Spring Break Round One

My sister's family had spring break this week and came down for a visit. They spent the first part of the trip at Fawnhill, but on Saturday they came to the city to see me. Yeah! This is round one, because the week after next is my brother Craig's spring break.

We headed over to the Academy of Sciences in the morning, and we really saw the entire place. We arrived at 9:30am and did not leave until 4pm. David calls that doing it Grandma Ann style.

Here is the gang at the beginning of the day, don't we all look so rested? We are waiting to get into the rain forest. The weekend lines are a little long, but in the morning they are way better than in the afternoon.

Now you might wonder what we could possibly have been doing all day long at the academy, but this group is very thorough! We enjoyed the rain forest, and I finally remembered to wear a t-shirt to stay cool. That place is like a sauna. Saturday was a butterfly day. Sometimes when you go in you see so many birds, sometimes tons of butterflies.

Notice the contemplative looks from Grandma and Michelle. I think the heat slows you down.
That is the roof, I was getting artsy with my camera.

This is not on the sign - this is a real butterfly - and he (or one just like him) landed on my arm. I can't get used to that! I want to scream or swat at it.

After the rain forest we went to the planetarium and saw the film Fragile Planet. It was the first time I got into the planetarium. It was very interesting, not quite like the old film, but very high tech and fascinating. I learned lots more about the galaxy! (Sorry no Pics)

After the film we went up to the roof. It was an amazing day - sun sun sun and the perfect temperature. I love the living roof - it is beautiful and so inventive.

My adorable Camille.

Me taking a picture....

Of Laurie taking a picture of me. Silly sisters.

My beautiful Michelle with Grandpa and Camille. We came outside and had a picnic on the sidewalk. So we did get a break during the day.

After lunch we came back in and went down to the aquarium. Still my favorite part of the museum. We sat in front of the Coral Reef (Philippines) for a long time. If you just sit there you can find more fish and see the patters of the groups of fish. It is fascinating and relaxing! Dad and I sat by the California reef for a long time too - while the rest of the group walked through at a slower pace. This picture is in the sunken Amazon. Those big cat fish looking things are a little creepy.

Camille started to loose steam right about now....

I can't believe I did not take a picture of the penguins. Everyone was so tired after the aquarium, but Grandma wanted to be sure that we saw the penguin feeding. We were sitting in the atrium resting and talking about what to do - and contemplating leaving, when Grandma said oh no we can't leave - there is only an hour left until they eat the penguins! The laughter woke us up a little. Michelle and Laurie ran over to the DeYoung to see the YSL exhibit, and the rest of us made it for the penguins. Alas, no one ate any penguins, instead they fed the penguins which is very interesting. We saw the rest of the Hall of Africa, but Camille was unimpressed by the stuffed animals. I told her some of them were alive, but now that she is 15 she does not believe me all the time. Oh who am I kidding, she never believed me.
The girls wanted to go over to Chinatown, so we ran over to get some bargains. My office is right around the corner, so Grandpa rested in my office while we ran through the shops. Everyone came up to see the office and get some sodas.
We stopped at the scarf stand for the 7 for $19.99 deal. Camille is sporting her new scarf. And Grandma Ann loved hers too!

Todd got us some treats from a Chinese bakery, and then we headed back to my house for dinner and a movie. I ordered Ho's - still my favorite take out, then we watched Madagascar II which was really funny. Silly funny, but funny.

A great - full - day. I just love to have family come to visit! We were all missing our missionary Scott, but glad he is working hard in Wyoming.

Because because because because I know that you love me

I got a phone call a few days ago. It was my 4 year old niece. She decided that she wanted to talk to someone on the phone all by herself. She told me that she tried Daddy first, but had to leave him a message. So, she called me next. When she gets excited she stutters. So she was trying to tell me why she called me - and she said Aunt Cyndi I called you because because because because I know that you love me.

Best phone call of the week.

A few more flower pictures

Here is the second round of pictures from the DeYoung's Bouquets to Art. Mom and I had a great time. I can't wait to see next year's display.

I really love these pictures of Niagara falls, I think they did a great job with this arrangement mimicking the falls.

Bouquets to Art

This museum membership is just getting better and better. I went over to the DeYoung with my friend Jenna to see the annual Bouquets to Art. I was expecting a few nice floral arrangements, but this was spectacular!

For some odd reason I did not bring my camera, so I had to use my phone. The presentation of the arrangements was amazing. I loved this one all in a row.

This Chihuly is a great mirror for the flowers. I love the bright colors. It was hard to get pictures with the art because it was crowded. I thought it would not be bad because it was a members only event, but apparently there are a lot of members.

They had tons of peonies and lots of hydrangeas.

I think this one is my favorite. It is very simple, but dramatic at the same time.

I like this one, because I have those plants my backyard - AND I have not killed them yet.

They also used lots of tulips and blossom branches. This picture does not show the colors very well.

This basket is mimicking the picture with a vegetable basket. Can you see the little pepper in between the flowers?

This is the main lobby as you come in to the gallery. The picture does not do it justice, it is breathtaking.

Cool roses!

So, it was so fantastic that I came home and called Mom and talked her into coming down on Friday. I will bring my camera and get better pictures. Really, these look good, but if I had gotten a picture with any of the flowers and the art together - that is what makes it complete.

If you are in town, you should definitely go over and see the exhibit. It ends on Saturday.

