Crisis Response

I just got accepted into the Volunteer Crisis Response Program for a City nearby. I've been wanting to do this for years and finally went for it. I went on a ride along a few weeks ago and got a good taste of what the Crisis Response Unit deals with. We had 2 "code" calls and had to be with the families in the quiet room in the hospital to be with them while we waited for the Dr. to come in and report. It was a very surreal experience. It was the first time that I have dealt that closely with death. I had my interview last Monday and have been accepted into the program. I start training on October 6th. As part of training we have to become First Aid and CPR certified. It has been a few years since I've been certified so I will be glad for that. Even though we are required to be certified we won't be able to use it. I'm excited and scared to volunteer. On one hand I think it will be good for me to get out there and do something for the community but on the other hand it might be hard to have to be involved with the trauma that we will be dealing with. I'll just have to see how it goes and find out if I am able to do what needs to be done.
Jeremy wanted me to clarify what a "code" call means. It means that someone has passed away and we need to go be there for the family or the ones involved.

Mini Hilary

So I was in Joann's with Mia and Reese the other day looking at Halloween costumes and came upon this mask of Hilary Clinton. Reese thought it was funny so I put it on Mia and cracked up at how hideous she looked. It was so funny that I was crying! And no, I am not a supporter.

Getting chased

Dust Storm Sept '08

A few weeks ago we promised the kids that we would finally let them ride their scooters around but we needed to get dinner first. So we got in the car to drive to Taco Bell. When we went outside to get in the car we could tell that a storm was coming. As we were driving we were being chased by a big wall of dust. We got into Taco Bell just in the nick of time before the storm caught up to us. It was crazy watching the wind blow the light poles and trees back and forth.

End of story, kids did not get to ride their scooters.

Our Fall Garden

garden

So we are trying to obey our Stake President who has really been encouraging our stake to grow something this fall. We have started growing some basil, parsley and chives inside. This is the before picture of the garden outside and some pictures of our sprouts. When the garden is complete it should be really nice. It is slow goin' though. Jeremy's been at work so much that we have been having a hard time finding the time to get it done. We did build one of the sections of the garden and have planted Cucumber, green onion, carrots, broccoli and tomatoes. We will be planting sweet peas soon. So far we have some pretty healthy looking cucumber, broccoli and green onion sprouts. The kids are really interested in watching our garden grow. Mia helped me plant some of the seeds and when I showed her the cucumber sprouts she said, "Yay! Let's pick them!" I hope she doesn't decide to harvest before it's time.
Click on the picture to see the rest!

The beach and Lombard Street

My favorite part of our day in San Francisco was when we went to the beach area close to Ghiradelli square. We let the kids take their shoes off and roll their pant legs up and dip their feet in the water. Mia progressively lost all layers of clothing down to her undies because she couldn't stay dry. I wish I would have remembered their swim suits, but oh well, next time. We also went to a museum that had all kinds of old games to play. It was very interesting. The last thing we did before we left was drive down Lombard Street. Driving up the hill to get to it made me real nervous. It was so steep that it reminded me of those dreams I have of trying to drive up a road too steep and the car can't make it all the way to the top and starts rolling backwards. I can't believe that people live on those steep hills like that and it's just a normal part of their every day. The pictures I took don't do justice to how crazy it is.
Well, there it is, I finally put all of our pictures of California up for all to see. Enjoy!

Pier 39

We went to Pier 39 and had a blast looking in the shops and watching the Sea Lions. Grama took Andie and Gavin to the Aquarium for a birthday present and they had a great time. Jeremy wanted to take a tour of a submarine and I wanted to go to the Golengate Bridge and eat at a deli that Allison highly recommended but when you only have one day to pack it all in, it just doesn't get done. Gavin really wanted to go to Alcatraz really really bad. I think just the name, "ALCATRAZ" was intriguing to him. It sounds scary. He wanted to see the skeletons of the dead prisoners. We told him there were none and he relaxed a bit but it was still the thing that he kept begging to do. We plan to go back some day when the kids get a little older. It's a neat place!

