The Adventures of the Winward Family: Happy Anniversary!

8 is Great!!!

Nick and I have been married for 8 years! I can hardly believe it has been that long.

My Dad has a cool machine that lets you make digital copies from old negatives. We didn't get a digital camera till we had been married for over three years. It has been a fun past couple days going through old memories.

Here are some facts from the past 8 years:

8 years of marriage
9 moves
4 states and 1 common wealth
6 cars (not at the same time of course!)
2 degrees
3 children

Here is a picture from each year we have been married.

Engagement

Wedding May 2001

2001

2002

2003

2004 (Corbin is in my tummy)

2005

2006 (Nigara Falls)

2007 (Chicago Temple)

2008

2009 (Our Family today)

I also wanted to include 8 things you might not know about Nick:
1. He will try ANY food once.
2. He has a Saturday morning tradition with the boys. He takes them to get doughnuts. (When we lived in Glendale it was slushies.) Healthy. . . I know!
3. Nick loves going to the mall. He is such a people person!
4. Nick uses more product on his hair than I do. (To keep it from sticking straight up.)
5. Nick loves the History and Discovery Channels.
6. His ultimate hobby is to restore old cars. (It will have to wait till we make big bucks!)
7. The airport used to be between our parents house and ours. It would make Nick's day when an airplane would drive directly over the car.
8. Nick has a car analogy for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.

I love you Nick!
Can't wait to see you soon!
Love,
Maddy

The things kids come up with!

March 22, 2013

I told Jaren my phone was dying. A while later he said, "We should put you phone on the side walk and then a car can run it over." I was confused and asked, "What? Why?" He said, "Your phone is dying!"

March 5, 2013

After getting run over by and bike and getting 3 staples in her head this was Kate's prayer. "Thank you for my shrimp (dinner), thank you for my doctors fix my head, run over the bike and the bike cut my head. Amen"

March 4, 2013

Jaren lost the wii and asked to play it again. Maddy calmly told him, "No wii today. Period. The End." Jaren grumpily said, "I hate that story!"

January 11, 2013

I'm so worried. . . about me and my toys when I grow up! I'm going to miss them so much!! sniff sniff.

January 2013

Mom was having a rough day. Corbin pulled Dad aside and said, "If we aren't careful mom is going to blow a gas can!"

December 30, 2012

Talking on walkie talkies: Owen said, "What? I can't hear you, the transmission is garggled!"

November 4, 2012

The kids were thinking of funny things for Nick to "make" Carson do. Like race car driving, playing the drums, shooting a machine gun. Corbin thought it would be funny if Carson put up his fists and pretended he was going to fight someone. So Corbin confidently said, "Put up your boobs!" Oops! He promptly learned the real way of saying it is Put up your Dukes!

October 2012

After a workout Kate asked me what was wrong. I told her I was just sweating. She said, "Then go to bed!" I laughed and said, "Then who would watch you?" She confidently said, "Carson!"

October 17, 2012

When I picked Jaren up from pre-school I noticed that he had taken his brothers compass that I told him not to take. I have been working on being more patient so I decided to take a softer approach. "Jaren, you silly did you take the compass that I specifically told you not to?" Jaren giggled and said, "I'm going to be silly everyday and take the compass to school!"

October 13, 2012

While eating breakfast Jaren announced, "Hey Mom and Dad, when I was asleep I had a dream you guys were fat!"

October 4, 2012

"Jaren, I'm putting Carson on the ground to play, so don't run on him. OK?" Jaren replied, "OK, I won't, but I really want to!"

September 19, 2012

Looking at a timeline of photos. Owen said our wedding one should be before our family picture with him in it. I explained the wedding one was vertical and the family one was horizontal then jokingly told him, "besides you were born before we got married." His eyes got wide and confused. Then I said, "Just kidding."

September 19, 2012

Looking at a wedding picture and a family picture with him at age 1, Owen said, " I can tell you are older in that one (the family picture), cuz your face is wider and in your wedding picture your face is longer." The nice way of saying you gained weight!

August 2012

After checking out Carson's new shirt, Jaren said, "That is a cool shirt!" "If we get one bigger, like me, I want to wear it!"

August 2012

Pointing at a picture of Whinne the Pooh, Jaren said, "Mom see the yellow bear?" "Let's call him happy panda!"

