Party time!

I have had the most fun past 4 days!!! Cami and Klas got into San Francisco last Thursday and stayed at Brooke and Evan's for 2 nights. Then on Saturday I went over to Brooke's to see everyone. After spending a fun lunch at Brooke's, Cami, Klas and I headed off to Pleasanton for their engagement party that was happening that night at friends', Marsha and Greg's. It was a fantastic evening with friends and family. Everyone there got to meet Klas- he was charming! Everyone kept telling me how perfect he is for Cami-- which he is! There was a lot of food, laughter, little kids and babies, and wonderful conversations.


Klas made fast friends with Brynn!


Cami and Klas looking fabulous at their engagement party!


The guests of honor answering questions.


Lifelong friends, the Vasquez Family and Mike Zahuta with Cami and Klas.


Having a great time listening to the answers to the questions!


Cami has known Maryrose since they were both 6 years old!

Sunday was a quiet down time day- everyone was so tired after the long day on Saturday. We had a great day at Chrissie and Bill's. The sunshine was wonderful- the warm weather has been so rejuvenating- especially for Cami and Klas who are in the dead of winter back in Stockholm.

Klas enjoyed playing with Ivy, Brianna's daughter

I took Monday and Tuesday off since Cami is here... so not going to work was a treat in itself!! Monday we went to San Francisco Zoo with Brooke's family. Another day in paradise with amazing weather!! I had so much fun with McKenzie and Brynn too at the zoo. Kenzie was afraid of the goats in the petting zoo.... but from a distance she loved all the other animals. After leaving the zoo and saying good-by to Brooke's family- Cami, Klas and I headed over to the beach- just across the road from the zoo. I have said it before but the ocean fills my soul! The warm weather and beautiful ocean was perfect. After driving back to Sacramento- we went to dinner at Kelly and Marcus's, who weren't able to come to the engagement party. It was fun to catch up with them and spend time with their family.


Evan and McKenzie checking out the giraffes


Brynn was all smiles as usual!


Family pic at the zoo.


Cami made friends with the goats!


After the zoo we went to the beach.


It was an absolutely gorgeous day!!!

Today was a landmark day!!! We went to lunch with friends of mine from work. Everyone hears me talk about Cami and Klas and it gave them a chance to meet them. Then after lunch Cami and I went off to look at wedding dresses. Lo and behold-- she found the dress!!!!! We are so excited! It is absolutely gorgeous and fits her personality exactly! We didn't really expect that to happen but I was dying to be involved somehow since most plans will be made 7,000 miles away... so we thought we would go look at dresses. She knew sort of what she wanted and had already looked at some. I can't spoil the surprise so I there will be no description of the dress. For those of you that can't come to Sweden in August - you will have to look at my blog after the wedding!!!

Tomorrow is back to work. Cami and Klas have places to go and people to see. So for a few days it is back to reality for me. But I will see them some more next week. I am in heaven when I can be with my kids. It is especially fun for me to have Cami and Klas with Brooke and her family all at the same time. I guess with Ian in Dallas, Cami is Sweden, and Brooke in Menlo Park the times I will have them all together will be far and few between. For now I have the wedding to look forward to for that! I just hate that my job interferes with my personal life!! When I win the lottery or more realistically, when I retire, I will be able to have that freendom. For now I will take what I can get as far as time with my kids.

Cami is coming!!

I have been too busy with work and not a lot going on otherwise these past 2 weeks....... I have been able to see some great movies- Doubt, Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons, Seven Pounds. Last Saturday before I went to work for a couple of hours I had fun going to my friends', Bryan and Lisa, son's birthday party! He is so adorable. He turned 3. Every present he opened he said "Oh My Goodness!!!" I am so fortunate to have them as friends- they are a wonderful family. The kids made their own pizzas and had a blast!


Ayden making his pizza!


Lisa with Bryan while we were singing Happy Birthday!

This week I will be putting in the hours but have a few days off next week- Cami and Klas are coming to California! They will be in the States for 2 weeks. Part of that time they will go to Texas so that Klas can meet Ian and his family. So I am very excited- we will be talking wedding, wedding, wedding!!

Happy New Year!

Another year gone--- where did it go??? This past year has FLOWN by! It is so true when they say the older you get the faster time flies. I had a great year for the most part. The highlights were Brynn being born, spending time in Disneyland with Ian's and Brooke's families and having Cami here in June and July. I have family and friends I wish I could see more often. My job has been good, I am lucky to work with great people!

So for 2009--- I look forward to Cami's wedding, seeing more of my grandchildren, traveling to Sweden, and hopefully other places. I am off to spend New Year's Eve with McKenzie and Brynn while Brooke and Evan go over to friends' house.
Happy New Year to you all!!!

Merry Christmas!!

This will be a short blog - just to update you all that I am still over at Brooke and Evan's. Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were beautiful!! Except that little Brynn is sick, which breaks our hearts. I was able to talk to Ian and his whole family. Reagan and Jenna had a fun Christmas and were so excited telling me about everything Santa brought them!! I also was able to talk to Cami and Klas. They are up at Klas's mom's house having a magical Swedish Christmas.

