San Francisco service project

For our Christmas gift this year, my parents gave us some money and asked us to do a service project with it to bring the spirit of Christmas into someone else life as well as our own. We decided to serve the homeless in San Francisco.

We begun by making scarves and blankets out of fleece material.

The kids decorated white bags to fill with food and supplies.

We filled the bags with scarves, socks, wipes, snacks, and Christmas treats.

We then made sack lunches to go with the bags and blankets.

Monday evening we headed into the city to seek out those in need. At first the kids we're scared to approach people but got really excited about it once they saw them light up when they gave them our gifts. We had a great experience serving some less fortunate individuals and bringing them some Christmas cheer.

It was fun to see San Francisco at Christmas time all lit up. Union Square was amazing with all the huge trees and decorations. Macy's had a wreath in every window - a really cool sight.

Thanks to my mom and dad for encouraging us to look outside ourselves and serve others this Christmas.

Let it snow, let it snow....

Yes, it snowed in Danville, California last night! (hasn't happened for 16 years I understand) The picture doesn't do it much justice but we did wake up to a bit of snow ground cover. The news said it snowed 3 inches (definitely more downtown than in our backyard). When I dropped the kids off at school this morning, there were kids on the playground throwing snowballs. Fun times! I think the kids will always remember the year it snowed in Danville.

Ashlyn and Dallin's birthday

A very Happy Birthday for Ashlyn (13) and Dallin (11). For those who do not know, they share a birthday - both born on December 1st. We had to have two different cakes - chocolate for Dallin and lemon for Ashlyn (we're still trying to eat all that cake!). How blessed we are to have these two great kids in our family!

Thanksgiving weekend...a little late

It's been a bit crazy lately but I finally have a few minutes to update the blog. We spent Thanksgiving with my family down in Southern California. Everyone was there except my sister that lives in Singapore (sorry Anna, not trying to make you feel bad). There were 31 of us - crazy but fun.

Thanksgiving morning, Ashlyn and Craig ran the 5K Turkey Trot in Dana Point. There were over 5000 runners and Ashlyn came in 18th place in her division and beat her previous time. It was such a beautiful day - couldn't have asked for nicer weather.

I didn't take too many pictures but I thought this was priceless - all the men doing the dishes after Thanksgiving dinner. That's the way to end a great meal!

Alexa was a little addicted to the Wii while we were there. She couldn't get enough Mario Cart.

We spent most of the time just hanging out, chatting and eating. The kids spent a lot of time up on the 'hill', playing Wii, and putting together Lego's. We did go on a long walk at the beach one day and spent some time playing there - can't go south and not hit the beach. We took the puppy with us - he did a great job traveling and had fun with all the kids.

Our newest family member....

Introducing - Koby - our new addition. Koby came to our home yesterday when two parents finally relented to the years of endless begging and pleading for a dog. He is a Golden Retriever and is 8 weeks old.

We had planned on getting a girl (because we read that they tend to be calmer) but when the kids went to see the puppies they fell in love with this little guy. He is so calm and snugly. Hopefully he stays that way! Let the adventure begin!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

This past weekend, the youth in our ward put on an incredible production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. They (and many leaders) have worked tirelessly over the past 3 months practicing and preparing - every mutual night and most Saturdays.

This time (they do a musical every two years), I was asked to be in charge of the costumes. Luckily, about 80% of them were rented. It was weeks of sorting, organizing, labeling, sewing, mending, fitting, etc. This is what my front room has looked like. I've learned so much about what goes into producing a show. Having never involoved myself in this type of thing as a youth, I've been so facinated by watching the whole process and seeing everything come together.
Ashlyn was able to participate this year. Being the first time she's been in a play or musical, this was a new and exciting experience for her. She did a great job and was fun to watch. I know she learned a ton - having a great time with her friends as well.
We feel so lucky to be in such a wonderful ward with so much musical talent - adults and youth. Each time we do this, we really witness miracles. It's also so neat to observe the community come into our church building and see these great youth and feel of the spirit that is there. They performed Thursday night thru Saturday night with around 400 people there each night. The play was free to attend but people could donate to a charity that the youth help choose to support.

