Life Update

We are back in California and couldn't be happier about it! Rick's company in Flagstaff majorly downsized right before Thanksgiving which was truly a blessing in disguise. Rick has a new job at a great company in Pleasanton and we are currently living with my parents for a few months until we find a place of our own to settle.

It is so great to be living in a mild climate again! I know some people love the snow, but it is definitely not for me. Especially with little kids it's nice to get outside every day. We have only been here a little over a week but have already enjoyed going to parks, watching Eric's soccer games, hanging out at the beach, visiting a farmers market, strolling downtown and going on jogs and hikes.

We hope to settle in Pleasanton, near Rick's office. We went there on Saturday and it is adorable! Definitely a place I can see my family loving. They have a year round farmers market that was awesome, an adorable downtown and charming neighborhoods. They also have a drive through dairy with amazing vanilla and orange swirl ice cream cones.

Amazing Produce at the Farmers Market!

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Hadn't had fresh strawberries in a while, but they were delicious!

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Cute mural at the drive thru Meadowlark Dairy.

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Post Baby Dates

Before we had kids Rick and I basically went on dates every night... bikeriding on the boardwalk, eating out at fun restaurants, hanging out at the beach and getting together with friends. After Adelaide was born we didn't really feel the need to go out on too many dates because she slept a lot and we were just so in love with being new parents that hanging out all three of us was just fine most of the time. I think our first date after her birth was going to the movie Avatar (with Rick's brother Nick) while Rick's dad and Janet babysat.

Now that we have two babies I am definitely feeling the need for more date nights. Not that I don't love spending time the four of us, but I just want a little more balance in my life. Over Christmas Rick and I went out to breakfast while Rick's mom and Gerry watched our kids. It was awesome to just sit and talk with each other without being distracted by dirty diapers or Adelaide's hilarious and high maintenance demands.

I think we need to go out more often- it's great to reconnect and I always miss my kids when I'm away, giving me a better appreciation for them when I get home. Do you also feel the need for regular date nights? How often do you go out? What are your favorite things to do and places to go?

Rick and I waiting for our table at Matt's Big Breakfast.

It was a cute little place that prides itself in using sustainable and local ingredients as much as possible.

I love this guy!

Sewing Project #1

I have a traumatizing memory from my childhood of sewing my finger on my mom's sewing machine. I have been kind of afraid of sewing machines ever since. My mom always offered to teach me to sew growing up, but I always refused, and it wasn't until recently that I realized that I actually really would like to sew.

In October when my mom came for Maverick's birth we had some time to kill since Maverick was born two weeks after his due date. My mom got me started by teaching me the basics on my new sewing machine. I put my new knowledge to use by making these placemats! They are not fancy or even close to perfect but I love them. After spending my day making them I feel like I understand my little sewing machine more and that I am prepared to actually do a real project with a pattern.

Sewing machines really aren't that scary!

Shopping Adventures

Normally I hate shopping at Wal-Mart, but since we discovered these special shopping carts it's not so bad. Adelaide and I sit next to each other, Maverick sits in the main cart and Rick pushes us all around. It is seriously more like an amusement park ride than a shopping trip... the strange looks from adults and longing looks from their children make it especially entertaining.

Christmas Thoughts

I love this picture. Especially now that I have my own children and realize how holding any baby in your arms feels like such a miracle. I can't imagine what Mary must have felt like holding baby Jesus in her arms.

This Christmas season has really been beautiful for me. I have not decorated my house and sadly don't even have a Christmas tree, but I have felt a change of heart which prompts me to redirect my energy from life's distractions to thinking about Christ more often. This focus motivates me to love others more purely, humble myself to understand and do God's will for me, study his word more often, avoid judgement of others, look for ways to serve others and simply to be grateful for God's gift of the Savior to me. I am most definitely failing at the ideals I just mentioned, but I guess that also makes me feel closer to the Savior, asking daily for his grace and help to be better. I really do feel my Savior's love in all the world around me... through my family relationships, friendships new and old, my beautiful children, all the wonders of nature, and the peace the gospel brings me. I am feeling really blessed and like I've never had it so good.

I hope you are all enjoying this season too, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. ♥

Good Bye Jess!

Jessica left yesterday to be a missionary in Portugal for the next 18 months. I am going to miss her so much but am proud of who she is and the decision she has made to spread the gospel there. Jessica is the most Christlike individual I know, always humble, loving and genuine, and I know that she will positively influence everyone she meets. It was so wonderful having her live with me for a while and I guess now it's time for me to share- be good to her Portugal, I know she'll be good to you!



Last picture together for a while.

In Winter it's a Marshmallow World

It has been dumping snow here lately so today we decided to take Adelaide sledding for her first time. I went down once with her and she yelled "No no no no" the whole time. So we left Adelaide at the top of the hill with sleeping Maverick while we went down a couple of times. She was so grumpy and flailing her arms around (you can see her mittens mid flight in one of the pictures) and kept saying "No no. Home. Please." We made her go down once more with both of us and she still did not like it so we headed home. Maybe next year she'll like it?! If not we'll have to find a babysitter.