HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

We all just want to wish "our Nancy Sinatra" a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for your love, friendship, and support. We are very lucky to have you. Love ya like butta!

HAPPY DAY POPPY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPPY!

We all hope you have a great birthday Poppy! Thanks for all you do and for ALWAYS making us laugh! Love your Matich Fam!

HE'S IN!!!!

So it is official, Matich has been accepted into the Master of Athletic Training Program at Weber State University!!! We have kept it on the down low until we knew for sure he was accepted. Talk about scary times....we will both be in graduate school come August...hello student loans, ya gotta love um! I am so proud of him. I truly have the smartest partner in the whole wide world.


There is nothing better than going after what you love to do, and although there are fears and uncertainties, it pays off in the end. It is his dream job....on the sidelines of sporting events as a medical professional with an expertise in injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. Way to go and congratulations babe! I love you.

Random Pics and Adventures

One down and One more to go!

How exciting to have finished my first year of graduate school. I cannot believe how fast time goes by! I know Matich is very excited about my many projects for the summer, oh babe you know you love it! We are finally going to use the new washer and dryer...call me crazy but we have had them for a week now and I refuse to use them (I also refuse to let Matich use them) until I read through the instructions! What, who does this? I just want to be sure we get our $2000.00 bloody dollars worth, can you blame me! But lets be honest they are quiet fancy. happy washing.

hApPy DaY tOp!

I just wanted to wish my very dearest friend Topham (Rosie) a very happy birthday! Topham and I go back to the Dana Ortho days and have been best friends ever since. She and her husband Spencer moved away at the begining of the school year to Oregon for law school. She was sweet enough to fly in for my wedding, and although it was a complete down pour, she was a very optimistic bridesmaid! I miss our dog park adventures and nights at Takashi...never fear they shall return. Hope it was a happy day. Miss you guys and love your buns.

HAPPY DAY JON JON!

We just wanted to wish a very happy birthday to the talented, genuine, loving, and handsome devil Jon Jon! Although we are blogging two days late, we hope you had a great birthday and many more to come! we love ya jon

AND MANY MORE.......

April is officially birthday month!

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM*

(for an official tribute visit www.thewilkers.blogspot.com)

4.10.80

Well there she is folks! Sweet little Amber Elizabeth Ann Vanderstappen on April 10, 1980. So young and innocent......long before she knew a red head would influence her life. Today is the greatest day ever, it's the day my wife was born. So instead of saying "Happy Birthday" I'll say "Thanks for being born." I'm extremely lucky on so many levels beginning with the fact that I'm the guy who landed a younger chick. For every year that disappears I can look at my young beautiful wife and be reminded.....I got lucky. The downside.......I'll reach 30 first and she'll always turn the year that I just gave up.

Ohhh look how cute with the little dimples. I took the time to look up some of the celebrities who happened to share this magical day with Amber. I was hoping so badly to see Mathew McCaughnehey's name come up in the search. I figured there had to be some reason, out of my control, why she thinks he is attractive. Unfortunately, no Matt. She does, however, share with Mandy Moore and the world's biggest bad ass Steven Seagal. Sweet! Anyway, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Amber, happy birthday to you! I wish you luck and happiness for the next year and try, try, try to stay 28 forever. I love you every second of every day and I hope to spend at least 28 more with you!

Love, Your own personal born in the 70's redhead.

What is that Noise?

On a typical Sunday I am up and about between 8 or 9 am (on my own will) and sweet Matich is sound asleep until sometime around 11 am. However, this morning was a bit different. The clock had just struck 8 am and there was this insanly annoying sound, where it was coming from I had no idea. I opened the front door and the sound became a little more clear....I checked the back door.....and man I struck gold! I could not believe how loud it was. My intitial thought was to blame it on the new neighbors and their remodeling/party shenanigans, but to my left something caught my eye! It was no bigger than my fist and a good 30ft in the air.....a bird. Not just any old bird, a woodpecker, hammering away on a wood post in the back yard. It was so funny to me that such a cute little fellow could cause such a ruckus and force me out of bed prematurely! (this just goes to show you how much we have to blog about lately, no news is good news I say!)