August 2012

Mom - "Kate bring that back!"

Jaren - "Kate run for your life!"

Mom - "Jaren. . . are you teaching Kate bad things?"

Jaren - "No. . . I'm teaching her running. . .like exercise!"

March 2012

Aunt Petey had someone break into her house.

(Mom) "Jaren guess what a bad guy broke into Petey's house and tried to take her stuff."

(Jaren) "What happen to Aunt Petey?"

(Mom) "She ran in her room and hit."

(Jaren) "Humm. . . Hey I have an idea, lets find the bad guy and hit him on the head:"

December 15, 2011

Jaren informed me, "I'm going to get married at Chuck E. Cheese. Wanna come?. . . It's gonna be fun!"

December 8, 2011

When speaking about our move. . . Owen said, "I'll be the one at the door checking pockets, making sure no one takes anything!"

February 14, 2011

It would take all the people in the world to spank a giant's buns. (Corbin)

Where ya gonna get a giant? (Haley)

. . . the United States of America! (Corbin)

February 14, 2011

Corbin noticed Jaren playing with his food and said, "Jaren It looks like you are making George Washington D. C. . . . by the way what is George Washington D. C.'s his last name?"

January 26, 2011
On the way to the store I told Owen that I forgot to put on deodant and that I was stinky! He said sweetly, "No you don't mom, you smell like strawberries!"

December 2010

Nick, "Corbin, that is real butter." Corbin, "What!? Real butter?! I've been eating fake butter my whole life!"

December 4, 2010
Owen told Nick, "Everything on this earth is mortal. Except for Heavenly Father, Jesus, and Santa Clause."

November 29, 2010
Jaren came out of his room one morning while I was saying my prayers. I could tell he was just standing there. After a min he became concerned, put his hand on my back, looked into my face and asked, "Are you ok mom?"

November 1, 2010
Grandma gave Jaren a piece of paper to cut and draw on. A couple minutes later he came back with two pieces of paper and glue and asked Grandma if he could make it "sticky".

October 31, 2010
The boys were watching a Moses movie. Moses gave his sister an affectionate hug and Owen said, "We aren't supposed to hug girls." Corbin said, "That is his sister so it is ok." Corbin asked, "Why we can't marry our sisters or cousins?" I said that you share the same DNA/blood. And if you have babies they might have problems. Corbin was satisfied. Owen looked confused, "Wait, what does the dad have to do with the baby?" I guess it's time for "the talk". . .

October 27, 2010
Owen had student elections at school today. When he got home he said, "Man I should have voted for Jordayn." I asked why. He replied, "She said she wanted to Go Green. That means less paper, and less paper means less homework!"

October 26, 2010
The boys were watching a movie. There was a part where one of the characters pants fell down. Corbin pointed and said, "Look his garments are showing!"

August 13, 2010
Corbin caught me sneaking some cookie dough from the fridge. he asked for a bite. I told him not to tell anyone. He said, "Don't worry, I will just tell them I am eating my spit!"

August 3, 2010
Today I pulled out the iron to use and I pretended to Iron Corbin (while it was cold). When I went to set it on the counter, Corbin said, "No don't do it or I will be Ironman. Wait, do it! I want to be Ironman!"

July 30, 2010
Owen informed me that he doesn't want to work when he grows up, that he would rather stay home with thte kids and have his wife work. Corbin asked, "How is she suppose to have babies?" After thinking for a minute, Owen replied, "She can take a day off of work or have them on a Saturday!"

April 30, 2010
Owen felt my stomach during a contraction. He laughed and said, "There is barely any squishy left."

February 21, 2009
Corbin comes in the kitchen showing me some "awesome" moves. Then tells me he is a Nazi. I look confused and say, "You are?" Corbin replies, "Yea, cuz I have the power to tie myself into knots!"

February 20, 2009
Nick and the boys were watching the movie The Sound of Music. There was a kissing scene and Nick clarified that when you get older you can kiss someone you really love, but we don't just go around kissing anyone. Owen piped up and said, "Yea like pirates." Corbin chimed in with, "Or someone that is already married." Note to self: teach the boys about pirates.

February 15, 2009
Corbin was sliding on the tile and hurt himself. Nick said, "You need to be careful, it is probably not a good idea to be sliding like that." Corbin's reply was, "Yea, you could get killed. . . if you slid into a spike pit!"

February 3, 2010
In a math lesson we did at home Owen started adding hundreds together. Beforehand I told him what we were going to be doing and he got really nervous and complained. About halfway through his worksheet after the lesson he looked up and said, "I was whining about nothing." I guess he is smarter than thought!

February 2, 2010
The boys were playing in our "over-the-table-fort." Owen was on top of the table monitoring who was being let in. Corbin asked for admittance.
Owen: "Who are you?" (in his Russian accent)
Corbin: "I am an inventor."
Owen: "What do you invent?"
Corbin: "Dynamite that doesn't blow up and ships that if you touch, you die. You know, that kind of stuff. Oh, and I also invent sticky webs."
Owen: "Are you Russian?"
Corbin: "Yes!"
Owen: "You may enter."

January 29, 2010
A conversation about Jay Walking between the boys and Nick:
Boys: "Who is Jay Walker?"
Nick: "You mean jaywalking?"
After a brief explanation and how it is against the law:
Boys: "Have you ever done it?"
Nick: "Yes, lots of times."
Boys: Gasps
Nick: Chuckles
End result: The boys are determined to never jaywalk! (I think they would be surprised to know they probably already have.)

January 25, 2010
Owen was telling me that if I ever get super hot I should go to Grandma and Grandpa Winwards because they have lots of Popsicles!

January 7, 2010
Jaren has been wanting to say prayers. They don't make sense to us, but they are heartfelt. Jaren said the lunch prayer and when he was finished, Corbin said, "I know what Heavenly Father is thinking - "What in the world is that baby saying?!""

December 26, 2009
Owen came up with a great idea. He decided that since we live in Puerto Rico that, "We shouldn't have to do school, because it is summer weather all the time!"

November 28, 2009
Owen said to Mom while Dad was playing Mario Brothers: You are sure lucky to marry someone good at video games!

November 22, 2009
Corbin: What is the opposite of side?
Mom and Dad: (puzzled looks) - We don't know, what is it?
Corbin: Other side - Get it, side, then other side?!

November 16, 2009
We were headed to Denny's for dinner and passed one of Nick and I's favorite restaurant, Paya. We asked the boys if they wanted to try something new. Corbin said, "Do they have ranch (dressing)?" Answer, "Probably not." Corbin replied, "Lets just go to Denny's, I love ranch!"

November 10, 2009
Today Owen came to me and said, "I have bad news. . . I am starting to get pimples on my arm!" Corbin asked, "What are pimples?" Owen replied, "They are white dots and if you pick at them they bleed." There you have it!

November 8, 2009
We told the boys that we are going to have another baby in May. Owen got really excited and ran up to Jaren and said, "You are going to have a new baby brother soon!" We told Owen it could be a baby sister. His eyes got really big (like the thought had never occurred to him) and said, "You mean we could get a sister?!"

October 16, 2009
Grandpa Faler took Owen and Corbin for a ride. He unexpectedly pulled off on the side of the road and asked the boys if they wanted to get out and walk on the beach. The boys were shocked but quickly got out of the car. Once they got back in the car, Owen looked at Grandpa and said, "You just couldn't resist it, huh Grandpa?"

October 9, 2009
Corbin was trying to get Grandma Faler to play the wii with him. She said that she would play video games if he would watch Pride and Prejudice with her. His face lit up and he said, "We have two TV's!" Grandma laughed said that he wanted to share the wii with her so she wanted to share her movie with him. He started laughing and said, "Man this is going to be really hard."

September 10, 2009
Owen - We had just finished a family dinner where we emphasized the importance of good table manners. Nick congratulated Owen on his improvement. It went like this: "Owen, great job on your manners tonight. You were perfect, right up until the time you started acting like a Wookie."

September 4, 2009
Corbin - Corbin was getting ready for bed and got distracted. I met him on is bed to say his prayers when I noticed something missing. I asked, "Did you forget anything?" He looked confused and said, "What?" I held up his pajama pants and he smiled and said, "Oops, I forgot." I handed him them and said, "Here you go, Adam." He said, "Hey, that is just like the prophet Adam." I replied, "I know, because Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden naked." He busted up laughing and said, "Good one, Mom!"

August 15, 2009
Corbin - We have been working on his letters. He and I were going over flashcards and got to the letter Y. I set it down and he looked at the picture and said, "yo-yo, that is a funny word. Hey, lets name our baby sister yo-yo!" I'm not sure where that came from. (That is NOT an announcement or anything.)

August 10, 2009
Corbin - We have been teaching Jaren to use signs for a few words like "please," "thank you," "more," "all done," etc. We were driving in the car and Corbin was trying to tell me that Jaren wanted something. (Jaren normally signs 'please' by rubbing his fist just under his neck when he wants something.) Corbin said, "Mom, Jaren is doing the 'cut off your head' sign."

July 4, 2009
Corbin - Nick told the boys, "Mommy isn't feeling good her tummy hurts really bad (I had a bladder infection.)." Corbin said, "Maybe it is a baby!" Owen replied, "Yea, a bad baby!"

June 27, 2009
Owen- Nick was putting the boys down for bed. As he left he said, "You guys are my favorite toys." Owen replied with his hands on his hips, "We aren't toys. We are action figures!"

June 24, 2009
Corbin- Randy and Meghan are here for a visit. They got a hotel on the beach for one night. When they went to leave the boys were very disappointed that they were leaving. We explained that Randy and Meghan were going to spend some time alone for a day. Corbin then looked really sad and said, "Don't you like our house?"

June 2, 2009
Corbin - Corbin had just gotten out of the bath and was getting his underwear on. I told him that he had his daddy's buns. He looked concerned and said, "Let me check," and walked over to the mirror. He smiled, turned around and said, "You tried to trick me. They're my buns, not Daddy's!"

May 10, 2009
Owen - Owen and Corbin didn't know how to swim yet (bad mommy), and they went swimming at Nick's parents when I wasn't there one weekend. When I got back I asked Owen if he had used floaties. He said, "No, and it was almost the last day of my life!" Then he smiled and said, "But it would have been a great last day, because I got to go swimming!"

May 1, 2009
Corbin - The boys used to be really scared of flies. So to ease their worry we named any fly we saw "Harry." Then when we would see a fly we would excitedly say, "Look, it's Harry the fly." We had been living at my parents for a month (in AZ). The boys were eating dinner and a fly came in the room and Owen said, "Look it is Harry!" Corbin got a big-eyed look on his face and said, "I didn't know that Harry followed us all the way from New Jersey!"

April 17, 2009
Corbin - I bumped my hip really hard and Corbin wanted to see my owie. I showed him. Then (pointing to my love handles and looking very concerned he said, "and that part is all filled up with blood."

March 2009
Corbin - Was trying to get my attention to look at a page he had just colored. He kept saying, "Look right here." I told him to wait just a minute. Finally he said, "Mom, did you like it?" I told him I hadn't seen it yet. Confused he said, "Why aren't you using your secret eyes in the back of your head?" I guess I had them turned off!

February 26, 2009
Owen - We had German Chocolate Cake for Nick's birthday tonight. Nick was excited and told the boys that Germans make everything good. Owen looked at Nick and said, "Then Mom must be German."

February 25, 2009
Owen - The boys wanted to look at our wedding album. I pointed to a page and told them that these were taken before we got married. Owen gasped and says, "You mean you and Dad kissed before you got married?"

February 13, 2009
Owen - This was part of Owen's nighttime prayer: "I want to give you a very special Valentine, but I can't because you are in heaven. That is why they call you Heavenly Father. I love you so, so, so much. Thank you for all the gifts in the world that you have given me. . . and thank you for giving me my parents that are very kind." Wow.

February 10, 2009
Owen - At school Owen helped a little girl that got her shoe stuck in the mud. One of the teacher was so impressed that she nominated him for a "super citizen" award. I guess she was so impressed with Owen that she gave him a kiss. I asked if it was on the cheek. He said, "Yes, good thing it wasn't on the lips or we would have to be married." Then he giggled.

February 6, 2009
Owen - Friday morning I woke up and found Owen and Corbin in their room dressed alike and playing quietly. When Owen saw me he said, "I changed my mind about what I want to take to show and tell." He had been working on a Lego Star Wars ship that he made and wanted me to put it in a special box so it wouldn't break on the way to school. Surprised, I asked, "OK what are you going to take?" Owen looked at Corbin and said, "Him!" Cute!

January 23, 2009
Corbin - "What are the places that people don't live?" Mom says, "Antarctica is one." Corbin looked confused and asked, "Is that someone's aunt?"

January 22, 2009
Owen - "Mom, do you know that the word 'Freedom' has a bad word in it?" I looked at him and asked, "what word?" He replies, "Dumb - get it, "free dumb"?" Followed by giggles.

January 9, 2009
Owen - Nick was in the Dominican Republic for work. When Nick called home and talked to Owen, he said that he had bought some dominoes for him. Owen got excited and turned to me and said, "You don't have to worry, Dad is bringing Domino's home with him for dinner." It's a game, Owen, not pizza!

January 7, 2009
Owen - I was trying to encourage Owen to write his numbers more clearly. As an afterthought I decided to review some of his recent writings and compliment him. I spotted a '2' and said, "Look, good job on writing your 2s right." Owen looked confused and said, "That's not a 2, it's a 6!" We laughed.

December 23, 2008
Corbin - I was getting dressed and accidentally got some deodorant on my black shirt. Corbin said, "Mom, that's OK, no one will know." Upon closer inspection he replied, "Um, actually they will know."

December 6, 2008
Corbin - I spent one night caring for Corbin as he was quite ill and throwing up a lot. I had been babying him quite a bit, and at about 4 am I was sitting by his bed and he looked up at me and said, "You can go get in your own bed!"

December 5, 2008
Owen - I was putting him to bed and he patted my tummy and said, "You look like you have a baby in your tummy!" ~Nice~

July 13, 2008
Nick and Owen were talking about heaven. Owen said that when he dies he is going to take his Legos with him. Nick said when you go to heaven you can't take anything with you. Shocked Owen said, "What?! So you have to buy all new stuff when you get there."

13 comments:

Alana said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 3:27 PM
Alana said...: Awww! I can't believe you've been married 8 years... and I was so excited for a new YSA... who has a husband and 3 kids!; 3:28 PM
maelynn said...: That was such a cute post! Happy Anniversary!! I loved all the pictures!
I also loved all of the other updates you've done lately!
Your house in Puerto Rico looks REALLY nice. I'm so excited for you!
And I know I've said it before, but you really have SUCH an exciting life! ☺; 11:03 PM
Maranda Whittle said...: Yay! Happy 8 years!; 6:30 AM
Cathy Duffy said...: Happy Anniversary!! Hope you guys are doing well and adjusting to your new place.; 7:09 PM
Jessica Steed said...: What a wonderful post!

Congrats on 8 years, may you have many more.

Your photos are adorable, I'm glad you have a photo from each year. That's so great to have them all on one post.

I hope you get to see each other soon. That's got to be so hard to be apart for your anniversary.; 8:05 PM
Danny, Andrea, Connor and Lizzie said...: That was fun to see your photos. You have a beautiful family!
Andrea; 10:24 PM
Mo said...: Congratulations! We just celebrated our 8th as well! What a cute post - so much has happened in 8 years. Especially all those moves; you must be a pro by now! Hope the next 8 bring you lots of love and happiness.; 2:09 PM
Davis said...: WOW, happy anniversay!! That is a great number! Congratulations, you two have accomplished so much!!; 11:36 AM
Anonymous said...: Wow! Awesome post! Eight years huh? You're OLD! I love the family pic at the end! I think that's my fav of OWEN! I Love little boys! They crack me up!; 10:23 PM
Anonymous said...: 8 years! Wow! You guys look so good throughout the years! Haven't changed a bit. I like Nick's Saturday morning tradition. Mmmm. Hope you get to celebrate together soon. How fun that you were able to go on a girls retreat with your mom and sisters (and dad). Those are always fun times!!; 12:30 PM
Melanie said...: Happy Anniversary! I love all the pictures you posted. You are beautiful!! I can't believe you are moving to Porto Rico! How exciting. Your kids are so cute and they are getting so big!; 9:54 AM
kachers said...: Oh that was fun to see all those pictures - through the years! Congrats on 8 years:> And your home in Puerto Rico looks BEAUTIFUL!! So happy you're all reunited!; 1:39 PM

Friday, May 22, 2009

Happy Anniversary!

13 comments:

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