Hey

Quick post about Newport with Brett's brothers, sister and spouses. It was so fun. I love the Blake family. We talked about it on the way home--how cool is it that every single sibling supports each other, is fun, is strong, is kind.. They have been such a strength to me, to us, to our kids. We missed mom and dad. Next time!

 This is the gang - without us. Seriously there are 100 pictures and Brett and I are in about 3 of them. So I will post those 3 just to prove we were there! This one below might have been taken when Brett and I were coasting to a gas station on fumes. Or on the first day when Brett had to work late and we didn't get there until 9p.m. Darcy, only sis on the left with husband Chris, Brock and Kim next, then Dave and Bobbi Jo, Mark and Julianne and finally Brady and Gina on the right. Oh and us. We're coming!! They don't look happy without us there.

 Never a get together without a golf game..Chris was obviously taking the picture.

 ..and a basketball game. They are such show offs to each other, talking smack the whole time. This particular game ended in 3 injuries??

 Darcy, shown, is always the instigator of all things good and fun.

Swap meet, temple, late night games, shopping, eating on the beach, walks, hot tubs, a Lakers game, and that was all packed into just 2 days. Thank you Blake siblings!

Random things:

Everybody here is freaking out about the snow today. That meant two minutes of heavier stuff than rain that didn't stick, but still...

The weather guy's graphics said FRIGID under today and then showed a high of 50. Huh?

I am really reeeaaaally sick of this cold/cough I've had since Christmas.

Kate is in the 3 percentile of weight. She still weighs 20 lbs--at 19 months. I swear I'm trying to feed her, but she's getting really obstinate about eating. Dang. My other kids were so good at it!

I get to teach early morning seminary this coming week. I am subbing for the best, most educated woman on the planet who all of the teenagers learn sooo much from. So intimidating. I'm a tad nervous, mostly because I have to BE AT the church at 5:30 to be ready when the kids come at 5:50. And Maddie thinks I should bring sticky buns or hot chocolate daily. I will say though, that teaching (well, just being in the same room as) teenagers for a week will be heaven for me.

I get to see Spencer on Wednesday. In Utah. I get to open his mission call with him! For some reason, I'm missing him so much more lately! I call him probably every day now as opposed to bi weekly or weekly, because I just know I want to hear his happy voice as much as I can. I also want Kate to remember him and a bi weekly call just won't cut it. And plus, we're making plans and talking about stuff. My family will be on Skype here. Yeah for Skype. I just couldn't picture me not being in the same room for a moment like that. I measure life in moments. I know we all do, but I REALLY do. If an opportunity comes up that maybe would be hard to make happen or is inconvenient, but I feel it will be one of those "moments" that make a meaningful life, I will take it every time. Here is a cute picture he took with bff Stephen the week before Stephen's mission. I love it because Stephen is way taller than Spence, but Spence must be on a stair or something. Hey-he's still 6 ft tall, way taller than Brett and
I thought we'd ever make.



I watched Horse Whisperer this week. Boy oh boy. First, the music of Thomas Newman. I recognize his film scores every time. He's my favorite movie score composer- over James Newton Howard or even Hans Zimmer. (Jane, he's the guy who wrote the song we used to listen to every day on the way to elementary.) Anyway, second, and most important, Montana ranching life. The cute cowboy kids helping their dads on the ranch, the beauty of Montana. So reminds me of my dad obviously. Finally, what knockout performances by Scarlett Johansen as a 13 yr old, Robert Redford and Kristin Scott Thomas. Seriously good movie. It makes me want to have a horse. Or go to Montana this summer.

Why did I make a chocolate bundt cake? Why? We're all trying to be good and deep down, I knew I might not take it over to that one family like I had planned to. I knew that I would slice away at it until it was gone. Mostly because it was devil's food with chocolate chips baked in and when you take a bite and you get a chocolate chip, well, there's not much better. I figure if I'm good most of the time, and then I just crave something and that craving doesn't go away for 2 weeks, then I need to just get it over with and eat it and move on. I think it's healthy actually to do that. Yeah, yeah, healthy. So I'm sorry that one family, I'll make you something else. Something I don't like as much.

Wouldn't it be cool if every doorknob were like this?

It's been nice chatting with you. e