Carmel Beach

Beautiful weather, beautiful beaches.  This is why we love California.  And my family is all here:)  We drove to Saratoga last night.  Dan had a flight to Las Vegas very early this a.m. for an orthodontic conference.  He has to get a certain number of CE (continuing education) credits, and this will fulfill half of them for the year.  He’ll be back tomorrow in time for the Priesthood session and then the traditional dinner out with all the men.  So we missed him today at the beach.  It was a great beach day.    

Ashley and her boyfriend, Spencer, flew in from Provo for the weekend as well!  Party time!

We got lunch at a place called Randy’s Sandwich Shop, which claims to have the best sandwiches in town.  They were pretty good!  Michael definitely approves.

It was this little guy’s first time at the beach (well, besides last summer I guess, but he was too little then).  He LOVED it!  I couldn’t get him to look up even for a second for a picture.  He was too into playing.

And I love this picture.  She’s surrounded by cool sand toys, but still chooses to go with the broken styrofoam cup.  Classic.

Aren’t cousins just the best?  My kids love spending time with their cousins.  It’s going to be a great 2 weeks! 

The famous Pebble Beach golf course.  I mean, I’d take up golfing for sure if I could golf on this course.  Such a beautiful area. 

I’m wondering how much that white mansion on the golf course is worth.  A house up there recently sold for $18 million.  That’s about what I was thinking:)  It’s probably just someone’s summer home. 

And some cute ones Steph took:

He’s 1!!!!

It seems like yesterday James was just a baby.  He was 3 months here.  Wasn’t he just the cutest?

And then overnight he became a little boy!  We started his birthday off with a haircut.  He needed to look spiffy for his big day!                                                              

Although we really didn’t do much celebrating . . . . Dan had youth baptisms at the temple right after work, so James was in bed by the time Dan got home.  So, we’ll be having James’s 1st birthday party in California this weekend.  But we did manage to take a few pictures on his actual birthday.

And, he learned a new trick today.  It was the first time he actually pointed to his nose when I asked him “Where’s your nose?”  He’s pulling himself up and cruising a little, but still not much interest in free standing or walking.  And he still just has those two bottom teeth, but I think the top ones are about to brake through soon.  He won’t eat baby food anymore, it’s all table food for him now.  He loves Cheerios, craisins, cheese, jam sandwiches, eggo waffles, oatmeal, peas, and most anything else we put on his tray.  I’ve been giving him whole milk for a few weeks now, so that’s been nice.  I haven’t taken him to his 1 year dr.’s appointment yet, but I doubt he’s 20 lbs yet so we’ll have to keep his car seat backward facing for awhile longer.  He sleeps pretty consistently from 8 pm to 8 am every night, and takes 2 naps a day.  He LOVES to climb up the stairs so we had to put up a gate, but if we ever accidentally leave it open, he’ll notice and get through it.  He loves “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and will try to do the spider part with his hands.  He also loves it when we dance with him.  He’s recently learned how to wave and he kind of says “hi” (which I consider his first word).  I love when he waves and says “hi” to random people in the store.  He’s very friendly like that.  But he is definitely getting a little stranger anxiety . . . . meaning he won’t just let anyone hold him.  He LOVES when Dan comes home from work at the end of the day.  He gets really excited to see Dan and I love it.  It’s so cute.  We just really can’t believe how fast this year has gone by!  Granted, it’s been a very busy year for us with moving and starting a new job, and being in a new place and everything, but really, time is just flying by.  We’re having so much fun with our little Jamesy boy.  He brings us so much happiness, and we just can’t imagine life without him!

Hill Aerospace Museum

It was so fun being in Utah for a few days with Dan’s family for the wedding.  On Saturday, the day after the wedding, a few of us went over to the Hill Aerospace Museum in the afternoon for something to do.  Scott was warning us that it was nothing compared to the Dayton Air Force Museum, but it was a pretty good little museum, and the kids had fun running around.  James actually loved it and kept pointing in every direction at all the different planes, wanting me to take him to each one.  It’s so fun to see how he’s just naturally drawn to boy stuff . . . . Annie and Leah really could have cared less about the planes.  

