Our Kitchen

I really took these pictures to show Cathy our cabinets so that she could help me organize the kitchen, but here is the inside of our cute house.  It is a little hard to get it all set up with just Renato's stuff, and mine all still in my apartment.  We are figuring it all out, and having fun.



We have a big pantry with some really deep shelves, it will be a challenge figuring out how to use all of that space.  Luckily we are well stocked with the Reese's Puffs.

We had originally planned on painting over the blue kitchen, but at this point we look at the walls and think wow that would be a pain.  Maybe we like the blue.  Renato says it definitely growing on him.

Last weekend we got the kids room a little better organized.  Dressers, clothes, etc.  So much to get settled in, but one step at a time right?

What a Builder!

Elise was insistent that she could help put this table together.  Turns out...she was RIGHT!  She got the bolts and washers on the legs straight and then used the ratchet to tighten the whole thing up.  What a builder!

You Wish This Was Your Girls Camp!

Another one!

I have another GREAT nephew.  He was born today at 2:51pm.

6 lbs 14 oz

19 1/2 inches

Waiting on a name, but I hear that Westin Clark is in the running.

I bet he can't wait to see me!

Congratulaitons Tyler and Carisa.  I can still remember sitting in the front room in Magrath watching Flash Gordon when Unlce Jerry came in to tell me that our little Tyler had been born.  It was just yesterday.  Do I get an award now for sounding really old?

 Isn't he cute?!

 And here is Daddy.  He is pretty cute too.

What Wonderful Friends!

OK - is this tacky?  I don't care. 

If you live in the area you are getting the invite, and if you don't live in the area I wanted you to see how beautiful this intive is!  If for some reason you don't get the invite and you should have, then come for sure!

I am so blessed with wonderful friends who take care of me. 

Not only is Hillary throwing me a shower, but I totally raided her cupboards last night while she was out of town and took a much needed brownie mix!  I am afraid I might loose my key privlidges if I don't shape up!

Yeah for friends!

My Best Man for sure!

This past weekend Renato was a groomsman for a friend of his from work. We were very happy to be a part of Chris and Channing's wedding.  It all went off without a hitch and was a lovely day.  A hot lovey day, but a lovey day no the less.  Some people whined about wearing several layers in the heat.....but he still looked very handsome.  The wedding couple was very kind to have picked our colors, so it was a nice practice run for us.  At the rehearsal Renato wanted to be sure that we did not have to rehearse anything. Nope - we free wheel it and make tons of mistakes!  :)

My man wanted to show off his dapper pink vest!  He was a goof off all day long having fun at every moment.  I did convince him that the bride did not need to be teased by him.  I guess he talked to her just before she went down the aisle (and said very kind words) but she started to cry.  That definitely made him rethink teasing her at all!

My favorite part was when we were leaving and I said that we had better bring the kids some cake.  With pictures, wedding and reception we had been gone a long time.  I thought we had better show up with gifts!  We be poked our head in the little area where the caterers were dealing with the food. I knew there was tons of cake left and I was right.  There are the counter was a huge chunck of left over cake.  But no knife, no paper plate, no paper napkin, and no caterer.  But we were not detered.  I took a bag of rolls and dumped it out, then Renato grabbed the slab of cake with his hand and tossed it in the bag.  We ran out the door with our booty laughing all the way to the car.

We have a house!

The house finally closed! Renato will be moving in this week, and I will be rearranging this weekend. :) Can't wait to move in in august after the wedding.

Happy Easter and a Visit to the City

I love Easter and it is really best when spent with family and kids.  Renato and the kids came to see me for a few days and we had our own little Easter celebration.  It was a fun little trip with lots of chocolate, laughs, and Chinese food.



























We drove over to the California Academy of Science, but the line was out the door!  So we went over to the de Young and up to the tower to get a good view of the city.

I love how you see two pics of our crazy Elise in this pic.  She loves to make silly faces.

We walked around the Amish quilts in side very quickly, then we went out to the gardens and saw a little of the park.

Then we headed over to the Pier and Warf.  It had started to drizzle a little and was on the cold side.  See how warm Drew is?

It did not seem to bother the sea lions at all.

The girls took a ride on Merry-go-Round, while we finished eating our yummy fudge.

Then we walked down to the Warf and saw the sights.  The rain ran away most of the people watching, but there were still street performers.

I call this Jared's Abercrombie look.

We went down to the Boudin factory and saw them make the animal breads.  We bought a few loafs which disappeared very very quickly.

We got back to the apartment and Jared got to participate in his favorite activity.  He made a pillow blanket.  Must be comfy.

We colored eggs.

And we got bastkets.

