5 YEARS!

It was 5 years ago today(and tomorrow) that we packed up all our stuff and moved to our house in Highland! In no way does it feel like it's been that long.

I guess I don't have pictures from those exact days, but here are a few that fit...


You never think you have that much "stuff" till you move it all to a new place! We filled the garage.


We did a bunch of work on the house. The painting and the floors were the biggest jobs. Guess we didn't take any pictures of putting the new floor in, so here's one of getting the old flooring up.

When we moved into the house, we only had Duncan (3 1/2), and Liam (2). Jennan was only 6 weeks away from being born.

In one more year, we will have tied the longest time we've lived in one place. We lived in Altadena for 6 years. We love our house. It will be a sad day if or when we leave it.

Crazy.

Anniversary Day Date

Just as in years past, we spent a day at the Disneyland parks without the kids. Instead of staying at a hotel near by, we stayed at home. The kids were at Grandma McAlister's house for a sleep over (Thank you so much Bonnie!). We got up early and went to breakfast at Denny's (we had a BOGO coupon). It was actually pretty good. Once breakfast was eaten, we made the drive out to the Magic Kingdom(s).

The long part of the drive was normal. Once we got to the parking structure, that's when things got crazy. We were diverted away from the parking structure (which was mostly empty, by the way), and toward the back-lot parking area. I think it used to be Timon and Pumba or Simba parking, but it's all under construction, and we drove right past it and then was directed to cross Harbor Blvd. and then to go to a parking structure for the Anaheim Garden Walk. They were still charging for parking too. From the time that we would have pulled into the regular parking structure, to the time we were parked was about 45 minutes. Lame. They had a shuttle buses to take people to the entrance plaza. It took a little wind out of our sails for the day, but we were still in pretty good spirits.

Anna decided to say something about it all to guest relations, and got us a single use fast pass to use during the day, to make up for the time used by the parking situation. The person at the window said the reason they redirect the traffic the way they do, is so there isn't too many cars blocking and causing traffic on the streets as people are showing up to the parks. They said they get fined by the city if they don't manage the traffic. Whatever.


Here we are as we're about to exit the Toy Story Mania ride/game. I totally spanked Anna's score.

Guess we don't have any other pictures from Ca. Adv. We went on Soaring Over Ca., Toy Story, and Ca. Screamin, before heading over to Disneyland.


Here we are in front of the tree on Main St.

We got in line for Star Tours. They put us in the row they wanted us in, but they miss-counted, so I ended up in the row behind Anna on the end. She thought it would be funny to take a picture of me with the guy I went on the ride with, instead of her. I chose to dramatically enhance my interpretation of our ride experience.

We made plans to eat at Cafe Orleans, so Anna could try the 3-cheese Monte Cristo, to see if she liked it better than the regular Monte Cristo, which I planned to order. So here is our lunch. Two Monte Cristos with a side of Pomme Frites (french fries) with garlic and parmesan cheese topping.

At first Anna liked her sandwich ok. She said it was definitely better than the regular. But as she got about half way done, she was sick of it. Nope, even a 3-cheese Cristo is not that good. I liked mine enough to finish it, but it was a bit of a chore to finish. The service was less than stellar. Long story short, Anna got her sandwich taken off our bill, and they gave us a 10% discount on top of that. Lame service.

Here I am, about to chow down.

Right after that, we headed over to Blue Bayou, where we had reservations. We had to have the cookie boat dessert. It's our favorite thing on the whole menu. We checked in, and asked for a water-front table. The maitre'D said it would be about 45 minutes to an hour, but that they ask that we stay in the lobby the entire time. We said ok, but that we needed to use the restroom. And we did use the restroom, but came back via the Pirate's ride... it exits right next to the Blue Bayou, you know. We were gone about 40 minutes. Anna asked if we had been called yet, and they said they called us about 10 minutes after we checked in- that's why they ask people to stay- just in case. They put our names back in rotation, and we were called in less than 5 minutes. The hostess took us to a table that was not water-side. We said we requested a water-side table, and she took us back to the lobby. They said we might have to wait a while for one of those tables, but that was fine with us. We were pretty full still, and the cookie boat was worth the wait.