Big boys like airplanes too!

We went back to Scott and Elisha’s house and got out all our Cafe Rio leftovers for dinner.  Amy and Chris had Cafe Rio cater the family dinner after the wedding, and we got to take all the leftovers home.  We had so much, it was Cafe Rio heaven!  We had it for lunch and dinner on Saturday and then for lunch again on Sunday before we drove home.  Let’s just say we definitely got our Cafe Rio fix for awhile!

Chris and Amy’s Wedding

They’re married!  Dan’s sister, Amy, married Chris Silva on March 18th in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.  The sealing was wonderful, Amy looked gorgeous, and we were just so happy to share this special day with them!      

Above: It’s always so fun when the whole family gets together!  We hadn’t seen the Johnson’s since they moved to Germany last June, and unfortunately they only brought 2 of their 6 kids, Katie and Matthew.  But we’re glad the four of them came at least!  And of course we’re still without Elder Brian Walton, who comes home this summer! 

Below: Chris and his groomsmen.  They could have gone on for hours with all their funny poses and action shots for the camera.  I guess they have a history of doing this at each other’s weddings.  The Reid’s dad said, “Seriously, they’ll just keep going until someone tells them to stop.”  So funny.  And here’s a random side note - 3 of these guys were in my BYU freshmen ward.  Chris, Dave Reid, and Greg Gardner, who just happened to marry Dan’s cousin, Laura, so he’s now a part of the family too!  Funny how things happen.

We had a much harder time thinking up funny bridesmaids pictures.  We tried doing model poses, but we’re not very good at that . . . . we just laughed instead.  And we did attempt to do a jumping picture, but we can’t really post that one, for multiple reasons:)

And how cute do the little girls look!?  I was having a hard time figuring out what they were going to wear, and so finally just called my sister, Stephanie, and said, “Hey, would you mind making the girls some skirts for Amy’s wedding?”  “Sure!” she said, “I would LOVE to!”  I sent her the measurements for Annie, Leah, Molly, and Katie, and a few days later, I had 4 adorable little skirts and coordinating hair accessories in my mailbox.  Is she the best sister or what?  Thanks, Steph!  They were perfect.  

This little boy had a rough weekend.  We drove to Utah on Wednesday night.  We changed James’ diaper in Elko (half way) and he was totally fine.  3 1/2 hours later when we arrived at Scott and Elisha’s house at 2 a.m., his eyes were red, totally goopy, and swollen shut.  Poor little guy!  Why does he have to get pink eye the day before the wedding!?  He looked pretty bad on Thursday, and I was worried he would be a wreck for the wedding on Friday.  He actually looked a lot better by Friday, thanks to Elisha rounding up some eye drops from a friend.  But he definitely wasn’t his happy little self.  The sad thing is that the only other time in his life when he’s been sick, was over Christmas when we were with Dan’s family in Vancouver.  Every time they see him, he’s sick!

The reception was that evening at the Salt Lake Hardware Building.  What a cool place!  It was trendy, but classy . . . . just Amy’s style.  We had the family dinner there first, a few hours before the reception.  We had Cafe Rio for dinner.  Scott, Dan, Mike, and Chris Johnson wrote a cute and clever song they performed welcoming Chris Silva into the family.  It was hilarious.  Then at 7, the reception began.  There was a D.J. and everyone had fun getting their groove on.  When Annie and Leah heard it was going to be a dance party, they were so excited, and easily danced for a few hours.  It was so fun, and we were exhausted by the end of the night (especially after taking everything down and cleaning the place up!)

And here they go, off into the night!  Congrats Chris and Amy!  It was such a perfect day.  But the best part of all was seeing how happy you guys were all day.  Now go have fun in Mexico!

My Trip to Ohio!

