We have arrived & cottage week 2009!

Tug of WAR. the kids were surprisingly strong

Me in one of the relays

ted
melanie
the kids loved it. they laughed the entire time
water balloon toss
this was roxy majority of the time. She loved diggin in the beach and she even went swimming.
the kids playing
zoie being zoie
my borther brads family. ever year we do one big group picture and then individual family ones.
me and zoie on the dock
here is our family photo. i wanted to put roxy in it bu Ted said no.
my sisterss family

this is roxy in the moving truck where she had a nice spot next to ted on a pillow. spoiled much
documenting ted driving our huge moving truck oh im glad that is over.

Yes Yes I promise we are still alive. I know its been forever since I last posted well I have been a little busy!! Ya know moving to a different country requires a lot of work. Along our cross country drive (with the help from teds parents we could have never done it without you guys. thanks a ton) we stopped at winter quaters temple and saw the historic site. It was so sad to see all the names of children that died there. It truly is a special place. Oh ya for those who haven't heard Ted and I are living in Windsor Canada because Ted is attending law school in Windsor and Detroit. He is getting a US and Canadian law degree in 3 years attending these two schools. He started school this week and is getting to know everyone in his program. As for me I had to leave my amazing job at AF (shout out to all my AF girls I miss ya tons!!) but I had an interview this week at the windsor hospital to be a LD, postpartum and NICU nurse!! Can you believe it they do it all there. All the nurses are crosstrained to be able to do every area. I'm a little nervous and intimated as the hospital is huge! The Womens floor covers an entire city block from end to end. So I am waiting for my liscence to come through and hopefully I will get a job. We are almost finished moving in but I havent taken any pictures yet so I will have to post some later (after the overhaul of painting that desperately needs to be done).

On to the vacation we had last week. So we went up to the cottage for the annunal Templeman cottage week minus a few Templemans and kids. Although it felt like they were all there. Two of my sister inlaws had their babies a week before our cottage week and so all their kids and them were not able to come, however there were still 8 adults and 11 kids. Above are some pictures I captured of the week. We went boating, wakeboarding, cliff jumping and grandma templeman provided a plethera of events for the family olympics (tug of war, balloon toss etc. I must tell everyone that Ted lost to all the grandkids in the tug of war, it was hilarious) We also had the annual biathalon which involves all the neighbours and templeman clan but because I was in it I didn't get any pictures, sorry. We miss all our family and friends in Utah but don't worry I promise we will visit a ton.

Yosemite 2009!

So I am finally getting around to posting our annual Cox family vaction to Yosmeite National Park. I think it took me 2 showers and hours of scrubing to get off all the dirt but it was all worth it. We ended up going a little early and spent a day at Magic Mountain--a huge amusment park in CA (which was all for Ted) as I am not so into the rollercoasters as he is. I went on as many rides as my weak stomach would allow. I think I did pretty well considering I went on all of them except 3 and even blacked out on one. I would call that sacrifice for my spouse! Ted was very grateful that we got to go. So after that and another 4 hours on the road we got to Yosemite Sunday afternoon.

Monday morning we awoke to Ted and Kenny (the grill chefs for the week basically) cooking up a mean breakfest of bacon and eggs for 30+ people. After that we hiked to Vernal falls with all the kids and adults and had fun looking at the pretty scenery and feeding the squirels. They wil eat things right out of your hands--its amazing, they aren't afraid of anything. We were excited to have David and Kaci come up that afternoon with all the kids. While they arrived safely, they did have some car trouble and unfortunately Kaci got sick with a temperature on Tuesday and had to leave Wednesday to go back to the hospital. We are grateful she is doing much better now and that they had fun while they were there.

