Congratulations Ty & Christi!

The family gathered again this past Saturday to celebrate another new "team member." Ana Christina Jimenez joined our family when she married our "good time guy" Ty in the Reno Temple. It was a cold & crazy windy day. Most people would have stressed about the wind-tossed look to all the pictures, but everyone was good natured about it - especially the bride & groom...they were all smiles.

Paul & I followed the newlyweds & their photographer around long enough to capture these snapshots...


Mr. & Mrs. Ty Edward Carter.



Proud (& windblown) parents...



I tried to get a snapshot of our entire crazy large family, but it was difficult to get us all in the photo in the crowded area we were trying to work with & just as we got together ready to shoot...the sprinklers came on & soaked several people! I think Jill's husband, Kiff, got it the worst but you can't see him because he is out of the frame along with the other half of our family! Oh well...I didn't have the "wide angle" lens needed to get us all in one frame anyway. :)



Ty's parents & siblings...



Christi's parents & siblings...



The wedding party...



A little personality - showin' off those red shoes!



Christi's girlz...her friend Morgan, her cousin Janet, her sister Andrea.





Ty's boyz...Brother Ben, Jacob Haws, Steven Jensen.







The newlyweds sharing a tender moment...





Congratulations Christi & Ty!



Love this...the traditional with a little splash of fun. Looks like our "good time guy" has found him a "good time gal!"

Here Comes the Bride...

That's right! We have another wedding coming up soon! Dara, Adia, & I drove over to Reno for Christi's bridal shower this past weekend. Here we are with Christi, her sister Andrea, & her mother Lulu.



It was nice to "feel the love" from Christi's friends & Young Woman Leaders. These are the ladies who gave her the shower.
Missy, Christi, Andrea & Lana (Jana had to leave early)



They put together this little questionaire, which was a great way to hear "their story." Let's see how well you do...I only got 9 right! (Don't worry - the answers are posted at the end so if you are inclined to cheat, just scroll down!)

1. How did Christi & Ty meet?

2. Where did Ty take Christi on their first date?

3. When asking Christi's parents for her hand in marriage, who was Ty more afraid of; Lulu or Alberto?

4. Where did Ty serve his mission?

5. How did Ty propose?

6. What will Christi's new last name be?
(Just so you know, I got this one right!)

7. What does Christi love the most about Ty?

8. Where was Christi & Ty's first kiss?

9. Where is Ty from?

10. Who has more siblings, Christi or Ty?

11. Where will the happy couple honeymoon?

12. What is Christi's most embarrassing moment with Ty?

13. What is the sweetest gift Ty has given Christi?



We had a delicious brunch...



Christi got some really nice gifts...



It was obvious that Christi is well loved & yes, we do know what a great catch she is! (Good job, Ty!)



Here are the answers...

1. Ty & Christi met at Church @ BYU-Idaho. They were in the same ward & Christi & her roommates started hanging out at Ty's apartment because "her roommate had a crush on Ty."

2. Ty took Christi to Olive Garden in Idaho Falls on their first date.

3.Ty was DEFINITELY more worried about Lulu than Alberto. :)

4. Ty served his mission in Londrina Brazil.

5. Ty told Christi they were going to a movie night with his basketball team & suggested they "walk" in the freezing Idaho temperature. Christi thought this was really odd because #1-Ty hates the cold & #2-he hates walking! As they walked through the park, he pulled her close to him & with her head resting on his chest he said, "Can you feel how fast my heart is beating?" She said it was pounding in her ear as she pulled away & said, "Yeah, what's going on?" He dropped to one knee & asked her to marry him.

6. Christi's name will be Ana Christina Jimenez Carter...aka "Christi Carter."

7. Christi loves that Ty is a good listener & very easy to talk to. He makes people feel comfortable & at ease around him.

8. Ty & Christi started "hanging out" finals week their first year at BYU-Idaho, so they were apart most of that summer & spent a lot of time on the phone. They made arrangements for Ty to come visit her in Reno. When he got there, Christi met him in her drive way & that is when & where they shared their first kiss. Ty said he just wanted to get it out of the way right then & there.

9. Although Ty was born in Memphis, TN he considers San Jose to be his home or "where he's from."

10. Christi is the oldest of three children & Ty is the youngest of 10.

11.They will Honeymoon in San Francisco.