In just a few minutes, they called us again, and we got a water-side table, right in the middle. Great table.

They gave us menus and took our drink order (water). When the server came back to take our order, we confidently asked for the cookie boat. We just wanted dessert. And to our shock... they no longer offer the cookie boat!! What?! Turns out, the company they ordered the sugar masts and sails from, for the cookie boat dessert, went out of business. So they took it off the menu. Nooooooooooo! That's the only reason we were there. The server was a really nice guy. We ended up choosing a chocolate mousse cake instead. It was pretty good. He offered us some bread even though we were only having dessert, and that was a big plus for Anna.

We had to just laugh at our luck this day.


We went on a handful of rides. Used our "free" fast pass to go on the Indiana Jones ride. Walked around a bit. Took our picture with the lit castle behind us. Below is one of my attempts to take it myself. Just as this picture was being taken, and guy offered to take it for us... but that one is so boring. This one is much better...

As we made our way down Main St. to exit, we walked through some of the stores. We spent a few cents at the penny arcade too.

All in all, it was a fun, eventful, day.

Next year, for our 15th anniversary, I think we'll try and go on a cruise. We're looking forward to it all ready.

Happy 14th!

Fourteen years ago today, Anna and I were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple.

She was 19, and I was 23, and it was awesome. I'm one lucky fellow.


Here we are, exiting the temple as Mr. and Mrs. Foutz.


Here are all the people that were waiting for us. Many of them were able to witness our ceremony as well.

I like this picture. Anna had a beautiful dress. She worked very hard to make it that way.

We had a fun reception! Burger King Whoppers, tater tots, and an ice cream sundae bar!

It was a special day. We still feel so much appreciation for those that helped to make it an easy day for us.

I'm so lucky to have Anna as my eternal companion.

Happy 14th to us!

Friday Flashback 08.21.09

Today's flashback photo was not randomly chosen... Today is Sara and Josh's 10th wedding anniversary! Ten years is quite a milestone.

I didn't have a lot of time to search for what photos we have from this day, but I knew I had this picture of Anna and Sara already on my computer, so it's today's flashback photo.
Sara and Josh were married and sealed in the San Diego temple. Anna was a bride's maid.

I'd say Josh and I are a couple of lucky guys.

Happy Anniversary Sara and Josh, may the next 10 be even better than the past 10.

Anniversary Day

Though our actual anniversary was Tuesday the 16th, we celebrated it by going to Disneyland on Thursday the 18th. Anna's mom and dad kept the kids Wednesday night, all through Friday morning.

We stayed at a hotel across the street from Disneyland Wed. night, spent the day at D-land, drove home that night, and I went to pick up the kids this morning (Anna went to work).

After dropping the kids off at Anna's folks' house, we went to Ernie Jr.'s Taco House for $1 tacos. After getting our fill there, we headed on down to Anaheim. After checking in at the Anaheim Plaza Hotel and Suites, we went to the Denny's down the street and had some caramel apple crisp a la mode, and hot chocolate.

The next morning we also went to Denny's for breakfast. It was a very hearty breakfast, and a good start to our day.

I wasn't really going to pose like this, but Anna got me before I put my finger down.

We went into Disneyland first to get some "Happy Anniversary" buttons to wear. We hoped that they would get us a pack of tortillas in Cal. Adv. We had our picture taken in front of the huge Christmas tree at the start of Main St.



We had some time before Ca. Adv. was open, so we went over to Space Mountain. The line was pretty short. But before we could get on the ride, it broke down. Bummer. But we did pretty much walk right on the Buzz Lightyear ride where I blew Anna away with my huge score.


After getting our buttons, got denied at Space Mountain, and did Buzz, we headed over to California Adventure. We went on Soarin' over California, then went over to the Toy Story Midway ride/game. Anna got in line, I got us some fast passes for California Screamin'. The wait was maybe 15 minutes for the Midway. Anna out scored me. The line was still short, so we got back in it. The second time, I outscored Anna by way more than she outscored me the first time. After that, we went over to California Screamin' and got in the regular line. Our fast passes weren't good yet. The wait was probably 30 min. or so. That's a very fun roller coaster. When we were done, our fast passes were good, and we went again.