Remember how Dan surprised me for my birthday with a trip to Ohio?  Just me?  Well, it has come and gone, and yes, it was fabulous.  Starting with the plane ride . . . . my first solo plane trip since my college days at BYU.  Crazy, eh?  It’s true.  I haven’t gone through the airport without a stroller in a long time.  Security was a breeze.  The flight was long, but I could just relax and read my book. 

I really miss having lunch every Wednesday with these ladies (we’re missing Kristie who took the kids to preschool).  I’m so happy we got to have this little lunch group reunion on Thursday before Nollie went out of town for the weekend.                                                                                

Debbie Angelos, me, and Nollie Haws

Thursday night was spent at Cap City with these guys, my old Zoombezie Bay buddies.  We laughed, ate, had deep conversations, tried taking pictures of an Ohio State basketball player who was also at the restaurant, shared a Big Cup O’ Chocolate for dessert, and then went to Heather’s house and talked some more.  Such a fun night.                     

me, Heather Teeples, Amanda Williams, and Kristie Burnett

I spent Friday with these awesome ladies.  We hung out for a few hours during the day at Kristie’s house, and then reconvened that evening for a night out!  We shopped at Polaris Mall and then ate dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Cantina Laredo, a “gourmet mexican” restaurant with a fun and trendy atmosphere.  They make the best fresh guacamole right there in front of you, and all their food is so good.  

Leah Young, me, Angie Christensen, Joni Wright, Kristie Burnett, and Amy Elmore

After dinner and a little more shopping, we went back to Leah’s house and stayed up late talking and being silly.  Nothing could have been better!  Thanks for the awesome night you guys!!!

On Saturday Kristie and I went down to the Short North to make a trip to the Northstar Cafe for the famous ricotta pancakes.  Seriously, they are heaven.  We then went to Easton for some shopping at Nordstrom.  Then that night Kristie hosted a party at her house for me.  It was soooooo fun to see everyone!

Ally Bowcutt, Debbie Angelos, Sanae Gazdik, Kristie Burnett, and me

Top row: Amy Elmore, StacyAnn Burnett, Angie Christensen, Ashley Christensen, Heather Teeples, Sanae Gazdik, Julia Manning, Andrea Despain, Lacey Stewart.  Bottom row: Leah Young, Kristie Burnett, Amanda Williams, me, Noelle Bastian, Ally Bowcutt, Debbie Angelos, Jami Anderton.

This trip was exactly what I needed.  It was so great to go back to visit and reconnect with all of my friends.  I can’t believe how much we miss everyone . . . . we were just so lucky in Ohio to be surrounded by so many amazing people.  Thanks for the great weekend everyone!  Thanks to Amy and Ally for sending me these pictures.  And thanks to Kristie and her fam for being wonderful hosts and letting me crash at their house.  And thanks to my awesome Reno friend, Adrienne Lee, for watching my kids for a few days.  And especially thanks to Dan for sending me on this trip in the first place!!!  It was honestly the best birthday present ever!

Sarah’s Ohio Trip – March 2-6, 2011

Leah at 4 years old

I’m so sad.  We lost all the pictures from Leah’s birthday.  In all the computer craziness that has been going on here lately (Dan buying a new MacBook, transferring everything over to that computer, backing everything up on the hard drive, then deciding he wanted the MacBook with the high-def, anti-glare screen, so sending the first one back and finally getting his new one and transferring everything to that one, etc.) somehow they disappeared.  Gone.  And I’m bummed. 

Just imagine a really cute picture of Leah, in my favorite outfit on her right now (her grey skinny jeans and her grey shirt with pink flowers), with her hair curled, sitting with her legs out stretched and crossed, with bare feet, in front of her pile of pink and yellow presents, with the biggest, happiest smile on her face.  It really was a cute picture. 

But they are just pictures, and I can’t worry about it. 

