Our Family Reunion

This weekend we got together with my extended family. We don't get the opportunity to see them very often, so it was precious time we were able to spend together. They came from California, Colorado and New Mexico and were able to stay for a couple of days. They included my parents, siblings and spouses and my mom's aunt and uncle, their daughter, her son and wife and son (got that? :) Also there were my mom's only sis, her husband, their daughter and her son. I can't forget my grandfather and his cousin who was also able to come. We had so much fun and though we aren't a big family, I feel close to all of them and love them all so much. Thank you to everyone for coming. God bless you all!

I Love To See The Temple

It was early and the sun was bright in the eyes, but we were so happy to get the kids pics taken in front of the new temple. It is so close to our house and growing up in California I never dreamed that one day I would live in a town with two temples. I love that my kids get to watch it being built right in front of them. We are truly blessed.

The Next Page

Conner and I went to his new school today for the first time. I had to fill out all the paperwork and he needed to have some assessments. I was delighted at how nice the facilities are and how friendly the staff is. It has been a long and sometimes lonely road this year and I am more thrilled than I know how to express that he will have this opportunity. He is so excited and found out who his teacher will be and checked out his classroom and the playground (all the really important stuff :) I have loved our time together and I am grateful that both of us are beginning this new chapter.

My Daughter's Angel

My daughter is named after my aunt Cecilia. This is her wedding pic taken right before she died. I think she was absolutely beautiful and I knew I needed to name my only daughter after her. I have this picture hanging up in my Cecilia's nursery so she always knows the angel for whom she is named. This second picture is my birthday present. A photograph of the Salt Lake temple where Tony and I were married. I am usually very frugal, but I was overjoyed when he brought this home to me :) Thanks babe!!

Having a Ball

My brother is staying with us for awhile. My kids adore him because he doesn't hesitate to play with them whenever he can. I am grateful for this time we have with him and the relationship he has with Conner and CC. By the way, Conner loves basketball and has been practicing a lot!!

Tag Your It Again

I know, I know I just did one of these, but I will indulge again. Love this blogging world :D

Have you ever...
Gone on a blind date? yes...some fun, and some the stuff of nightmares
Skipped school? Oh yah- 10th grade PE and 11th grade Drama come to mind
Watched someone die? I was with my grandma at the end- one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had
Been to Canada? we drove all the way up the coast when I was growing up and it took 20 hours with very few stops- we entered Canada and my dad turned the car back around and we drove back- go figure...
Been to Mexico? nope, that's not on my list of dream vacations actually, though I would like to see Mayan ruins, Book of Mormon tour, that sort of thing
Been to Florida? NO-sniff, sniff
Been on a plane? yes like to go somewhere now
Been lost? yes- the worst was in DC with no map and no cell phone and knowing no one and late at night in a really BAD part of town- I was blessed that night
Been on the opposite side of the country? yes
Gone to Washington, D.C.? We 15 min away right after we first got married for about four months- love it out there
Swam in the ocean? Yes
Cried yourself to sleep? Yes
Played cops and robbers? Yes
Recently colored with crayons? It's been awhile
Sang Karaoke? No, but I am game to do this- I would love to do it with a group of friends... hint hint
Paid for a meal with coins only? Yes, they looove that!
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes
Made prank phone calls? Yes
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose? Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes
Danced in the rain? Yes
Written a letter to Santa Claus? Yes
Been kissed under the mistletoe? Yes
Watched the sunrise with someone you care about? I am never up early enough, but I will... how romantic :)
Blown bubbles? Yes
Gone ice-skating? Yes
Been skinny dipping outdoors? Yes

