Spring Break part 1

I have wanted to go to San Francisco ever since I watched Full House as a kid.  The Golden Gate Bridge and the trolley were always novelty to me.  When my cousin, Rachel, moved to Moraga, a suburb of San Francisco, while her husband completed a fellowship at Berkeley, I knew we had to make a trip.  Our kids spring break aligned this year so I figured it was a great time to go.

We flew out on Saturday morning and headed to Fairyland, in Oakland.  

That night we ate pizza on the patio.  The men went to the Priesthood session of General Conference and we took the kids to get ice cream. The weather was amazing and the kids played in the backyard nonstop.  The kids were excited to all sleep in the same room.  They were even fighting over who got to sleep on the mats, no one wanted the bed.

On Sunday we watched the morning session of General Conference and then headed to sightsee.  We stopped at a look outpoint where you could see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.  The girls loved playing on the rocks.

The kids were beat from staying up late Saturday night; they all fell asleep on their way to Muirwood.

My first time crossing Golden Gate Bridge!

The Redwood trees were huge! It did not disappoint!

The kids climbing in the trees.

I've always wanted to see these trees and I'm so glad I got to.  It was a great afternoon enjoying nature. 

Then we went to a beach, it was windy and chilly so we thought the kids would just put their feet in.  But they had so much fun and were all soaking wet, by the end.  We weren't prepared with towels or a change of clothes, so it was a cold ride home.

We went to a look out point that had World War II shelters.  The kids thought it was fun to climb down in them.

On Monday, Rachel had to student teach in the morning. I got in a quick workout and then went to the grocery store with the girls, while Brielle took her morning nap.

Of course, they needed a do-nut!

 Then we took all 5 girls to the Oakland Temple.  They loved all being together and running around.  The temple was gorgeous and the views were breathtaking.

Then we ate lunch at Ann and Ruth's in Berkeley.  Having 5 kids, got lots of comments from people.

After lunch we headed to Timbleden Park, they had an animal farm and then we went to a hike. It was fun watching the kids run around in the woods and enjoy nature.  Mike said while we were driving home, watching the kids play reminded him of his childhood.  Monday was Joey's birthday so we celebrated that night with red velvet cake and ice cream.

That night we went to their friend's house to take care of their chickens. 

The kids had so much fun on Sunday and were begging to go to the beach again so on Tuesday, we headed to the Alameda Beach.  This time we were prepared and had bathing suits and towels.  They enjoyed building sand castles and racing into the water.

Brielle's first time in the sand!

That night Rachel had a sitter and we headed to Berkeley for dinner and a baseball game.  We ate some yummy Mexican food at Cancun and then headed to the Cal vs Standford game.  Ironically, Mike knew a player on Stanford who played on the Gulls last summer.  He was the closer for the game and got the W!

On Wednesday, Mike had a conference in San Francisco so we headed into town.  We stayed at the Scarlet Huntington.  There was a park across the street so the kids played there while Mike was in meetings.  Rachel, Joey and her kids met us there in the afternoon and we headed to the Wharf.  We walked around, ate dinner, and had dessert at Ghiradellis.  Then it was time to say good-bye.  We had such a great time with Rachel and her family.  The kids played together so well; it was so much fun watching them.  The 4 girls remind me of Suzette, myself, Rachel, and Rosanne when we were kids.

Swinging at the park.

Walking along the wharf.

Getting in some drum action.

Izzy randomly ran into one of her kindergarten classmates, Kiley, while we were walking around the Wharf.  What are the odds?

Love this cousin of mine, we should have been sisters!  It was so great to spend time with her and her cute family.  I loved our late night talks, the laughs and the memories that were created. 

Brielle getting a ride from Daddy.

Brielle's first ice cream cone. 

It might have been a little squishy driving to the wharf.

Thursday morning, Mike had meetings so I headed out with the girls for breakfast.  We walked to The Honey pancake house.  The girls enjoyed their pancakes and I had eggs and bacon.  The walk back up to the hotel was straight up 4 blocks of hills.  The girls did great and didn't complain too much and I got my exercise pushing the stroller. Brielle took her nap and then we headed out again.  This time we went to China Town for some shopping.  On the way back, Cambry wanted nothing to do with walking up hills again, so we jumped on the bus and headed back to the hotel.  When we got off Cambry said, "Thanks boss!" to the bus driver, he started laughing and gave us a honk as he drove off.  Then we packed up and headed to Monterey for the next part of our adventure. 

Easter

Easter came early this year, the last weekend in March. On Saturday morning we went to the Highland City Easter Egg Hunt.  It was a little chilly, but the sun was out and the girls had a good time. 

Izzy found her friends, Ellie and Gwen.

Frosting Easter cookies at 10am, what could be better?!

Pictures with the creepy Easter bunny is a tradition. 

That afternoon we went to the Bunkers annual Easter egg hunt and BBQ.  The girls have been going to Em's house all week to help fill eggs with candy. 

Sunday morning the girls searched for eggs the Easter Bunny hid.

Loving their basket of eggs.

Even Brielle got in on the action!

They loved their Easter baskets, which had a new bathing suit and bath robe.

Love this beautiful family of mine! 

It's been 5 years

To be honest, today was brutal.  I was anticipating it would be a hard day.  Five years just seems monumental.  I got up this morning and went to the gym at 6AM, I figured if I didn't have something to get me going, I might just lay in bed all morning.  Ironically, I had my check-up with my endocrinologist in the morning and then early afternoon I made a post on Facebook.  Then I started getting texts, comments, private messages of people's favorite memories of Craig.  All of this was great, but it also made me really sad.  My good friend, Claire, stopped by to see how I was doing.  I thought I would write some people's responses, for my memory.