She did have a good birthday though.  I can at least write about it, right?  Her birthday was on a Saturday, and our friends, the Lee’s, came over to help celebrate and to watch the BYU basketball game.  We got Leah a Playmobil set (she loves Playmobil), a new outfit for her American Girl Doll (the purple jazz outfit), a new Guess Who game, a huge thing of Playdoh, and Annie got her some sidewalk chalk and candy.  The Playmobil set said it came with 771 pieces, and wow, it sure did . . . . Dan and Matt were setting it up for most of the BYU game, and Adrienne and I joined in to help for the last hour.  Wow, a total pain.  But she loves it, along with her other gifts. 

I can’t even express how much we love our little Leah Lou.  I call her “Lovie” and sometimes “Lovie Lou.”  I say to her, “Do you know why I call you “Lovie?”  She always says, “No, why?” with a big smile on her face because she knows exactly what I’m going to say.  “Because I just love you!!” And I give her big hugs and kind of tickle her.  She really is just full of love.  She’s been like that every since she was little - very loving.  Sometimes a little too loving . . . . she can drive James crazy with her smooching and sometimes a little too rough of hugs.  But it’s always out of love. 

Here’s some more stuff about Leah at 4 years old:

- What is your favorite animal?  “a zebra”

- What is your favorite color?  “blue”

- What is your favorite game?  “Guess Who”

- What is your favorite song?  “Follow the Prophet”

- What is your favorite food?  “muffins and broccoli”

- What is your favorite drink?  “chocolate milk and pink milk”

- What is your favorite toy?  “my American Girl doll”

- What is your favorite thing to wear?  “a dress-up”

- Which dress-up is your favorite?  “My Belle dress.  But if I had a Fancy Nancy outfit and you asked me that question, I would say my Fancy Nancy dress-up.”

- What is your favorite movie?  “Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me”

- Who are your favorite characters in those movies?  “Jessie in Toy Story 3 and in Despicable Me, the middle girl who always wears a hat.  Because she’s funny.”

- What do you like playing with at home?  “with my playmobil”

- What places do you like to go?  “Scheels!  I like to go to the library for storytime and to buy some books, and I like to go to the park, and I like to go bowling.”

- What is your most favorite place to go?  “I like all the places but my favorite favorite is Disneyland.”

- What is your favorite part about going to gymnastics?  “I like to go on the trampoline and do seat drop, puppy, tummy, up.”

- What is your favorite part about going to swim lessons?  “Going to the deep side.”

- What’s your favorite thing to do with our family?  “I love to go to Hawaii with my family.  Hmmm, and read a book.”

- What do you like to do with Annie?  “sing songs”

- What do you like to do with James?  “play with him”

- What do you like to do with Mom?  “watch movies and snuggle”

- What do you like to do with Dad?  “go on the Ferris Wheel” (at Scheels)

- What is your favorite thing to do outside?  “Well, if we had a trampoline, I would say jump on it.”

- What is your favorite room in our house?  “me and Annie’s room”

- What do you like to sleep with?  “My Pillow Pet and my Pfee Pfee.”

Yep, she still calls her blanket her Pfee Pfee, pronounced “Fee Fee.”  I always put a P at the beginning for some reason, because it almost has a p sound.  Anyway, she has 2 Pfee Pfees, exactly the same, because one was Annie’s when she was baby, but Annie got attached to a different blanket.  Leah is still very into music.  She’s definitely our little music girl.  She always wants to listen to the primary songs in the car, and then she’ll take her iPod into stores with her and listen to Black Eyed Peas, “I’ve Got a Feeling”, or the Brady Bunch, “Sunshine Day.”  Those are her favorites as of late.  She’s also the one most into computer games and games on the iPod.  She loves doing “homework” pages while Annie is working on her homework, and she is enjoying learning how to read . . . . she loves getting out a book she knows by heart, like Pinkalicious, and pretends to read it.  Although I think she really believes she’s reading.  She is getting better at sounding out basic 3 letter words though, and she is starting to write and draw more, probably because Annie is always writing and drawing.  Her and Annie play so great these days, they really are the best of friends.  It’s so nice. 

Happy 4th Birthday Leah!!!  We can’t believe what a big girl you are!  We love you so much!!