1. Any nicknames? Clara Bella Fire Woman, Rache' Lache'
2. Mother's name? Peggy
3. Favorite Drink? Water
4. Tattoo? No
5. Body Piercing? No
6. How much do you love your job? Love being a mom
7. Birthplace? CA
8. Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere that's away and with people I love
9. Ever been to Africa? No, but someday I hope
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? No, but have served chocolate cake when Tony was away- Conner was still hungry so we had seconds
11. Ever been on TV? I was on the news when I was a kid in a news story about a fish hatchery in Idaho- I was in the studio audience of Punky Brewster and animal show in the late eighties, though no one ever sees them. I tried out for a McDonalds commercial- does that count :)
12. Ever steal any traffic signs? No, but hmmm....
13. Ever been in a car accident? Oh yah
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door
15. Favorite salad dressing? ranch
16. Favorite pie? peach
17. Favorite number? 11
18. Favorite movie? Gone with the Wind
19. Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
20. Favorite dessert? Cinnamon rolls- Lyndys
21. Favorite food? pasta salad
22. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
23. Favorite brand of body wash? Ok this will sound funny, but Love Spell by Victoria's Secret- it smells so good I want to eat my own arm :D
24. Favorite toothpaste? Colgate (Bonnie I seriously thought you were going to say blue :D
25. Favorite smell? a baby's head
26. What do you do to relax? Talk to a friend, walk, play the piano, write, listen to music, read
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? With teenagers! Hopefully with a degree and working in the temple a lot-
28. Who are you tagging? Cami, Crystal and Dave

My View

I was talking to my dear, darling friend Kristell today and wishing she could come visit me. I have been able to visit her in California and see her life, but thought it might be fun for all my friends who live out of state and haven't been able to visit me yet, to see my life (or at least my surroundings) I took several pics of the house and the view so you can get a better sense of what I see every day.

Waxing Sentimental

I have so many people in my life that I love so dearly. I have been blessed with angel friends. I have lived so many places and collected kindred spirits along the way. Thank you, thank you for standing by me, for making me laugh (that's an important one), for giving me a shoulder, for all the adventures. I could write a paragraph on each one of you and list all the ways you've made an impact and just make my life better by being in it, but it's very late at night and I should be in bed!

I Was Tagged

I've never been tagged- wow what an honor Cami :)

Food: Name a favorite food/flavor combo.

pasta salad, pasta salad, pasta salad

Music: If you could only have 3 cds to listen to for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Consider the Lilies by the MoTab- it got me through some rough times, Hopes and Fears by Keane, and haven't heard the new cd by Coldplay, but I love the single Viva La Vida so much I just may pick it for the song. Hm... I hope it's good then if I only have three...

Home: Think of your cooking/baking methods. Is there anything about what you do that drives you crazy?

I always spill everything- I can't seem to not make a mess :)

Choices: Is there something you chose to do, but almost didn't, and are grateful that you did?Name this near-regret.

marrying my husband is the biggest one- almost every time I take a chance or reach out in some way the dividends have been huge.

Parenting: Name something you have said to your child(ren) recently that was taken right from your parents' playbook.

Wow this is a hard one... I try so hard not to do this

Season: Name the most refreshing thing about summer.

The evenings spent outside with friends

We Love Our Daddy

I hope you all had a wonderful Father's day. We sure did and I want to take this opportunity to let my amazing hubby know how grateful I am that he is the father of my children and my best friend. I also want my own dad to know that I think he is pretty great and I love to see him with the kids. I love you guys!

Music For The Soul

I have been playing the piano again. I took lessons for ten years and loved it. I haven't been able to play for a long time because of my TOS (too painful), but the other day I sat and played for almost an hour. I played songs I had composed in college, and classical pieces I have always adored and even though I did hurt when I was done, I felt so exhilarated and alive. My kids sat and listened- they never hear me play. CC even tried to dance. I can't wait to see what role music will have in her life. She was born with it in her soul.

And So It Begins

We are finally taking the plunge and joining the blogging world. I am hoping this will be a fun and easy way to keep in touch with loved ones and friends. I am sure I will find so many of you already doing this, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. I am truly so blessed with a wonderful, supportive husband and two darling, loving children. This is the best time of my life and I am excited to share just a little piece of it with you.