Irvine Open House

31 Years Ago

My parents were sealed for time and all eternity June 28th, 1977 in the Utah Ogden Temple. I am extremely grateful and so blessed to have them as my parents. I honor and love them so dearly for raising me and being my example to turn to!

The Wedding Day

The Reception June 21st, 2008

Just check out Jack in this photo. Such the camera hog.

Wedding Dinner at the Rheinlander

I have a few more photos I will post on this a little later.

Site Seeing Around Portland

Site Seeing in Portland at Multnomah Falls

Three Years Ago

My dear friend took some photos of me three years ago that I have come to really appreciate. Every time they come across my screen saver I start to miss my long hair. That is all I really wanted to blog about tonight.

Making Changes

After my New York trip I decided that my clothes were fitting a little tight and wanted to get ready for that summer body. I decided on April 1st to lose weight and was working towards the date of June 21st. I told my future sister in law to order me a size 2 bridesmaid dress. I knew that I would have to squeeze into that dress unless I could drop a few pounds. I started small by trying to cut back on my diet coke drinking and was somewhat successful. I was given some great advice and am still working and drinking less. I must admit this has not been an easy battle but is worth the weight I can lose from cutting back. The good news is that from April 1st I am down 4 pounds. I am off to Portland for the wedding and am really excited to be a part of the bridal party.

Happy Father's Day!

July 2007

Spring 1992

8th grade graduation 1995

Maui 2000

On this Father's day I have done some reflecting on the importance of my father. It all began just 31 years ago when he married my mother in the Ogden Temple. Today in sacrament the primary children sang the song "When daddy comes home" (Not sure if that is the title). I can remember singing that song each year and being grateful for my father. As a young child I didn't quite understand how selfless parent's really are when raising children. He has always provided a safe shelter, clothes, food and all the essentials that one needs to live. He has served in many time consuming callings in the church but always kept his family highest priority. I remember that my father would travel all the time but I don't recall him ever missing my dance recitals, a swimming meet, a soccer game or any other activities I did growing up. During college I managed to get in three tiny car accidents and when I called home to tell him the expensive bad news he always asked if I was injured and was going to be ok. I also broke my thumb skiing back in 2002 and called home in tears and it didn't take him long to cheer me right back up and remind me that everything was going to be ok. He continues to inspire me to this day. I also need to pay tribute to my Grandpa Emmett who raised 5 boys to be the great men they are today. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! To Grandpa, Dad, Tom, Bill, Jake, Chad, Jim and my brother John!

Happy Birthday Beth

August 2002

After my exhausting busy weekend in Midway I really do have a new appreciation for my darling sister in law Beth. If it isn't Jack needing a diaper change then Lily will be sure to need one. I hope she had a wonderful birthday and feels the LOVE even on father's day this year. Thank you for my adorable niece and nephew and I look forward to spending time with you all this summer.

Life Lesson's

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2 : The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping--they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes. Learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

"Dumbing Down our Kids" by educator Charles Sykes

Off to Utah

I LOVE JETBLUE!

My plane was California Blue.

Saturday night in Salt Lake at a party with Daniella and Kylee.

Jack on the Emmett's porch in Logan

With my Grandparents eating lunch in Logan at the Italian Place

Jack, Madison and Justin

Jack and Lily

Lily

Loving Lily and Jack

I had a wonderful trip to Utah and the photos are proof of how wonderful my niece and nephew are. I really loved making the drive up to Logan Sunday night for just a few short hours to visit with my grandparents. The second best part of Utah was eating at Cafe Rio not once but twice in 4 days. I helped keep the house clean and Jack entertained and came home pretty exhausted from my long weekend. It was really nice to get out of Orange County for a few days and be up and around all the beautiful mountains. If there is anything I miss most about Utah is my extended family and the mountains.

Jack on Razor

I had the best four days in Midway! One of Jack's new favorite things to do is learning to ride this razor. While he loved riding with me pushing him around he is getting close to doing it all by himself.