Out on the Town

We took my father-in-law, Brother in-law Chris, Friend David Chapman, and Chris's Girlfriend to a really nice dinner in SF. Saturday night. I got a babysitter for Emerson and had a really nice evening out to celebrate all the hard work we've done the last 2 years.

Way to go Team!

Mom Came to visit!!

This past weekend my mom came to visit. Because Utah has UEA weekend and my mom had a few days off. She flew out Thursday and we had a blast all weekend. It was so nice, like having 4 hands and a constant streams of fun girl conversation all for 4 days straight. I think I am going through withdrawals today. We visited the Science Space Center, Shopped at IKEA (which, having your mom with you makes it so much easier) and many many other places, did the laundry at the laundry mat (which never went smoother), enjoyed some house work, sewing, girlie movies, and our favorite foods. Saturday Mom, James, Grandpa Brent, Emerson and I went to the local steam trains. Emerson loves the trains!! On Sunday I got to sit with my husband, Emerson, and my mom for church, so fun! Here are a few pics.

Emerson's excited anticipation of seeing the train

Car Show / Birthday / Blue Angle's

Orinda has a car show to raise money for the senior citizens of the city. We went this year and saw some fabulous cars. These were my favorites. A back to the future 50's blue convertible Chevrolet

and a Lamborghini ( this car was gorgeous)!

I just love the way the doors open.

Emerson loved it too, I had to stop him from climbing inside.

this picture doesn't do justice to the beautiful evening scene of the bay and the golden gate bridge. I had my hand held camera on full zoom, the view was silver in the sunset, it was breath taking!

Yea!!! My little buddy turned 2. He is so much fun and just learning new things every day. He has transitioned during the last few weeks to become much more verbal about his wants. "No" is now a word I hear in response to about everything I ask or suggest. He is surprisingly affectionate and loving. When he was first born he didn't like to cuddle, but now we cuddle up with a blanket and a book. He will want to hug dad goodbye in the morning and hold my hand in the car. He is sooo precious! He's all boy though, trucks and cars and trains. His favorite part about his cake was the trucks. I couldn't even get him to eat a bite of cake he was so busy playing with the toys.

On Emerson's birthday dad took the afternoon off to play with Emerson. We went to the Berkeley Lawrence Science Center. There are fun roller coaster exhibits that are hands on and educational, a huge building block table and much more. Ever since we went there with dad, Emerson has been asking to go back.

Happy Birthday Little Emerson (no candles, last year he burnt his fingers, really I just didn't bother to buy any).

On Saturday James had a co-worker that invited us to enjoy the fleet week Blue Angles show from the rooftop of his apartment building in San Fransisco.

It was a great vantage point. Everyone was outside to watch the Angles fly. I have never seen so many sailboats in the bay.

The Blue Angles put on an amazing show. Emerson was in Ahh of the planes and scared. We were buzzed by one plane and it startled the whole group. Emerson was asking to go inside. I think he may like it a little more as he gets older. :)

General Conference

Wow, wasn't General Conference wonderful and inspiring!! I can't decide which talk and what theme I thought was most important and most meaningful to me. . . How about you??

For those of you privileged to attend the Relief Society Meeting the week prior I loved the Prophets message and story of the sister looking out her window at what appeared to be her neighbors dirty laundry when in reality it was the dirt on her window she was seeing. I also loved President Monson's message of Gratitude during his Sunday morning talk. Of course Elder Ochdorf's talk about simplifying life must have hit home to everyone in ear shot of his words. How true it is that we need to keep to the fundamental basics of life and not allow all the clutter to clutter out what is most important.

I also have to say after living in the bay area and being right in the middle of the gay right conflict with Proposition 8 for gay marriage I feel a deep sense of respect for Elder Packer. He doesn't mix words and although what he says may not be popular or feel good fussy, he is willing to step out and speak the word of God. To stand and speak words that are not easily accepted is something I don't really like to do, I respect the 12 apostles for their exemplary lives and examples that continue to motivate me to re-evaluation and improvement.

Isn't General Conference Great!! Truly I look forward to it, all year, twice a year.

Recent stuff

Here is a finished look at the kitchen. This house has come a long way.

adjacent family room.

Emerson and his buddy spent a morning going to the little farm near our house. Look at the cows. Moo. . .

It was recently my brother in law's 17'th birthday. I went over to have a little birthday fun. We ambushed his friend and made a great mess with shaving cream. (that's me on the right)

I also made him a duvet blanket cover jean and fleece.

Utah Trip in July

Mid -summer I took an unexpected trip to Utah. I have been meaning to get these pictures up. I also promised my nephew Asher I would post his jump/slid video. It is Emerson's favorite home video to watch. . . "Jump Jump Jump" he thinks it's so funny.

We visited his cousins one evening and enjoyed McDonald's chicken nuggets and trampoline time.

Emerson and his cousin Violet.

She is just couple of weeks younger than Emerson

We took a trip to the lake an jet skied. Emerson even got on the ski with me, but some how that picture didn't work out. He sure loved exploring with his Grandpa though.

A beautiful sunset!~!

I just went slow because of the prego thing, but could help but get out on the lake.