The Oakland Temple

We love this temple.

We were lucky to meet my sister Traci and her kids, Conner and Camryn at the temple lights and to go through the visitors center. Definitely felt the spirit, loved the sister missionaries, loved some of the new exhibits they have. Anyone living close should make their way up their - it was beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful, and so peaceful.

We took the train!

On Friday, I finally did what Riley has been wanting to do for so long. We went on a "train ride" (its really just the light rail) but for my sweet little 2 yr old, we'll say train. We have a membership to the discovery museum, and I've been too nervous to take her since I lost her there :( - you remember the story??

Anyways, I bucked up and decided to pay less money then parking downtown, and we took the light rail. For the short duration of the ride, we had fun. Riley sat very nicely, just looking out the windows, and was able to make it quickly on and off , and managed not to get herself caught in the automatic doors -which was my worst thought going into this.
It was a great weather day, and it worked out perfectly.


Riley's waiting for the train



Chloes's waiting for the train

Mom's waiting for the train, so I take a pic of the San Jose Skyline, its little hazy, but there are really pretty hills in the background. The hills around are my favorite part of the Bay Area.

Finally, on the train! Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Caught!!!

At least she doesn't eat it.....she sweetly hands it to me.

A Long Wonderful Weekend

Things I'm thankful for this weekend:


1. Mike being home for 4 days straight
2. Good company & good food on Thanksgiving Day
3. Leftover turkey sandwiches
4. Going shopping on Black friday, and not getting frustrated
5. Chloe cutting a tooth - finally!
6. Riley trying pumpkin pie AND mashed potatoes
7. The marionet puppet show a friend invited us to
8. Riley sitting through most of that show
9. More good food & company on Saturday (Cafe Rio food...mmmmm)
10. A very healthy, happy, and blessed family

My sweet girls on Thanksgiving Day

Chloe hits 9 months!

The Puppet Show
We hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving!

Christmas Tree

On Tuesday, Santana Row had their "tree lighting event thingy" I told Riley that we would go, we ended up not going and she has reminded me every day since. Her 2 year old request sounds like this "Mommy, I want to go see Christmas" (like Christmas is a person or a thing, not a month long celebratory season) I love 2 year old minds! We went on Friday night, the weather was perfect, we sat around, Riley RAN around and we all drank Hot Chocolate (white chocolate with pumpkin spice from sssshh - starbucks - go try it).

Happy Anniversary Mike!

7 Years as a member of this wonderful church!

Baptism Day ~ November 18, 2001

Sister Keating & Sister Ng ~ His beloved Sister Missonaries

Endowment Day - July 2004 ~ Mike with Erik Reynolds, who baptized him.

Sealing Day - December 29, 2004 ~ Mike & Jaime Beall

Now on to Eternal Perfection!

...You're almost there Mike.

I love this Quote

"The Lord does not begin by asking our ability, only our availability; and when we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability." Elder Neal A. Maxwell

* It was on an e-mail from one of the Sister Missionaries that taught Mike.

New Family Pics

By a very talented friend, these are just some of the ones we really liked

The Spooky Old Tree

When I was a little girl, my Mom bought us this book along with a read aloud tape. I probably wouldn't be able to count the times we listened to it. My sister Keri and I would just listen to it over and over again. While we were at the library last week I found this book on the shelf. I was so excited to read it to Riley and I hoped she would enjoy it as much as I did. She loved it! After reading it to her everyday, she can now "pretend read" it by herself. I am so happy she liked it, because I STILL want to read it over and over again... aaah nostalgia!
On the front there is a little medallion saying "40 year" anniversary and I was thinking "man this book is OLD!" Then, I realized that's only 9 years older than me! Dang, I'm old too. Does anyone else remember this book?

Halloween Night 2008

Riley with her little friends from the ward! They all walked the same street together and the street was decorated all up, one house even had a DJ, so the whole street was rockin!

It was very nice because we could just send Riley up to the door, and wait in the street, one of these is Riley's first house, and there was no hesitation, she knew exactly what to do. Most of the husbands kind of lingered behind and talked and watched the Moms (Mike is here with our friend Ian)

We loved this night of Trick or Treating and hanging out with friends!