Dusting off the blog . . .

Yikes--been kind of a long time since I posted anything, huh? As Eric and I say, that's crap salad. I loved our blog, and frankly, I miss it. I just need to get back in the habit of posting.

Okay . . . now that that's out of the way, I can update you on the last three months.

November brought another yummy Thanksgiving dinner at Eric's Mom's cabin in Garden Valley, ID. As was the case for the 3 prior, dinner was DELICIOUS! It was also the trip that I learned how to play chess during. I always wanted to learn, but I never knew anybody with a chess set. Eric found his from when he was a kid in a stash of toys that his Mom keeps for her grandkids, and the obsession began. I can't tell you how many games we played, and how much fun we had!

December was Eric's 41st birthday, and Christmas. Ahh. Christmas. We bought a lovely tree this year . . . one a bit more sparse than our prior holiday picks . . . and it turned out gorgeous. We were really able to see each of our decorations, and we wrapped it with beads and ribbon. It was so pretty! I'd even load a picture for you, if I wasn't so comfortable, propped up on a pillow in bed right now. See, the thing is, they're still in our digital camera (yes . . . embarassing). E and I spent a quiet Christmas Eve together watching movies, and wrapping last minute presents. The boys came over on Christmas Day around 11--dinner was Honey Baked Ham, mashed potatoes, and Eric's mom's recipe for these really good brussel sprouts. Everything came out delicious. Just talking about it is making me hungry. On the 27th, we packed up the boys and my favorite dog in the world, (our Dino), and headed back up to Eric's mom's cabin for 2 days. We met Eric's sister Teri, her girls, Sabrina and Annika, and her husband Mike there. Barbara made Cioppino, which has been a tradition for Eric's birthday ever since he can remember. The highlight for us was the hours we spent sledding--all the adults felt like they were 8 years old again! We all huddled together in the family room and opened our gifts to each other--it was so fun.

The next day, we were off to Donnelly, to Eric's Dad's cabin for the next 2 days. The skiiers of the family, (all but Eric's stepmom, Karen, and I) planned to spend a day at Brundage, the ski resort closest to the cabin. For the whole day, Karen and I just relaxed and envisioned all the great times everyone was having . . . then Eric's Dad came home, and very gently mentioned that, "something not so great happened." About 30 seconds pass, and Eric comes walking in with his right arm in a sling. That's my sweetie. He was helping Niko down the very first hill, and at the bottom, Niko's snowboard wedged under Eric's ski, and he fell directly on his right arm. The same arm he had dislocated 2 times before. This being his 3rd dislocation, he knew he'd have to go in for surgery.

Which brings us current--a little over a week ago, Eric went in for his shoulder repair, and is once again, on the mend. He's a good sport . . . he's in good spirits, and is happy to be healing.
So! To all of our friends and family, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. We love you, and promise to not be so stingy with our posts in '09!

Happy September, Welcome Fall

I feel it already--that delightful chill in the morning air. Fall is almost here. And what a great summer it has been . . . Eric and I spent so much time outside, and on our bikes. I have to say, this was probably the most exercise I've gotten in YEARS. And I've been feeling so great . . . I might be inspired to not only purchase a gym membership to get me through winter, but actually use it. In previous years, I can't say they've ever been good for anything other than making me feel bad that I'm home on the couch instead of on the elliptical. We'll see . . . I'm still kicking that one around.

We spent Labor Day weekend at Eric's Mom's cabin in Idaho and it was beautiful. We even brought Dino, who was in his glory for 3 full days. The weather was just perfect. We went fishing, we saw a great little play at the local theater called, "Let's Murder Marsha,"and I finished my book. I've been reading, Rush Home Road by Lori Lansens, and I basically can't say enough about it.

My sister and Chris went to Niagra Falls with their friends and had a great time too--I'd write in more detail, but hey, this is The Dyer Enquirer . . . not the Coddington Chronicals. (Oh gees . . . I had to, okay?)

On that note--I'm going to wish you all a Happy Autumn, and lots of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

NJ Family Time

I love my family . . . and I have loved every moment of the past four days. Well, except this morning, when I dropped them off at the airport to fly home to New Jersey. See, on Sunday night my Mom, Dad, sister Lauren, and her husband Chris all came out for a visit. And Eric and I had THE BEST time with them. I mean, yeah, they're family and they're awesome, but I feel a bit beside myself by just how much happiness this visit brought to us all. I talked to my wonderful friend Leigh about it this morning . . . (about how I was basically sobbing like a baby from the airport back to my house). I was a little confused by how much sadness I felt from their leaving. Mostly because I go out to NJ all the time, (at least four times a year) and I'm hardly ever teary when I leave. I just know that that's part of the deal for right now. I've accepted it, and I've embraced my home in Salt Lake. Okay, so back to my talk with Leigh. She figured that it's probably because when I go out to NJ, I know life there--I know what's waiting for me, and I know what I'll do, etc. But having my sweet little family out here all together for the first time ever was a taste of what it could be like. It's like not knowing that somethings missing, not knowing to be lonely for something until you've experienced what life would be like with it.

Some of my favorite memories from the past four days would include us all making dinner in the new kitchen. All six of us . . . Eric grilled up the steaks, Chris made corn on the cob, my Mom and Dad made this fresh, delicious salad, I made artichoke and feta pasta, and my sister made this yummy dessert that was made of coconut, chocolate chips, pecans, and graham crackers. It all went on the table with a loaf of Italian bread. It was such a great meal, and such a great time.