Lindsey posted on her page: "I'm glad I didn't know, The way it all would end, The way it all would go, Our Lives, Are Better left to chance, I could have missed the pain, But I'd have had to miss, The dance." Garth Brooks -The Dance

Cory Posey posted: "I remember being in a hotel room in Wichita, KS when I got the phone call.  Even though you were younger than me, I always looked up to you and sought your approval.  Thank you for the memories. I wish there were more. RIP Craig"

Jill Schneider texted me: "Thinking of you and the family today.  Hard to imagine it's been 5 years. I know he would've been the fun uncle!  My memories are still of him and I talking about how lame and nonsocial Scott could be! He always made laugh! We miss you, Craig!"

Tricia Elliott messaged me: "My heart skipped a beat when I came across your post and picture.  Just still so hard to realize we will not see him again.  He will always be a part of some of my and my family's happiest memories.  Craig and Scott were friends and teammates in baseball, soccer, basketball, and football.  Then to think they both went to Tulane together! He will forever be a part of our family history and memory."

Coach Zierlein commented on my post: "One of my all time favorites.  I still use him as an example today when talking about having determination and overcoming obstacles.  He was a very good player and an awesome young man."

I am full of emotions.  It makes me sad when I think of all the memories that have been created that Craig wasn't a part of.  My heart still hurts so bad when I think I won't see him again in this life.  I'm not so sure the pain lessens, I just don't feel it as often.  Because when I do think about it my heart hurts.  I spent a lot of the day crying and missing Craig.  There are somedays I don't believe it's real, but as time moves on and memories are created without him, the reality sets in.  I miss you Craig and love you!

The Hawaii trip was one of the last ones we took as a family.  I will always treasure those memories.

The mud buggy was the best tour excursion!

You always made the best deep fried turkey.  I miss those!! It's not the same without you, no one even tries to make them.

Izzy will often ask me how you died.  Then she will tell me that she misses you, although I don't know if she remembers you, she hears me talk about you.  She will say, "Mom are you sad? I would be sad if my sibling died."  The answer is always the same. Yes.  I am sad.  I miss you everyday and wish I could call you one more time.  But I know I will see you again.  I love you, Craig!

Girls Weekend

Somehow we managed to find a weekend all of us ladies could sneak away from our busy lives so we took full advantage.  We left on Friday around 1 and got pedicures.  Then we did some shopping at Nordstrom Rack on our way to Salt Lake.  

We stopped at our hotel, Salt Lake Plaza, to drop off our bags and then walked over to City Center.  Claire helped me pick out a pink lipstick.  I'm stepping out of my comfort zone.  

Then we headed to dinner at Eva's.  It was delicious!  It was a small plates restaurant, so we all shared several different entrees. 

After dinner, we went to Romeo and Juliet put on my The Odyssey Dance Company.  Then of course, we had to eat dessert.  So we went to the Dodo.  We headed back to the hotel and stayed up way too late laughing and chatting.  The next morning we had breakfast at Blue Lemon and then did a little more shopping at City Creek.  Marianne, Manina, and I headed back around noon; Claire and Emily stayed for some more shopping.  I love these trips, even if they are short!  I come home feeling rejuvenated, ready to deal with life!

These ladies mean so much to me in my life.  We all moved in around the same time and have been friends for years.  I know I can count on these women for anything and everything.  They are an amazing support system for me and I don't think it's a coincidence that we all moved in within a year of each other.  They are strong, beautiful women and I love each of them!  I am blessed to be their friend!

Brielle is 1!

Our baby turned 1! She has brought us so much joy and happiness.  She is such an easy going, happy baby.  Her big sisters enjoy playing with her and carrying her around. 

Love these 3!

It has been so fun to have Zeke and Leah around.

Brielle going to town opening her presents. 

Brielle's cake and smash cake.

A family photo was near impossible to get.

The birthday girl!

She's not too sure what she is supposed to do.

Grandma bought a bear that plays peek-a-boo and she thinks it is hilarious. 

Food:  She started eating lots new food.  She loves chicken, strawberries, raspberries, corn, pancakes, and cheese.  She wants nothing to do with baby food anymore.  She started drinking whole organic milk and seems to like it. 

Sleep:  She still takes 2 naps/day around 9am and 1 pm.  She sleeps at night 7:30-7.  She is super easy to put to bed.  She just lays on her tummy with her pinkie. 

Size:

Height: 31.5 inches (98%)

Weight: 22 lbs 7oz (82%)

Head Circ: 48cm (98%)

She is crawling all over the place and up the stairs.  She hasn't started walking yet.  She says Mama and Dada and loves to babble! 

We took some pictures at Camera Shy and I think they turned out really cute.  These 3 girls are just so gorgeous! 

The birthday girl!

We are so blessed to have Brielle in our lives and love her so much!!

Scoffield

Our good friends, The Browns, invited us to their cabin in Scoffield, along with our other friends, The Francis', Johnson's and Forstner's.  We were so excited to go! Friends, snow, nice cabin, games, food, what could be better?!

The kids were so excited when we arrived on Friday night.  They ran around the cabin checking out every room.  It was a really nice cabin and every family had their own room and then there was a bunk room for all the kids. 

The bunk room was a favorite. 

We stayed up way too late chatting.  Then we had a toothbrush party before bed!

There was lots of fun in the snow on Saturday.  Izzy loved riding the kid snowmobile.  She also loved the adult one too and kept telling me to go faster!

Getting ready to dig the ice fishing hole. 

Mike told the kids all sorts of stories about ice creatures that lived under the ice.

Digging the hole. 

Inside the fishing tent.  Unfortunately, they weren't so lucky and no fish were caught.  

There was even a hot tub and the kids took full advantage of it!

It was an awesome weekend, that went by way too fast.  We are lucky to have such a fun group of friends.  Thanks to the Browns for hosting all of us!