What a trip!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe that I am back already!!! I had such an amazing time in Sweden and The Netherlands. How fortunate I am to have been able to take such a journey.

So much happened in such a short period of time. It was so fun. Seeing Cami and Klas so happy and in love was so special. The wedding and the reception were the best wedding and the best party I have ever been to. And none of that is to my credit. Cami and Klas made such great choices. The music, the church, the venue for the party, the people involved were all part of the picturesque setting that have etched in my mind the most beautiful scenes!!!!! Having all 3 of my children together was so wonderful too. I was sad that Brooke's husband, Evan, could not be there. Maybe next year we can have all the children and their spouses together.

Pictures tell a better story- so here are a bunch......


Cami and I outside their apartment.


Klas had a performance in Stockholm at Skansen. It was a Tribute to Ray Charles!


Ian, Anayansi, and Brooke came in on the same day!


Jamie, Mikey, Mondo (Cami's U.S. friends) and Karin, Klas's sister, joined the rest of us for dinner.


Here we are checking out the building where Cami works!


Klas had another performance on a dinner boat- with one of his bands-Kustbandet.


Dan and Kathy came in from the US and joined us at a dinner for 15 at a great Indian Restaurant.


Cami and I at the dinner


I am ready for the wedding!


Ian walking his sister down the aisle.


Lighting the Unity Candle


Mr. and Mrs. Toresson!!!


The bridesmaids- Anna, Karin, Jamie, Brooke


Off to the reception!


The reception venue- Strandbaden


My 3 beautiful grown children at the reception.


Ian and Anayansi


Kathy and Dan came from Pleasanton for the wedding!!!


Cami's life long friends, Mondo and Mikey, came from California too.


Their first dance as Mr. and Mrs.


Cutting the cake!


The morning after- me with my family.


Cami and Klas getting ready to leave on their honeymoon to Greece!

So this is only a few of the hundreds of pictures we have! I will post my trip to Amsterdam in a day or two. I am still dealing with jet lag!!!! But I can't say enough about the amazing time we all had together. I am so thrilled for Cami and Klas. I miss them terribly already. But I couldn't be happier for them!

CWA District 9 Reaches Tentative Agreement with AT&T West

One anxiety down!!!!!!!!!! I got a text at 5:42 am today with the good news that the contract negotiations have been successful! It has to be voted on for ratification on Sept 1st. I am not worried- and at least now I know I can take my trip and not have to come home early!! Everyone at work was so happy today. It was nice that everyone was telling me how happy they were that I can go on vacation with no worries of the strike. The union members will get their raises but now have to pay for health care plans. I haven't had a raise in 3 years (and have always paid for my health care plan)--- the joys of management. But today I am not thinking of that. I am just thrilled to be able to go on my vacation for the full 2 weeks. Now, if I can just get over my claustrophobia.............

P.S. I won the office pool betting there would be no strike at all- I said they would negotiate without striking. Everyone else had picked a day they thought the strike would happen. WHAT DID I WIN??? Lunch!!! So when I get back from vacation- we will all go out to lunch and I don't have to pay! Yippee!!

McKenzie's birthday party and Countdown begins!!!!

It was so fun to watch McKenzie at her birthday party- soaking up the attention one minute and then shy the next. She had family and friends there to share with her all the excitement. I know she had fun with her friends and cousins. Usually she is there with me 100 %. But that day- she was so involved with the kids. She had been waiting for the day forever, and I don't think she was disappointed! She loved the pinata, the cake, the presents, playing dress up with Elyette, and playing basketball with her Uncle Sam. Brynn had fun with everyone too. She loves her new found freedom with walking so she had fun walking around to everyone. Fun party --- fun day!


The kids at the party!


Taking a swing at the soccer ball pinata!


Playing dress up with her cousin- she's wearing the tutu, wings and hairband her Aunt Maegan made her.

And the Countdown begins!!!!!! Next weekend is the beginning of the long anticipated trip to Sweden for Cami and Klas's wedding. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. I have anxiety over getting all my work done before I go so I will be working longer hours this week. I have anxiety over the strike at work- we are still waiting for the Union to either strike or settle the contract negotiations. If they go out on strike while I am in Sweden I am expected to cut my trip short and be home 5 days earlier than planned. I have anxiety over packing and not forgetting anything yet keeping my suitcase under 50 lbs! I have anxiety over being cooped up in an airplane at 30,000 ft in the sky, flying over the ocean and having claustrophobia!!! Yet I am willing to endure the anxieties because I am going to a beautiful country to see my youngest child get married in a 500 year old church in the Swedish countryside to the man of her dreams! It is going to be one exciting adventure.


The happy couple!



The church where we will all be on August 22.

McKenzie is 4!!!!!!!

I can't believe that another year has gone by and McKenzie turned 4 today! She has been anticipating this day for a long time!!!!! She had a great day today- at church the Primary kids sang Happy Birthday to her. She told me she smiled back at everyone!! How cute. Her mom and dad gave her a new 16 inch two wheeler with training wheels. So she is feeling pretty big! She is so creative and animated. I have no doubt that what ever she sets her mind to as she grows older she will be successful. She is one intense kid! I love you Kenz......... thanks for all the joy you have brought to us!

WICKED

I think I am the last person I know to see Wicked. Brooke and I went in to San Francisco Friday night to see it. What a blast. I knew the music already (Brooke saw it last year in L.A. and had the CD). I think that made it more fun for me..... If by some chance there are a few of you out there that haven't seen it I can testify that it was well worth it!!!! Go see it! I am still singing "Popular" in my head!