Another great one was all of us going horse back riding at Snowbird. That was so fun! My horse's name was Willy, and my sister's horse was Mini. Strange thing about Mini was she has HUGE gas that day . . . cracked me up to the point I was afraid I was going to wet my pants.

I could go on and on . . we just had fun everywhere. We went to Spencer's for dinner one night and had a ball, (and a lot of red meat). I highly recommend the prime rib, and the dirty vodka martini.

And Lamb's--did you guys know that that's the oldest restaurant in SLC? Yup. Opened in 1919. Do you want to know how I know this? I learned it from the HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE tour we took around the downtown area after dinner that night. Here's us right before we went in the next morning for one of the best breakfasts I think I've ever had . . . could it have been the homemade sausage?

Here's us goofing off at Trolley Square in the Banana Republic. Hats are FUN. Alright, so like I said--I really could go on for quite a while. I'll close by saying that I feel extremely blessed. I just can't even express how much joy I have felt in my lifetime because of the family that I grew up in. Having Eric, and now Chris being official additions has made it even better. I love you all so much.

Summertime

Today is Thursday, and thanks to living in Utah, I'm writing this post from the comfort of my family room at 9 a.m. in the morning, (for my family and friends in NJ--this is possible because today is Utah's Independence Day, and everybody has off from work). Sweet.

I can't believe it's already July 24th! Two weekends ago Teri, Mike, Sabrina, and Annika spent some time here in SLC with us--it was so fun. Here's a great picture of Ethan and Niko with the girls up in Snowbird. That was such a fun day.

And now the countdown starts for my Mom, Dad, Lauren, and Chris to get out here--August 11 is when they arrive.

I also have to post this great picture of Niko--he's painting a rock here in our front yard while Eric mows the lawn. Niko just turned 7, and just lost his two front teeth. Very handsome!

Eric comes home tonight from his sales meeting in Orlando--it sounds like it was a great meeting. He got an award for "most innovative marketing initiatives," way to go baby! I realize that by posting this on our blog, I'm running the risk of embarassing him . . . but I think he'll get over it. (xoxoxo).

The boys are here now--they're awake and ready to start the day. We have some fun things on the agenda . . . we're going to get Ethan a new haircut. He wants something called a "faux hawk." I'll post a picture so that you can see what that ends up looking like. We'll also be taking a trip to R.E I. Dino (our dog) felt pretty strongly that Eric needed new sunglasses. I know this because he chewed them up into pieces the other night . . . sweet, thoughtful boy! Sheesh.

So after that, we'll grab some things at the market for a nice dinner . . . steak for the boys, fish for E and I, and some fresh corn on the cob. Yum. Okay--love you all, and hope you're enjoying the summertime.

Biker Chick?

Okay--so here's the thing. Before I met Eric, I was your basic East Coast inhabitant . . . didn't exercise all that much, and didn't really care to. Exercise was spending the day walking from store to store at the mall . . . and that was JUST FINE. Anyway, back to Eric. We started dating, and I realize that he's all into eating right, and biking, and running, and skiing . . . and golf? Yikes . . . I didn't really do any of that. But the longer we were together, I realized how very much fun it was to try all the stuff he was into, and what a good sport he was whenever it came to anything I wanted to do, (i.e. going shopping for purses, shoes, and make-up, enjoying a good chick-flick, etc.). And I found out that there are so many things that I enjoy that had he not brought them into my life, I'm not sure I would have found them so easily.

Take running for example--4 1/2 years ago, Eric helped me train for a half marathon, and I LOVED IT. I felt such a sense of accomplishment afterwards, it was so great.

And golf too! I like getting out there for 9 holes whenever I can. I have a set of clubs that are made out of graphite, and there so great to hit the ball with.

And biking . . . Eric started to build a bike for me before he got hurt, and finished it as he was healing. This bike has just meant so much to me. First because he chose all of the components to fit someone my size, but secondly because it gave him a sense of accomplishment when so much was difficult in his life. He would get so happy when another part would get here, and he'd be able to make more progress on it. It kept his mind busy, and it enabled him to feel like he was still himself in the midst of such uncertainty. Here's a picture:

Adorable, huh? I love it. I enjoy riding like I never thought I would. And it's absolutely amazing how fast hills become easier to climb, and you become faster. Very cool.

All that being said--I loathe skiing. I suppose I thought that after I lived here in Utah, that I would magically pick it up or something . . . that it was in the air here, because a bunch of you Utah folks can't seem to get enough. I've tried lessons, I've tried being open minded--and it's just not for me. I don't feel too bad about it though . . . I can still enjoy the hot chocolate and cheese burger at the lodge!

Happy Birthday Niko!

Niko turned 7 on May 21--I'll post a picture as soon as I can connect to our hard drive.

It's Official--Chris Coddington is in the HOUSE

Hi guys! I have so much to update you on--I'll start with the biggest news, and work my way through. SO! My little sister Lauren and her fiance Chris got married on May 24, in Flanders NJ. It was AWESOME. They've been dating for 8 years, and are just adorable.

Eric and I were both in the wedding, and we had such a great time. Like most weddings, I felt like it went by too fast . . . I didn't want it to end. I guess I got over it though, because I fell asleep on Eric's lap in the back of my Dad's car right after we left.

Anyway---Chris, Lauren, we love you guys. There has never been any doubt in our minds that you two will have a beautiful, happy, marriage. You've always been exactly what the other person has needed, and I know you'll continue to be just that.