Father's Day

Poor Dad, he only had me home this year to celebrate what a wonderful father he is. Of course he got phone calls from the rest of the kids and a letter from his missionary, but besides that it was a quiet father's day. I went to my sacrament meeting in Glendale then I headed home to spend some time with my parents. Like I said it was a low key day. We got online and chatted with Lauren and the kids. They sure love the webcam and so do I. Jared called as well. While everyone was on the phone or the computer Dad opened his gift. He got a push cart for his golf clubs, now he doesn't have to break his back carrying his clubs. After we chatted with the family the 3 of us made an outstanding dinner. We had lobster and steak. I've never had lobster before, I liked it. Then I just chilled with the parents the rest of the evening, it was actually pretty wonderful. I love being home.

I was chatting with the kids while dad was opening his gift. Love the Wed Cam!!!

My Little Sis in the MTC

I got back from Utah last week. My family and I were all there to send Rachie off to the MTC and then to the mission. I know I already told you where she was going but once again she's off to Tampa, Florida spanish speaking.  I am so excited for her. Well I arrived in Utah Saturday with my folks and Rachel, then Lauren and her family showed up Sunday. Of course Jared and Brynne live there so they were our meeting ground. I was wonderful to spend so much time with everyone. My nephews are getting so big and are as cute as ever. It is so much fun to watch and play with them. It's crazy how their little personalities are so different. Kyle has so much energy, he is constantly talking, running around with some sort of make believe weapon, then there is Luke who is quite but very mischievous and knows it. Just as he's about to do something he knows he shouldn't he gives us this little smirk its too cute. I definitely had a blast with last week. 

While we were there getting last minute things for Rachel we actually did a little playing too. We hiked the Y, which I thought was pretty fun. It's a bigger hike than I remembered. ha ha.

We also when up to the petting zoo at Thanksgiving Point. The kids really liked that, then we went to Tepenaki's Japanese Steakhouse which was awesome. I have never been to a restaurant like that before, they cook the food in front of you. It was tons of fun. And I caught the shrimp. The whole time it didn't really feel like Rachel was leaving it was actually surreal to think about. But when Wednesday came that all changed. Dad set her apart Wednesday morning and that's when the reality set in. It was time to say good-bye and that was so hard. I had actually done pretty good all morning, Lauren on the other hand was a mess, but when we were doing the hugs and stuff that's when I got all teared up. I couldn't hold it in anymore. Boo even cried. It was a tough morning. The other kids (married ones) all left around 11:30 to head back home to Idaho, Jared and Brynne were heading to her parents for awhile. So all that was left was me and my parents to take her to the MTC. It's a whole new experience now. There is no having the family come in and see them off it's curbside drop off only. Strange huh. We parked across the MTC first and then walked across to take a few pictures and were instructed after taking pictures to get back to the car and then drive on through. There were missionaries everywhere welcoming the newbies. It was actually a wonderful site. We pulled up to the curb and she climbed out. We unloaded her luggage took a few more pics and gave her a few more hugs and kisses and then the missionaries took it from there. She just walked away with a big smile and watery eyes leaving us ready to embark in the service of our Lord and Savior. What a blessing that little sister is to our lives. It was an emotional week, but one that was most precious at the same time. She's going to be a wonderful missionary and I can't wait to hear about it over the 18 months she's out.

New York!!

I just got back from one of the coolest places ever. I love New York! It is so much fun and full of so much life. Millions of people walk the street, well maybe not millions we'll say thousands but it sure feels like millions. I sit here tonight on my bed still shocked at all the things I did the week in New York and I still could have done more but we just ran out of time. I went with a good friend of mine from the OC but who now lives in AZ. We met at JFK and then went on our merry way to Manhattan. We checked in to our hotel early evening then hit the city. We went straight to Time Square and took in the sites. That city is a non-stop hustle and bustle, it's amazing. I took her to my favorite pizza place in Manhattan, which she agreed was amazing. Then we just walked the city and got to know it a little better. We enjoyed Time Square then walked down to 34th Street, saw Madison Square garden, Empire State Building, walked back up town and saw Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, and NBC Studios. It was awesome. And that was just the first night we pack every day full of stuff. Sunday we went to Central Park, Church, Lincoln Center, Little Italy, Grand Central Station, and Serendipity for some frozen hot chocolate. We also went on the Intrepid and navy ship, which was pretty cool. I could share every detail but I am realizing that will take for ever. Basically we filled out week will museums, broadway shows, amazing tours of famous places like the Radio Music City Hall, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, and NBC Studios. We went to the Met Museum, the Natural History Museum, the MoMa, and the Whitney, all wonderful museums. We walked the Brooklyn bridge and had the best pizza in the world there in Brooklyn. And I mean it when I say the best pizza ever. (If you go to NY, you must eat at Grimaldi's Pizza) AMAZING!!! There is a great ice cream place near by too, again AMAZING! What else did we do... we did Central Park several times, that is one of the most beautiful parks ever. I mentioned Broadway, we saw the new show In The Heights which was great and Phantom of the Opera which was fabulous. I got to see Harlem, don't recommend that ;) and Washington Heights, both enlightening. We walked 5th Avenue and Park Avenue. And of course we did the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, and the top of the Rock (Rockefellar Building) those were all amazing. The trip itself was FABULOUS. I would say everyone should experience New York sometime in their life. I absolutely love the place. I was exhausted by the end of the week, but it was worth every minute. Man there was so much more but this will have to suffice. Here are some highlights...