One Dozen Years of Wedded Bliss

12 years ago we were dying in the crazy Phoenix heat and loving every minute of it.

Happy Anniversary N8! I've loved every minute of the last 12 years and can't wait for dozens more to come.

Mormon Helping Hands

Today N8 was off hiking the Grand Canyon. I know that sounds big, but for some reason it didn't seem like a big deal. Maybe it's the fact that I grew up in Phoenix and in a family that seemed to hike the Grand Canyon all the time. I was excited for him to have the opportunity to do it.

So this morning the kids and I loaded up and headed over to one of the local middle schools for our annual Mormon Helping Hands event where we do LDS members do local community service all over California. We specifically weeded (or cleaned up dirt!). Other's scrapped gum, cleaned windows, power washed, etc. Then we had a nice hot dog lunch. The kids were very helpful and enjoyed working together with their friends.

All in all a great way to spend a Saturday morning!

How the West Was Run SoCal Ragnar 2013

This past weekend was the SoCal Ragnar 2013. No, I did not run in it, but N8 did, my brother did, my niece did, my cousin did and 8 other people I know. I feel like I can blog about it since it seriously involved my family. Also, I seriously doubt N8 will get around to blogging it, so this gets it documented.

Their team name was "How the west was run". I was much fonder of this years team name over last years. Ashley' brother designed their logo for the t-shirts again-which were awesome! Then N8 did the vinyl. Yes I helped, but really N8 did the majority of the vinyl for the vans. It also turned out awesome!

They took of on Thursday afternoon and the first van started running at 8am Friday morning. They ran switching off runners until 2:45pm Saturday. Each runner running 3 times through the day and night. Pretty impressive! Here are some of my favorite shots:

Van 2

Mark getting sprayed down

Carol & Casey

N8 and Casey

Casey, Mark and Carol

Our friends the Stephen and Rachel came to cheer them on in the middle of the night!

That is not a white shirt under the blue one!

Van 1

Casey and her dad Ray

Mark at the Finish!

Nate at the finish!

The cowgirls!

The team "How the West was Run"

A little mailbox redo...

This past weekend N8 and 11 other crazy people ran a Ragnar. That will be in my next post. I was home with 4 crazy kids instead! In our craziness we headed to Home Depot and happened upon the mailbox aisle and saw they had mailboxes for $5. Our mailbox we faded, wouldn't stay closed and the flag would no longer stay up.

Here's what our mailbox looked like:

and here's what it looks like now!

I love it, much better!

Another year older and wiser too...

Happy Birthday, to you Nate!!

We love you Superman!!

You are one amazing dad and husband. 35 is going to be one awesome year!

I'm so glad you wanted to "hang out" with my and my roommates!

And paint my toes

make me go in snow

And take me places I could only dream of!

I love you!

A visit and a baptism...

On Friday morning Dan and Karen (grandpa and grandma) arrived. We spent the time visiting and just hanging out. After the kids got home from school we hung in the front yard blowing bubbles and shooting water guns!

Puma seems to think he has become a semi outside kitty, sneaking out whenever he gets the chance!

Friday night we headed to our favorite Mexican food restaurant and had some great food. We came home and showed grandpa and grandma Wreck it Ralph, a great movie!

Saturday morning we readied ourselves for Bud's running event and made it there with plenty of time to enjoy a few of the races.

Bud ran his race, and we headed to a late lunch.

Then it was time to get ready for the big event, Emma's baptism!! It was a slightly windy afternoon, but we went early and got a few pictures before the baptism.

Everything went very well. Grandpa spoke on baptism, which he likened to a key (he had a hot pink key there for Emma). Baptism unlocks 3 things: the doors to the church, the doors to the temple and the doors to our Heavenly Father. Grandpa and Grandma gave Emma a key necklace at home to help her remember this important covenant. Ricky spoke on the Holy Ghost and encouraged Emma to do!! Act on those little prompting and by practicing and doing you'll be more prepared and acknowledge the promptings of the spirit.

Afterward we invited everyone to come back to our house and have make your own sundaes  cookies, brownies or root beer floats.

It was a wonderful weekend and appreciate Grandpa and Grandma flying all the way from New York to be here.  We are also grateful to everyone that attended Emma's baptism as well as those who helped with the program.