Ashley's Bridal Shower

So, this last Saturday we threw a bridal shower for my niece, Ashley. I think it was a great success . . .she got lots a goodies for her new married life. I can't believe that my little niece who used to crawl around on all fours, barking like a dog, and who used to say she was going to marry Gonzo (Yes that's the blue one from the Muppets with the long nose), is getting married in October! I do have to tell one story about her before I go. Shortly after I got my driver's license, I wanted to take her to the movies. She was probably three or four years old. We went to go see "Thumbelina" and when we sat down in the theater seats, she was too tiny to keep the seat from folding up on her! She had to sit on my lap for the whole movie. Well, she hasn't gown much since then. But she will be a beautiful little bride.

California

This last Saturday we took a fun family trip up to Sequoia and Kings National Parks. It got me thinking about how many wonderful things there are about our state. On the way up we passed this beautiful citrus grove. I just love something about seeing lush green trees planted in rows on hills.

Where else can you go from seeing a beautifully kept grove of fruit trees to this?


I've spent a lot of time complaining about the state of California. It's just not the same California I grew up in. I can't tell you the number of times I've wished we could just move away and find that perfect quaint little town in a state that I felt was right to raise a family in. But I imagine that could be said of a lot of other places as well. There's so much that I wish we could change about how it is run. But for now, I've just got to think of the positive points this state has, and pray for the best.

Happy 3rd Birthday, William!

Today William turned 3, and it has been a very busy day. The start of the day wasn't too fun for him, he was a bit under the weather, but felt much better by noon. Here he is shooting his brothers with his Buzz Lightyear gun, and the other picture he is holding his mini Book of Mormon. When we bought that for him on the way home from Utah, he kept saying "I love my Book of Mornin." It kept him occupied for about half an hour! We love you, little William!

I need a panini press

All I've got to say is yummmm! Pound cake, strawberries and my new favorite, Nutella. I really need to find a panini press! I happened upon this yummy looking concoction while searching for Nutella recipes. Again, I can't claim that I came up with the idea, or that I took that delectable picture.

Examples

I don't know if any of you do this, but as I was contemplating what we should cover in Family Home Evening tonight, I started to get that overwhelmed feeling. "A talk from General Conference," I thought, then, "well, something from gospel principles would be good." Then I thought to myself, "But there are so many stories from the scriptures the younger ones haven't heard yet." My mind started reeling with the thoughts of all the things we need to teach our children, things that we need to cover before we send them off into the world on their own. Then I thought, "thank goodness for teaching by example." Not that I'm saying that I'm a good example for my children, I know that I need to be a thousand times better. But it is nice to think that the example of those around my children can help to fill in the gaps where we haven't had time to cover all we've wanted to in verbal communication to our children. Whether it has been family, primary teachers, church leaders, school teachers - I'm glad that every once in awhile someone has been a good example to my boys.