Southern California Fires

We are definitely getting the most out of our California experience. Unfortunately this wasnt a fun one. I am sure many of you have heard about the major fires that were going on in California a few days ago. Every year they seem to happen, but never right in my very own city. Half our ward was evacuated from their homes and luckily none were damaged. Huge clouds of black smoke surrounded our entire city and made it hard to breathe. The smell is still lingering even today.





These pictures are all of where we live. It was a pretty intense few days but I am so thankful for the firefighters that worked so hard. Its crazy to look at these pictures and see our little city burning.



This is the highschool I went to. It really hit home to watch it on the news and realize how close it actually was.

Eliza's Birthday Tea Party!

Nail Polish, Makeup, Jewelry and more
These are a few things us girls adore!
Oh Wonderful, Fabulous Friends of Mine
Come to a my birthday party…
It will be simply divine!

Wear something fancy and make sure that it’s frilly
So at our Tea Party we can all be silly!
We will set an extra spot,
so bring a stuffed animal friend
Arrive at 11:00 because 2:00 is when it will end!

It will be at my Grandmas House
because it is always so much fun!
Just have your mom drop you off
and pick you up when its done!

















This year we decided to do an all girls tea party for Eliza's birthday. Kind of a nice change from the usual Halloween theme. We let her choose 5 friends since it was her 5th birthday. My sister Heather was so nice to help do the girls Nails and hair when they arrived. She set up really cute stations that made the girls feel so special and fancy. We even both dressed up and the girls thought it was so funny! Then we made neckalaces, bracelettes, and decorated crown purses. Then we had our tea party where we showed the girls how to put their napkins on their laps, put their pinki's up when they drank and how to tap their spoons on their glass after stirring. It was so fun to be silly and fancy because the girls just ate it up and thought it was great. Then we opened presents and had cupcakes.

Prop 8

Wow! Matts uncle sent this to us via email regarding prop 8. It was a statement made my Neil A. Maxwell almost 30 years ago. Pretty amazing that we are actually living in the times he is talking about.


"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency…. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.' “This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself.” (Neal A. Maxwell, "Meeting the Challenges of Today," BYU Devotional, October 10, 1978)

Happy Birthday Matt!

Since Matt doesnt get very much face time on our "family" blog, I figure I should at least give him his own post on his birthday!


Matt is a pretty amazing guy. He doesn't need or even love alot of attention so this post might make him a little uncomfortable.


I love about Matt that he is so dedicated to whatever he chooses to do. School, family, work, church, politics. He isn't very outwardly emotional or passionate with each subject but I know inside he is! I love it about him that he puts his all towards things. He has worked really hard in school to do well. I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished.



He has a great relationship with each of our children. Something I can't even quite compete with. I love how patient and kind he is and always so easy going. He is my perfect match and I feel so lucky to have him! Its been a rough couple of months for our little family but it has made us grow so strong. He puts up with so much being married to me and I love that he is such a good sport with most things! Happy Birthday and I love you!

Update on the Dog!

So...The day after we found the dog we took it to get a check up with the actual vet. While we were there she told us to not make posters and just keep the dog. She asked us if we wanted the dog and if we could take good care of it. I told her that we had been looking and would love to keep it. She made me feel so much better about just realizing this was a good situation for us and the dog. This way the dog wouldnt have to go to a shelter and wait to be adopted, where he would most likely get sick or catch some disease.
He has been the best little dog. He is so cuddly and puts up with Eliza treating it like her doll. Although, I have to say, she has done a great job so far about feeding it, taking it outside to go to the bathroom, and playing with it. That little girl just loves animals and has such a way with them. She decided to name him Biscuit and so far we have been really excited to have it!

We Did Our Part!

Even though we are still awaiting the results from the elections, I wanted to post these pictures. Our ward really got involved and we really did our part. Whether this passes or not I learned so much from the experience. There was a lot that was asked of us and I was so impressed by all that were willing to serve and gave so much time! This was last night, the night before the elections. Even though we have been standing out on the corners all around our city for the past month, I think this night was the best of all. So many people came out to wave signs and show their support. Old, Young, Pregnant, moms with newborns, disabled, and many more. It was a terrific motivating experience!