NC Runaways

Liz and the boys stopped by our place on their way to Utah this week. It was the first good challenge our house has had and it think it held up pretty well. We had kids scattered all over wrestling, playing dodge ball, making pizza, watching movies, catching frisbees, eating hot dogs, falling in the lake, high fevers, watching basketball, and visits to the zoo. It was a great couple days. I had to work most of it but was able to play with them at night. Celeste and Brindi on the other hand loved the company. Brindi wasn't sure about sharing her toys with the boys but always had to be in the same room as them. She is kind of a social butterfly that one. It is always fun seeing family. Thanks for stopping by and we will see you on your return trip:)

Making our Bagel Pizzas

Bath time for the little ones.

Hang'n with the Penguins

Brindi and Celeste loving the family visits

What a good look'n Man

The boys loved telling me about the Giraffes, Monkeys, Bears and Zebras they saw at the Zoo

Relaxing on the trolley ride through the Zoo

Arizona, Graduation & My Parents

Brindi and I were lucky enough to get to fly out to see my baby brother graduate from SJHS. We had a great time. Brindi got see the cows, chickens, and Ethan's 4-H pig. She also got to ride Shorty and drive the tractor with Uncle Trent. She absolutely loved Uncle Trent and Aunt Adelle's dogs Sadie and Duke. She wanted to follow them everywhere they went. She and I went and spent a day at the cabin with Uncle Trent and Adelle and even planned to stay the night, but ended up coming home that evening. She loved playing in the tent and playing in the dirt. She also did pretty good at going to all the LONG graduation festivities. She fell asleep right when Uncle Brennon was singing at graduation...so either he was very boring or has the perfect lullaby voice. Either way we were happy. After a week at being in AZ we headed back to MO with a couple of stowaways. We were so excited that GrandDad and Grammy Hancock could come stay a week with us. We even got to go to a baseball game. Brindi loved all the mascots and the turtle. Joe turned down the girls to do a game in between one of the innings so I got to...he was pretty sad I didn't win because we would have gotten free Buffalo wings...but I guess it was his fault since he didn't want to do it!:)

Our Graduate!Grammy...I am not too sure about thisTractor riding with Uncle TrentPlay'n at the CabinReady for bed momLov'n Arizona!Try'n to win some wings7th Inning StretchMrs. Rascal (Buffy) kind of scared Brindi. She wasn't too fond of being that close to her.

The Big 1......+3

Today Brindi turned one years old. We started off the morning with some strawberries but not just any strawberries, chocolate covered strawberries. I know, were pretty healthy parents:) But hey, its only your birthday once a year. GrandDad and Grammy Hancock were here to party with us. It was great having some family around for the special occasion. She was spoiled by many and we wanted to thank you all. Happy Birthday Brindi!

Give me those Presents!

Blow'n in the 2nd Year

My New Book Bag....Thank you GrandDad and Grammy Hancock.

She wasn't too sure about this bear when it started telling her childhood fairy tales. She kept trying to close his mouth or look inside it. She has warmed up too it. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Lovell.She loved the Frosting of her cake but she was not a fan of the frosting sticking to her hands so eating the cake idea didn't fly too well. She would just shake her hands trying to get the frosting off her hands. What a Funny Girl.The day also marked our 3 year Anniversary. Recently I was asked for advice on marriage and it made me ponder the past three years and the what sometimes seems to be a roller coaster of a ride but the most enjoyable time of my life and hopefully of Celeste's also. Brindi has rained a little on our anniversary or maybe she was our greatest anniversary gift. Nonetheless I find myself thinking that I am one of the luckiest men alive with the two ladies in my life. I am so lucky to have Celeste by my side and look forward to the many years to come with her by my side. Happy Anniversary Babe!

Bridging the Gap

This past weekend we headed north to Quincy, IL so Celeste could Bridge the Gap to Health through a Half-Marathon focused around becoming healthy. I was so proud of Celeste for running and for doing so well. She has been training hard since February. I am also thankful to Marlen who volunteered to train and run the half-marathon with Celeste, which got me off the hook:) There was a 5K run and walk, a 10K and a Half-Marathon. There were four women from the ward that ran the race, which Celeste was the first to cross the finish line, that's my girl! She was hoping to make it under 2 hours and was right there at the end. She was so happy to be finished and though she was hoping to run in St. George, when she found out she did not get drawn she was relieved. She is still contemplating the full marathon and looking at a couple more half-marathons coming up in the Fall. My wife is pretty amazing!Headed down the home stretch.

