and promptly went to Mine and Dave's favorite ever restaurant- Pat and Oscars.  Number one best Salad AND number one best bread sticks ...EVER!!!  I have been following a really strict eating plan to get off all these "fertility treatment pounds" I put on, plus a few more, so this was the first real indulgence I have had a in a couple months. I savored my two bread sticks, and Dave at the other 11...yes, 11!!!!
 

  Friday night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, so Dave and I relaxed and napped until we headed down PCH to Salt Creek Grill for a delicious dinner.  Something I learned about myself this weekend, is that I LOVE LOVE LOVE to get dressed up for a fun event! I wouldn't want to do it every day, but it sure was fun to have time to do my hair and make up, and put on cute clothes that I'm not worried about what Jax is going to do to them!  Dinner was delicious, the company was so fun, and ALL ADULTS, so of course, we took lots of pictures!!

All the sisters except AnnaMarie... we missed you AM!!!

Me and my new sister Erin, who I absolutely ADORE!!!

We don't clean up half bad....

Mom, Amber and I...I think there is a slight family resemblance...don't you think?

All the sisters, plus MOM!!!

Saturday morning we slept in until 8:45 (WOOT WOOT!!!) and got up at our leisure.  I showered and got my hair process started.  At 12 Dave took me to the beautiful Montage resort, where I joined Erin and the bridesmaids for a getting ready and a pre-wedding party! It was a blast!  I didn't know anyone else there but Erin, but her bridesmaids were great and so friendly, and I got my hair and make-up done by a professional!  Yay! I loved the way they both turned out!!! 

I searched and searched for the perfect "Cocktail Chic" (that was the dress code) dress.  Something fun, and cute, and modest...and it was NO SIMPLE TASK!!!
I love the dress I found. I spent waaaaaaay more than I planned, but now I have a fancy dress for fancy occassions. I felt like a million bucks, and I will be happy to wear it again and again!

Trying to figure out which Earrings to wear...I grabbed this pic from her photogs site...

The absolutely stunning, gorgeous bride!!! Seriously! I. MEAN. SERIOUSLY!!!

The ceremony was short and sweet, and I even got to take part. I felt pretty honored, because I had the only "speaking part" (yes, I am a giant NERD) besides the officiator and Scott and Erin. I read one of their favorite poems!  During the ceremony everyone was quiet and listening, and at the most random and darling parts, Scott's daughter, Aurora, who was also a flower girl, would burst out in applause! Everyone else would laugh and applaud too, and it just added to the fun!

 
Afterward the PARTY STARTED!! Cocktail hour outside looking over the beach. The  hors d'oeuvres (yes I just googled that to make sure it was spelled correctly!!!) were delicious, and the Virgin Strawberry Coladas were flowing!!  It did get quite chilly out there on the beach in a cocktail dress...but the view was worth it! Everyone else brought a cute wrap...but coming from AZ...it's just impossible to imagine a place that would need a jacket at 6 at night!


At cocktail hour with Michelle, the woman who officated the wedding, and a very sweet gal!

Then we headed into the most beautifully decorated ballroom for dinner and some AWESOME DANCING!!!

   
Dave and I had an agreement...He would be happy for me to DANCE ALL NIGHT, and I would be happy for him to sit and NOT DANCE!!!!  We both loved the arrangement! He did dance two slow songs with me, and at the very very end of the night (midnight) he finally joined me for a few fast dances because at that point...nobody cared what anyone else was doing anyways! It was a blast!!! And did I mention, I LOVE TO DANCE!!?!?!?

At 12:15 when the party was ending...Erin still looks gorgeous...I think I look a little worse for the wear after 2 hours of dancing...oh well!!!

At dinner- Love my sis!

Also at Dinner, love my non-dancing Hubby!!

Dinner was fabulous, and they had a photobooth! It takes 4 pictures, and then gives you two copies, one to keep and one to scrapbook for the bride and groom. I took several sets of pictures in there with various people, and I will send a couple sets to work with Dave to scan! HILARIOUS!!!

  Sunday morning I slept in past nine (HEAVEN!) and then we got up and went to one last hurrah..breakfast! I had pumpkin Chocolate chip pancakes, and they were DIVINE!!! Oh. so. GOOD!!  At the airport our flight was delayed a few hours, but the boys were happy to watch the games, and I had a good book to snuggle up with!

  Ahhhhh...what a fun weekend! I wish I could go somewhere fancy, and dress up with no kids, and dance like a fool with several other people also dancing like fools, and enjoying themselves immensely! I love love love my new sister, and it was just perfect! I had been looking forward with great anticipation to everything about this weekend, and it met every expectation...I love it when that happens!!!

Family Vacation...again!?

