You Light Up My Life!

Chris and I have been debating, well not really debating, more like discussing the need to change the light fixture in our dining room. There was one vote for changing and one vote for leaving the 1970's very elegant, valuable crystal fixture. Yes, it was elegant, and valuable, and made of fine crystals. But . . . it was from the 70's! Guess you can tell what the writer of this blog was voting for. Since we are a democracy, I decided to get the vote of our children to break the tie. When polled, they each were very diplomatic, and wouldn't vote. However, I caught Alison in a weak moment. We talked on the phone while we looked at Overstock.com. I found the fixture I wanted and she agreed it was nice. I took the picture to Chris, asked him for his blessing, he consented, and we installed it yesterday. I wish we could capture in a picture how beautiful it makes the dining room. You'll just have to come visit to see. Oh, and my conversation with Alison resulted in changing her light fixture with a great find from ksl.com. Check out her blog.

P.S. Just for clarification, we did not change the crystal chandelier from Chris' mission. It is timeless and still hangs over the kitchen table.

Rise and Shout

Chris and I spent the day with Eric and Anna-Lena's family a couple of weeks ago. After a fun day at their home, we caravaned to Stockton to watch the BYU Men's volleyball team sweep UOP. Everyone was decked out in BYU gear. I think BYU fans out numbered UOP fans. GO COUGARS!

A Family Tradition

When I was a little girl, my Mom made the most beautiful ornaments for our Christmas tree. She found a source for goose eggs, emptied the centers and cut out the oval opening. The eggs were then spray painted gold, filled with a little whipped wax and decorated with miniature scenes. For years our formal living room tree was flocked white and adorned with these lovely gold eggs. As an adult my Mom surprised me one Christmas and gave me an entire tree worth of her hand crafted eggs. Recently when my daughters and I were going through my Mom's things, we found cartons of prepared eggs that needed to be painted and decorated. My ambitious daughter and daughter-in-law wanted to make eggs like Grandma's. They motivated me, and I made an egg for each couple and each grandchild. I love Christmas traditions, and I thank my Mom for started something that will last through the generations.

Two years later . . .

We went to Fairyland recently and had to get a shot of Ella at the same spot we took two years ago. Isn't she a little princess?

California Dreamin'

This is the sight Chris and I saw along the beautiful California coast last Saturday. We went with the Priest and Laurels for their annual beach trip. It's always a wild card going to the beach in November, but this particular day was gorgious. We barbequed, played in the sand and had a huge bonfire where the youth could ask their stake leaders anything they wanted, and then we ended with smores. It doesn't get much better than this.

These last few months have been especially nice for me. I was able to visit Nathan and Gemma's family in New Jersey, Laura and Taylor's family in Arizona, Alison and Jorgan in Utah, and my brother, Neils and Jolene in Albuquerque. I also got to go sailing with my brother, David in Utah (see picture above) and visit Chris' Mom and Carol and John. Chris has been so nice to hold down the fort and live on left over dinners while I've been gone. I did manage to come home in-between trips and get laundry and ironing done for him. I'm enjoying this stage of my life!

We did it!

Chris and I took a day trip to John Muir woods. Our children would be so proud of us. Normally we just stay home on Saturday doing yard work, but I decided on Friday that I would get all the bushes trimmed and the lawns mowed so we could go do something fun. I have lived in the Bay Area for 33 years, and I had never been to Muir woods. It was beautiful! We hiked the medium trail, taking pictures along the way. After we finished there, we drove to Stinson Beach and ate lunch in a small café. We took a short stroll on the beach (it was cold) and started to head back to our car when we ran into the youth from our ward. They had hiked from Muir woods to the beach and were going to have a barbeque. On our way back along Highway 1, we pulled off at Muir beach overlook. It is a small piece of land/cliff that jets out into the ocean. We walked out to the end where I felt like Kate Winslet on Titanic. The whole Pacific Ocean was laid out in front of us. It was absolutely beautiful!

What did you do last summer?

Summer isn't over yet, and I'm sure there are many more days of swimming still ahead (thanks to my good friend Annette), but the major events have come and gone. So here is my report: