Pics from Texas

Meeting cousin Colby

Dani loves horses and Lee's mom has one at Lee and Christie's house. Although she didn't get to ride him, she spent a lot of time petting and just looking at him.

Playing on the computer

I believe that Colby is a tummy sleeper. Everyone now a days says that babies need to sleep on their backs. But some babies just want to sleep on their tummies.

The day before Thanksgiving I had the little kids make Indian vests while we baked goodies. It kept them busy for about an hour, which is what I wanted. I had brought foam sticker leaves and pumpkins from home and they used markers to make it even more special.

Our turkey cookies

This is my sister's attempt at making Black Forest Cake. My mom made this for many holiday gatherings and Chris and I LOVE it. We did everything right, but somehow the layering got out of hand. The whole thing fell apart and we decided to serve it in a casserole dish instead all mixed together. It still tasted yummy! (Christie was so mortified that she was going to give it to a homeless man at one point.)

Bon Fire!

Christie and Lee have purchased 40 acres of land with Lee's family to build homes on. They have been working on clear it now for months, and still have a TON of work to be done. Wednesday night they decided to burn a lot of the wood and brush they had torn out. Lee also gave tractor rides in the dark (which I think was the highlight of Dani's trip). It turned into a fun night of friend, family, and of course FIRE!

Thanksgiving Day we went to Lee's cousin Jana's house. There had to be about 80 people there. We ate where ever we could and had plenty of food. Everyone brought something. The only thing missing was mashed potatoes. But we survived! After dinner Christie, Lee, Brent and I played two hand touch football with some of Lee's family. I haven't done that in years and it was a lot of fun. After we took the kids to see Bolt at the movies. It was a very fun day. We had wanted to spend more time with Lee, but he had to work most of the week and then his dad need some help Thanksgiving day at their land. We didn't get to see him much, but we did spend a ton of time with Christie and Colby!

Friday, we are leaving and can't wait to see Colby, Lee, and Christie in California for Christmas!

Texas here we come!

For Thanksgiving week, Brent and I decided to visit my sister Christie and her family in Texas. We left at 4 am Sunday morning and made it to Houston by 12:30pm (their time). The flight was crowded, but not too uncomfortable. There was one really awkward moment when the gentleman sitting next to Hannah and I started to watch Snoop Dog videos that were not 4 year old appropriate, but other than that we didn't have any bumps. Now that Ben is 2 he has to have his own seat. We decided to take his car seat on the plane and he was completely content the whole time! It was great!

Since arriving we have spent countless time looking at my nephew Colby (5 weeks old now) and spending time with Aunt TT (Christie). We watched movies, fed animals, taken the dog for a walk, gone to the mall, gone to the movies, and had fun visiting with Uncle Lee's family. Colby is the typical 5 week old wanting to eat every two hours and happiest when being held. We have helped get Colby accustomed to some of his new toys (swing, bouncer, play gym).

Christie is hanging in there. She is tired like all new moms are. I can tell that she is lonely here, which is hard to see. It's hard for other's to understand when you haven't been there. Christie is home alone with the baby all day with no one to talk to. Lee's family is around, but they all have jobs and lives of their own. She doesn't know anyone else that is in the same boat as her or at least another stay at home mom she could hang out with. I think once she goes back to work she will actually be happier. Christie is a VERY social person who needs (craves) interaction. Not attention, but interaction. I hope that our short visit is helpful and will lift her spirits. She is coming to Tracy in three weeks, so at least this little visit can help until she can come visit the rest of the family.

They can do it!

Dani riding her bike by herself for the first time!

And what a surprise, Ben can too!

Trip to the zoo.

We took a trip to the Oakland Zoo with my student Faith. She can't attend regular school because she has severe allergies to lots of things. She can handle being outside though around small groups of people. We took her and her mom to the Zoo. Faith is 7 and had NEVER been. She loved it and moved around so much we didn't get too many pictures. It was a great day.

Loved IT!

So yes, I too am a Twilight fan. There is something about these books, this movie, that makes me go gaga. I haven't purchased merchandise or anything (yet), but Brent and I saw the movie tonight and I loved it! I thought it really stayed close to the books and Brent's only negative comment was that he wished there was more gore (hello PG-13 I reminded him!) I liked all of the characters (except Jasper who was just weird). I thought they did a good job. So now we can't wait for the sequel to come out. I know, I know. It will be years before that happens, but a girl can still hope!

Brent is a...

You are intelligent, strong willed and patient. A peaceful lifestyle and helping others is very important to you. You’re not a take charge kind of guy and sometimes rely too much on your feelings when you make decisions, but you always mean well and try your best to do what’s right.

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

(He tried to re-do it so he would be Emmett, but I told him that was cheating. I'm just grateful he likes the stories too!)

Honoring our Veterans

From the time I was a little girl, I have been a member of the Ladies Legion Auxiliary Post 172. Until recently my grandmother paid for all of her granddaughters to be members. Growing up I didn't understand why it was SO important. But Tuesday I took my girls and some friends to the Veteran's ceremony at the Tracy War Memorial Site. As I sat amongst men and women who have fought for my freedom, including my grandfather, I was deeply touched to belong to such a great organization of women. Women who lost husbands, sons, grandsons, friends. Women who had picked each other up, aided those in need of comfort, and made sure that those who fought for us were taken care of. It made me want to do more for my country and proud to be an American.

Tracy War Memorial

The kids, who did such a good job throughout the ceremony.

Sitting amongst all the groups who protect us.

My girls with my Grandma and Grandpa Reich.
They are standing next to the fallen soldier cross.

The kids in front of the memory wreath.

We would have never guessed

Yesterday was our ward's primary program. Through out the year, our then three year old Hannah had memorized her first 9 Articles of Faith. She had gotten up about 4 times during the primary sharing time to say one or another. The Primary Presidency decided because of her crazy memorization skills and the confidence that she showed each time, that Hannah should have two speaking parts to memorize. One of them being the very last stanza in the program. Hannah was so excited and she had both parts memorized very quickly. When they called all of the kids up to the stage, Hannah went too with a smile. But once up there, something happened. We aren't sure what it was, but Hannah began to get very nervous. I could tell something was wrong because she began to put her fingers in her mouth. Then her eyes and nose began to get red and I could tell she was trying not to cry. Finally during the first song, she couldn't hold it back any longer and began the uncontrollable sobbing. Seeing how distraught she was, I quickly walked up to the front side bench and had her come and sit with me to try to calm her down. When I asked her what was wrong she bumbled out, "They are all looking at me!" Yes, for the first time in her life, Hannah got stage fright. It was basically an anxiety attack. It lasted the entire program. I went up for her one liner in the middle "I am a child of God. I can be like Jesus by saying my prayer and loving others." She barely got it out and then we went right back to the bench together. As I was trying to prepare her for the end, she burst into tears and kept saying she just wanted to go home. I shook my head at the primary presidency, letting her know that there was no way Hannah could do the final part. Graciously, one of the older girls (thank you Molly!) got up and read Hannah's part for her. The funny part was later that day Hannah was upset that she didn't get to do her final part. Oh, well. Maybe next year sweetie!

Danielle, by the way did a great job. She say all of the songs and did her part very well. She said it really fast (like her mother) and raced back to her seat. I actually didn't get to see her singing very much, but Brent said she did great. It was such a nice program and I loved the arrangements of all of the songs. The primary program is always special to me, but this year it was exceptionally memorable. I love my girls and know that I we are teaching them the right things. They are growing up knowing that they are children of God and that they are special. It reminds me just how true this gospel is.

Fun Trip with Daddy

This month being November, my girls are off track. Brent has Monday's off, so even though I had to work, he decided to take the kids to Cal Big Trees up in Northern California for the day. The had a great time and Brent even made it back in time to go stand on the corner with me. What a great DADDY!

Ben saying he's "All Done".

The girls did a great job and didn't complain at all on the 2 mile hike. Ben had to get some help at the end. They had a great time with their Dad and want to take Mommy back to show her the "Humongous trees".

Follow the Prophet

Brent and I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints. Recently the presidency of our faith asked Californian's do to what ever we could to help the passing of Proposition 8. This prop would change the state constitution to only recognize marriage to be between a man and a woman. We believe very strongly in the family unit and its divine nature. So, Brent and I did do what we could. We made phone calls, walked door to door for an hour, and even stood on the street corner Sunday afternoon and Monday evening before the elections. Although it took us out of our comfort zone (me especially), we believe that what we did was right. Our church has the document The Proclamation of the Family. Brent and I believe in this whole hardily. We also believe that everyone has a choice in how they want to live their lives, but it should not breakdown the family unit in doing so. I was grateful for this opportunity to stand for something that I believe so strongly in.

Us on Sunday afternoon

Our group. Mostly people from our ward.

Monday night in the rain. Brent has Camden Hatch on his shoulders. We left our kiddos at home!

My beautiful spirited Hannah

Beautiful Baby Girl