For Pete Sake! I just need to finish blogging about this before I forget everything...like I already have!

The highlights of the rest of the trip were-
1.  Most of the siblings/SIL/BIL played a round of paint ball...and all who had never played before scoffed at my bowing out because it just hurts too dang much.  I promise, I had the last laugh after everyone had huge ginormous bruises, welts and bleeding sores!

Jaxon did the climbing wall.  He didn't like it, but he did it, sort of! Maybe in two years it will be more up his alley!

(The look on his face in this first picture pretty much sums it all up...)

Jaxon FINALLY got to go fishing, and it wasn't all it was cracked up to be!  He (grandpa) finally caught a fish, and wouldn't even touch it...let alone kiss it!!

My VERY ALL TIME FAVORITE PART OF THE VACATION, and a moment that ranks in the top 5 (Quite possibly #1!!!) of all time favorite mother/memories is the family dance.  I have no pictures, but the most wonderful memories!  Jaxon didn't want to go...but all his cousins/aunts/uncles/grandma/grandpa...and of course me... were going. Finally he conceded to go, not because he wanted to, but becuase the alternative was bedtime.  So he said, "I WILL GO...BUT I WON'T DANCE!"  So like his father...
  We got there and he and his other cousin held grandpa's hands while he danced and they mostly got swung around.  Oakley started getting into it, and Jaxon...well...Jaxon started shrugging his shoulders, but it was a start!
   He didn't want me to look at him...let alone dance with him.  After a few songs the "line dances" started  "Electric slide, Makarena, Charlie Brown" and Jax could see that I knew them and Grandpa didn't, so over he came.  For the next 40 minutes, we had more fun together than I can ever remember having with him.  We laughed hysterically, DANCED HYSTERICALLY, and loved every second.  When he couldn't get the steps I would pick him up and dance around crazily with him on my shoulders or in my arms.  Finally, an hour and a half past his bedtime he said, "Pick me up mom" and immediately put his head on my shoulder.  I asked him if he was ready to go home and he said "NO! PLEASE KEEP DANCING!"  so I did. For about 10 more minutes until he was OUT! There were times during the dance that I had tears of sheer joy in my eyes. I don't even know how to explain why it was so wonderful, except that we just adored the heck out of each other for that whole time!  Nobody else cared that I was dancing like a moron, and my little 4 year old thought I was the best ever! I can promise you, there is no better feeling than the complete adoration of your little boy!

Final Verdict- I LOVE FAMILY VACATIONS! I had such a blast, and was especially excited that Dave got to be there for a full 28 hours! (which is 28 hours more than he got to spend with us at the Rogers' family reunion last year!) I loved that for that week, Jaxon and I got to be very best friends. Not that I didn't  miss Dave, but J is getting to that point, were Dad is his idol, and Mom is...well...A GIRL! I loved seeing my brothers, sister and In laws...especially girl time with the sis and SILs!
Ahhhh...I hope the next one comes quickly!

NO SERIOUSLY!!

Who is this kid?

And what did he do with my baby, toddler little boy?
We had to get some pictures today for his "Student of the week" poster for preschool.
I know I'm biased..but I think Jaxon is the most gorgeous and hilarious child I have ever met in my life.

 
I love this boy.

A. lot.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!!

I'm not sure if this is the smartest thing for me to put out for the world to see (because I know a vast majority of the world lives and dies by my blog posts) but it is the easiest way to let you know, I have a new email address. Please start using it!  nzashleyrogers@gmail.com
Thanks!

I guess it will wait...

I have been wanting to do a blog post for a few days now called
 "all the things I love about Jaxon right now, and don't want to forget."
Lots of cute 4-yr old things that he will grow out of soon enough.  At the moment though, he is locked in his room, screaming his head off, while I am sitting at the computer getting myself together. He just had the mother of all tantrums, and yup...he hit me. That is absolutely not allowed (duh...) and when he does it he gets vinegar sprayed in his mouth with a spray bottle (maximizes the area that get's vinegared). He was so mad at this (I have to hold him down, hold his hands down, and plug his nose until he opens his mouth to breath in order to do it) that he kicked me...which means...MORE VINEGAR.  After that he screamed in my ear as loud as he could while I was trying to tell him how much I love him but that hitting or kicking mom, or women in general, is never allowed.  So I marched him up to his room so we could both have some cool down time. I didn't yell at him, and I didn't raise my voice...but boy am I mad.
Let's chalk this one up to "I love you Jaxon, but  I really WANT TO FORGET about this..."

Yep- Another vacation post!