Thanks Amber for the cute "Team Lovell" shirt you made for Brindi. She was right there cheering on her mom.

The two bridges you see behind us were part of the race. It was a pretty cool course crossing the mississippi several times.

So It Begins

Veinte Tres En Cinco De Mayo

Another year has come and gone and my beautiful wife has lived through another year with me...a challenge in itself. Today she turns a mighty 23. I just wanted to wish her a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY from Brindi and me. Celeste is an amazing girl who I am still baffled that I was able to snag as my wife. I honestly think I am one of the luckiest people alive to be able to wake up every morning to her by my side and to come home to her every evening. She does so much for our little family. She is still able surprise me with her cute personality and actions and can make me laugh almost anytime. I love listening to her dreams and discussing with her our life and life in general. She has a strong wtiness of the Lord and amazes me with the strenth and surety of her testimony. I can't help but smile when I think how good she is too me. I am so lucky to have her. I love you Babe. HAPPY BIRTHDAY:)

Brindi's(Dad's) 5K Trophy

Lindenwood had a 5k for all their students and employees so I convinced Joe that we should run it as a family. Brindi is a pretty good little jogging buddy and Joe decided that it was his turn to take her for a little ride. We both thought that we would see how well the "old married" couple could do... and let's just say we probably did about as well as those "crazy people who run cross country and can do three miles in under 20 minutes" thought we were going to do. Still, I was sure proud of Joe he hit those hills like a pro and was even the overall winner for the faculty and won the trophy for Brindi :). So here is my shout out to my big/little runners! Congrats on being the only male faculty member in the whole school to run the 5K! Way to show those lazy professors!!!

My Sister

We have posted a lot about what we did in Hawaii, but failed to mention the person who took us everywhere, feed us every night, helped with laundry, made us feel like home, showered us with gifts, and gave us one of the best experiences we have ever had. I need to tell my sister what an amazing, selfless person she is! Amber I want you to know how thankful I am for everything you did for us while we were there! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I can't repay you for what you've done. Thanks for pushing me out of my comfort zone and getting me that dress. Thanks for spending the afternoon with me getting makeovers. Thanks for taking us to every beach not just once, but multiple times! Thanks for showing us parts of the island that we didn't even know existed. Thanks for making me run up and down those HUGE hills everyday! Thank you most of all for just putting up with us for two weeks! I love you!!! It was so hard to say goodbye...isn't if funny how life changes...when we were growing up we never wanted to be together and now I pray that someday we will be able to live by each other and play together! Thanks for making our trip so special! Hopefully soon we will be able to attempt to some what repay the favor! Thanks Sis, I love you!

Happy Easter

We have had a great Easter weekend out here in Hawaii. Brindi has been busy playing with Bryant and Taryn. This weekend we went to Amber and Rick's ward Easter party. They had this great Treasure hunt. Each kid had a game piece and they had to go search the eggs and papers for the matches. Each paper had a concept that was required to return to Christ. In the end if they found all the matches to their game piece they got their treasure, which was a picture of Christ and of course some candy and fake money. Taryn loved it and Brindi and Bryant had fun eating the game pieces and the eggs. Easter morning Bryant and Brindi found the trail that the Easter Bunny left and managed to eat quite a few jelly beans before we stopped them. Brindi of course drooled all over her white onsie. She got a cute little pony with a cowboy hat on it. I think I liked it more than her :). After Taryn found all the eggs the Easter Bunny left we went to get ready for church. Brindi got to wear her first Easter Dress! We had a fun first Easter and were glad to get to spend it some family. We are so thankful for our Savior and his willingness to give us the chance to be resurrected and live with our families forever.

Dear Daddy

Well Daddy, since you had to leave us we have been trying to stay busy so that mommy and I don't miss you so much. It's true we're having fun, but we wish you were here to play along.

Sometimes I think it is you when Uncle Rick comes home, but after staring for a minute or two I realize that it isn't you. We miss you Daddy and hope you miss us too, so mommy and I thought we would post a few pictures just for you! We've been busy taking baths, making a lei out of the flowers, driving around with Bryant in Taryn's car, shopping at the the swap meet (where I lost my passy) and eating sand at as many beaches as we possibly can. I love you Daddy and hope you like the pictures...I'll make sure to keep being cute, so Mommy can take more pictures to post for you! Love, Brindi