Halloween 2009

Another great Halloween!

Dallin was a recycle bin (good fit since he's our recycle nazi).

Ashlyn (and her friends) we're Survivor contestants.
Endured two school parades. Dallin played with the high school marching band for his schools parade.Breann was a pirate.
Bryant was a dog and Alexa was Cinderella - again (she was planning to be Sleeping Beauty but changed last minute).

Oh the candy!

A trip to the Pumpkin Patch....

Lucky for us, Saturday we had a big break between soccer games and so had time to head to Half Moon Bay for a trip to the pumpkin patches there.

I love the Fall and there's nothing like a great day at the pumpkin patch to get you into the Fall spirit!

My little dog...

Every single morning this week, this has been Bryant's position.  This is him out on his swingset this morning at 7:30 am.  He gets up, puts on his Halloween costume (a dog) and goes right out to swing.  He was out there, by himself, for an hour this morning - and then on and off again throughout the day.  It's a good thing his costume is washable!

Muir Woods

Last Friday the kids didn't have school so we went with a big group from our ward to Muir Woods - a beautiful, lush redwood forest right on the coast in the north bay.  The kids had fun hiking around with their friends.

There were 10 families that went with over 40 kids in tow.  Other visitors thought we were a school fieldtrip (and we didn't correct them!).  It was a bit crazy but fun.
After Muir Woods we headed to Sausalito for some crab hunting.  Bryant even wore his crab shirt for the occasion.  We didn't find much but the kids had fun climbing on the rocks.

It was fun to explore and have fun with friends on our day off!

Mom's birthday weekend...

This past weekend I had the great opportunity to fly down to Southern California and spend a few days with my mom and two of my sisters.  It's a rare opportunity to just be together as adults and share some precious time together.  Much of the time was spent just hanging out, talking and eating.  However, Saturday we ventured out and went on a bike ride up in LA.  We headed to Santa Monica beach where we road over 20 miles along the coast line, visiting the Santa Monica Pier and walking thru Venice Beach.  

We saw many interesting things and people in Venice Beach.  I can't believe I've lived in CA most of my life and have never been to this area.  

It was so nice to spend this time with my sisters whom I used to see almost daily in AZ and miss being around.  I'm grateful for such a wonderful husband who was supportive in my leaving (even though I was gone all the previous weekend too at Time Out for Women) and held down the fort while I was gone.  Like Nephi, I too have been 'born of goodly parents'.  My mom and dad are amazing people and I'm grateful for their great examples as well as their love and support.

Alexa Turns 5!

We celebrated Alexa's 5th birthday a little while back.   Since this was a milestone birthday, she got to have her first ever birthday party.  Alexa decided she wanted a very pink, very girly, princess party.  She invited 8 little girls her age who came, all dressed up, to her 'Princess Academy' party.  They had fun getting all glammed up, making crowns and bracelets, playing games, dancing, and eating.  And yes, I actually made a cake - something I don't usually do (Costco is my best friend) but for some unknown reason took on.  It resembled more the Oakland Temple (with pink sparkles) than a castle but the girls sure liked it.  It's hard to believe that our little Alexa is now five and going to school.  She is such a loving, fun, smart kid and we were glad to celebrate her birth into our family.

Hooray for School!!

I know I'm one of those awful parents but I am SO happy to have the kids back to school.  What can I say, I love a good schedule and although summer is loads of fun, it's always nice to get back to the schedule stuff.  The kids started with a half day yesterday (they have to tease you a little first) and then a 2/3 day today (Wednesday are always a weird day) and then tomorrow the whole shebang.  (The first day was a bit crazy, hence no pictures of Dallin or Ashlyn)

 This is a big year because Alexa STARTED KINDERGARTEN - yea!  She is very excited to go to school and is loving every minute of it (who couldn't love finger-painting with pudding). 

I am still trying to get a grip on the management of it all - juggling 3 different schools with 4 different schedules (yes, the office did have to call me today to come pick up Breann) - but we will figure it all out.  The kids all love their new teachers (Dallin has the same teacher as last year so he jumped right in) and are looking forward to no TV, loads of homework, regular piano practice, and an all around good time learning!