Family Reunion

For the last 10+ years the Ott Family Coon Feed has been hosted by my mom. For this reason, I make it a priority to attend (sadly, not sure if I would otherwise). Ott is my mom's maiden name. I believe the reason it's called a Coon Feed is because my mom's dad and his brother's hunted coon. I have heard rumors that my grandpa put his kids through college by selling coon skins. Either way, my grandpa was a big hunter. They keep tradition and always have bbq coon burgers (which I hear tastes just like chicken;) and a fish fry.

This was the first year since my grandpa passed away. The baton has successfully been passed.

The Otts are incredibly close-knit. Mom mom's siblings travel all over to attend every mission farewell and every wedding. We gather for baby blessings, baptisms, graduations, birthdays. Growing up we spent our spring breaks and summer vacations traveling to visit family. I spent a month every summer with my cousin Anne Marie. I attended EFY more than once with 3 cousins: Wendy, Jessie and Anne Marie. All 4 of us went to college together in Provo. I could do a whole post on my girl cousins (and the wives of my boy cousins).

They are some of my dearest friends.

This did not happen by chance.

Our parents sacrificed a lot to make sure we had those bonds.

We have learned through their example that family is the most important thing in life.

"small group" this year. Missing most of my cousins

***

Now we are the parents.

And it's our turn to replicate that magical childhood for our children and their cousins.

To strengthen them.

To support them.

To encourage them.

To enliven them.

I think it's working.

This is Andee.

She's my new BFF.

And such an inspiration to me.

(yes, that's frosting)

p.s. I was so glad this guy could be here this year, after missing last year.

p.p.s. This is exactly what it looks like.

BRB

Girls Camp this week.

Exhaustion kicking in.

Will get back to posting...

Just not today.

Happy Birthday, Love.

At Brewer's Game last night.

blurry cell phone pic snapped quickly to try to capture the moment .

We sat in the "cheap seats".

I don't think I have ever sat up that high.

It made me dizzy to walk down.

It would have felt magical if the roof was open.

It wasn't.

It was raining.

No.

It was mid-west storming.

At times, it was even raining inside, though the retractable roof was closed.

Not on us, so it was fun to watch.

We ate.

Pizza.

Hot dogs.

Cotton candy.

Cookies.

Lemonade.

Sour Patch.

Animal Crackers.

Bubble Gum.

They shot off fireworks for the homerun.

The boys sat and watched the entire time.

And cheered.

And clapped to the beat of all the songs.

And danced.

We ran a long way to the parking lot.

In a down pour.

We were soaked.

Through and through.

So were Chris's new birthday sneakers.

It was so fun.

Father's Love

Let me tell you a secret, about a fathers love.

A secret that my daddy said was just between us.

He said daddies dont just love their children every now and then

It's a love without end, amen, its a love without end, amen

I love you both.

Happy Fathers' Day (yesterday).

New Love

Just found this today.

http://www.howsweeteats.com

I can't wait to make these with the boys

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/12/cake-batter-chocolate-bark/

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/05/whole-wheat-chocolate-chip-cookie-bowls/http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/06/homemade-funfetti-cupcakes/http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/05/crunchy-asiago-chicken-nuggets/

hmmm.. can you tell I am in the mood for a chocolate fix?

We are going to Iowa for the weekend for a family reunion. I get to spend a few days with some of my favorite people! I am not sure if I will post again before we leave.

Car to clean.

bags to pack.

Road mix to burn.

Have a good weekend!

Park Review: Imagination Station, Oconomowoc

There was no way to capture the awesomeness of this park in pictures. The website did not do it justice either. Trust me when I say, it is a beautiful, unique creative park.

Best things about this park:

-HUGE!

-One entrance and fenced in (so kids can safely run free)

-picnic tables and tree shade outside of play area

-handicap friendly ( I loved this. There were kids in power wheel chairs that were playing side by side with my kids)

- bathrooms

Not-Best things about this park:

- No shade on actual play area.

- With all of the walls from the buildings and towers, etc. there was hardly a hint of a breeze in there- translation- go early morning or a night because IT WAS HOT in the afternoon sun!

-It is hard to eye-spy your kids. There are so many places for them to hide, and the playground is so big, with walls (solid structures that you can't see past). It takes more than 30 seconds to get a visual on kids. So it's just easier to sit by the gate and make sure they don't go out.

our guys on the right

It's hard to describe what made this park so magical. There were slides and monkey bars and swings and climbing things, like all typical parks, but the way they were incorporated in to the play ground was really fun.

This playground was brilliantly designed.I have never been to a playground that creatively inspired me, or that I could rightfully call beautiful. I mean, look at those green shingles on the tower in the first picture. Adorable! They were not a pattern painted on, they were individual singles. Every thing was so quality and done so professionally. I guess that's what I am impressed about the most. So many times people think, "they're kids, they don't care" and do a crappy, rushed job. Everything here was incredibly detailed and artistically done. I really am doing a terribly job of describing it. Wonderful park. Hope to go back and visit with Chris, even with the 50 minute drive out there.

