Tuesday, July 16, 2013

One of the Perks of being a Mormon!

Chances are if your are a Mormon you have been given or received a plate of goodies!  Its kind of our signature thing.  It is also one of my favorite parts of living in a dense Mormon populated suburb.  Just yesterday I was craving cookies but we were out of eggs.  Not too much later a sweet family showed up at our door with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.  My heart jumped for joy!  
Now this could be the end of my story and it would still be a great example of kind neighbors but that's just a small part.  This was not any ordinary family.  This was a family who has endured some of life toughest trials in the past few months.  I have watched them go through such hardship and trial.  Through it all they have been incredible examples to me and others.  Not only have I greatly admired them but now they were standing at my door, bringing my family cookies.  
I can't describe how touched I was and also how humbled.  I had to take a good look at myself and ask "what am I doing to serve others?"  and "what's my excuse to being idle when others are serving me?"
I am so grateful for this family and the influence they have had on me in such a short time of knowing them.  They are people that have truly impacted me for the rest of my life just by their example.  So if your reading this take a challenge and make a plate of cookies or something to take to someone else, you never know what it could mean to them.  
And who wouldn't want that deliciousness???


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Meet the Puppies

Deacon
Deacon is the Mr. Happy go Lucky.  His tail is always wagging and he is always excited to see you and run after you.  I love his markings and he is just so dang cute.  He is all about the kisses too!  He also loves to hide out in the kennel or under the deck.  He is pretty relaxed and content to hang out by himself until you give him some attention and then he is right at your side.  


BEAR
Bear is the Bruiser.  He is rough and tough and loves to play.  We have a magnetic screen door that usually takes dogs at least a day to get used to, and the first time Bear saw it he took two steps back and then charged!  He literally flew through it!  I was shocked but he is such a fast learner and loves to explore.  My favorite thing about Bear is that his eyes are actually blue/grey and very pretty.



Lila
Lila is the princess.  She is so sweet and trusting.  She is completely content letting you just hold and cuddle her.  She is also the smallest but she doesn't let that stop her.  She loves to play with the boys and wrestle.  I love the very bottom picture of her because she totally looks likes she is posing for a magazine! ha Strike a pose!  


Monday, July 8, 2013

Pacific coast vacation

Highway 101 Road Trip

Here is our Highway 101 Itinerary!  It was a crazy, fun, exhausting trip but I would do it again in a heartbeat.  I definitely saw some of the most beautiful places in our country and was usually pointing out my windows yelling, "look at that, no over there, thats amazing!"  It really was gorgeous and we met so many wonderful people along the way.  As for taking a one year old I can't believe how great he did.  There were definitely some times we were both whining at Jason wanting to get out of the car but he did great!  He also was a champ for being able to sleep 11-12 hours at a new location every night, and nap in the car.  He is a great little traveler!  
The entire trip was amazing but I but a small star next to our favorite things.  It felt like a long trip but at the same time we had to cover so much distance we didn't have enough time in any of these cities.  We are already planning things we want to do when we go back!
Date
Sites
Destination
Friday 6/21
·    Golden Gate Bridge*
·    Golden Gate Park
·    Fishermans Wharf*
·    China Town*
Oakland Hayward 25921 Industrial Blvd. · Hayward, California 94545 USA
Saturday 6/22
· Finish site seeing in San Francisco and drive to Ukiah.
Oakland Temple
Ukiah Mendocino County 1140 Airport Park Boulevard · Ukiah, California 95482 USA

Sunday
6/23
Church
·Redwood National Park
·Drive threw tree
·Avenue of the Giants (N of Garberville CA)*
·Eureka CA
Cresecent City, Light house inn 681 U.S. 101 Cresecent City, CA 95531

Monday
6/24
·Leave Redwood National Park and drive up Oregon Coast

Fireside motel 1881 Highway 101 North, Yachats, OR 97498

Tuesday
6/25
Orgeon Coast Aquarium
Newport, OR
Oregon Temple*
Portland 15200 SW Bangy Road · Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 USA

Wednesday
6/26
Multnomah Falls*
Tacoma Puyallup 202 15th Avenue SW · Puyallup, Washington 98371 USA
Thursday 6/27
Pike Place Market*
Space Needle
Seattle Temple*
Seattle Bellevue 14455 NE 29th Place · Bellevue, Washington 98007 USA
Friday
6/28
Willow Park Zoo* 
Finish Site seeing in Seattle drive to Portland
Portland Airport 11550 NE Airport Way · Portland, Oregon 97220 USA