Here are a few Christmas Eve and Christmas Day pics. More to follow later---


There is an amazing neighborhood in San Carlos that decorates like crazy!


Enjoying the lights with McKenzie.



McKenzie's goodies and note she left for Santa!


Kenzie and Brynn in matching outfits!


Kenzie dressing up as a Princess!


Brynn loves her new baby doll.

Holiday Emotions

I am pretty melancholy this time of year. I want to be with all of my friends and family. Last Christmas I was able to be with Ian, his family, and Cami. This year I will be with Brooke and her family. I am so excited to get past the next 2 days so I can head over there. Cami and Klas will be coming out for a visit in January so I have that to look forward to also.

Last week I saw McKenzie and Brynn. Kenzie is so excited for Christmas. I am adding a cute video of her singing. She loves to sing for her sister.


Brynn is growing so fast. I love getting her to smile- which isn't hard to do!


This past weekend was a crazy busy clean-up, catch-up, Christmas shopping, movie going, church going, friend visiting weekend! My kind of weekend! While at the movies with Marcia and Diana I ran into friends Rick and Tracy. I ended up going to early dinner with them afterwards. It was great to catch up with them. Today after church I went to Bryan and Lisa's for an amazing dinner! They had friends from Texas staying with them, Adam and Meagan. Lisa made this fabulous dish that is actually a Macaroni Grill recipe- of Chicken, pasta, prosciutto, and capers which had a delicious rich sauce on it. I didn't even want to know the calorie count for it!! I love their family so much. It is always entertaining to watch their boys, Ayden and Logan! Lisa even sent me home with leftovers. Most people know I don't eat left overs--- but let's just say that this time I am definitely making an exception. I can't wait for dinner tomorrow night- I know what I am eating!


Ayden loves to draw!


Lisa cooking our wonderful dinner!!


Logan found something to do while his mom was cooking!


Meagan, Adam, Ayden, Bryan, Lisa and Logan.

It is really cold here in Sacramento- but after hearing from my sister in Seattle- they have been snowed in for 3 days! And of course, with Cami in Sweden, I guess I shouldn't complain too much. At least we have more than 2 hours of sunlight a day...
Have a great Christmas week everyone!

End of the year check-up

Every year at the end of the year I have an opportunity to meet with the Bishop of my ward at church. We go over church matters and then he asks how I am doing. He is truly interested in what is going on in my life. I think it is pretty amazing that I am at a point in my life when I can tell him everything is good! The things I feel a need to complain about all of a sudden seem trivial- so I don't. For the most part the things that are tough for me aren't really that tough. I wish I lived closer to my children, other family and friends, I wish I could retire, I wish had more money so I could retire..... but really................... I have my health, I have a good job, I talk to my children on a regular basis, I have wonderful friends, I have 4 precious granddaughters, I have my faith. It has only taken me 50+ years to feel like I am pretty grounded!!! Sure I have regrets but, for the most part, if I could go back I wouldn't. The saying"If I knew then what I know now" couldn't be more applicable!!! I do have to admit-- I told the Bishop I am ready for a new calling. Being Activities Chairperson has been a great challenge. But after a year of planning activities for the ward and for 3 years before that planning events for the Single Adults I feel I have had enough of event planning! However, I also know I should be careful what I wish for! So we'll see what happens. In the meantime, I am grateful for this past year. I am grateful for my blessings.

I'm Still Employed!

This past week has been a roller coaster week for me. I knew at the beginning of the week that there were announcements coming at work by the end of the week that would affect me. The big media announcement came on Thursday that AT&T would be laying off 12,000 people. I have mixed emotions since I want to retire soon and there would be additional money if they were to lay me off, but I want it to be my idea not the company's. I need to still work for financial reasons so if I were to retire from AT&T I would still be needing work of some kind. So I found out Friday that I am safe------FOR NOW! However, 7 of my friends are not. I am so sad that they received their notice. I am fortunate to be working with government accounts. I am a Sales Support Manager- which is like a project manager. Thank goodness not many do what I do so they still need me. We all have the feeling that eventually they will move our job to the mid-west though where it is less expensive, but for now I am grateful to still have a job. It couldn't have come any closer to me then it did without it hitting me. For those that did get the letter I am sorry. I am sad. I am mad. It comes down to the dollar- and at the customer's expense too. But corporate America isn't thinking about that. They are thinking of the shareholders. I will continue to work hard (probably harder) because the company has fewer and fewer resources that I use to provision the technology for State and Local government agencies. Oh yea- last week- the Governor's office lost their voice mail for 2 days! Something that could be fixed in a couple of hours took about 2 days to get them back up and running. But that isn't anything new- just an example of the issues we deal with on a regular basis! Picture the cartoon of the guy banging his head again and again on the brick wall ---- that is how I feel! I do still like my job. Just don't love it. I need to get ready to go to church- and unfortunately, afterwards, I need to go into the office for a few hours. But I am not really complaining- I am grateful to still be employed!!