Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter weekend full of family, family, and more family. We were in Utah for a few busy days. Cori's sister and brother-in-law, Arianne and Will, just barely welcomed a new baby into their family. It was a treat to visit with them, as Arianne and baby James were to remain home bound for the weekend's festivities. One of Cori's other sisters and husband, Brittany and Cory, blessed their new baby boy on Sunday. We also got to spend time with two of my favorite ladies in the whole wide world, my grandmother and great grandmother, Grandma Bettie and Mama Jo. Throw in three BBQ's (Thanks Damien, Danielle and kids for coming up to play with us!), two Easter egg hunts with all the cousins, lots of driving between Elk Ridge, Salt Lake and Roy, and some late nights and early mornings and voila! You've got one happy and pooped little family. The fun continued as we came home to some very special house guests. Cori's youngest sister, Tiffany, runs track for SUU and had a couple of meets in So Cal. this week. Rather than make the drive twice, she and a couple of her team mates stayed at our place in between meets. We overnighted them the keys to our apt. and they bravely navigated the LA metro system to make the 54 mile trip from San Dimas to Palos Verdes. It was fun coming home to a full house.

Easter Egg hunt at Grandpa Randy's house

Mmmm, chocolate

Easter Egg hunt at Cory and Britt's. Gracie's egg won the egg cracking contest. The cool shades were an Easter gift from Gpa Ray and Gma Sandy. And the binki... someone needed a nap.

Playing at the park with cousin Kourtni.

We are flying a kite in this one.

Brittany, Cory, and the little man of the hour, baby Ashton.

At Grandma Bettie and Mama Jo's house

Gracie's first solitaire lesson

Cori, Grace and Tiffany at Tiff's meet at Cal State Long Beach

We're back...

again

No sooner had I finally caught up with my pre-Paris life (and pre-pregnancy life now that I think about it), but that we got to have another vacation! Cori's mom and step-dad, Sandy and Ray, came to visit and were able to stay 9 wonderful days. I gladly replaced my everyday life to its familiar spot on the back burner, and enjoyed the visit- but not as much as Gracie did! We spent a day at the aquarium, a day at Disneyland, a half day shopping, and we went to the Temple and a Josh Groban concert (so much fun!). We went to the park, played 9 holes of golf, and did some whale watching at Pointe Vincent. We went to our favorite Hawaiian grill one night, and a couple of nights later took food from the best Mexican food place ever to the beach for a pic-nick. We made a little exodus out to see the house Ray's father built and had a lovely visit there. It was so wonderful having them staying with us. We enjoyed every bit. I only hope it felt like a vacation for them! We stayed pretty busy.

And, even as I type, I am packing and cleaning for we depart to the airport in just 45 minutes. Phew. So to those of you patiently awaiting the regails of our Paris adventure, I must impose on you just a little longer... we'll be back on Monday. :)

Coming this Fall

We're back! Paris was tres magnifique, and it is life as usual around here. Gracie and I came home Monday night after a few short days with family in Utah, and she was more than thrilled to have her daddy back. Before I give the juicy details about our Parisian adventure, I would like to share our big news...

We are pregnant! Hence my intense hermitude and lack of blogging over the last six weeks. Morning sickness has been so much worse for me this time around. The baby is due Oct 1st, just 9 days before Gracie's 2nd birthday. He/she will be delivered, as per our doctors orders, the week before, so we are looking at a birthday around Sept. 24th. We are beyond excited and so grateful. I'm feeling a little better everyday, thanks for asking. The 12 week mark is around a few short days away, and I'm hoping to be feeling a lot better in the next couple of weeks. March has already been so much kinder to me than February was.

So that's it! Soon to be a family of four, and loving it. I hope to be posting pictures etc. from Paris soon. The computer that we usually use is currently in critical condition, and may need some professional help- hopefully it won't take us too long.

Abientot!

Visitors

This last week has marked the beginning of many visits which have been much looked forward to. It started last Wednesday when my Dad was able to fit us into his business trip. He came in the afternoon and bummed around with me and Grace, and then treated all of us to our favorite Hawaiian grill for dinner. Then he graciously took care of Grace so that Cori and I could get away to enjoy a romantic Valentine's evening at... the church! Wednesday is our mutual night, and our callings keep us there. It was a treat not having to keep a youth activity together while chasing Gracie all over the church. And, Cori had brought flowers home and even got me some key lime pie (a favorite) to enjoy that night. So our Valentine evening was special despite our other obligations. Dad stayed until 8 AM sharp the next morning, and had to hit the road.


Our sorrow at his departure was short lived as we then welcomed my sister Sara that very evening. This was the best treat for me. We spent the holiday weekend hitting all our favorite sites. Friday we blissfully passed the day at Disneyland. Saturday we hit the Getty Museum. Sunday, Sara helped with Grace during the 3 hour block. Usually, Cori and I both teach that hour, and so giving Grace what she needs (especially when her nap is 1 1/2 hours overdue) gets distracting and tricky. It was a blessing having Sara there. And Monday, we braved the holiday crowd at the California Science Center. One 3D Imax, Star Wars Exhibit and McDonald's lunch later we had had our fill and headed to the pier for a family photo shoot (Sara has skills) and seafood. Thanks Sara, for all the help, the fun, and the great pics!