Andy in a "secret cave" we found

Nate "swimming"

Think of a "rain maker" stick.

That cool sound it makes.

That's what this steering wheel did when you turned it.

Like I said,

they added so many little details to this place to make it truly magical.

I wish I had taken more pictures to capture all of the amazing details, but I got busy playing, and then spent the afternoon on the picnic bench catching up with good friends.

And we finished the day with gelato.

(think of that being said like, "and they lived happily ever after"... to me, they are pretty much the same thing ;)

Andy said more than once, " this is fun!" My friend turned to me and said, "and that's why we do this, right?". Her simple statement melted my heart. That is why we do this. We research fun places to take you, pack up the car, and drive an hour to play at a playground for that sweet smile and exclamation, "this is fun!"

I am so thankful to have good friends who are wonderful mothers and an inspiration to me. I am so thankful for two healthy, happy little boys who I get to spend my days playing with. In fact, I think I will go do just that.

I can do better than this

Yesterday was the worst.

I don't know what happened.

We got up early.

We were ready for church early.

We arrived to church early.

Three things that never happen on Sunday.

The boys were relatively good during sacrament meeting

(apart from when the primary went up front to sing for Fathers' Day- we have a stake meething next Sunday- and Nate announced to the entire congregation, "I am going to find a secret route, and ran around the "long way" to get up front the entire time singing "da da duh-duh, da da duuuuh" - the Indiana Jones Theme song. I literally, literally could hear people whispering "Nate Russell blah blah blah" behind me." No big deal. Then after he got up front he waved. I waved. Once he realized he had an audience, he started making funny faces. Still, no big deal. But I was glad the music leader is my good friend and knows Nate).

I don't remember when things fell apart.

Pretty soon we are battling over lunch, which lead to battling over nap time (obviously needed if we are having a melt down about lunch).

After an hour of wrestling with Nate, falls asleep.

I hope that everyone is in better spirits after naps.

We aren't.

Chris takes the boys out to look at bugs and blow bubbles.

Everyone is happy.

The temperature is perfect.

All 3 boys are never happier than when they are outside.

Back inside.

Bedtime.

It starts again.

'sigh'.

I know everyone has those days.

I just hate having one of those days when Chris is home as he has such little time with them.

Here's to a better day today.

p.s. one funny Andy story: we were looking up the address of a park on the computer and I accidentally closed the browser window. Andy gasped, "rut-roh, Raggy". Cutest. thing ever

Gratitude

High school CRuss and Jenny 2001

I don't know what happened.

Before I unloaded "the truth" posts on you guys, I felt heavy with the burden.

After my dramatically written posts, and hearing so many encouraging words from you all, I was ready to move forward. I say forward and not on because I feel like moving on has a negative connotation or quiting something. I don't need to quit. I need to move. Forward. I was trying to stand still in a rapidly moving river. It's exhausting trying to stand still.

Obvi I am still unhappy with how little we see Chris. That situation has not changed, how I deal with it has.

I grieved.

I whined.

I pouted.

But now I am ready to live. I can see all of the goodness in my life. I am still in that river. Life is swirling chaotically around. But if I want to get across I can't stand still.

Chris is making an incredibly sacrifice for our family. He is working hard to get us out of law school debt. He is working hard to "improve our chance" at a successful future. He is working hard for us. Because of him, I am able to be the mom that I am. Because of him, the hard work he puts in (and has put in to get to this point) I am able to spend my days laughing and exploring with my two buddies. He has given me the greatest gifts in life: these two precious babies and a lifetime to spend with them. I am motivated simply by that thought. How will I use this gift? I still miss him, but I don't feel this aching sadness. I feel humbled. Grateful. Loved.

A large part of my happiness in life comes from faith.

Chris and I are together.

Will be together forever.

In this life and afterward in heaven.

Stretching out the time line a bit helps me keep perspective.

I mean, when you have forever, a few tough years feels a little more manageable.

Also, I know I have a Father in Heaven, God, who loves me and my family.

I know he listens to prayer.

I know he answers them.

I also know he wants us to be here.

Now.

We are learning from this.

Amazing life lessons.

Learning what is truly important in life.

Seeing there are advantages and disadvantages to every experience in life.

Seeing there is a "trade off" for everything.

Learning that there is really no such thing as "having it all".

Learning that we were completely wrong about what we thought we wanted in life.

Changing who we are.

Growing.

Improving.

Developing gratitude and humility.

Youth Conference 2001

Chris,

Of all the greatest things in life, you are the best.

I love you.

Bird hunting

When I saw Nate crouched (and then starting crawling) like this, it did not take more than a second to figure out what he was up to.

"I almost had it, Mom"