Cebu!

Well since he leaves on Wed, it seems like a good time to post these pics we got of him opening his call.  He had just got home from work (lifeguarding all day), but I think you can see the range of emotions!

And now....off to the MTC!

Let's Bowl!

The summer time brought a trip to Fawnhill to see the cousins.  This was really our first time to take the kids for a summer trip, and it was fantastic.  One afternoon we all went to the bowling alley.  Dad Audrey and Drew were team one.  Grandma, Elise and Anna were team two, and David, Cathy and I were team three.  David of course kicked everyone's toochie, but we all had a good time.

I think Renato is trying to talk in this picture....but do you think these two look alike?

The girls named their bowling balls - fluffy.  Who knows why?!

These two had to do EVERYTHING the same and together.  It was a great time to get to know knew cousins.

Drew is a pretty good bowler  - I think he beat Dad.

When we got there Elise was very upset that we had to change our shoes, but when it was time to leave...she did not want to give those cute shoes back.  What a girl!  Uncle David bought popcicles for the kids and then we went over to Sonic for drinks. 

Audrey was also very good - she has her own style!  She and I got to go bowling just the two of us later in the summer - and we had a great time.  She is very competitive and it baffles her that I am not.  A great day at the lanes!

Shakespere at the Lake

We missed the Shakespere Festival on our honeymoon by one day, but I was not all that sad about it.  We had a wonderful honeymoon, and I pretty much had forgotten about Shakespere.  But my wonderful husband rememberd all year and made sure that we got tickets to see it this time around.

It is a beautiful setting and those beach chars are actually really comfy.

We brought our own snacks for the show and a few blankets to wrap up in when the sun went down.

Isn't the set BEAUTIFUL? It over looks the lake so the view was just amazing!  The play was 12th Night, and Renato was suprised at how much he liked it.  Shakespere is funny!

Me and my sweetheart.

Walking around the boardwalk by the lake before the show.

He takes so many goofy pictures of me, I never know when he is taking them.

We had a great dinner before the show at a place the goes up to Alaska to catch their salmon.  Yummy!  It was a really long drive - even with staying at Mom and Dad's to break it up, but the play was so worth it.

An absolutley lovely trip - he found out that they have FREE Shakespere in the park near by, but I am sure it would not be half as good as this company.  I am already looking for the 2012 schedule.  :)

Sisters Weekend

Some people thought once I got married we would end sister's weekend. Silly people!  Of course we are still having sister's weekend!

This year with Cathy having Baby H (her foster baby) it was easiest to go up to her house. This was the first time we have not gotten together at my place, since I was always the one with the empty house. We had a great time. Pedicures, Diet Cokes, a movie, shopping. Lots of fun.



And since we were at Cathy's house, we got to have some fun with her family too.  Anna thought it was great that we came to her house, and she like teh part where we all played together lots better than the part where we did sisters stuff. 

I taught Baby H to say CYNDI.  Good job baby!  I took lots of video of her too, but as soon as she sees the camera she stops doing the cute thing and starts crying to hold the camera.  We got to see Anna's school and go to a soccer game, and on Sunday I got the lead the music in church.  Cathy lead the opening song and the sacrament hymn, but then Baby H was wigging out and needed to go home for a nap.  Cathy said she'd make it back in time, but I was pretty sure she would not.  Laurie stayed with Baby H and I headed up to the front of the capel to lead the music in front of a ward full of stangers.  One guy leaned over to his wife and said..."I've never seen that woman before in my life!".  A few of the women put it together, but we confused a lot of people!

Elise was not at all sure that I should leave town.  I planned the whole thing so taht she was with her Mom while I was gone, but she was still not happy about me leaving.  I did not mention to her that I was with her new favorite cousin, Anna.  I would have been BUSTED.  So no spilling the secret.

Another very sucessful sisters weekend.  Can't wait for next year.

Jared's Big Day

A few weeks ago Grandma and Grandpa came down and we all took Jared to the temple to take out his endowments. 

We thought it would be nice and quiet on a Friday morning, but we were WRONG.  I have never been in such a crowded session.  Turns out a bunch of missionaries about to go home went to the same session as us.  The mission president sat right next to Jared.  Renato and Grandpa were in the front row with Jared too.  It was a beautiful session and we were so grateful to be there with Jared and feeling the spirit.

The counselor in the temple presidency was so wonderful and helpful.  Jared had a great day - and we are just one month away from the mission now!

BOO!

We had such a fun filled Halloween weekend that it is hard to remember that today is actually Halloween.  We started out with our new "cheater" pumpkin kits.  I picked these up last year just after the holiday for a steal.  They are Mr. Potato Head Jack-o-lantern kits.  You push in the pieces and -whalla! you have a really cute pumpkin.  Dad was a BIG fan of this meathod.

But of course we had to do the traditional meathod too!  Kind of funny thing....Renato went to the store to get the pumpkins and groceries for me last week.  I was under the weather and he was a fanstastic help, but when we came home with just two rather smallish pumkins I was a little puzzled.  I said "Honey we have 4 kids at home.  Why do we have 2 pumpkins".  He assured me it was fine.  After Dad and Elise took care of the 2 pumpkins with our cheater kits Audrey was a little put out that she had been left out.  I assured her that we would get more and actually carve them.  So Renato and I go to Walmart and we get a bunch of stuff and I pick out pumpkins.  Remember the part where I was not feeling well....I was not thinking well either.  When we got home Renato said...hey why did you only get two pumpkins to carve?  Well who said I could be trusted?!

It all turned out becuase Elise actually had a little pumpkin from her soccer coach that we used too.  All in all we had 5 pumpkins.  :)  But here is the coolest part!!! on our Walmart excursion we found a "Pumpkin Scraper".  It attaches to your drill and cleans out the inside messy stuff.  Here is a picture of Drew using the MAN TOOL.

One person has to hold the pumpkin and the other one gets to use the power tool and if you are lucky you get to spray pumpkin guts on your Dad.  SO MUCH FUN!  All for $5.98.

Here are our costumes.  Elise was a styling princess!  Notice the lipstick she is clutching in her hand?  I put it down while we were taking pictures and forgot to take it to the party.  All night she was worried it was wearing off.  Luckily it was the long last never come off kind.

Drew opted for no costume, but when the tunk or treat started and teenagers in costume were getting candy, he was rethinking his plan for next year.  I gave him a big bag when we got home and Elise was very good as sharing as long as you asked.  Audrey worked hard to get her candy and was not as interested in sharing. 

Dad wore his Clown costume for teh third year in a row.  He was getting kidded for not being original, but turns out he got first prize for cuttest costume.  He may never change!



I decided to make a tutu out of the left over wedding tulle.  I still remember all of the ballarina potitions from Kay Dougal's dance class.  We had a great weekend - with a fantastic party.  The kids are gone to Mom's house for tonight, so it won't be near as exciting handing out candy.  Oh, and speaking of candy I have to run out and get some more.  Some one (RENATO) has eaten so much of ours we don't have enough.  I mentioned that we should not open it....but oh well he loves those kit kats!

Jennifer and Mike - What a Great Party!

We were able to fly up to see Jennifer and Mike get married - and it was BEAUTIFUL!

So glad we were there to share their special day.