On Friday was the Panorama Trail hike (8.2 miles) for the adults which as many of you can remeber was not my favorite things last time in Yosemite a few years ago!!!! But I am happy to say that I think I did very good this year as I knew what to expect (vigorous hiking, unstable ground, thousand foot drop-offs, cliffs, etc.). Ted was very proud of my camping/hiking improvements and can attest that I didn't complain once and even, dare I say, had fun. So we took some beautiful pictures and had a great time even though we were all vey sore afterwards. It took us only 3 1/2 hours to hike the 8 miles up and down the moutain. I think thats probably a little better than our last time which was closer to 5 hours probably. See I have improved so much! (I didn't even give Ted any "I hate you/I hate this hike/I hate camping/I hope you die" looks like last time!

All in all we had amazing time, got very dirty, and were very gratful to everyone who helped plan and carry out the trip. Special thanks to Barbara for doing some crazy planning and cooking to feed 40 people almost everyday. We wouldn't have been able to do it with out you. I'm sure we will all forget the craziness and do it again soon! Until then...

My 1st Triathlon!

So this past weekend I did my first triathlon with my friend Sarah from work and it was amazing. I had so much fun testing myself to see how far you can push yourself. To start the morning off Ted and Roxy came with me early in the morning at 5:30am and gave up sleeping in on their saturady morning to head to the race start. They were there to cheer me on through each event. Roxy also had some spectators herself, which consisted of a few children! We got there and it was windy and cold for a June morning in Utah. After I set up my bike and got my race packet we headed over to the pool shivering. Thank goodness the pool was heated. As we jumped in to start the race is started to spinkle rain. I jmped in the pool to do the 300m swim around the 7 minute mark crowd but I should have gone a little bit before that time as I wanted to pass like4 people as soon as I got in. Aparently I didn't know I'm a pretty fast swimmer. Ted says its from all his coaching skills he gave me on how to make my stroke better. I will admit I think it helped a lot training with his tips. Next year I think he should do one with me because he could fly through the swim and bike. So I ended getting out of the pool at 6minutes 30 seconds. I was pretty impressed as that was faster than any other training time I had. When I got back out to transition I was happy to see over half the bikes still there awaiting riders. I thought oh good I won't be last. (That was probably my biggest fear)

Next was the bike. I am terribly slow through the transition zones but I guess that will come with practise. I was too stressed to make sure I had everything I needed before taking off. The bike was extremely hilly and measured 12 miles total. Em's bike that she let me borrow saved me life. It was so easy to go up the hills with it instead of my heavy moutain bike. (Although I still ingested a few flys, just a little protein right!) I was just happy to get back to the transition zone without having fallen off the bike or gotten a flat tire. I started the run around 1:01 and ran the 5K trail in 28minutes which I was also pleased with as that was faster than my training time too. So my total time was 1:29minutes. I was just happy I did it in less than 2 hours.

Well it was a fun day and I'm glad I was able to do it with my friend Sarah. We will have to do another one together soon so I can try to improve my time now that I know what I'm doing, sort of. Hopefully I can convince my husband to do one with me!!!!

24 Years!

My Roses from my wonderrful hubby! just like the ones when he proposed!
Flowers from my mom and dad
Ted savorying the moment
Me savorying every bite!
outside cheesecake factory

Well this past friday was my 24th birthday and I must say it was probably the best birthday I have had together with Ted. He did an amazing job! I had to work all day that day so when I woke at 5am and came down stairs a cute Happy Birthday Banner was there along with 2 dozen white Roses and one of my presents! He spoiled me rotten this year! My mom and dad also sent me this goregous boquet that was sitting on my door step before I left for work. It was the best way to start off my birthday except for haivng to go to work! Its a good thing I work with some amazing people that made up the difference! Thanks girls! Anyways so we decided to really celebrate on Saturday by going to be favorite restaurant The Cheesecake Factory! I swear everything I order there is amazing. And ofcourse Ted enjoyed the choice aswell. I got pictures of us both savorying every moment of the chocolate Godiva cheesecake(it is amazing if you have never tried it) Then we headed over to eh movie theater to see Angels and Deamons which was ok I still like the first better but whatever. And to top it all off listen up ladies my amazing hubby got me ballroom dance lessons for my birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know your all saying how did you get him to do that well it comes with lots of hints and pleading. So we are going to our first offical lesson this friday night I can't wait. I just want to say what amazing man I married. He is the love of my life and I don't know where or what I would be without him. You keep me falling in love you more and more each day. You given me the hope and strength I need when when I;m having a bad day. You know when I just need a good hug and a kiss and I love you more today then when we first got married. I love you hun forever and always. Thanks for all the work you do.