R.I.P Subi & hello Cannondale

As trivial as it may sound coming to the conclusion that we needed to sell my subaru was not easy.....NO REALLY......! After two weeks (a very tense and tearful two weeks mind you!) we decided the best thing to do would be to sell the car and move on. For some reason I am very emotionally attached to my subi. I truly cannot explain why (it's even a bit embarrassing to admit), but I love that bloody car! I am sure Matich at some point wondered if I was a bit loony! Me and the Subi had a bond. Matich was sure to find it a good home and we made a great decision............in the long run! So, let me officially intoduce my new ride, Cannondale F700, it gets great gas mileage! (bah..ha..ha..) Riding my bike is by choice and I am really excited about it (for now I should say)! After my first day, today, I know I have my work cut out for me. The hills of Sugarhouse to the U of U and the work hills of the avenues did a fantastic job of making my thighs SCREAM, but man is it good!

HUBBY TAG.......

My great friend Brooke tagged me, so here goes......

How Long Have You Been Married? Just over 5 months

How Long Did You Date? This one depends on who you ask! We go way back, but somewhere in the range of 1-2 years!

Who Eats More Sweets? Me, I married a serious health nut!

Who Said I Love You First? He did.

Who Is Taller? Matich.

Who Can Sing Better? It is a toss up, we are both terrible!Who Is Smarter? It depends on the subject. He is one of the smartest people I know.

Who Does The Laundry? Matich (and he does a fantastic job!)

Who Mows The Lawn? The landlord right now, but I think we would take turns.

Who Pays The Bills? Well he "actually" pays them, I just write them out! (I am not really employed!!)

Who Sleeps On The Right Side Of The Bed? Me.

Who Cooks Dinner? Thats usually Cafe Rio, Bombay House, or Takashi!

Who Drives? Matich.

Who's More Stubborn? Me, I am very lucky to have such a patient partner.

Who Kissed Who First? I think he did!

Who Propsed? Matich.

Who Has More Siblings? I do.

Who Wears The Pants? I like to think I do, but brooke said it best.....we each have a leg in them! I am so lucky to have such a great guy. I married a movie star, my best friend, and the love of my life. love you everyday babe.
I am tagging Shayna Beth...

CONGRATS MOOSE!

Ah what a guy! Good ole Moose has done it again.......swept away the competition......gave um' a run for their money......left them in the dust.......and won best terminal in the nation for USF! Victory is sweet! CONGRATS, you deserve it!

(dingalingaling.....that is us all toasting with the Moose special, scotch on the rocks!)

best buds & tubby time!

So Tuesday night was the last in our series of watching the monkeys for my brother and sister-in-law (well the last night planned a month in advance so they could hit some shows, our weekly watching and visits are always on going, thank goodness!). Noah has turned into such a stink, Aunt Arn cannot do anything right, only Uncle Matti! They are best buds. We know the night was a success when Noah and Bostyn leave and Matich feels like he's going to puke......I have to remind him thats what happens when you go NON-STOP with our favorite monkies in the whole wide world! (Do not be fooled! Noah looks tired, but seconds later he was getting into all sorts of mischief).

Uncle Mattie's mohawk creation


Squeeker = a Joker


We are so lucky to have such a cute niece and nephew! Really we are not obssesed I promise! Our lives right now consist of remodel, homework, the gym, homework, babysitting, homework, CAR PROBLEMS, homework, locking myself out of places, and events at my internship, the Cancer Wellness House. Babysitting is our highlight.....NO, WE DO NOT WANT OUR OWN........the best part is we get to give them back! I cannot wait for spring break!

HATE = CAR PROBELMS

-I am officially a victim of an empty driveway-

Car troubles are the devil! There is nothing worse than paying more to have your car fixed versus what is left on the loan! Not to mention how bad it sucks to not have a car........walking 2 miles from school in the COLD........hoping to hitch a ride from family and friends.....THE DEVIL. I wouldnt mind so much if it were summer, it would be a great work-out! I should stop complaining, but I had to vent. Amazing the things we take for granted sometimes!
I wouldnt be pulling a usual "Amber" if I didnt make the trek today in flip-flops! I could not help but think I should have been a bloody mechanic!

oNe WiLd NiGhT..........

So Last night Matich and I watched my niece and nephew for a few hours while my brothers and sister-in-law hit a show! Boy was it a craxy night! Above is my little squeeker,Bostyn, enduring her Aunt Arns attempt at feeding. I could not shovel it in fast enough!
The pooping chicken was a hit, I highly recommend it! (it poops out jelly beans!) Cute No-Mah settled for my t-shirt as his jammies. He and Uncle Matti had a blast spinning on the kitchen floor, twirling on the chair, baking cookies, fight-fighting, playing hide-and-seek (especially when Uncle Matti slipped and fell), and building a fort in the front room!

She loves her big brother! It is always a treat to watch our cute monkeys, as Matich states it "watching two kids is the best birth control on the planet!"

..............I have done it again....................

(the keys....looking so innocent in the turquoise bowl)

So I would estimate this to be a monthly, if not weekly, ritual. I got up this morning to do some last minute homework and decided to get my daily run in before I headed off to my afternoon class. My sweet as ever better half told me yesterday to put my house key back on my keychain because I am infamous for locking myself out of EVERYTHING! I shrugged my shoulders and huffed.....thinking "as if I would forget that!" So Im all ready to hit the treadmill and POOF...the front door shuts! It then hits me that I neglected to put the house key back on my key ring............AAAHHHHH! So my initial reaction is to call my mom, the sad part is when I said to her "guess what," she responded with...."you locked yourself out of your car"....."no worries even better," I said..............."my bloody house!"

Then I made the call to Matich....."Oh babe I knew it"........he responded.

So 2 1/2 hours later, after driving to the landlords house.....climbing on the roof to break into a window......and calling the Moose to come rescue me......I got ahold of a key to the back door. I have officially learned my lesson, sometimes my husband knows me better than I know myself!

My view for 2 1/2 hours this afternoon. Thank heavens I had my car keys to kill time at the gym! Damn Door.

A great sight to see Ill tell ya what!

sorry babe, love you. av

oh what a night........!

--All the girls-

The night was a hit! Torri you did such an amazing job getting everyone together. Nanny had no idea and the look on her face when she walked in was great! Everyone was accounted for (except cousin jake, he was jumping out of a plane), from the great-grandkids, Nanny's sister Lu, and a very good family friend, Pat. After dinner and a few drinks, it was gift time. We all shared our memories and love about what it is that makes Nanny so special. We had a lot of laughs and even some tears....we really are a lucky bunch! Thanks again Tor for such a great night and all your hard work, and thanks to Aunt Shauna for the oh so cute party favors!

-tortor and nanny-

(tor is sharing her memory

-me and my sweets-

-jon jon and chris-

-brandon and andy-

-grandma and poppy-

-these Matich boys are a handsome group-

We all had a blast being with one another and celebrating such an exciting day! we love you Nanny, happy 80th! av

HaPpY 50th bIrThDaY NANNY!!!!

So we had to preface our birthday wishes to Nanny with a little tribute to the person in Nanny's life who we know wishes her a very happy 50th.....(okay maybe 80th, can you believe it!) birthday, Nat. Not many people know the story behind our wedding cake topper or why it meant so much to Chris and I. This wedding cake topper was Nat and Nanny's almost 60 years ago, the same top they used at their wedding. It meant a lot to Chris and I to have Nat a part of our wedding celebration. We love you so much Nanny and can only hope to have as many happy years as you and Nat shared.

Well... Well... here she is the birthday girl. We are having a big family surprise party for Nanny tonight (I can post this because Nanny doesnt have a computer so she will never know!) and we are all really excited to celebrate such a special day. Nanny we love you and hope you enjoy the festivities!

So we had to post this one.....my very good friend Rosie (aka Topham) lives in Oregon and mentioned to me that earlier this week a little snow had fallen in her area and the place virtually closed down! She was amazed at the difference in what they considered a "snow storm".....so, my most handsome husband in the whole wide world took this picture for her while at work in P.C. We are having quite the winter season in these parts and the two of us could not be more excited! Sorry Nanny and TorTor, but summer will be here soon enough!

Remodel Update.......

So here is a small sample of the new Matich family basement! The new lights are in, the baseboards nailed, walls painted, holes repaired, and counter tops placed! The hard work is almost complete! Stay tuned for the carpet, tile, and Torri's fancy decor soon to come!

and the fun continues.......

The birthday weekend ended just right! TorTor had everyone over for an as usual fantastic dinner and desert to celebrate the day of Moose. All of us, minus one, were in attendance. Jon Jon is recovering nicely from shoulder surgery, we wished he could have made it, but hope he has a fast and speedy recovery. It was a great eve, starting the new week off right!

P.S. Congrats Andy on your P.C. Fellowship!





Nanny and Grandma looking saucy as ever on dish duty!

And there it is folks, sealed with a kiss!