Beautiful Friend

You know how everyone has that one friend that is the talk of all the boys? Well, that would be my friend Ivy. Ivy and I have been friends since 1st grade, been roommates in college and everything in between but she is absolutely gorgeous and I FINALLY have proof! She was recently named as the 6th most beautiful person working on Capitol Hill--yes THE Capitol Hill. You can see the article here: http://thehill.com/cover-stories/50-most-test-2008-07-29.html

Bodega Bay, Santa Rosa & Sonoma

We have been trying to get to the beach ALL summer. We really wanted to go camping but since we procrastinated all the camping sites are always booked. So, as a surprise to Ben I planned a trip and got us a hotel room for this past weekend (we both needed to get away). Ben was able to get Friday off as a vacation day and so we left as soon as we were awake and fed. The drive went ok and we arrived at Bodega Bay around 11:30. The beach was GORGEOUS! The only problem was it was REALLY windy. We still tried to have as much fun as possible--we finally flew Xander's Thomas the Train kite (Thank you Mama Traeger!!) and we used the cool beach toys that we'd bought. Because it was so windy though we decided that we'd eat in our car. So we reversed the car so we could see the ocean and laid the towels out and picnic-ed in the trunk. It was fabulous! After lunch we drove over to Santa Rosa (that's where the good hotel rate was) and got settled for a small nap. I had read online that there was suppose to be a big family fun night at a park in Santa Rosa so we headed out for that at dinner time. We did NOT expect what an amazing night it would be! First, we fell in love with Santa Rosa--what a beautiful part of California. But it turned out that this was not just some small family night--nor was it a small park. It was one of the coolest parks I've been too! It had pony rides and train rides and the coolest playground equipment plus the extra bounce houses for FFN. And to make things better--the rides were half price!! YAHOO! Xander loved it--and we had a blast too. Our original plan was to go to the Charles Schultz museum Saturday morning but we found a flier for a place called "Train Town" in Sonoma--a town that was on our way home. (see: www.traintown.com). Well, if you've been around Xander the last 6 months you would know of his obsession with trains so we decided to check it out. It turns out that a guy had a thing for building to scale, ride-able trains in his basement back in the 70's. Well, his basement grew too small so he bought 10 acres in Sonoma and started building a larger train ride with cities and waterfalls and ponds etc. And at some point, his kids turned it into a park for others to enjoy. The train ride is amazing and takes about 20 minutes!! (Well, you stop at a petting zoo half way but the ride is still worth it!!). It was beautifully landscaped and we had so much fun trying to catch all the details. There was also a ferris wheel, small roller coaster, carousel, and airplanes that the kids could ride. Xander rode on all of these by himself except for the roller coaster--or "dragon train" as he liked to call it. He did however keep his hands in the air the whole time just like the other kids. All in all we had a fabulous time doing fun things and watching Xander in awe--I imagine that it will be similar to the kids first trip to Disneyland when they are old enough to understand. This really was his Disneyland. He kept saying, "It's Mr. Conductor!" "There's Thomas!" "There's James!" It was so much fun! After the train park we settled in for lunch at the Sonoma Cheese Factory which was in the town square across the street from the Sonoma Mission. It was mm-mm good. And after a short 1.5 hour drive (due to traffic) we were home again! Just in time to celebrate Pioneer Days with our church and have a free tri-tip dinner!!! What a fabulous weekend!

Attempts at crawling...

Eliza is almost 7 months but going on 1. She wants to get around so badly...here is some of her first attempts at crawling. This was a week ago. Today she was rocking again but getting very fussy when she didn't get anywhere--almost yelling at the toy it seemed. Poor thing!

You Decide 2008

After church today we went to the Websters. We do this occasionally and just put the kiddos down for naps while we chat with the folks. We put Xander in a different room than normal because the normal bed he sleeps in was packed for Grandma's camping trip this week. Well, this room happens to be where Grandma keeps all her crafts. Xander has never been one to get into things but today marks a new day. I walked in and said, "Oh look at my little smurf!!" And Ben walked in and said, "He looks like part of the Blue Man Group."

SO! You decide 2008---is he a smurf or a member of the Blue Man Group???

Cinderella Saturday

I don't know where Ben & I heard about this but we are trying to make it part of our family...
"Cinderella Saturday" is a Saturday set apart each month. On that day, you put together a LARGE list of chores that need to be done (ones that don't always get done that should) and you get all dirty and get things done. Then after you finish you clean everyone up and go out to dinner. The idea is pretty cool because it teaches a few things: 1. How to work and you get to work side by side 2. System of rewards...you clean, you get to go out to eat. 3. How to show respect for going out--i.e getting cleaned up and looking nice and 4. How to eat out. These are all great lessons and even if you can only afford McDonalds--it is still a treat and you can teach your children how to act in public. Anyways, here is a shot of our "Cinderella Saturday"

Independance Day Activities

Run with the Bulls w/ Nana and G.G Bonnie (Daddy met us on his lunch break)

Matching Red, White & Blue with Grumpy

Dessert for a party with friends from church

What a great day!

