Our 6th Year Anniversary!

Well it's been six years since Chris and I were married! And WOW, what a ride it has been! It truly feels like we've been together so much longer than six years with all that we have gone through in these six short years. I'm amazed many days that we have made it this far. But I guess the Lord has a plan for us, and well, there is this thing called LOVE that keeps us together! As I look back on the past six years and all that we have done together and all that we have accomplished, I am extremely grateful for every part of our relationship, the good, the bad, and the ugly...after all, that's what a marriage is all about right????

So here are some highlights of some great times that Chris and I have experienced in our past six years together!

Our Courtship: It was short, sweet, and perfect! Our first date was classic and he won my heart quickly! Since Chris had just moved to Utah he wasn't familiar with places to take the ladies so he was relying on his best friend Randy for advice. The "restaurant" that he suggested ended up being this total hole in the wall. I was so frightened when we walked in. And I thought to myself, "PLEASE don't make me stay here!" Of course he didn't and he walked us right across the street and he got us reservations on the spot at The Melting Pot! It was a piece of heaven. We stayed there for over three hours. The place was closing down and we didn't even notice! He had me rolling with laughter all night. When he dropped me off that night, I gave HIM a hug, something I had never done before! I knew that I wanted to see him again, but having gone through a divorce I was still a little gun shy of a relationship. But then Tiff came to town to plan her wedding and she insisted on meeting him! She totally approved and told me that if I let him go I was a complete moron! So that's all I needed! From that point on we were inseparable! And exactly three months later we were married!

Our wedding: It was very small, but very special! All of the people that I love were there. Chris made me my own wedding cake, and all the yummy desserts. The kids all looked so sweet, and I actually felt like a princess. More because he made me feel like one than because I really was one! I couldn't believe we put it all together as quickly as we did. One week to be exact! Craziness, but complete bliss!

Our Honeymoon: One of the best times of our lives! The entire trip lasted 11 days! The first half was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! I had won a trip through work and the entire thing was paid for! We stayed at the InterContinental and the location of the hotel was practically on it's own side of the island! The hotel knew it was our honeymoon and they put us up in the Honeymoon Suite on the top floor with a huge walk-out deck, jacuzzi in the room, and the works! It was magical! Every day the maids would make up our bed and place rose pedals on the bed in a different shape! And every night we would leave the patio doors open, but close the white sheer curtains and go to sleep to the sound of the ocean waves and the Mariachi Band! Romance at it's highest! The second half of our honeymoon we spent in Richmond, VA...Chris' home town! It was so awesome meeting his family for the first time! I love Chris' parents, especially his mom! She is such a sweet angel and has always been so welcoming and loving to me. We had such a great time going around Richmond and seeing all the historical sites, and all the places that Chris grew up at. I remember flying home on the airplane and we both thought what a major bummer it was that we now had to go home to reality and our version of the "Brady Bunch"!





Our Kids: We each brought two the bunch! Chris brought Abbie and Connor who are now 14 and 11! And I brought Cydnee and Chase who are now 10 and 9! Wow how these four have changed in six years! They were such babies when we brought this family together! But of course the glue that has bonded us together is a little guy we like to call Pookie! Chris and I found out that we were having a baby boy on our one year anniversary! And every since Jaxon has been born he has brought a joy to our life that I really can't describe! He truly is the center of all our lives and he knows it!

Our Homes: We have lived in three different "homes"! One apartment, and two houses! Each for two years so far! Our current home we hope to be at for a very long time, if we don't get kicked out of it! Stinkin' Economy!

Our Travels: Chris and I have been blessed with some great opportunities to travel far and wide! Some trips were due to my work, and others were just for us! Some of the highlight trips were to 1) San Francisco, CA. We had an entire weekend to ourselves. Chris had never been to California before, let alone San Francisco. So we had a blast touring the city! We had seafood every day, eating out on the bay! Took in a lovely Sunset dinner Bay Cruise, and our favorite activity was renting an electric GoCart that led us by GPS around the entire city for a scenic tour! It was awesome!!!!



2) I surprised Chris with a trip to Flushing Meadows, NY to the US Open! This was truly one of the best weeks of our relationship! I put away my BlackBerry, he truly didn't work, and we had NO kids with us, and we witnessed Andre Agassi's last and probably greatest games of all time! It was magical! Oh, and we saw "Wicked" on Broadway! We can't wait to go back and do it all over again!