Not as planned, but very fun

I have to admit to a very lazy Saturday morning. I woke up early and foolishly looked at my Blackberry, so I was taking care of some work first thing. But then I finished that and started to read Charlotte's Web. If you have not read it in awhile, I highly recommend it. Just don't think about the rat too much. Anyway, I was reading and the next thing you know I feel asleep. I woke up when I heard the phone ring. Turns out Cathy was giving me a call at 11am! You might think that I jumped out of bed when I realized my laziness, but no, I stayed in bed and talked to Cathy until just after noon. That is when Mom called and insisted that I run up to Fawnhill for the Stake Women's Conference.


I am very glad that I made the trip. Mom sang in the performance of the Women at the Well. It was a great production, and a yummy dinner.



Mom and Dad helped me finish up my flyers for girls camp, and then I was up early and off to visit the wards to announce camp. Our Camp Logo is below. My brother Craig did a great job. (I really love how my camp calling is more of a group family project!)



The ward visits went great! And things are starting to come together. We visit two more wards next week, and then have our first meeting with the adults.



I have been doing research today by watching our Disney movies - Lion King, Peter Pan, and Jungle Book. I am very open to and appreciate any ideas for camp. Our theme is I wanna be like you - and we are talking about good examples. Each day is a different character.

I have not re-watched the Jungle Book yet, but we will be focusing on Balou. I think it is going to be about being a friend and staying true to your values.

For Peter Pan we will be focusing on Wendy. All through the movie, Wendy makes small but good choices. She is practical and diligently does what is right. So we will be dealing with holding to the iron rod that day.

For the Lion King we are going to talk about how Simba makes mistakes, but finally decides that he has to forget the past and move forward - so we will be discussing repentance that day.

All this talk about girls camp has sure been nostalgic. My friend Katie posted this old camp picture on Facebook recently. This was my Jr. Staff year. I am Gus Guss on the left with the leis. By the way - Gus Gus is the fat mouse in Cinderella. I started camp the year I turned 12 and never really stopped. I have a theory that the years I was not at camp as a leader, my life did not go well.

So the weekend was not as planned, but was a fun and relaxing adventure.

A Day of Eye Rest

Rest your eyes for a day.

No reading.

No TV

No Computers

No Sewing

Nothing that makes you focus anymore than looking across the room.

Well, I had tried everything else for the headaches without success, so I took the day off and had a day of eye rest. The problem is, there is not much else to do by yourself once you take away reading, computers, TV and crafts. I have the greatest friend in the world! Hillary and kids entertained me most of the day.

I ran down to Walgreen's to see if I could find those lovely sunglasses that go over your glasses. No luck, but I did get these flash back risky business stylings that got the job done. All the cute ones would not fit over my glasses, so I got to look dorky. But as my mother predicted, they helped.


Then mid morning, Hillary and I met up and went over to the DeYoung to see some exhibits. We had just about seen our fill when the security guards started freaking out about Sarah's sippy cup. A little ridiculous! In fact one of the security guards was telling Hillary to take the sippy cup away from the baby now, so Hillary just smiled and walked away very quickly. Sarah could tell we were leaving, so she yelled back to the security guard....bye bye!

We wandered through the sculpture garden - which was really more Sarah's style anyway. It was a great day to be outside.

Sarah took this picture of me - she is pretty good with the camera for a 2 year old.

Sarah, Will (who never made a sound the entire trip!) Hillary and me.

I was going to head over to Joanne's to get some girls camp stuff done in the afternoon, but Hillary insisted that I go home and nap. When I called my own mother later, she said the same thing.

My mother had also been telling me for days to put heat on my head for this headache. I could not figure out why it would help. Finally I followed her instructions and used this newly made rice bag. I had to include the picture because it is my new favorite activity. I took it to work to day and used it every time my eyes started hurting. I get to re-make it tonight - because all I had was brown rice - and I can already smell it burning.

Hillary had me back over after my nap time and we hung out and took a walk and she fed me dinner. Really, could I have better neighbors? I forgot to mention that Roger had given me a blessing the night before too. A great home teacher and dinner!

But the best news is that after almost three weeks I pretty much had a headache free day. Wonderful!

Museums, fashion, temple, and shakes

Friday night I tried out my new membership at the DeYoung with my friend Kim. We went to see the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit - check out the details here http://www.ysldeyoung.org/ . It did not take too long, so we went to the Andy Warhol exhibit as well. They were both very interesting. There were some really odd get-ups in the fashion exhibit, but lots of classics looks too. I learned lots about Warhol that I did not know before, and I think they did a good job with the display of his work.

Then Saturday morning I got up and went to the ward temple trip. It was an amazingly beautiful day. I took a picture of the view of San Francisco too, but the picture was just not the same.
I gave Hillary and the kids a ride too, and they helped with the babysitting at the temple. Sarah likes the car. Last time I gave her a ride she called it a truck car - yeah! This time she called it my truck. Once she did call it ninny's truck, but mostly it was Sarah's truck. Apparently she was going to drive home too.

We headed back to the city and had shakes and pizza at Hillary's. It was relaxing to just kick back and chat with the girls.

I came home to lay down and try to get rid of these headaches I have had for weeks, but mostly my head just pounded while I ate Girls Scout cookies. You would think that those cookies would have more healing powers.

A fun weekend all around.

Finnaly - a ski trip with Mom

We did not ski over Christmas this year, and then everything got busy and we almost made it out of February without skiing! The weather threatened to keep us home, but it turned out to be a great day and great snow. No lines either.

These glasses make me feel rather silly, but they are the only thing I can use when I ski. We always said when we were kids - it was cool to not match when you ski. Those designer folks don't really know how to ski, they just know how to look good.

Mom wanted me to be sure and entitle this picture Skiing at 73. Isn't she impressive?

A very fun Saturday. After a full day, Mom and I headed back down the hill and started working on Camp quilts. Sew sew sew!