Best Gig Around

I love to write. Many of you know I write a weekly column for the Gilbert Republic, but for the last 6 months I have also been writing For Go Gilbert! Magazine. I write about 3 articles each month on everything from home decor to personal interest stories and one is usually a restaurant review...how lucky is that? I LOVE this job.

Last month, I wrote the feature on Heather Bailey, who many of you in the blogging world know as a crazy talented fabric and paper designer and entrepreneur. In person, she lives up to everything you hoped she would be and more. It was such a treat to listen to Heather and Issac tell about their creative process and life story and the article turned out just right. Her husband did the photography and each picture is so vibrant I want to jump in and live in that kind of world (he took the picture above too). The magazine finally went online, so I'd love to share it with you (especially Heather's article). If you want to check it out visit http://www.gogilbert.com/

Spoiled by Grandparents

We were so lucky that my dad's golf trip took him to Tucson...they couldn't be that close and not come see us. We were so happy! The kids were asking every minute when Grandma and Grandpa were going to be here.

They came for a quick weekend and played and played and played. My mom made it for Jace's basketball game and Jace was so pleased. He is absolutely obsessed with basketball right now. It is so cute. When my dad got here, the boys played golf with him and my mom and I made a quick Costco run.

Sunday my parents saved us since Mike and I were in non-stop meetings and ward conferences. They spent the morning on a walk playing in our gorgeous weather, and reading books to the kids. My dad realized they all loved Captain Moroni, and they sang, "Captain Moroni, our hero!" about 900 times. They took care of the kids during church and afterward and spoiled us and them. My mom made one of her delicious meals that I miss on Sundays and we stuffed ourselves.

Monday, MLK day, my parents looked at homes for a bit (not moving, maybe a second place though), then came back and took us to a yummy lunch, to the arcade for hours and let the boys play and play, then we had a quick Gelato to round out our decadent day. It was fabulous.

We are so lucky to live away but still see our family so often. Everyone was so sad when they left. Jace threw himself on the couch and cried. I just can't wait for them to be back. I'm the luckiest daughter ever to have such great parents!

Jace Quotes

In the carpool with his friends. (my friend heard the conversation)

Gattlin: (wiggling a very loose tooth) "My tooth is almost going to come out."
Jace: (who has no wiggling teeth at all) "Did you know that I was actually born with a full set of teeth? I lost them all and this is my second set, so I won't be losing anymore teeth at all." (Take that friend, huh?)

Jace: "Gattlin and Ryan, you guys always tell the truth, and I always lie. How do you guys always tell the truth?"

Does anyone know what our FHE will be about?

My little 2-Wheeler Rider

Parker has always had great balance. At 18 months he was zipping around the park on a 2-wheeled razor scooter, so I knew he'd ride a bike early, but I was not prepared for my little peanut to do it so soon.

At the beginning of January, out of nowhere, Parker told me he wanted his training wheels off. We tried out a freind's bike and he got on and rode off with only one fall. We took his wheels off and he tore through the streets, and now it's all he wants to do. It is so fun! He cruises down big grass hills, rides through rocks, and lets it fall down in order to get off because his little legs are too short to reach the ground. It is just the cutest thing.

Whenever I think he's a baby, he surprises me by showing me how grown up he can be. We just love our little Parkie.

A Beautiful Day

We left San Diego for Claremont, CA (a suburb outside of LA) where Chris and Cassy live. Shaina was baptised and it was just a very personal, beautiful, sacred day. The baptismal service was so sweet and spiritual. Jace, Shaina, Chaz and Parker all sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," with Rick, Mike and Chris. Cassy said the most touching words about our cute Shaina girl. We are so proud of her. She is a great oldest cousin and a great example.

After the baptism, Cassy threw the grestest post-baptism shin-dig ever. In true Cassy fashion, it was stylish, perfect and effortless all at the same time...even while offering a full meal and cookie bar for over 50. For more details (it really is worth the look) click here.

http://romneys.blogspot.com/2009/01/best-day.html

It was so fun to see where they live. Claremont is just the most charming city. It has tons of personality and history you would never know it was a suburb outside LA. And, Cassy's house is even more creative, stylish and homey than it looks on her blog, and she did it all on a budget with a lot of stuff from the thrift store. But definately check that out too. Here is a link. She is AMAZING.

http://romneys.blogspot.com/search/label/mi%20casa

Last Day in Cali

Before we left we spent a couple of hours with my family at a park near their beach condo. The boys were so excited to be with Ezzie and Luke again. My dad showed them how to feed the birds and they all waited patiently for the gulls to come by and snap the bread off their shoes. My mom got some great pictures. The ones of James are some of my all time favorites. Overall, it was an amazing trip!

New Years!

I'm crazy about New Year's. I'm not a fan of the celebrations, but i LOVE making new goals. I usually make a million of them and don't keep any, so this year I decidedo on a theme. I decided I would make concious choices about my life. It is so easy to let your life take over...I let that happen at the end of last year, but this year is going to be different. I will make concious choices about reading scriptures, eating, playing with my kids, reading, writing, exercising, etc. A new year just excites me...it's like a new chance to be who I really want to be.

On the fun side of things, for New Year's we headed to The Melting Pot in La Jolla with Mike's family and Bryce's girlfriend. The food was a deliciously decadent way to say good-bye to 2008. We all loved the fondue and the good times spent together!

A day with the seals

We love to go to La Jolla and look at the seals down on the beach. It's just a fun little town with plenty of room to run and play. It was pretty chilly down by the water, but a great way to get out of the house!

Disney Day 3--Perfect Timing

Here we were at 6:45 am on Day 3 of Disneyland. The weather was beautiful and the kids were amazing and the early entry was totally worth it. We got all the good rides in early that morning. So fun! The carousel. Always a good time.
Parker and Ez had a great time. They are such good buddies.

James wasn't quite awake on morning 3.

Luke is learning quickly how to pose for pictures.

These crazy boys at lunch outside the park in the middle of the day. Great plan!

Waiting for Small World one of the few rides James thought was fun.

A camera is a great entertainer when waiting in line for Peter Pan.

James likes the carousel but he said, "I wanna sit on the bench." He looks like a bruiser but is really still a baby.

Parker getting a little tickle from Mitch. Both brothers were such troopers through Disneyland and a huge help.

Grandma and her crazy boys. I am positive she will never get a calm, posed picture with 5 grandboys!

Almost all of us.

You have to get a picture here, right?

From the toontown treehouse.

I love to spin!

James went on this ride a million times

Jace finally got up the nerve to go on Splash Mountain. He' a brave kid and he loved it. I love watching my kids be brave and have fun doing things that are just a bit out of their comfort zone.

Buzz was Parker's very favorite ride. On day 3 Mike took Parker and made sure he got to go on everything he wanted to. It was so sweet. Parker did Buzz 6 times. Mike even woke him out of his sleep before we left to do it one more time. I didn't think it was a good ides, but Parker's huge smile told me sometimes father really does know best.

Thanks mom and dad for another incredible trip. It was unforgettable!