Let's Hit the Stage!

My niece Anna was in charge of casting this year's nativity production. I was chosen to be a Shepard. Do you like my beads?


Renato was able to spend Christmas with me (and was also cast as a Shepard). He claims that I made his costume look more like a Roman than a Shepard, but I think we look terribly authentic.


Grandma was the angel and Camille filled in the orchestra pit.



Grandpa narrated in his usual role. He is very good of course. This year he started way back with the Angel Gabriel.



Anna (no surprise) cast herself as Mary and Daddy as Joseph. Cathy stood in for Uncle Todd who was cast as the Donkey, but his back was not up to the task. Rilla was a cow.

We had three very wise kings (Todd doubled as the Inn Keeper as well).

Don't I look scared? That angel was authentic!

It was a fun play - and we got Anna to keep it to one performance this year.

Surprise!

Due to a last minute change of plans, Renato was able to come and visit me again this weekend. Yeah for me! We had a great time - and this weekend it was not even raining! After getting a few errands and Saturday jobs done, we went out to see some of the sites of the city.



I guessed that everyone would be shopping, so we headed out to the non stores attractions. The Palace of Fine Arts was very quite - no crowds at all. We sat on a bench watching the birds bathing in the pond. Well, we guessed that they were bathing - otherwise they were just flapping their wings and splashing for no apparent reason.

Then we headed over to the warming hut and walked on the pier. The wind was definitely blowing! See the white caps? A great day to see the bridge.

We walked down Crissy Fields and got this good view of the city. (Did I mention I was having a terrible hair day...good grief!) Renato said it was better than the hair day he was having.

Renato was a very good sport each and every time I suggested taking a picture. Not one complaint. What a guy!

After we were frozen by the wind, we drove over to the Legion of Honor to see the Thinker. We decided to head inside and take advantage of my membership. I was glad that we did because there were two exhibits I had not seen. As part of the King Tut exhibit at the DeYoung - they have a mummy here at the Legion. Also, it was the opening day of the Cartier exhibit which was really cool. When diamonds are that big they don't look real, but I took their word for it. Renato on the other hand said they were fake. (Last weekend he said the fish in the aquarium were fake). He does make me laugh.

I love photographing these columns...they are cool. Again - look at the good sport posing when requested. Thanks for putting up with me.

We asked a girl to take our picture by the thinker - I even made a comment - let's look like the thinker....then she took our picture but did not include the thinker. Oh well, I guess she was doing us a favor.

I have been showing Renato my favorite trick (and my mother's least favorite trick) where you hold out the camera and take your own picture. I was taught this skill from my cousin JJ, and I don't know why it is funny/fun, but it is. Seriously, try it. Don't you think Renato is good at it?

We drove from the Legion over to the beach and down by the Cliff House. The sun was just getting ready to go down so we jumped out and watched the waves. I love the ocean and I love sunsets - it was a wonderful moment at the beach.

We drove through the park and back to the apartment and made dinner. Last weekend, I swear I did not feed Renato all weekend! So I promised him food and I made good on my promise. I gave him real home made food.

After dinner we took the bus down to Union Square to see the lights. Here is the gingerbread house at the St. Francis. The sign says it is 1,200 lbs.

The lights were fantastic as always, but these inside the Westfield center were a great surprise. aren't they beautiful? We sat people watched for awhile before heading back home.

On Sunday I spoke in church - it was fun to have Renato come to support me. I will type up my talk notes (that way if I get asked to speak at Christmas again - I am already prepared! :) )

A wonderful weekend!

Renato comes to Town

So I met Renato in the fall and we have been out a few times, and last weekend he came to see me and we got to spend the entire Saturday together - in fact as a last minute surprise he came on Friday and took me to lunch too. We had so much fun!

On Saturday morning Renato picked me up and we went over to the Academy of Sciences. It had been raining for days and it was suppose to keep up all weekend. I figured that being the weekend before school got out it would not be too crowded, but you would not believe how nice it was. No lines anywhere and no crowds.

We went into the Planetarium and saw the new show. I like it lots better than the first one I saw. One of us might have fallen asleep in the show. Actually I hear it is very common - if you get motion sickness you close your eyes and you are in a dark room in a comfy chair...and the next thing you know....




We went into the rain forest and Renato showed me all of the things he saw from his childhood in Brazil. I always say when you go into the rain forest - you will either have a butterfly day or a bird day. Sometimes you see lots of one or the other. But we hit the jackpot. Maybe it was because there were no crowds? We saw tons of great butterflies, and so many birds. I did not get a good bird picture so you will have to believe me. I think I saw more variety of birds than I have in any other visits.

Renato was on the look out for snakes and other disgusting reptiles. Yuck!

This is my favorite butterfly that they have. It looks like a painting.

Here are the stats on Renato for those of you reading and saying...hey more info please! Let's start with he is funny and sweet and so kind. A really good guy! YEAH! And for more stats...He was born in Rio and moved to the states in his early teens with his family. He had been to the states a lot as a child, but had to learn English as a teenager. Hats off to him - I would still be totally lost with a second language. He lived in LA and then went on a mission to Boston and came back and went to school at Ricks. (I know Michelle - it is BYUI now!). He came back to Northern California and has lived and worked up and down the state in commercial insulation. He has six kids - two grown up and on to exciting things and four at home. If I got any of the facts wrong, he can correct me. But I unequivocally say he is a wonderful man and look at those eyes - great happy eyes. Doesn't he look happy? Doesn't he look fun? And did I mention that he hung up my sleves for my on Friday night? Helpful and good looking!

We went down to the aquarium and watched the diver. I somehow had missed this all of the other times that I went to the Academy, and I am sorry for all of the guests that I took and failed to show them this. It was fascinating. I loved when they fed the fish and they went dashing from one side of the tank to the other. I just love watching the water - so relaxing.