Sara and Grace at the Magic Kingdom

Grace waving during the parade. Always a Princess.

Sara and Grace atop the Getty

At the Science Center. That's USC behind

Gracie chasing birds on the Pier

One of Sara's fabu portraits. More to come...

Sometimes, we feel a little isolated out here away from our family and loved ones. So we are excited and grateful for our upcoming visitor itinerary. At the end of March we will welcome Cori's parents, Ray and Sandy. In April my London buddy Jessika has tickets to come out. May will bring my life long friend Jessica to us-- hopefully around her birthday so we can party like its 1999. And Cori's brother's family, Damien, Danielle and kids, are looking at spending the 4th of July with us. So much fun.

Here Comes the Sun

Well, just figuratively speaking. Truth is, its been rainy and cloudy lately, but the sun is still shining on our little family. The 5th of February brought not only the defeat of the Bears, but the stomach flu to all three of us. Gracie was over it by Tues. Cori was feeling about 80% by Tues. but still a little funny until this last weekend. And I was wasted all week long. Hence my sabbatical from life at large which has resulted in an empty fridge, mountains of laundry, and no blogs.

However, as is so often the case with life, we've had little miracles and great moments packed into the mix. Example #1: Sunday afternoon we were paid a visit by some neighbors from a different building. Their son had found my wallet in the parking garage, and they returned it to me before I even realized it was missing. Example #2: As a few of you had preemptively suggested, the trip to Paris is on. We bought all the tickets to get me and Grace to Utah and back, and to get me to Paris and back. Cori and I have been researching and emailing, and will be nailing down the lodging arrangements tonight. We are so excited. Example #3: I haven't been able to stomach being in the kitchen. So, out of love, (and partially for survival's sake) Cori really pulled more than his fair share around here. He cooked and cleaned for us all weekend long. And he took the lion's share of Gracie duty.

I'm on the mend now, and feeling much better. Grace and I trekked to the gym this morning, and I feel a surge of energy welling up to attack my neglected house chores. Home life doesn't slow down for anyone or anything. This morning, there was an unusually large crowd in my favorite TKB class. The instructor asked, "How many of you are here because you have the day off?" I shared a smile with another stay at home mom I've become friends with. A day off? Maybe in 25 years.

Disneyland

The happiest place on Earth



My family lived in Southern California for the first 13 11/12 years of my life. My grandparents, with whom we spent a lot of time, lived in Orange County. Naturally, Disneyland had great presence in my childhood. We didn't go often. But it was always there waiting for us. In the perfect grown-up world I created for myself as a kid, I would have a season pass to the Magic Kingdom and I and my husband would go there just to hold hands down Main Street and to steal kisses in line for Space Mountain.

Somehow, I find myself living in this dreamworld where I have an annual pass, and Cori and I go just to hold hands down Main Street and to steal kisses wherever. This is real Magic folks. Cori has had some crazy weeks at work lately, and we had been seeing each other over our morning and evening prayers and meals. So we were both looking forward to getting a sitter and being out. We went to California Adventure Park first -it closes early- and tried some new rides that we aren't able to do with Gracie in tow. Ca Adv. is a lot of fun, but nothing compares to the original. The rest of the evening was spent at Disneyland. We went on Space Mountain, watched the new fireworks show, and got a Mickey Mouse Pretzel. We decided to wait out the mass post-fireworks-show-exodus in the gift shops. We like to pull out our imaginary millionaire wallets and go shopping for souvenirs. We picked out a crystal Cinderella slipper for our curio cabinet (I'll write about our curio soon), a multi-thousand dollar framed animation cell for Gracie's room, and a painting inspired by Pirates for our future library.The evening, topped off with a milkshake purchased at Carl's Jr. on the way home, was date night perfection.

Report Card

For me, accountability is the task master of motivators. Knowing this about myself, I want to give a little monthly report on how I'm doing with my goals for the year. Although I'm still excited about the new year, I'm hoping this ritual will help me keep on track in future months when the resolutions are usually collecting dust. So this is an exercise for myself that you can read if you like.

Spiritual- Thanks to Stake Conference, the visit to the Temple was programed into the schedule. The plan to move my scripture study to the morning was a little harder than I foresaw. I forgot how insistent Gracie can become when I'm giving undivided attention to something other than her. So I'll have to work more diligent on this next month. Visiting teaching and my lesson preparations went well too.

Educational- I read The Alchemist and began my book for Feb. I love trying new recipes each week. That goal has been easy to keep. Still no plans for that Spanish class...

Physical- Although we haven't managed to have a salad night every Monday, we've had at least one every week. I haven't reached my weight goal yet, but slow and steady wins the race, right? And working out is my little break, so no problems there.

Financial- I managed to put away twice my goal amount for the anticipated DSLR. And no progress yet on the credit front line.

Other- Gracie and I have made a nice park routine. So my goal to have her outside more is going well. Cori and I have done pretty well with our date night plans too. Getting a sitter has proven to be the biggest issue with this goal. But, even if its grilling steaks and a trip to blockbuster, I just love having him all to myself.

Plenty of room for improvement, but all in all, I think January was a good start. Here's looking at February.