San Diego

So Sco and I are on the first leg of our journey to San Diego. We are crashing for the weekend at Ro's house in Vegas. We'll be renting a beach house in Carlsbad for the whole week starting Monday. Cutting the traveling in half is always a good idea when little kids are in your car. No matter how many books on tape, treats and prizes I have, it only takes about a half hour until our kids ask, "How much longer?!" That's a discouraging question when you haven't made it to Provo yet. But after pulling out the digital Littlest Pet Shop toys, we had silence for a good amount of time. I was silent as well, since I was hooked on Ash's Littlest Pet Shop toy (too bad I blocked out her screams to give it back).

After being caught in a winter squall near Cedar City, I was thankful to be going to the land of mild weather. I am so excited to have the beach out the back door. When it comes to sand and water, I am entertained all day. I love building sandcastles. I love burying my toes in the sand. I love hunting for the biggest and smallest shells. I love walking into the surf and being hypnotized by the rhythm and ripples of the waves.

For the small thrill seekers in our family, we have created an agenda for them as well. Legoland (small thrills remember), Wild Animal Park and Sea World will fill up some of our days. My girlies still talk about their time at Sea World from two years ago (Jess was 2 and Chloe was 3). It's good to know we are creating lasting memories with our kids.

And the best thing about family vacations? Help with children 24/7. I'm so excited to be able to prepare dinner while Sco entertains the girls. It'll be so nice to go to a public place with another adult by my side. By the time we're through with him, Sco will be begging to go back to the office.

Back to Work!

Office Party next Thursday, 9pm. Please bring a treat related to the show (i.e. Starbucks, stapler in jello, jelly beans. . .).

Can't wait for the Office!

Should we have an Office Party?

Common Scene at Our House

Sco hugs the girls goodbye, hops in his car and honks the horn. The three girlies rush to the door to wave and blow kisses. I think it's such a sweet thing.

Go Bobcats!

I LOVE KINDERGARTEN! I am absolutely thrilled with Chloe's school and her teacher. Most of her friends from the neighborhood are in her class. Mrs. Richards knows just how to challenge Chloe and Chloe loves her. I don't hear much about the work they do in class. I do hear about who she plays with at playtime and recess. Although she is extremely advanced in some ways, Chloe belongs in Kindergarten. I can tell that her self esteem is high, she comes home proud of her work and she loves being with friends her age.

Leaving her at school the first day was so exciting for Chloe, that I couldn't find any sadness in me. Sure, it's the end of a season for our little family. No more open days to do countless projects and watch countless tv shows. I like our new schedule a lot better. We still have open mornings, but come lunch time the rush is on. Having a kindergartener and preschooler go to school at the same time is bliss. After school there's just enough time to play before we go to ballet or music lessons. I am an official "soccer mom" without the sport. I love my minivan in ways I can't describe. Automatic double doors are the best for dropping off and picking up. I love keeping a stash of cataloges, a book and pen, and my ipod in my car.

So all in all, we're off to a good start. Three weeks of kindergarten gone, twelve more grades to go! Hooray for school!

Marriage Meme

where did you meet your husband?
I officially met my husband in my local stake singles' ward. However, I've known him since 7th grade. We had parallel lives: we went to the same schools, had common friends, had classes together. . .we just never talked to each other. When he came to the singles ward for the first time I recognized him and was anxious to get to know him better. I was overly friendly to him until he finally got the hint that I was interested.

what was the first thing you said to your husband?
"Hey Scott!"

where was the first kiss? First date?
First date reflects my geekiness. First of all, I didn't wait for him to ask me. I totally pounced. I asked him to go with me to the University of Utah Museum of Fine Arts. When we got there, it was closed. So I suggested the LDS History Museum. Being the sweet and shy guy he was, he conceeded.

First kiss was two months later in November. It was after a fireside that my now brother-in-law was in charge of. I went to Sco's house for dinner with his family for the first time. After we were left alone HE totally pounced. He sweetly asked me to be his girlfriend.

did you have a long or short courtship/engagement?
We started dating in October, got engaged January 1st 2000, and got married in May. Pretty quick, I'd say.

where did you get engaged?
Funny story:
New Years Eve day: My mother rushed me to the store to pick up last minute Y2K supplies (firewood and Martinelli's Sparkling Cider?) Secretly, Sco met with my dad to ask for my hand.
New Years Eve: Sco picked me up at 10pm to go to First Night downtown. . .with his 3 buddies. He trued to lose his friends the entire night. Fireworks go off to celebrate the new millennium. . .we kiss while being heckled by the 3 losers.
New Years Day 2am: Arrived home to a roomful of family members anxiously waiting with Martinelli's in hand. Clueless, I was whisked downstairs by Sco without a word to the family. While the family was upstairs with a toast on their tongues; shaky, darling Sco knelt down in my basement, pulled out a beautiful ring and said, "Amy. . ." I pounced on him before he could even ask me and yelled "YES!!!!" Both of us teary and beaming went upstairs to start the celebration.

where did you get married?
Bountiful, Utah Temple

How did the reception go?
No reception needed in this case. We decided to invite our family and friends to a luncheon at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building after our wedding. It was wonderful to show up in a limo, enjoy a lunch and special program with our loved ones, and be off on our honeymoon before it was dark. I highly recommend doing it this way. My recommendations: do not wear a wedding dress to the luncheon.

How was the honeymoon?
Our honeymoon was perfect. We stayed up at Deer Valley for a few days. Since we knew the area so well, we were able to enjoy the great restaurants, shopping and scenery. It was very romantic.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Before the day ended I wanted to pay tribute to my wonderful friend and mother.

58. Beautiful
57. Wise
56. Creative
55. Passionate
54. Wordsmith
53. Stylish
52. Poet
51. Oma
50. Prepared
49. Germanic
48. Educated
47. Realistic
46. Planner
45. Organized
44. Chapstick
43. Glasses
42. Insomniac
41. Dreamer
40. Gourmet
39. Butter
38. Cream
37. Sugar
36. Leader
35. Boss
34. Rebel
33. Support
32. Cheerleader
31. Trusting
30. Flirt
29. Lovable
28. Friendly
27. Approachable
26. Therapist
25. Pharmacist
24. Independent
23. Democrat
22. Hippie
21. Manecured
20. Soft
19. Alto
18. Teacher
17. Spiritual
16. Bibliography
15. Anglo
14. Faithful
13. Loyal
12. Family
11. Spender
10. Generous
09. Dierndl
08. Young
07. Scriptorian
06. Example
05. Open
04. Emotional
03. Happy
02. Confident
01. Best

You can take no credit for beauty at sixteen. But if you are beautiful at [fifty-eight], it will be your soul's own doing.