Happy 4th of July

'Tis fine to see the Old World and travel up and down Among the famous palaces and cities of renown,To admire the crumbly castles and the statues and kings But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things. So it's home again, and home again, America for me! My heart is turning home again and there I long to be, In the land of youth and freedom, beyond the ocean bars, Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars. Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air; And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome; But when it comes to living there is no place like home. I like the German fir-woods in green battalions drilled; I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing foutains filled; But, oh, to take your had, my dear, and ramble for a day In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her sway! I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack! The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back. But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free-- We love our land for what she is and what she is to be. Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me! I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the rolling sea, To the blessed Land of Room Enough, beyond the ocean bars, Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars. (Henry Van Dyke)

Happy Birthday America! And a special thanks to all the men and women who have served to protect our freedoms, our country and our land. Thank you Conor, Amanda, and Matt (my family) and my countless friends who have served and will served--for sacrificing yourselves, your family and your time to make us safe. We are who we are because people like you have believed in America enough to continue to stand up and fight for her. Let us never forget how lucky we are. Let us never forget to thank our Heavenly Father for the freedoms and beautiful country that we have. Let us fight each day to strength the Constitution and keep our country what it was meant to be...

Caught in the F.L.O.W

Well, this past weekend was the Folsom Lake Open Water (FLOW) swim that I had planned on doing a month or so ago. Unfortunately, I was unable to workout during that month--I mean, I did some crunches and some treading water while teaching but I was not able to get in a pool and do laps so that I could prepare my body for swimming a distance I've never done straight before. Due to that fact alone, I decided to sign-up for the 1.2 instead of the 2.4. What an adventure I had! Here are a few of my thoughts:
1. I do NOT know how to open water swim...I found myself off course several times because I did not know how to sight and then swim. I also swam a lot of breaststroke so that I would be able to see where I was going. I guess I'm a lot more comfortable when there is a line on the bottom and I can see where I'm going. For example, during the first leg I was doing pretty well and sticking close to my opponents and then they seemed to disappear. I knew that they hadn't sped off so I lifted my head and realized I was off course by a few yards...that darn current! I think I ended up swimming 1.5 or 6 miles instead of .2. :)
2. I do NOT know how to pace a 1.2 mile swim. I came in at the end sprinting--and still wasn't breathing hard at the end. And I wasn't really tired. Ben asked me if I was just leisurely swimming or if I had raced. Truthfully, I didn't think I was going to be able to finish before I began so I did save energy because I had no idea how much energy I would need. I have been sore though--don't get me wrong...swimming that long w/out flipturns was a long way for me.
3. My goal (since I had no idea what it should be) was to finish under an hour. I made it. My official time was 51.03. Ben said I would have had a better time had I RUN onto the shore. But, it had been awhile since I had nursed Eliza and I was feeling a little top heavy--I was not about to run onto the shore with everyone watching...enough said.
4. I think I could really enjoy open water swimming if I were to learn how to sight. I really enjoyed myself out there. It was calm, peaceful and I was able to do a lot of thinking. I came up with a lot of analogies. My plan is to get in shape now...well, maybe when I'm not so sore.
5. My favorite part was after the race though. They had a masseuse on the beach who was giving free massages. So I jumped on the chair. Apparently Xander was watching though because when I got down, he promptly climbed into the chair and asked for his massage. :) The lady died and gave him a 3 minute massage! Oh yeah, they also had these killer breakfast burritos for us after the swim--those were really yummy!

So, all in all, I can't wait to learn how to swim open water and come back next year and place 1st in at least my age group. (Oh yah, I placed 4th in my age group, and 12th amongst ladies). Here are some pics to enjoy: (And it is not overcast in these pictures--that would be the smoke from the forest fires!!)

No, it isn't this cold

Looks overcast doesn't it? I only wish that were the case but, it's actually the smoke from the wildfires. I have lived in Nor Cal my entire life and have never seen it so bad! We did not see much blue sky for a week and finally, this weekend some winds picked up. We were told to keep the kids inside, sports activities were canceled, our ward activity was canceled...the annual Rodeo fireworks have been canceled. It is CRAZY! The fires are not even that close to us but the stench and smoke have sure left their mark. Pray for some rain, PLEASE!!!

Eliza's Growl

My daughter is so incredibly verbal. It amazes me how much she gabs--it is never ending. We love it though. Lately she has started growling when she talks--I think it may have to do with the fact that Xander growls at her all the time. It was the best when we were at the grocery store yesterday and the checker was getting all these smiles out of Eliza and then Eliza let out a big growl. The checker was not expecting that from this cute little girl in a bow but it was absolutely hilarious! Anyways, this is subtle but enjoy...