12. Christi couldn't think of any "embarrassing moments" with Ty. (A guest at her shower piped up, "That's because you haven't had it yet!") Christi turned a lovely shade of red.

13. The sweetest gift Ty has given Christi so far is the time she came over to his apartment & on the table he had a box of Special K & some string cheese (her favorites) & a note that said, "30 Reasons why I love you."

We are so happy to have Christi become a part of our family. We know she is special because Ty is really picky when it comes to girls...he has waited a long time to find the perfect one & he knew she was "it" right away when he realized he'd rather be with her than play basketball!

Party till the “Cowells” come home!

Yeah, I know…that’s a stretch. This past weekend was the Annual “Cowell” Family Reunion (my mom’s side of the family). The Cowell’s came from all over California & as far away as Phoenix & New Mexico for our annual barbeque.

A few days before the reunion, I went to visit Mom so I could ride over to the reunion with her & my brother, Dennis. The night before, I went to dinner with Sylvia (aka “Soch” – a term of endearment we used to call each other in high school. It’s short for “Socialite” or a “Snob.”)



Carrie, Ben & the twins caught up with us & crashed our “girls night out” – it was fun to see her cute little critters; Degan & Lexie.



That next morning, we drove to Templeton (California Central Coast). Mom had us stop to see the new monument to the legendary James Dean – all these years I had no idea that Hwy 46 was the infamous Hwy that tragically claimed his life.



Uncle Roger has inherited the responsibility of “grill master.” Tri-tip is the family specialty, but there is always sausage & chicken that is to die for, too!



This year my cousin Donna’s husband, Joe, shared some of his catch from his Alaskan fishing trip. They made fish tacos as an appetizer…YUM!



Donna & Me – “Dondi” has always been one of my favorite cousins – I just LOVE her!



Being an obnoxious picture taker, I made everyone gather as families this year for a little photo shoot. We started with the Cowell siblings; (standing) Auntie Shirley & Uncle Roger, (seated) Glenda (my mom) & Uncle Al (Uncle Tom passed away in 1987 & Auntie Joyce passed away in 1960).



Uncle Al’s family;(back row) Larry's son Sam, Larry, Gwen's son Casey, Larry's son Jason, Uncle Al (front row) Terri's friend Jerry, Jason's mom Terri, Auntie Betty, Jason's new wife Liz & Larry's son Joe



Mom’s family; Ben, Dara, Terry, Denise, Kristi, Paul, Me, Sam, Amber, Dennis, & Kinzie on Mom's lap.



Uncle Tom’s family;(back row) Heather's husband Bill, Laura's daughter Heather, Laura's son Alan holding his son James, Lonny holding Heather's daughter Serenity, (front row) Joy's son Zach, Joy, & Lonny's wife Laura holding Heather's daughter Emily.



Auntie Shirley’s family; Donna's son Jeff, Auntie Shirley, Donna's son Bryan, Donna, Donna's husband Joe, & Gale.



Auntie Joyce never got a chance to have a family. She was only 17 years old when she was killed in a car accident .

Uncle Roger’s family; Uncle Roger, Craig, Auntie Sandy holding the token "we miss you Brentie" sign.



Mom was happy to have her children with her; Me & Mom with my brothers, Terry & Dennis.




Dennis & Sam haven’t seen each other for a couple of years.



Ben & Dara chillin with Cousin Kristi’s cute little Kinzie.



Cousin Craig’s band entertained us, with Cousin Gale as the guest drummer.



I love my extended family & I love my mommy!



You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

Meanwhile...back at the Riverhouse…

While I stayed & played in WA, Paul headed home to “work” & entertain a few visitors. We love having family & friends come visit us on the River. (Of course, I had the camera with me but thanks to Tdolly, we do have these.)

Terri & Livi made an unexpected trip for a wedding & spent some time with G’pa.




Our nephew, Austin & his girls, came to play on the River with the California Browns & these are the only pics we have to document the trip. You can see on Ad’s & Nicole’s faces that they were having a great time…




The next weekend Paul’s cousin, Steve, came with his kids. They haven’t seen each other in years & they really enjoyed catching up.




We love the River & sharing it with others brings us great joy…when are you coming?