ROAD TRIP!

This Last week Eric and I drove down to California for Nick and Erica's open house. We had tons of fun and seen some beautiful places.

The open house was really nice! Getting to spend time with the Lockes is always a pleasure.

On Saturday we drove to San Francisco. We seen the Golden gate bridge, cable cars, walked the pier, and drove down Lombard Street.

Nick's dad, Steve got us in to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was amazing! I loved the sea horse exhibit. We even went behind the scene to watch them feed the sea otters. Everything was so much fun to watch. It was great to spend some time with my sweetheart Eric.

SNOW snow SNOW

It's not that I'm a snow hater, I'm not. Really I'm not. (maybe the extra "I'm not" is just to convince me) When you have to drive in snow, it can be a little nerve racking. When you have to drive a forty foot bus full of children in it, it can make you crazy! One day is doable. Two days, not what you want, but you can do it. Three or more days, and I wish I was doing anything but driving a school bus.(even toilets)

We woke up this morning to big soft white beautiful snow! I've been late on every bus run I've taken this morning. It's noon and the snow just keeps coming!

All ready this morning Eric had to pull a bus out that was stuck. (not mine) Pulled a neighbors car out, and cleared a lane for our neighbors.
I just want a good book or movie and forget about whats going on out side! I guess I have two hours to pretend.

For Time and all Eternity

photos by Natalie

So I've had more than a week to rest and get my act together. Erica and Nick's wedding was so much fun! I had such a great day thanks to all of the family's help. Maridee I wanted to thank you so much for giving me permission not to worry about the luncheon. I know you had lots of help and I want to thank everyone for everything. I know I may not even be aware of all the help that went into the YUMMY lunch. Please know that it was truly appreciated.

Erica told me through out the day how wonderful her day was and how thankful she was. She felt very loved and taken care of. Eric and I was pleased with the turn out at the reception, and again I'd like to thank everyone for their help. I know it would not have been as nice with out all the help from my sisters and Latara. Thank you so much!

I love the temple and I loved being in there with all the people I love. We have been very blessed to be able to stand in the temple with all our married children. Thank you so much my children for trying to do what you know is right it brings so much joy and happiness to me and your dad.

Oh so Happy!

Oh so Happy! This last Christmas vacation has been the best. I have to admit I'VE BEEN A LITTLE STRESSED OUT! I'm not very good at this wedding thing. I'm so excited about Erica and Nick's wedding but the planning is for the birds. Which might be right up my alley now because I'm as close to a coo coo bird as they get. Back to my great vacation. The kids all came home, everyone of them even my new son! We spent almost a whole week together.
Eric and I loved every minute of it! Loved having Trace and Maddie! Loved to hear my house full of all the sounds that I've missed in the last few years. Loved to wake up to Trace and his request for cocoa! Loved listening to my kids play, laugh, and joke with each other.
We played in the sand, seen a movie, went out to eat, and hung out with each other. I watched as the kids looked out for each other and one anothers hopes and dreams. I even felt the depth of their love for Eric and me as they made Christmas wishes come true.
Thank you kids for all you did! I know that it's not always easy to make things work when we are all together, you kids are the best.

The Balloon Festival!

Eric and I had so much fun. This was a really cool event and I hope to take more people with me next time, like Erica! :D I am even thinking about taking a trip down to New Mexico to see the balloon festival there because it was so fun. I was surprised at how excited I was about seeing these beautiful balloons!

Is She Stalking Me?

So I like to walk in the summer. I like to walk in the morning when everything is just starting to wake up. (Every thing except my children.) I like the way morning feels. Of course it helps that I get to walk in places that I love and that give me a sense of well being. I've been walking on the cow hill, and down to the pump in the bottom of the field. I get to hear the sound of the sprinklers, watch as they get changed from one place to the next. The neighbors doing the same thing, running their four wheelers from one place to the next. I've been watching a young family of jack rabbits check me out as I come by everyday. Then there is the birds, morning is the time they are out catching worms for their babies. Calling to each other and letting the world know they are there. Well I had a bird spoil all of this for me, as I walked on the hill I had a mother bird dive bombing me! So I think, I'll move on and walk down in the field. This seemed to solve my problem until I got back on the road, mind you I've been gone away from that bird for twenty minutes or more and she has had to come down off the hill to find me. As soon as I get on the road I see that bird on the power line chirping her stupid head off at me, I'm put out to say the least, what? Is she stalking me? As I move down the road to the safety of my home she hop to the next power line chirping and dive bombing between every power pole. I'm ducking and yelling thing like "what are you doing, I'm not even by your stupid babies", and "how do you even recognize me, I'm not the only walker out here you know!" Of course she doesn't care she just keeps after me until I'm safely in doors. It's the first time in my life I might be able to understand Natalie's fear of birds!

Do you know how to do that?

So I was reading Saddie's thoughts,(not that I can read minds or anything) Just her thoughts about making cookies.
I remember when Matt was little, but still three or four years old. We were watching a commercial with a mom and her little boy making cookies, Matt turned to me and asked "mom do you know how to do that" We were making cookies before the commercial was through playing. I couldn't believe that he had been alive that long and I hadn't made cookies with him.
So Saddie even though it may take more than a hour and several interruptions to get your cookies done. Tomas won't ever ask you if you know how to do that.
So make some cookies with your kids!