So gorgeous ones to choose from – here is a (big !) sampling!
Reply
Zandra did a first look with her Dad and with Ilyah!
The wedding party was a mixture of friends and all the siblings. The theme was floral – it was so pretty!
Here is first look with Rob:
First look with Ilyah
And the wedding party:
The venue for the ceremony and reception was an old school house so the ceremony took place in the classroom. It was so cute! They exchanged vows and rings.
(When I upload the pictures they all go out of order= work backwards:))
It is a been a beat – time certainly flies – it has been over two months since Zandra’s wedding celebration! We recently got the photos from the photographer and since I use this blog to capture the memories I wanted to make sure I post a ton of photos.
I’ll divide them in separate posts to keep it manageable!
The night before the celebration, we had a family dinner at an Italian restaurant on the Danforth.
The next morning the guys went to help with some setup. Zandra and her friends were getting ready at a hotel where they had spent the night. I got ready with Shannon and Rachael and then we made our way to the hotel to meet up with Zandra and head to the reception.
Rachael drove us all to the venue…
I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.
Do you know that book?
It was a popular one in our home when my boys were little.
Some of my best memories were of reading to them at night in my bed as part of our nightly routine – although now I realize it was almost a sacred ritual we were partaking in – the memories are so special.
But Not the Hippopotamus. Barnyard Dance. Good Night Moon.
And of course, I’ll love you forever.
Because that’s what mamas do with their babies.
And every year on my babies birthdays, there is a celebration of life – of who the baby has become, is becoming, and always has been. And, at the same time, in my same heart, a slight sadness at how the years feel like somehow they were stolen from me. Like I didn’t get enough time. A reminder of how precious every second is.
Today is my celebration of my life forever changing- in the very best way possible.
It is the celebration of one of the most incredible humans I know!
He is certainly my favorite oldest son 🙂
Happy Birthday Zach!!
I truly am amazed at this kid especially as I’ve watched him over the years overcome challenges, create exciting adventures, dedicate himself to his goals and dreams, and pick a partner that he is loyal to, head over heels in love with and his true equal counterpart.
Zach is incredibly hard working, driven, focused. He also knows how to have fun, be silly, question things, be stubborn and is a very loyal, kind, direct, considerate friend, brother, son, and husband.
While he is seriously frugal and loves a good deal (which he doesn’t care what people think about that) he knows what he wants to invest in and experiences and travel top that list.
He can be counted on, he is reliable and committed, and family tops his list of priorities.
It has been so fun to watch him and Rachael this past year thrive as a couple – living an adventurous student life! Can’t wait to see them continue to flourish in years to come.
We love you Zach. So happy to be your mom! Happy Birthday!!
Sam is finally “legal” adult age.
At least in some parts of the world.
But given he is number 5, I think he’s considered himself adult age for many years. lol
He graduated high school, enjoying a lot of fun times with his friends. We barely saw him this year!
He’s headed to Carleton (and will be with Josh – don’t want to even think of the trouble those boys will get into) and is going to study Political Science.
Sam is such a social guy – loves to be out with his friends.
He is also very musical. He has taught himself guitar, and can be heard singing loud in the shower 😂.
He also loves listening to music – especially old stuff. Hence why he chose England (with a whole bunch of music tours) for his “16 trip”. Concerts are also his thing.
He also loves to play sports – soccer, rugby – whatever team he can join at school – he’s in.
He also loves watching soccer and cheering his team on. It was fun to visit a couple of stadiums in England that he really wanted to see.
He’s also becoming quite a writer and he continues to enjoy reading.
Can’t believe he’s the last to fly the nest. Great things in store for him!
Happy Birthday and we love you, Sam!!
It’s the crazy birthday month!
Good thing I’ve switched up my birthday posts since our family has been growing. I’m not doing a great job keeping up with the blog in general – never mind 3 posts on two weeks!
But today we are celebrating Gabe!
Gabe just finished off 2nd year law school. He transferred this past year from Florida and went to Brooklyn Law School.
Needless to say, he’s loving it!
And doing so well.
Both he and Shannon have taken to New York and enjoy spending their weekends exploring the city.
Here are a smattering of photos I have of Gabe- I can’t be blamed for not having good pictures bcs I take what I can get :))
Gabe has really worked hard this year and it is paying off – not only in school, but in the internships he is doing.
He has a dynamic personality and people are drawn to him.
He is super funny and still continues to make every one around him laugh.
He’s a committed and supportive husband.
He still is like his dad’s twin in so many ways!
