Preserving Marriage - YES on Prop 8

I attended a satellite meeting tonight by the General Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints and they gave us this link to share with our friends. So here it is. http://www.preservingmarriage.org/

You can go to this web site to learn more about this issue and have a good understanding of what will happen if we do not use our voices to let our opinions known. 

The most important thing that I heard tonight is that in this issue we need to remember that everyone is a Child of God and we need to show them Christ like love. That does not mean that we need to condone the choices they make, that we believe to be wrong, only that we show them the love that Christ would show them. 
I truly believe that Marriage between a man and a woman is a divine principle, and central to Heavenly Fathers plan for each of us. So I will be voting YES on Prop 8. I hope you do too.

Sacramento Temple Picture

I took this picture last night after the RS General Meeting. I like it but think it is to dark. I think I need to go back when it is just getting dark. What do you think?

Also to those who live around here,  I want to do Family Photos at the Temple soon. If you are interested in having a family photo done for the holidays call me! 

September Utah Trip

For the past few years Aaron's company has sent him to Utah for a week of training. I see it as a good excuse to get out of town for a while and stay in a hotel. (all paid for by the ISO of course) And it is also a great time to see Aaron's family, his Mom and sister Melissa with her kids live there. We love that our boys know their Grandma Jolene and that they are building a relationship with her. I wish we lived closer to other family. Shane was his normal 2 year old self and said nothing but 'no' to Grandma for whole trip until she was helping him into the car when we were going to leave . He finally said 'yes' to her. That was her goal to make him say yes. I thought that was so cute. Somehow we didn't get a picture with Grandma this year. But we got some of Melissa and the cousins. 

Jessica was 4 or 5 when I first met her, she has grownup into a beautiful young woman.  

Melissa and J.J. (J.J. is an extraordinary young man, we pray that he will achieve everything we know him capable of. ) 

Bryan and Aaron. Aaron is being goofy in this picture. Bryan has greatness in him we hope someday he will be able to see it. 

 This trip was great because I was also able to meet up with a very old friend of mine from 15 years ago. Carrie Smith who is now Carrie Keele. Hanging out with her and her family was so great it was like the 15 year absence never happened. Aaron and Carrie's husband Taylor got along great once they got over the BYU / U of U rivalry. (Just kidding it was just shirts. Funny story ask us about it sometime if you are really interested.) We went out to dinner and everyone hit it off really well. Earlier in the day we went to Discovery Gateway. (next post) And after dinner we played a fun card game called Hand and Foot. They even came to Aaron's Mom's house for breakfast Saturday before we left.  I was amazed at how our lives experiences  have helped us to grow but we were able to still have things in common especially with regards to the Gospel. It's rare to find good friends and hard to keep them, I am glad that Carrie found me again. Thanks to the internet. 

Family Picture name updates

A Huge Thank You to Aunt Debbie who corrected names of those I missed in the earlier blog post. Now  all the names are correct. Go and read it again. :o)

Hot Air Balloons

The Great Reno Balloon Race was one of the most amazing thing that I have ever done. We found out about the race just a week or two before we were to be in Utah for Aaron's training. We usually like to drive at night so the boys sleep, but decided to stay in Reno for the night and get up super early to go and see the balloons. They had this thing that started at 5:00 am with the balloons glowing before the sun came up. But due to a Travelocity snafu we did not get into our hotel until late so we didn't get up in time for that. Next Year for Sure!  We made it in time for the flag raising in the Eagle balloon.


Once the National Anthem was played and the flag raised all the other balloons started to rise. We were standing in the middle of the field and balloons were going up all around us.

I took a picture of this one because we stayed at Circus Circus Friday night. We will stay there again when we go next year. It was very nice and you didn't have to go into the casino part if you did not want to. It also had a midway where they did trapeze acts all during the day. We will have to catch some of those next year too. 

   

I just loved how bright each balloon was. The boys loved the character balloons there were bees, and Smokey the Bear and the Energizer Bunny and a balloon called Wally that must have been Nemo's cousin.

 

A Pregnant Moment

Yesterday while I was cleaning, the boys were busy playing in their room. I went in to check on them and didn't see Shane. So I asked Jared where he was. Jared didn't know and so he and I went on a hectic search for him all over the house. It wasn't until he was spotted on my bed, asleep that I remembered that I had put him down for a nap earlier. I had to just laugh at myself. 

Family (this one is long, but has lots of pictures)

While in Mariposa we were able to visit with some family we have not seen in ages. It was so wonderful seeing everyone again. Sean and Lisa's kids and our boys got along great. It was like they have always known each-other. It would be so great to live close to them. Aaron is actually looking into electric companies in Phoenix. The housing is great, at least compared to CA. The only thing that worries me is the 115 degree summers. Ouch. 

Dallin and Carly and the cute Kitten. Ridge playing catch with Mom. 

Shane and Ridge in Papa's tire swing. Shane is about the same size Jared was when Aaron made the swing. 

The main reason we went to Mariposa was Muma's 80th supprize birthday party. She was amazed that so many of her friends and  family were able to make it. People all the way from Montana to all over California were there. I am not sure that I will remember everyone's names but I will post the few pictures that I have. I am sure Aunt Debbie can help me with the ones I forget. 

 

Muma aka. Shirley Anderson

This is Beverly, Shirley's sister. She was so great, she humored my Jared with his little games and I will always love her for that. 

Here is Lisa with her two handsome red headed boys, Ridge and Ty.

The beautiful Carly.

Here is Gary. He is my Uncle. 

This is Jason and his beautiful bride Jessica.

Here is Muma and her niece Jeannie (Bev's daughter) was one of the sweetest people I have ever met. 

Here is Dad. 

Thought I would throw in a picture of Aaron and I just because. 

Here is Christopher and his beautiful wife Margaret, she is really sweet. 

Here is a family picture with Uncle Doug, Jason and his wife and Aunt Kathy. We found out that Jason lives very near Folsom, we are definitely going to have to get together with him soon. 

Muma opening all her birthday presents with Jared and Ridges help. 

This is Kent's Step mom.  Kent is Aunt Debbie's hubby. 

Muma and Ridge

Sean, me and Lisa. Aren't big brothers great. 

Muma blowing out her candles. 

Here is Muma with all her kids. Uncle Doug, Robert (Dad), Uncle Gary and Aunt Debbie

Muma with grandkids and spouses

Muma with grand kids and great grandkids. 

Gary, Doug and Jason. The guy behind them is Papa's brother, Great Uncle Bob.