Camping in Zions

Well this last weekend we went camping at Zion's National Park with Ted's parents, his brother Kenny--Jane, his wife--(sung to the tune of "the Jetson's"), and his sister Susi and her family. The boys cooked breakfast on Sunday morning for us all  since it was Mother's day. On Saturday, we went on some nice little hikes and enjoyed the very sunny--if not a little too sunny--weather. It was nice but still nothing compared to Yosemite! The two phrases most oft repeated throughout the weekend were calls for the RV and  "Yosemite is better!" Roxy enjoyed the numerous plants and bugs to sniff, and especially loved chasing all the little white fluffs that blew off the trees.  Roxy exhausted herself so much, she has not moved from the couch since we got home! Anyways, thanks to Barbara for planning and cooking all those meals! I know how much work that must have been. 

P.S. Poor Susi and Adam didn't really get to enjoy any of the trip as the twins were sick and it was just a little too crazy for the big group. We are glad we got to at least spend a little time with you guys. Thanks for making the trip even though I know how hard it was for you guys. Hope the girls are getting better. We're still hoping you make it to Yosemite!

Looking forward to spending some quality time with everyone at the real camping spot, Yosemite!

This is Roxy ready to leave Zion's hanging her head out the window!!!!!!!

Kenny and Jane packing up!


Susi holding Ella (I'm pretty sure thats Ella?!)
All the kids watching Roxy
The boys cooking breakfast!

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

                          My  Mom is on the right if you can't tell we look identical!

For my Mom:

So in honor of mothers day I thought I would post a blog dedicated to my mother. I wasn't able to spend mothers day this year with my wonderful mom so I thought I would share with her and everyone what an amazing mother I have. She is the most caring and loving person I have ever known. She knows how to make a hug make everything better no matter how hard things seem. She is the person I admire and look up to and I hope that I can be as good as a mother to my kids as she has been to me. She is the only person I want to care for me when I'm sick and I wish I lived closer so that she could sometimes! She inspires me everyday to have more hope and faith that everything will work out in life. I heard a quote sometime ago that you don't really understand how much your parents love you and sacrifice for their children until you become a parent yourself. I am so thankful for everything my parents have done for me. I am so truly blessed beyond measure. I have everything I could ever want because I know my parents love me more than I know. Well mom I hope you had a good mothers day and I wish I could be there to give you a big hug and kiss. You are the best mother in the world and my best friend. Love always your little rabbie! (and the best kid!) 

Love always Meg!

Sorry mom this is the only picture on my computer of me and you! We need to take more.

A New Home Decor!

Well, many of you don't know this but I have wanted a black high square kitchen table for about 4 years now and last weekend I finally got it. This was the first kitchen table we actually bought after being married for 4 years. While we lived in the condo we had this old plywood table that had been there for about 10 years and then when we moved to our house we used the table that came with the house which was impossible for entertaining as it had only 2 chairs. Anyways I never thought the day would come so as this may seem stupid to others it's a glorious day for me. I thought I would post a few pics of the new table and I am proud to say I went out and bought all the decorations for the table (or as Ted calls it foufou) for under 15 dollars! Not to mention we got the table for a steal of deal with 25 % off and  a extra 10% off as an add in the paper. So basically it cost us under 200 bucks! I'm always looking for a great deal and I'm quite proud of this one. Who doesn't love a good deal. So here are some pictures to document the amazing find!