And we ate lots of yummy chocolate.

We got Chinese food and hung out and had lots of fun family time.

In the morning we headed over to the Academy of Sciences to get there right when the doors opened.  I love this picture - we were all so excited!

We went straight to the rainforest - and it was pretty much empty.  Audrey was so excited she pretty much ran to the top.  We ran from one cool thing to the next.

Elise likes to take pictures!

I have never been in the Amazon tunnel all alone!  We took lots of silly pictures. Then we went to the planitarum and watched the show.  Elise kicked her feet up and put her arms behind her head and said, "Just Belax!"

Loved the turtles.

It was pretty cold on the roof, so we just stayed for a picture.

This was so excited!  We got to see a peg knocked over on the pendulum.  I have wanted to do that since I was Elise's age!

We took this picture, but Elise insisted that we take

this picture too.

We spent lots of time finding "weeeee hills" around the city too.  Dad was way too accommodating in this!  Renato took the kids home and I took the train up to see Mom and Dad for Easter Sunday.  Renato drove up and met me at the temple  - and that was the weekend we got engaged.  What an Easter!

I'm so HAPPY....I'm SOOOO tired!

These seem to be my two different state of beings lately.  Between a fiance that lives over 150 miles away and a wedding being planed for 100 miles away and work that seems to be continually busier and girls camp that is being planned, I am a little tired.  OK a lot tired all the time.  But I am so so so happy that I mostly forget about being tired.  Well, except when I complain about it.

We had another great weekend, but despite taking the camera in my suitcase I never did take a picture.  Friday night Renato's friend from work had an engagement party, so we went over and I got to meet a few of the people he works with.  He is going to be in the wedding for a co-worker in a few weeks, and I got to meet that couple too.  It was good to see who he spends his days with.  Very nice people, and very yummy food. 

Saturday morning Drew had a swim meet (which is why the boys did not end up at the Fathers and Sons).   We went over in the morning and watched a race, and then we were back in the afternoon to see a few more.  I was thinking of my Aunt who had three boys in swim team and must have spent the majority of her Saturdays at the pool.  It was great to see Drew race - he is a good swimmer - and really likes being on the team.  Just before his first race Elise decided she had to go and look at something, so as she ran off she said - say "Go Drew Go! for me." Even Jared came with us to watch the races before he was off to do yard work and see Kim.  I tell him we miss him so much when he does not play with us, but go figure the 17 year old wants to be on his own.  What a surprise! Jared is a great 17 year old and is very very helpful and responsible.  Ya know, just to be clear.

Elise had a birthday party, and the rest of us went to Sonic (a Saturday tradition I have started).  We loved the drinks but no free survey this week.  I am starting to loose my luck with the survey.  Which by the way, if you have ever just thrown out your Sonic receipt and not looked to see if you have a survey, you are missing out!  My sister Cathy clued me in.  It is super easy to call, they don't take any personal information and they give you the code for the free drink on the phone.  Completely automated, and a free drink.  I love Sonic.

We picked up Elise from the party, and she was in heaven.  It was a make over party for 5/6 year olds.  What a great idea!  She had lip gloss and pony tails and a new purse.  She told me it was a girl party!

Renato and the girls and I went over to my hotel to swim in their pool.  It is a pretty cool place - a big pool in the atrium with a water fall.  We hit it big, because their was a birthday party going on and the Dad very kindly invited the girls for birthday cake and gave them party favor boxes full of toys and candy.  We will have to stalk that pool again and watch for the balloons!

It was Stake Conference, so Renato and I headed over to the Saturday night session and Drew stayed with the girls then in the morning we all went over to church.  Renato was so excited to be there early enough to get the "good seats".  I was surprised to find out that those seats were on the stage.  Yep, the very back of the gym, up on the stage front row.  He says those are the perfect seats.  It was a very good conference, very focused on the Savior and teaching our families.

We had a belaxing (Elise's word for relax) Sunday lunch and afternoon, then I had to drive back up here.  I took a wrong turn when I was talking to Mom (those handsfree devices may free up your hands, but do they really free up your mind so you can concentrate, clearly not!).  Anyway, I ended up going up hwy 5 instead of the usually route, but I got back in good time so a little new adventure was good for me.

Now for a busy week at work and the camp kick off this week.  Still, I am so happy.  :) We have picked colors for the wedding - Pink and dark pink and all colors of pink.  My amazing sister in law Susan is helping me with the decorations.  We bought the wedding dress, and this weekend I got the girls to OK their dresses and I ordered them.  We have investigated flowers, and we are researching food.  We must be practically ready.  Still looking for good food ideas for lunch, and salad ideas for the reception.