Fun trip to SF

Todd and I had a great time in San Francisco. We stayed in the city for a few days and then went to Petaluma for the 30th year anniversary of Family Life Center, which was started by our good friend Susan. We also celebrated her birthday while we were there (see pics). It was great to see my mom, also, who came from Texas. SF is probably our favorite city to visit. It is so unique and fun. We love the energy in the city. We did all the tourist type stuff. We shopped at Union Square (Todd is such a good sport) and we did Pier 39, China Town, and of course ate at the best restaurants. SF has amazing restaurants. We had fun dressing up and walking around the city although Todd gets looked at more than me by the men, which of course bugs me. We also had dinner with my dear friend Gwen, who was my roommate in Hawaii and one of my very best friends. She looks amazing (see pics) and has a beautiful family. We reminisced about our glory days (and they were truly glorious) in Hawaii and all the fun times we've had through the years. We had a great time! Todd and I try to take a few trips alone together a year and this was one of the longest ones. We were gone almost a week. The children had fun with Brandon and Alberta. They said they missed us a little but had a great time!

Soccer Rules!

Our first game (co-ed) was so much fun. We won. I even scored a goal, but it was brought back for off sides (totally disagree by the way). I have been sore for days but it was worth it. I almost forgot how much running is involved in soccer-and aggression! We sent a few boys home crying, as it should be.

Gabriel/Jacob and the Rattlesnake

Gabriel and his friend Jacob were helping Todd with yard work and came across another "pet" here in our little wilderness home. They both got their air rifles and hunted it down. Here is a picture of it. I'm not sure how I feel about the shooting part but at least no one got hurt.

Instead of Chippendales....

Ok, We had fun at my friend Becky's expense on her birthday. We took her out for a shopping day at foothills mall. Another friend (who shall remain unnamed) arranged for a little surpise for Becky. After shopping, we stopped to get some carmel apples and a VERY attractive firefighter came up to us and wished her a happy birthday and then shocked her by taking her into his arms for a DIP and a KISS!! (it was innocent)We were laughing so hard by now and I was trying to get my camera out for a picture. She was quite surprised as you can see from the picture I got, after the fact. She was red and fanning herself (probably due to the fact that the fireman was so HOT!). Too bad I didn't get a better shot of him! Anyway, we had a good laugh and he was a good sport-as i'm sure he isn't used to being asked to molest mormon moms in the mall!! GOOD TIMES! Thanks Becky for letting us take you out for your birthday and a good laugh! Hope you didn't get in to much trouble at home! You're the best baby!

We went to Mexico with our friends and neighbors, the Wilkes. We had so much fun. Maleah got her hair braided the first day and looked like Bo Derek! Josh looks like a native beach goer all the time with his long blonde hair and brown tan. Gabriel is a beach lover and we had to drag him away. He is getting so old.
Todd got so tan and always looks great that way. That was one of my first impressions of him when I met him. I commented on his great tan and well you know the rest!
We had a great time and I have posted pictures on my facebook page and hopefully will on my blog also. I"m new at all this!
We loved it our trip! Thanks to the Wilkes for inviting us!

We have been seeing a bobcat around our property now for a few months. I've never seen it but everyone else has. Today I did! It was laying on our courtyard wall like a pet cat. He was taking a nap and I tried to get a few pictures. The kids were concerned for my safety so Gabriel came out with his air soft gun and Joshua and Maleah went in their room to say a prayer. I guess their protection worked because when he saw me he just sat there and watched me take a picture but it was so bright I couldn't see what I was doing so they didn't turn out very good. He eventually got spooked and ran off. He is about 3x as big as a regular house cat. He looks a lot smaller in these pictures because I didn't get close enough. Yes, we are living in the wild!