Anxious Gramma

There is so much going on around me... I am trying to not be anxious. But honestly I am not doing such a great job at that.

There are fires all over California making the air very unhealthy to breathe. My allergies are getting to me somewhat. It is making me claustrophobic! The sky has been pretty eerie. Today I saw some blue finally, but there is still a warning to stay inside. It is supposed to be unhealthy air for a few more days... the fires are still burning,


Check out the poor air quality!

Work is crazy-- I could work 15 hour days and still wouldn't be caught up. I guess that is job security, right??

Also- 3 different friends are dealing with health issues.... I want to help and be with them. I feel really torn.

OK- so now that I have whined and complained- I will stop and breathe (but only indoors!)- and be thankful for the blessings in my life.I am so excited about Brooke and Evan's new little one...I went back just for Saturday to see them. They are doing so well!!! It is obvious Brooke has the confidence of having done this before! I am looking forward to going there next weekend and staying for a week to help out when Evan has to go back to work.

Fun with the girls!


Brynn is 6 days old here!

I talked to Reagan and Jenna tonight. Ian had them this weekend on his own while Anayansi was out of town. They are so funny- they went to a birthday party at an upscale pet store... strange idea it seems but they had a blast. The owners of the store brought out different animals for the kids to touch and learn about. They saw a snake, a lizard, a parrot, some other animals and then they brought out 8 little puppies to run around and play with the kids. They had pictures taken awhile ago- thought I would share a great one of Reagan and Jenna.



I love being a Gramma!!!

Brynn!!!

I am a gramma again!! My 4th granddaughter, Brynn Elizabeth, arrived Sunday morning the 22nd!! She is so precious. Brooke wasn't due for 12 more days... so I thought I had time to go to a wedding in Coronado. Silly me.... I really should have known better since McKenzie came early too. But I was just hoping that this one wouldn't be even earlier. I had a great time at the wedding and got to see a lot of friends from high school. But later that night Brooke called me to tell me she thought she was in labor. I could tell by her voice that she was. I was so frustrated being down south and not able to drive right over. Evan's brother came over to their house to stay with McKenzie. I got on a 6:45 am flight to Sac and then drove to their house. I was there by 10:15 am. I got McKenzie from Boz and we went to the hospital to meet her new baby sister!! She is a tiny one- even smaller than Kenzie was- 6lbs.3oz. Brooke did so well- she was at the hospital under 2 hours. Her epidural wasn't given to her in time and didn't do anything to help!

Everyone is home now. Evan will be off work for 2 weeks. I am going back to work tomorrow and will come back when Evan goes to work. Their little family is beautiful! Kenzie is so cute with her baby sister. She constantly wants to kiss her, give her something or hold her! They thought McKenzie was a challenge. Welcome to the world of 2 children!! Once again the paradigm changes- and all for the better!

Overwhelming Schedule!!

I need to slow down but I don't see how or when that will happen! I'm not really complaining..... but I have to admit right now I am exhausted! This past week has been crazy busy! In the past week, I went to work, of course, out to dinner with friends in Sacramento. On Friday I went to the Bay Area and spent the night at Chris and Bill's. Saturday I went to a bridal shower with Cami for her friend, Monica, at Wente Brothers, then out to dinner with Kathy, Dan, Ben, Brittany and Baylee. After dinner Cami and I went over to Brooke and Evan's to stay the night. Sunday I took Cami to San Francisco airport and after dropping her off I went to Ben's college graduation party at Kathy and Dan's. Then I drove home to Sacramento late Sunday night. Monday I had dinner with Marcia and Tiffany, and tonight I had friends, Bill and Leigh, over for dinner. Tomorrow I am driving back to Pleasanton for a funeral. A friend's daughter passed away from cancer-and she was a young mother with a 4 year old daughter of her own. I can only imagine the sorrow her parents are feeling. They have the comfort and knowledge of the Gospel. But I know they will miss her terribly.

With all this going on we are sitting on pins and needles waiting for Brooke to go into labor! She isn't due for 2 more weeks but McKenzie was 8 days early so I have a feeling it will be any day for baby girl #2. In addition to all this I want to go to San Diego this weekend for my friends, Rick and Tracy's, daughter's wedding in Coronado. I am still not sure if I am going. There are flights at least every hour from San Diego to get back up here in a hurry if I need to so we'll see!!! Also with all the driving around last weekend, we also had to deal with the news of my kids' grandpa passing away in Salt Lake. He was a good man. My dad passed away when I was in my early 20's so Steve's dad, also named Steve, was like a father to me for many years. I am really sad that I can't go to the services in Salt Lake but I can't get back in a hurry if Brooke goes into labor. Ian is going to represent us.