On the way to San Francisco

On Monday we took the 2 hour drive to San Francisco. The kids were excited to see all the big bridges. I liked them too!

Jen and Connors Big Day!

I've decided to make good use of all the time that I have while Jeremy is working crazy hours at work and buckle down and finish blogging our trip to CA.
Saturday was the big Day! Andie and Gavin and Mia did a great job with the responsibility of being in the wedding party. Gavin had to keep the rings safe and when the cerimony was over we congratulated him on a job well done. Gavin said, " Well, I didn't do very well because I dropped the rings." I guess he was a little embarrassed. Everything turned out really well and everyone had a good time, especially Mia. I'm sad that I didn't get pictures of her totally bustin' a move when it was time to dance. She was coming up with moves that I have never seen her do before. It was a crack up! I'm glad Jen and Connor are now happily married. Congratulations you two!

Rehearsal day

I'm a little behind on our trip to California. I'll get the rest up soon. Friday was rehearsal day. We went up to the wedding site at Apple Hill. Jen made some cute flower girl shirts for the girls and a ring security shirt for Gavin. We helped set up the wedding decorations and rehearsed the ceremony . It was hot but fun. In the evening we had the rehearsal dinner at Jen's moms house. I don't know why but I forgot to pull out the camara for that. ooops!

Adventures in Sacramento

So, as most people know, we went to northern California recently for Jeremy's youngest brother, Connor's wedding. On the first day the boys and Papa went on a cave exploration and to go see the Redwoods to celebrate with Connor. While the guys were gone the girls and the kids had a little fun of their own. We took the kids to a place in Sacramento called Funderland. Andie, Gavin and Mia really enjoyed the dragon roller coaster and the airplane rides. Mommy liked the Dragon roller coaster too. After getting as hot as we could stand, we went back to take the kids swimming. It was the first of a few action packed days.

Cute Fabric!

These are the aprons we made for Andie's party. I just love this fabric! I need to buy some more and make myself an apron.

Andie's in 3rd, Gavin's in 1st, Mia's in jammies!

Just some pictures of the first day of the 2008-2009 school year for Andie and Gavin(and Mom). We are very happy with the teachers that Andie and Gavin have this year. We hope they enjoy another action packed year of learning!

Gavin turned 6!

Gavin turned 6 in August and for his birthday he really wanted an Indiana Jones whip that he saw in the store, little did he know that Mom already bought it for him before he knew it existed. Hee Hee! For his birthday dinner he picked one of his favorites, Kraft Mac and Cheese and broccoli. Mom didn't mind, it was kind of like a day off from cooking. After dinner we all went to the park and launched the balloon rockets that Gavin got for his birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAVIN BOY!

Andie Turned 8!

Andie's Birthday

Since Andie turned eight this year and is getting Baptised she got to have a friend birthday party. We had a cooking party. Andie and Mom picked fabric out to make aprons for her friends to wear while they made pizza and decorated cupcakes. I forgot to get pictures of the overloaded pizzas but they were yummy! Then the girls had fun decorating cupcakes. I thought that it was very sweet that most of the girls that had siblings asked if they could bring some home for their brothers and sisters. Jeremy took the 3 younger kids to Peter Piper to cut down on the chaos for the party and Kelly Fitzgerald came and helped me to keep the party going. I had a great time getting to know her better. Thanks to all the little girls who came and made Andies birthday a fun one!

9 years and still goin' strong

So today is our 9th Anniversary. I am truly blessed to have Jeremy in my life and to have him as the father and Patriarch of our home. He sets such a good example of how to be humble and selfless and I am so happy that I said yes when he asked me to marry him. We only knew each other for 5 weeks before we got engaged but I knew it was right from the very beginning. What I didn't know is just how good it would be. I think Jeremy and I make a great team and I hope that will come in handy as our kids turn into teenagers. I typically think it is cheesy to pay a tribute to your Sweetheart on a blog but today I am just feeling so thankful for what Jeremy and I have. So here's to you Jeremy, Happy Anniversary! I look forward to each year together being better than the last. Oh, and for everyone else, you may now call me cheesy.