We headed over to the Mission tortilla factory. Waited, got our free tortilla sample, and that was it. Neither of us were offered a pack of them. We went through again. This time we asked if we get a pack because it's our anniversary? Nope. Packs are only for birthday button people. Bummer. We also went through the bread demonstration.

From there we went to the Bug's Life Theatre to see the 3D show that the kids don't like. It's a fun show.

Anna wanted pictures of us with our bug eyes on.

That picture of me reminds me of those sunglasses I'm wearing. Wednesday was overcast and rainy. I didn't need my sunglasses. Thursday was sunny; but I had no sunglasses. I forgot them! The sun was bothering my eyes enough (I have very sensitive eyes), that I bought a pair in Disneyland in the morning. I was going to maybe return them at the end of the day, but decided to keep them.


After Bug's Life, we headed on over to Disneyland. Our lunch reservations would be soon. We got some fast passes for Big Thunder Mountain and headed on over to the Blue Bayou for lunch. We knew we needed to try the Monte Cristo sandwich (learned that from last year), but we both didn't want to get the same thing, so I ordered the mahi mahi (but we split both meals). The fish was pretty good, but small. It was on a huge bed of greens. We liked the Monte Cristo; me more than Anna. We both agreed that the powdered sugar was distracting, but I liked the berry sauce a lot, and Anna didn't care for it. The prices are outrageous, by the way.

Taken before the discrepancy between price and food was vastly apparent.

Anna being silly.

By far, the best thing at the Blue Bayou is the cookie boat! The cookie is so good and chewy, and the ice cream is nice and creamy. If we ever go again, we'll just be going for that.

After lunch, we went on Big Thunder Mountain (twice), Pirates, Indiana Jones (twice), Space mountain, Honey I shunk the audience (Anna's idea), Matter Horn, Snow White, Pinocchio, Mr Toad's, did a bunch of walking, etc.

In line at Indiana Jones.

As we were walking out to go to Naples restaurant in downtown Disney, the winter/Christmas lights and snow "show" was happening along Main St. Anna wanted a picture of her with the castle and "snow".

We went to Naples, found my cousin Colleen that works there and made a reservation. In the time before we sat, we looked around downtown Disney and walked in and looked in a lot of the shops there.

Once we were back at Naples, we had some really good mozzarella sticks, and a pizza. Italian pizza sure isn't what we're used to. Anna wasn't that hungry to begin with, so she didn't eat much. I was fine, so I ate more than she did. By this time, around 9:45, we were pretty much done. It had been a long day. We walked back to our car, and headed home. It was a really fun time.

A huge thank you to Anna's mom Bonnie, for watching the kids.

Lucky 13

It was thirteen years ago today, that Anna and I got married.


Anna was 19, and I was 23.



We were married and sealed in the Los Angeles temple by James C. Brown, who was also my stake patriarch, and gave me my patriarchal blessing.



It was a very windy day.



Our photographers were friends of Anna's family, and not members of the church. They took great pictures, but the ones of us in front of the temple almost all have the angel Moroni cut off.



We had whopper hamburgers as our entree at our reception. They were only 99 cents each at the time. We also had tator tots, and an ice cream sundae bar.



We didn't have a receiving line at our reception, nor did we have dancing.



My ex-girlfriend, Joyel, caught the bouquet, and Anna's friend Mike caught the garter belt.



I grew my hair out for the wedding. I now consider that a mistake. I think I pretty much knew that I was going to maintain a shaved head hair style, but I guess I thought having hair would be a better idea. Now I wish I hadn't done that. Oh well.



One other thing we would change, would be to get people other than family to run the kitchen and maintain the food. Anna's siblings did most of that, and didn't get a chance to enjoy the reception or mingle or visit with friends and family. We felt horrible about that.



One thing that is for sure, Anna is the best thing that ever happen to me. Words cannot explain my deep feelings for her.



I love you Anna. Happy Anniversary.

This was taken the summer before we were married.

Here we are, eating Whoppers before the reception starts.

This is us now. (Taken last Feb. at my grandfather's wedding reception)