A bright and sunny future!
Happy Birthday and Love you Gabe!
This past year I joined a Mastermind led by the woman who truly introduced me to life coaching.
Not to say I had not heard of life coaching. One of my BFFs had been a life coach for many years, and back in 2014 I actually became certified as a life coach.
But in 2017, on a family trip to Cambodia, I was frustrated with my kids (lol) and googled something like “bad lds mom advice” and a podcast came up called “Be Bold Mom”. I started listening the podcast, hosted by a Life Coach, Jody Moore. That podcast led me to learn about The Life Coach School. I spent the next couple of years learning and listening, joined Jody Moore’s membership program called Be Bold and then eventually became certified with The Life Coach School.
Since the beginning though, Jody Moore was always a great example to me of the kind of coach I wanted to be and I have been learning from her for years. A couple of years ago she started a business program and I set my sights on it. Then last year, I decided I really wanted to invest in my business and decided to join her mastermind.
What a great experience it has been!!
We met in person 3 times – last September, in February, and then last week (end of June). And then had calls in between.
I went into knowing that I would learn a lot about my business, and I had said that I was looking for the experience – the journey – and that is what I got – and more.
I met so many amazing people and my mind was stretched in so many ways, and so many opportunities and shifts happened. It was truly an experience that I am grateful for having and has propelled me into a direction I love
It was because of one thing that led to another that led to another that led to another that led me to start my Advanced Training in Nervous System Resilience – which I am halfway through taking 10 coaches through! Wahoo!!
I wanted to post some pictures of the three weekends so I have them to help jog my memory!
From September:
Then in February:
Then last week…
Amazing experience with so many amazing humans:)
Rob is on business in Germany this week – and is away for his birthday!
But we will celebrate when he is back in times for Father’s Day.
We are almost official empty nesters and Rob and I both work at home now – so you would think that I would tire of him …
but, alas, no.
He’s simply the best.
Kind, considerate, crazy smart, funny, loving, witty, generous, talented, creative, passionate, driven, hard working, goofy, sexy, ambitious, logical, calm, peaceful, empathic. The list can go on (of course there is another list of things that drive me crazy lol but bcs it’s his birthday, Ill focus on the important stuff:)
So blessed to have him in my life to now follow the adventures of our kooky kids and create ones of our own.
Love you Robbie McHottie! xoxo
The first time I met Rachael, she was barely 15. I was a leader at a local youth conference. She and Zach were put in the same group and became fast friends. That friendship turned into a little bit more… and over the years, even though they lived 1.5 hours apart, we got to know Rachael a lot more
They dated on and off over the years, but took a big official break when she graduated high school and Zach was entering grade 12. She headed to France to be an aupaire and Zach finished high school (their official good bye when she left for France….)
The following year, they both decided to serve missions for our church. He went to Tahiti, she went to Thailand. They figured they would see what happened between them when they both came home from their missions.
The official mission goodbye:
Well, they both were called home in the middle of their missions due to Covid… and that time home solidified their relationship. They did both decide to head back out to complete their missions. Zach went to Alberta and Rachael went to BC. They officially reunited in the summer of 2021, headed to BYU and got married in June 2022.
The rest of history… or history in the making.
They decided this year to be a bit adventurous. Zach is studying for his MCAT and they decided it might be fun to go back to France to her aupaire family from years previous. He would study. She would help out the family who just had another baby.
And that is where they are celebrating her birthday. Well, actually, I think they are catching a flight to Portugal for the weekends. The benefit of being in Europe!
Then they plan on coming back here for part of the summer after their time in France. Rachael will work, and Zach will continue studying, until he writes the MCAT in August. Then back to BYU they will go where she studies nursing and he’s in neuroscience.
They are a very driven couple! Fun, ambitious, hard working, dedicated, loyal and kind.
But since it’s Rachael’s bday – I’ll focus on her a bit.
She’s fiercely independent, but also open to connect. While Rob teases her about being “scattered” (it’s an ongoing joke between them), she is on top of things and gets the job done. She doesn’t offend easily and has a great sense of humour. She seeks advice, but also figures it out on her own. She’s humble, and confident.
She accepts Zach’s shenanigans, but also puts him in his place. She is kind, but firm, and a plus in my books is she’s a communicator. She loves to travel and is frugal (although is often teased about it – but she takes it all in stride. We had a lot of similarities in how we were raised, so I respect that side of her immensely:)
She’s an all around great gal and we’re so happy to have her in our family!
Happy Birthday Rachael!