3) I had to travel to our CRO in Sydney, Australia, and was going to be gone over our anniversary, so my boss thought it only fair that Chris get to travel with me. What a bummer right? It was so incredible. What am amazing place! Chris and I could not believe we were there! Our first day we immediately went to the beach because it was summer there (winter at home) and we were just in awe! And since they do not ship any produce or food into the country, everything is home grown, it was just the most amazing food I have ever experienced! We celebrated both our anniversary and my birthday there! Totally fun! We did a Dinner, Sunset cruise (we seem to enjoy those!) and it was totally romantic! Holy cow is the seafood incredible down there! Our week together went way too fast! We definitely needed two weeks there!

My Illnesses: We have been fortunate that Chris has remained very healthy. Unfortunately I have had more illnesses than most. In our six years together I have had meningitis, influenza type A (that's the bad kind), hospitalized 12 times, 3 major surgeries, at least 8 MRIs, cancer scare, and more visits to the ER than I care to remember!

Things I love: Chris' eyes, they are always smiling! His humor! Chris is a funny guy! Watching our TV shows together! Working out at the Gym...Miss those days baby! That he always gives me TWO cards for every special occasion. And every card is perfect! In bed, his feet are always warm when mine are always cold and he always lets me warm mine up with his! Staying up late and playing Guitar Hero together. Snuggling on the couch. Christmas Shopping together. Exchanging our Christmas gifts to one another. When he bakes me his Chocolate Chip cookies and brings me a hot one with a glass of cold milk! Going to the movies together!

In the words of my husband on his anniversary card to me.... Six down...Many more to go! I love you baby!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Wow, I have really blown it with blogging this month! It's my worst month yet! I am going to take an easy out and blame it on the holidays and the craziness that comes with it!

It really has been an incredible month! December usually is though. But this Christmas has been especially incredible in many ways. Like so many people this year, it was a struggle for us, but in the end I believe it has been a wonderful holiday for everyone. I feel blessed to have been touched by so many wonderful friends and family and to have all that I have been given this month. So here are some highlights of this past holiday season at the Cole house!

Christmas is always a wonderful time for traditions. And this month started out with two of my favorite traditions. The first weekend of the month was a busy one for us. On Friday night Chris and I met up with the other "adult" siblings of my family, along with my parents, and we went to the production of "The Forgotten Carols." We purchased tickets as soon as they were posted online and this year we were down on the front row, center stage! It was incredible! There isn't a year that I have seen this play that I don't sit and cry throughout the entire thing. And having a night out with just us big people is always a plus!

That next day was our big first activity day with the kids! We started the day out by getting all dressed up for our Christmas Card photo's. That's always an ordeal! Why do we do that to ourselves??? Despite several kid meltdown's and a very BRIGHT sunny day (unfortunately) we eventually got through the photo shoot and came out with some great pictures!

After pictures were done, we headed out to let the kids shop for their sibling gifts! That is always a fun time for us because we let the kids choose pretty much whatever they want (within the given budget of course) for whomever they have this year; and it is always fun to see what they pick out for one another!

After grabbing a quick bite to eat for the kids, we headed to the Hale Centre Theatre for our third year of watching "A Christmas Carol." This year was really special because it was the first year that we were "allowed" to bring Jaxon. He was finally old enough to come! Also we had Mel and her kids with us, and they had never seen the play either! So it was great fun for everyone! Jaxon didn't move the entire time! And he is still talking about the play! It was so much fun watching his reaction to everything. And this year there were several changes to the production and the older kids recognized every one of them. That showed me that they really do like coming and that the play makes a lasting impression on them!

Then rounding out the weekend was our tradition of decorating the "family" tree! Every year since I was a little girl we have purchased a new, individual, ornament to place on the tree. I've been doing that for over 30 years now. And the tradition has been carried on to my kids. It's so great for me to hear that they love doing this as much as I do. We all have a great time carefully unwrapping all of our ornaments from the past years and remembering which one's are our favorites! Then of course I love watching them fill the tree up with all of the ornaments. More fun for everyone!

Leading up to Christmas week of course were many different school activities. Jaxon's school actually let out for a full three weeks, so he got to hang out with Mommy and go to all the different school events! We had a great time...every time. Probably my favorite was being able to surprise Chasers at his school by being the "Mystery Reader" for the month. I showed up in my Christmas attire and read a darling Christmas book to his entire class! Chase was so excited that I was there. Jaxon's favorite activity was most likely going to Cyd's school for her Christmas Party. He got to go to lunch with her in the big cafeteria and then play games with her entire class!

Jaxon had his first Christmas Program at school this year! He was such a ham! This kid is not shy! He sang his little heart out and we of course were very proud of him!