The Next few days went by in a blur of fun adult, and family activities.  It's great to have your kids go do something they love, while you get some time do to some things you want to.  But it's also great to have structured family activities where we can really bond. I don't know if I already mentioned this, but Jaxon has been very anti-girl, thus, anti-mom for a few months.  Without Dave there and with all these activities, we found a new friendship that hasnt worn off.  He still reminds me dad is his favorite and that he "really really really really really really loves dad, and just loves mom" but we are better!

Monday- Jaxon happily skipped off to group (But was very happy to have his best friend/bitter enemy (depends on the day...) Hailey with him! 

He got his face painted several days in his group, everytime the same- SPIDERMAN!!

I and a few other family members, did the 40 foot high ropes course.  Let me just say, I am scared of heights.  But I am more scared to look like a wuss or back down from a physical challenge.  It was one of the hardest physical things I have ever done in my life, and I am dang proud!
Before you look at the pictures, please read this disclaimer-
 I have ghetto booty.
It's true.
I know it.
Sometimes I even embrace it!
Wearing exercise pants and then wearing repelling gear is never advisable when one has ghetto booty, but that my friends, is an observation made in HINDSITE. (get it, HINDsite...) nothing to do about it now...but enjoy the G.B.!!

Boy is this outfit attractive~

Climbing the notched log...this was SO MUCH HARDER than it looked...and it looked really hard!

Climbing the rock wall. Definately the most difficult part of the whole thing, they had very FEW hand and feet holds!

My bro-in-law was taking pictures for me, and I guess he didn't think I would want pictures of the 3 minutes after I got up on the platform.  I just stayed on my hands and knees. I was shaking like a leaf between being scared of heights, and the adrenaline setting in....

Testing the waters on the ropes (wires) it was actually the least hard part...still quite scary!

Monday Afternoon/Evening was "Aspen Follies" Fun and silly games for the whole family!  We were the "Funky Fresh Ferrells" and had a blast with all the kids.

"Everyone holds hands and gets through the hulahoop. (also a gratutious shot of the G.B.!)

Spell BYU on the hill with our bodies... we were the U in case you couldn't tell

Catch sponges in a bucket...

Catch crazy spraying water in little tiny cups then fill a big bucket!

This garbage can was full of holes. We had to plug them all while other team members filled it with water.  It was hilarious and disasterous!

Earth ball relays...

Gunny Sack races...Jaxon prefered running to hopping...

Now Hailey, she's a hopper!

 and lastly, Human tire!

Needless to say we had the time of our lives, and we were exhausted. We all slept well that night!

Vacation part 3

Being the competitive sort of family we are, we signed up for all the sports/tournaments we wanted...basketball, volleyball, racquetball, tennis, ping pong, walleyball, paintball, and tennis... We only skipped shuffleboard and badminton.
(please note the serious look on my face, and my brother reading over my shoulder so that we didn't double book any of our tournament games...no really...we ARE THAT COMPETITIVE!!!!)

  Also being the competitive family that we are...we won ALL of those competitions except basketball!  It was pretty funny...at the closing show where they announce all the winners, we had quite a list.  Imagine my surprise when the announcement read that my mom and I had won Doubles Women's Tennis.  I'm not much of a tennis player, and neither is my mom..to say the least.  Neither of us picked up a racket the whole time there.  They also announced my mom to be the winner of the women's singles tournament. I guess right before the sign ups were taken down, no one had signed up for any women's tennis. My brothers signed my mom and I up in the bracket and then moved us all the way to tourney champions by default....hey.. I LOVE TO WIN, so I'll TAKE IT!!!

Sunday was a full schedule of church. We had church in the outside amphitheater, which was nice to be amongst the tall pine trees with the magnificent view of the mountains! But the sun was really hot, so by the end of Sacrament Meeting, we were all mostly sitting off to the side in the shade.  Dave decided that "Jaxon needed a nap" (Kid hasn't napped in over a year...) which meant he had to sit in the common area with all my brothers ( who also had "napping" kids) and play the wii.  He only got to come for 2 days, I didn't mind.  Did I mention I missed him?  I did.

Sunday afternoon a fabulous Utah photographer came up to Aspen Groves and took some amazing pictures or the ENTIRE FAMILY (28)  in the amazing scenery.  Per Grandma's request, all the granddaughters had matching dresses, and all the grandsons had matching shorts and shirts.
Uhhh...well...the only problem is that I got an email this morning that said her memory card got corrupted...
every.
single.
picture.
lost.
I don't know who to feel worse for, my family, or the photog. Seriously...this is every photographers nightmare...but also every grandma's nightmare who only gets her whole family together once every two years for a nice picture over the mantel! DOUBLE DRAT!!!

So, while I went to meet the photog at the entrance of Aspen Groves, this picture was taken by my SIL. Only picture to document the occasion now... here you go mom...here's your mantel picture for the next two years!!!