Our Families

Family is everything. We feel blessed to be surrounded by so much love and fun within both of our families.

Cassie's side of the family 

I have one strong, talented and fabulous older sister who has taught me some valuable lessons along the way. I also have four awesome older brothers who have picked on me and protected me over the years. Growing up, I wasn't interested in dolls or makeup; I was always a tom boy tagging along with my brothers and their friends as they built forts, drove go-carts and explored the great outdoors.

Our home was fairly modest, but it felt like the coolest place on earth thanks to my handy dad and brothers. Our tree house wasn't just any tree house. It had a pulley system elevator that would lift you to the 2nd floor, but there were only 2 ways down - leaping down to the trampoline or riding down the zip line!

Mom & my siblings at my brother, Tyler's, wedding in Aug. 2009

Me and my 4 older bros. Aug. 2003

Eric fits right in

Cassie's parents

Dad passed when I was 19 years old, and I still miss him on a daily basis, but I'm also so grateful for those 19 years that I was blessed to share with him. I look forward to seeing him again and introducing him to my wonderful husband and children. My dad was a sweet, quiet man who everyone adored. He owned a small business in town, and he seemed to know just about everyone. I loved the way he greeted everyone with a warm smile and a wave. He was well loved in the community, but even more so in our home. Even after long days at work, he always made time for me - to help me with my math homework, teach me to set a volleyball or play catch.

My mom is pretty fantastic as well. One of the most Christ-like people I know. She made a lot of sacrifices when my dad was sick. In fact, she donated a kidney to him. Unfortunately, even though his body accepted the kidney; he died just a few years later from a malignant melanoma on his spine. Not long after he passed, Mom made the selfless decision to serve a full-time mission for the church in Mesa, Arizona. Now she's back in Idaho and happy and healthy.

Eric's family (missing a few)

Eric comes from a family of five. Three boys and two girls.

His younger brother Patrick is also his best friend, and there's nothing more entertaining than watching them together.

Halloween

I love ALL of my sisters-in-law. I really lucked out. Allison and Natalie both married into the family shortly after me, and I couldn't have selected better wives for Peter and Patrick myself. They're smart, beautiful & so much fun. We actually convinced both couples to move into the same apartment complex as us while we were in Omaha for school, and it was a blast. (Eric & Natalie were attending Law School, Peter Dental school & Allison was getting her Masters in History)

Hanging out in Omaha

"The Amazon" with 3 of her beautiful (petite) sisters-in-law on a tiny little bench

The two lovely ladies on the right are Eric's sisters, Amy and Andrea. I admire them both in so many ways.

Eric & Pops

Eric's parents, Steven & Mary - still in love :)

Eric's parents have been married for nearly 40 years. They're awesome. Mary is one of the smartest women I know. She always has a large stack of books by her bedside, and she's done a wonderful job of instilling a deep love of reading and writing in all of her children as well. Steven is a sweet, supportive, spiritual man who we all really love and look up to.

Eric is the coolest Uncle