Last year, the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the extended Johnson family decided that they just didn't "feel like" having our annual Christmas party! Well we all regretted it afterwords and the Cousins and I swore that we wouldn't let the "parents" do that again to us. So this year we planned it all out for the parents and it was a HUGE success! Everyone showed up and I mean everyone. We ran out of food! Oops! But regardless, it was a great time. And for the first time ever we attempted an entire Johnson Family photo! It turned out awesome!

Christmas Eve is always a wonderful time. For the past three years we have started a tradition of everyone in my immediate family coming over, everyone in Christmas PJ's of course, and we make a massive breakfast for dinner! The kids are always so happy to eat because it is all breakfast food, and truly, who doesn't like a good breakfast for dinner! This year, Chris and I switched up the menu a bit and Chris made his version of Egg McMuffins! They were a HUGE hit! I think my brother Jett ate 5 or 6! Then Dad made his Cinnamon French Toast, always a favorite! And I found a new place to purchase centerpieces from...Edible Creations! I purchased a beautiful ceramic sleigh full of a bouquet of fruit! It was AWESOME! The chocolate covered pineapple flowers were the best part!

After we ate ourselves silly we started the best part of the night...Present Exchange! We let all the kids exchange their family gifts along with receiving their presents from Grandma and Grandpa! Every single kid was thrilled this year and that was a FIRST! We didn't have to do much to convince them all to take their new gifts and run away and play so that the adults could enjoy their Christmas exchange with a little peace!

As with the little kids, all gifts exchanged were a smashing hit! My favorite part was giving Hayley her present! She has been reading all summer the Harry Potter series, but had to get them all from the library, now that she lives on her own and is "poor"! HA HA HA! Anyway, I used several great discounts and sale coupons and was able to purchase for her the entire Hardback set! Her face was priceless! Lots of screams, giggles, and TEARS! I done did good!

I also received a wonderful surprise gift from my parents and Chris. There is a painting of the Salt Lake Temple that I have wanted for some time now. I was shocked when I opened the BIG gift and found the painting inside. It brought me to tears. I was so excited!

One of my favorite times of Christmas is Christmas Eve night after all the kids have gone to bed and Chris and I finish putting out all the "family" gifts out! It's always so peaceful and quiet and full of anticipation for the morning time to come! We always put out our cookies and milk for Santa and then I take my time soaking in the last night before the big day!

Christmas morning...why does it feel like it takes soo much work and time to get here, and then it's just done and over in a flash???? Oh well, we all had a wonderful morning! It was full of so much excitement and a lot of love and happiness. Having Mel and her kids with us made it extra special. They have waited several years for a good and happy Christmas and I was so excited to be a part of it! And of course nothing is better than enjoying Christmas through your children! I love watching their faces as they see what Santa brought and their excitement as they open all their presents!

So much took place and so many great memories were made! I am just so thankful for all the blessings in my life and for a magical Christmas season! It truly is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

"Endless Day" is HERE!!!!

Yes, it's been two weeks since my last post, but I have literally not had one minute to myself. I never believed that taking on the music industry was going to be easy, but I didn't truly have any idea how crazy it was going to be! I've worked harder and more endless days (HA!) in the past two weeks than I have in my entire life! Blood, sweat and a lot of tears is an under statement in putting out this album. BUT, it was worth it! I am so proud of this amazing piece of work! Mitch Hansen and Brent Cook are amazing musicians and Mitch's voice is simply beautiful. The talent of John Hancock our music producer is uncomparable. All of our musicians who have brought to life Mitch's, Brent's and John's vision of this project are so incredible! I have sat in awe for the past two months watching them do their magic.


And then there are my partners and marketing team and art design team! This project would not be where it is today without support and backing of Gaylen and his entire team and for that I am so thankful. I am also so proud of Mel and all the incredible work she did on the album artwork. She was able to take mine and Clive's original vision for the album and bring it to life. And for Clive, I am most thankful. Though I have only known him a few short months, I know I have made a life long partner and friend. He is a music industry genius! I love him and his wife Bonnie!


Last and certainly not least, to Chris for supporting this crazy adventure of mine that is just starting. Hopefully this thing is going to take off the way we think is going to and we are going to start having some real fun! I love you baby!

And to all of you...check out our "Endless Days" website...and get your limited edition while they last! I promise you won't be disappointed!!!!! Go to www.endlessdaycd.com. Oh, and PLEASE, let us know what you think! We really do want your feed back. We have a blog at http://www.themitchhansenbandblog.com/. (It's still under construction so excuse the bleakness of it!)


Rock on everyone!!!