I loved being with my girls this past weekend. Cami is off to live in Stockholm! She loved her year in New York but her heart is in Sweden so that is where she needs to be. She got there safely- just in time for a rain storm! She will be back in California to visit in 4 weeks for Monica's wedding and to see her new niece.

Stay tuned for the latest update. I wish I could just retire and travel ! I hate that my job interferes with my personal life!!! But for now I will continue to drive back and forth to the Bay Area and fly to Texas and hopefully Sweden in the near future!!


Cami and Monica- friends since 2nd grade!


Monica opening her gifts!



Congrats to Ben, Brittany and Baylee!!


McKenzie and her cousin, Jack, at Ben's party!

Another Busy Weekend

This past week has been a whirl wind! I have been gone so much.... Last weekend I went to Brooke's- and watched her and her friends in a performance at church for Enrichment Night. It was a 2 night production. The first night, Thursday, I stayed home with McKenzie so that Evan could go watch the show. The next day Cami came in to SFO!!!! It was so wonderful to go pick her up at the airport. She went with me to Brooke's show that night. I was in heaven being with both of my girls!!! Brooke's show was so fun. I know how much she loves to perform. Being 8 months pregnant added to the drama and stress but she did so well!!!




Saturday was Brooke's Baby Shower. Chris, Shannon, Kelly, and Brianna put it on for her. They did such a fabulous job. Great food, lots of fun and games. It was wonderful to see everyone. Brooke got some of the cutest things!! There were surprises for McKenzie too so she wasn't left out at all. I am so excited for this new baby!! 3 weeks to go!!!!


Brooke and Brianna comparing tummies!



One of Aunt Cami's gifts!



Cami and Jamie at the shower


Carrie and Melissa having fun!

On Sunday Cami came back with me to Sacramento. It was so nice to have one on one time with her for 2 nights. She has so many friends to catch up with. She is back in the Bay area now but I will see her this coming weekend. Then off she will go to Stockholm. What a fantastic weekend I had. I saw McKenzie, Brooke, Evan, Cami, a great show of song and dance, fun and friends at Brooke's shower, then time with Cami. Back to the grind at work for now but I don't mind. My soul has been filled up!

Camp Nauvoo

This past Friday and Saturday was our ward camp out. Most of you that know me know I am NOT a camper!!! But as Activities Chair Person I was in charge of the camp out..... Needless to say I was dreading the weekend. Well, to my surprise I actually had a great time! But there is a caveat to the whole deal. I didn't actually CAMP. Later at night when things were winding down, a friend and I went back into town and stayed at a little dive motel!!! It was very quaint and clean though. As a result I was being called Princess by many. I didn't care though. I don't sleep on the ground, or even on air mattresses in a tent. But we had fun. The Church owns a great campground called Camp Nauvoo outside of Placerville, with pine trees, a creek, a lodge, and a beautiful meadow.

Friday night started with a campfire. We had a hilarious family talent show. Singing, stories, jokes, even baby tricks! After the entertainment we made smores. As everyone settled down, Erline and I headed into Placerville to sleep in comfy and warm beds! After taking nice comfortable showers in the morning we drove back to camp!!! The men made a great breakfast of pancakes, sausage and fruit. Then we had a great water balloon fiasco. The Bishop got drenched by the teenage guys! There were games of horseshoes, frisbee, a hike for the primary kids, water fun on the creek. Then lunch. After lunch we cleaned up and then just sat around and talked for quite awhile. It was a great opportunity to get to know the families in my ward better. The setting was gorgeous and the weather was wonderful. I have to admit I am relieved that the weekend is over!!! There were stressful moments with people that were delegated to take care of certain things not showing up. But others pitched in and I didn't have to do it alone.

When I got back Saturday late afternoon I went to the movies to see Chronicles of Narnia. It was good. I love C.S. Lewis. I even downloaded the soundtrack from Itunes! I really only wanted 2 songs- the songs by Regina Spektor and the other one by Switchfoot. But you had to buy the whole album so I did. Today was church - then I worked on my patio garden. I love the mild weather we are having. I know the scorching heat is around the corner so I am enjoying this while I can! All in all a great weekend...