Memorial Day Weekend 2011

Cemetery on Freedom Trail in Boston Old Church on the Freedom Trail: The pews were in boxes with a door that shut (how wonderful would that be). Old North Church: This is the oldest church in Boston. This is where Paul Revere gave Robert Newman the signal to climb the steeple and hold up two lanterns as a signal that the British were coming by sea and not by land. Rhode Island Zoo on Memorial Day

Brooklyn Aquarium

It was such a joy watching Chase's face light up when he saw all of the "f's" and the "s's" and the "sh". This boardwalk was next to the aquarium. We walked past Astroland, an amusement park with all of the old classic rides. I loved the carnivalesque ambiance. So cute and clever

Utah 2011

You've gotta love that smile! Kayla graduated from LDS Business College. Go Kayla! Dayne received his Eagle Award. Hooray! I actually really enjoyed hitting a bucket of balls at the driving range. This is us playing in the sandbox in St. George. This same jungle gym was here when I was a little girl. We had a favorite things party with my cousins and aunts. My cousins are some of my best friends. I have done so much with them over the years! Kayla, Rachel, and I in our matching aprons my mom made for Easter. Women's Conference Kayla and Steve are engaged! I was there. He rapped to her at the Gateway in Salt Lake City. They met at the Gateway while he was rapping so it seemed like a great place to propose. Kayla and I after she got engaged. She was so happy and surprised. I went with Steve to help her pick out the ring. It is beautiful. I'm so happy for them, and I'm so happy to have Steve join the family! Funny little fact: All three of the male additions to our family are named Steve.

Many Visitors

Our good old pals from North Carolina came to stay with us for a few days this month. We had so much fun with them. Chase and Will enjoyed playing together as well. They took us to The Crooked Tree to eat. It was delicious. Monica also took our pictures while she was here. She is a great photographer if any of my Winston Salem friends read this. Steve, Kayla's boyfriend, also came to visit us. He was flown out here because of a spreadsheet he had made for an iPhone App.

We have met people from all over the world. We've had people here from Sierra Lion, Saint Kitt, and Hungary. Tomorrow we have someone from India coming. This is one of the great things about living here.

Role of Mothers

The knowledge we have about the role of mothers in the home is an indispensable gift from our Heavenly Father.

After my mom and dad read this talk, my mom decided she needed to quit her job and stay home to raise us. How grateful I am to her for that! If you haven't read this talk, you can click on the title to read it. I recommend it!

I loved this poem from the talk:

"You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be-- I had a mother who read to me."

-Strickland Gillilan, "The Reading Mother"

Bronx Zoo

We had a great time with Steve's family visiting the Bronx Zoo, the 9/11 memorial site, the Manhattan Temple, and FAO Schwarz. Steve was let down when he wasn't able to name a hissing cockroach after our friend Jenny Foote who served a mission there. I hope Jenny is reading this. Yes, he really would have done it. We love when family comes to visit!

Chase Happenings

Chase's Great Great Grandmother Sears made these overalls and matching jacket for Steve's grandpa. Look how nicely they fit. She must have been quite the seamstress. It's fun to think that Chase is wearing the same outfit that his Great Grandpa Sears wore. Chase is the oldest boy, of an oldest boy, of an oldest boy, of an oldest boy. I hope his oldest is a boy... I think he looks like a stud in this picture. Chase's first bubble bath. Chase's Valentine Cards he made for his little friends. On the way home from delivering the Valentine Cards, we saw the Statue of Liberty. You walk 10 minutes from our apartment and who do you see, Lady Liberty! Truth be told, mom made the cards. Chase ate the Jello. Chase playing in blue goop. Chase went from shambling down the hall a few months ago to cruising at high speeds. Pushing his stroller is still is favorite activity. We call this the "ExeChaseer."