Great weekend!

Happy birthday to my 3 year old! Can't believe it! She is three!

When she turned one I was sick, and also at three. THis year was just a bad cold. When she was one *WARNING* we went to pick up her cake and I had to stop and throw up in the bushes...... It is not so fun trying to plan and carry out when you feel miserable! But It was fun. You kind of forget your misery and have a good time.

We had two parties, one on Friday night with all of our family. It was great to have everyone together. We have a great family!

We had our first kid party for Jill. We weren't going to do it, then about a week before Gary helped me change my mind. We had 8 little girls over. we decorated cookies and Katie painted their faces. Then we opened presents and ate cake. They were full from eating cookies, so not much cake was eaten. So cute! Then they went and played in Jill's room. It was simple and fun, a bit busy at times. But I'm glad we did it. I am very grateful for Mom, Terry, Katie, and Gary who helped!

Fun times. How I love my little girl! She is such a blessing in our lives.

Gone private again....

Thank you to my friend Jackie to remind me to go private on my blog. so you may have to sign in to see this.

Tomorrow my baby turns three.

I am very excited for this birthday weekend. She gets to celebrate three times. At school, with family, and with friends. I think I am more excited then she is. I love the planning and preparation. However, this year, I have had a horrible cold. So my last minute prep is not getting done. Gary has kindly picked up the slack. So tomorrow things will be decorated and sanitized, ready for the fun to begin!

Look below of Gary and I at MY THIRD BIRTHDAY!

Our three year old.

Busy, busy, bees

We've had a couple of great weeks. I've missed blogging, so I will do a quick one. These are backwards in order, but they are still fun.

Rolling down hills are the best!
In Cinderella's carriage......... not really, but it was sure nice!
Just plain nasty, the snake, not my cute girl!
Best buddies
Just love this..........
my fearless child, at the fair
Jill just loves cows!
PLaying with rice hulls with Reece
Our hike with the Wetencamps and Hunters, 5 miles up hill, it killed me, but it was so fun!

A new hobby.....

For those of you in RS on Sunday, you don't need to read any further....... unless you want to.

Two weeks ago Tuesday, I was feeling a little blue, probably hormonal, but nonetheless, I was throwing myself a pity party. Gary got home from work and after dinner we got into a bit of a discussion. Gary likes to hunt and fish, and I am glad he has those outlets to de-stress. I was telling him I wish I had something to help me "escape" from life. It boiled down to: I need a hobby.

And the following Tuesday I received my new "hobby." I will be serving the women in our ward (geographical area of our church in our town) as a Relief Society President. This is a huge responsibility and I am very humbled that the Lord would have me do this. I know it will be fun, rewarding, hard work, and time consuming.

What a better hobby to have, than serving others.

These girlies crack me up:

What a Thriller.........

I remember being a young girl, probably 8 or 9. Just falling asleep.......
In comes my dad, saying, "Amy wake up!"
I was bleary eyed.
"What Dad?"
"Come in here and watch the tv!"
There was Michael Jackson, singing on MTV, which was a brand new tv station!
It was the Billie Jean music video. Dancing on the lit-up side walk, with the leaves blowing in the breeze.

I will never forget it. This is where my interest in pop music culture began.

I begged for the Thriller album. My parents got it for me. It was treasured.

I was sad yesterday watching bits and pieces of the memorial. I have been listening to he music all week.

I love his music.

Happy 4th

We had a great day!

Gary got to go fishing.

Jill took a great nap, so I got to watch a movie. When she woke up, we went to the ranch for swimming and food.

Then went to the Murdoch Court party! So fun, thanks guys! Jill loved "marching" in the parade.

Then to Grandma and Grandpa's house for fireworks! It was a lovely day!

The Crazy Camping Trip!

We had a few days off, so we took advantage of it. We decided to go camping at the beach. We left Friday afternoon, traveled to south of Monterey, and there were no campsites to be found, all full. We went to at least ten campgrounds. We ended the night is a cheap Motel 6, and continued our quest the next day.

Day 2-- We went to Pismo Beach/Oceano dunes, which is a HUGE place, again campground full. We did stay there for a few hours, had lunch and played in the water. We had a very anxious girl, who was ready for the beach!!! On to Morro Bay, nothing. We ended up 25 miles north of Santa Barbara at Lake Cachuma. (Coincidently, down the street from Neverland ranch) It was a place I don't care to go back to. When I picture camping, I think of mountains, trees, cooler weather, a lake or river to play in. This place was the exact opposite. It was 100 degrees. We did have shade, but many others did not. There was a lake but you couldn't go swimming in it, due to it being used for human consumption, yet fishing boats could be in it. It was ridden with squirrels. Yet it was camping, we got to have a fire, roast marshmallows, play games, climbed trees, etc. It was fun.

Day 3-- we headed back north on PCH1 and decided we would stay at the first campground we found. We stayed at San Simeon state park, just south of Hearst Castle. It was great. We got to camp near the beach and go play, it was cool weather. It was perfect! We had a great weekend.

Camping is the way to go for a cheap and fun vacation. Pull stuff out of the cupboards and freezer. Gary keeps all his camping gear ready (i.e. stove, plates, matches, Sleeping bags) We just open a cupboard and put it in the truck. YET, we learned you HAVE TO HAVE RESERVATIONS at least 2 days in advance in California.

Pictures are not in order.....

Gary is our master chef!

Pretty girl loved the beach

Mommy and Jill posing for Dad, proof I was there too!

Jill would not wait for a swimsuit, so she went in her clothes! Gary too!

She is so precious!

Our campsite at Lake Cachuma

She's so proud of her castle!

Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park, A must see on PCH1, Much prettier when the sun is out!!