We left the Academy in a torrential downpour and we were soaked when we got to the car. (No I did not park in the underground parking - why not park on the street with free parking...what is a little walk..a little rain? That was before I knew I would be soaked to the bone!) Renato was a good sport and laughed it off, but when the sun came out and the blue sky laughed at us just minutes after getting in the car, that is when the teasing began!

When we got back to my place my little neighbor friend Sarah came up to visit. Hillary came too so we could finish our Christmas goodies project. Sarah is always cracking me up. On this visit she was "cleaning".

I walked in my room and saw my dresser completely empty. It was a startling view. I laughed and laughed when I realized that she had moved it all over to my bed.

She finds all of her favorite stuff and piles it in one place. She usually chooses the couch, but today .....

She did both. I don't know why she does it, or why I find it so funny. It is that little brain whirling around...fascinating! She is always good company, and she liked meeting Renato. She dubbed him Rhino...and Rhino was a good sport about his new nick name.

While Sarah was "cleaning" Hillary and I were finishing up our Christmas treat project. Renato was very helpful and patient with my - oh no this would be so cute like this - ideas.

Here are the goodies. We did "Hello Dollies" or as the rest of the world calls them "Seven Layer Bars", and then we made and experiment. Fudge Caramels. They were fantastic if I do say so my self.

See half fudge and half caramel. They are going to be a tradition...I can feel it. See how we wrapped them in wax paper? My very patient man stood in the kitchen cutting all the papers we needed to my exact specifications. Did I mention patient? What a guy!

Then we packed them in these boxes and wrapped them with a bow. I do love it when a project comes together!

Hillary and Roger had us down for dinner and then we came up and watched a movie. A wonderful relaxing fun peaceful adventurous weekend. On Sunday Sarah came up to visit and asked...where Cynnnni's boy? I was sad to tell her that my boy went home. We all miss you here Rino. Hurry back.

A Lesson from my Big Sister

I read this on my sister's blog this morning, and I was touched. I wanted to share it - and keep this thought so I can be better at serving. Our Bishop mentioned on Sunday that the Church has changed the three fold mission of the church to add another purpose - to serve the poor and needy. I have been thinking about service since Pres. Monson's talk a few weeks ago. I am grateful for my big sister who gives me such a good example. I know she will not like me bragging about her, but she is the "nice one" as everyone knows - and I love her.

• Today was the funeral of a man in my ward. It was a long day. I got there at 9:30am and I pulled out of the parking lot at 4:30pm. Although I was tired I felt spiritually fed. He was a good man who raised a good family. By the world's standards there was not much to sing about. By Heaven's standards this man was a servant of the Lord. What else matters? As I listened to the funeral I thought about a life well lived. I thought about all those who went before me in my life, who lived a good life and thus blessed mine forever. His wife, as you have already guessed, is a great woman. She is a gracious woman. The most sincere person you will meet. I felt privileged today, that in some small way I was able to serve these good people. I also was overwhelmed by the great goodness of the people in our ward. Many, many sisters who volunteered to bring food, to watch children in the nursery, to help set up, serve, clean, bring in meals. On Sunday the Bishop quoted Alma's words at the Waters of Mormon when Alma asked the people who desired to be baptized if they would covenant to mourn with those that mourn, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. The Bishop reminded us that although many might not have known this family personally, we have all committed to mourn with them, and comfort them. I was able to tell the Bishop that the sisters of our ward had already stepped up to that plate. Thank you sisters for serving at my side, for teaching me. I felt the great strength of the gospel today.

Busy Busy Weekend

After a busy week last week, I had an even busier weekend! All good fun. Tuesday was the ward Relief Society party. We went cable car caroling, which if you have not enjoyed this treat it means that you jump on one of those tourist "cable cars" and it drives you around to see the lights and you sing. It was a great time, with yummy treats and fun friends.

Friday night was the ward party where they made a great dinner and put on a nativity with the primary kids. The kids in our ward are young, so the play was a riot! Shepards came on, Angels came off, pretty much they all did what they wanted. It was very sweet and I loved it!


I went with my friends and neighbors. Here are Will and Sarah in their costumes. Baby Will did not really get to be in the play, but he makes a good Shepard for the picture.

Here is Sarah on the stage with several of my Sunbeam glass singing. It was a great evening.

Saturday morning I got up early and headed over to the Bishop's house for the annual 5k relay run (or for those less ambitious - walk). Hillary and I took the kids while Roger ran. It was my first time over the Golden Gate Bridge. Can you believe it? I had never walked across before. Actually the route had us go just half way, but still I got a good pic. Don't you like how the kids are totally asleep? Well Sarah was just faking it, but Will was OUT.

After the bridge we headed home to get ready for the book club brunch. It was a really great idea. Food - the first good idea. Then everyone brought a wrapped book and we did an exchange. I got a copy of a Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Should be an interesting read.

Saturday night I baby sat while Hillary and Roger were at a Stake Youth activity. Then Sunday after church I fit in tithing settlement just before the First Presidency fireside. Hillary, Roger and Sarah came up to watch the fireside at my place. Baby Will slept through it (probably like other good LDS men). It was a wonderful fireside, but I would have like to have heard the Hallelujah chorus.

I don't think I could have fit in much more! A good time was had by all.

Awesome new Christmas Song!

My good friend Kim just posted this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qixiv080feg
on her blog.

Love it! I could not get to itunes fast enough to buy the song and get it on my ipod.

I always remember that when the Bare Naked Ladies first became popular - I could never remember their name - and always said the Huge Naked Ladies. It must say something about my phyche.

I have not enjoyed a new Christmas song like this since Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.

Enjoy!