Tis the Season

I find myself thinking each year I will be better organized for the holidays. Each holiday rolls around and I find myself totally unorganized with ton of things to be doing. Although, I do have to say I'm enjoying the season. It is a great time of year. We got quite a bit of snow last week, it has been really cold, so it is staying around. It makes everything cozy and holidayish.

I got a bee in my bonnet a couple of weeks ago to have a Christmas Party. It started as a small group and grew and grew. It turned out to be a success, I think. We had just about 100 people end up coming and I hope everyone had a good time. You know me, I love the food, so that is what I did. We had appetizers and desserts (lots of food). Chris also decided he wanted sushi, so he posted an ad on Craigslist and found a guy to come and make fresh sushi, it was a big hit. Lots of people tried sushi who hadn't had it before. It was a lot of work and we were tired, but it was worth an evening with friends. The holidays are great.

We are looking forward to a nice vacation for the holiday. Off to Pasadena with Chris' family. It is forcing me to have everything ready and done next friday. We will see how this week goes.

We had a beautiful sunset the other night, had to take a picture and share. I hope you are enjoying the holiday prep like I am. Stay warm.

Pictures: some of the shoes from our 100 guests, Table decor at the party (couldn't find our camera until the end of the night), sunset.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to the greatest mom. Thank you for your friendship, love, laughter, and everything you do. We love you!

Nice Weekend

We enjoyed a nice Stake Conference weekend. Chris got to fly and ATV on Saturday, so he had a great time. We got together with some friends on Saturday night, had dinner at a new Mexican Restaurant (yummy Carne Asada tacos), and then went to the Adult Conference session. Great talks about our responsibility to be teaching the rising generation. Very powerful, we have a lot of work to do. Sunday session was also great, a variety of speakers on many topics. It just is a great motivator to keep working. I've been worried about seminary and this gave me a pick-me-up. We can do it. We made pizza for dinner and had my parents over. Fun to visit with them. With all our busy schedules we haven't seen them much. I'm trying to be more productive with my time as my next few weeks will be fairly busy. I started my Monday with a break from seminary (Veterans Day), a walk and three loads of laundry. Lets hope this week ends up being productive. Have a happy monday.

November Already

I got a little panicky yesterday. They had a poll on the news asking if it was too early to put up Christmas decorations. HELLO, YES!!! I have so many things to accomplish before December 25th, it just makes me seem like I have less time if I have to worry about Christmas already. Don't get me wrong I love the holidays as much as the next person, but lets get to Thanksgiving first. Some of my upcoming goals for before Christmas: Start my gift shopping (sooner rather than later), renew my real estate license, seminary, service, decorate, bake, throw a party, sew, listen to as much Christmas music as possible (love Christmas music), be with family, and try and enjoy it as much as possible. Now I feel a little better. I love the holidays.

It's Time for an Update

One may ask where we have been. Well I wish I had a good exciting excuse, but really I've mostly been at a loss for what to write about. Somehow as I've been trying to come up with something exciting and profound to blog, three months goes by. The several friendly comments ("Are you ever going to update your blog?", "I think it is time you updated your blog!", "How is your blog coming?")have finally pushed me into a more motivated state and I am resolving to do better. When life becomes mundane and boring, it is hard to share new and insightful things. Please bare with me as I come out of a blogging hiatus.

A quick update should get you up to speed: the summer went by too quickly, we enjoyed time at the pool (thanks mom and dad), a trip to Mexico with Chris' family, my parents returned from Houston (nice to have them home). Lots of work, with not a lot to do at work. School started again, which means seminary did also. I'm teaching the freshman this year and they are a great group of kids. They are tired a lot in the mornings, but so am I. We are enjoying learning the stories of the Old Testament. There is some great stuff in there. The cold weather is here too quickly and I am bummed about that. My garden froze early, but it did pretty good, lots of tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers and peppers. I turned 30, which has been a little more difficult than I would have thought, but hey there isn't much to be done about that. We got new couches, we got a piano, and we got satellite. Chris recieved his diploma, he officially graduated, he worked hard and is glad to be done.

I'm sure there is more I was trying to think of the most exciting things, sorry it isn't much. I will pool all my pictures from the last couple of months and share some photos. I will be better about updating, I promise.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

My adventures in gardening this summer have been enjoyable. I'm starting to see the "fruits of my labors". We are trying a variety of different things: yellowcrook neck squash, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, acorn & butternut squash, several tomato varieties, and several pepper varieties. I will keep you posted on my growth. Oh and a watermelon, it is so cute. Enjoy the treats of summer!

Happy Birthday Dad!

We are sorry we can't be with you to help celebrate your birthday but we are thinking of you and love you. Keep up the good work. Hope you have a great day!

Learning to Say No

I've delayed writing this thinking I would have some pictures to post to help the stories, but none yet. I forgot my camera at both parites and waiting on others to get me photos. Oh well. I find busyness in life comes in clumps. Two weeks ago I somehow found myself helping out on two parties 12 hours apart. I volunteered my parents backyard for the Relief Society Womens Retreat on Friday night and Saturday morning was a baby shower for my friend Hailey. Lucky for me I do a little cooking, which made it fine. I cooked all day friday the party was from 6-10, the last women left around 12 midnight. I still had to do the salad and cake for the baby shower the next morning at 11 am. After cooking/cleaning until 2, I got up at 6 to decorate the cake and finish the salad. The pictures would help illustrate some of what I accomplished. Both parties were really fun and everyone seemed to enjoy themseleves which makes it all worth while.

Enought complaining. Chris was gone last weekend to the Boy Scout Encampment, now this week I am off to Houston to see my parents. I'm excited to see them and check on dad. I have felt disconnected so far away, it will be nice to see how they are doing. Off to pack, grocery shop for Chris, laundry, random errands, etc, the usual routine before leaving town.

Weekend Getaway

Birthdays are always a good reason to celebrate. Chris' was on Friday and we decided to do a quick getaway, after trying to decide where to go that was close and relatively easy to access we ended up going to San Francisco. After five years of marriage I still had not flown anywhere with Chris, it was about time. We took off 8:30ish on Friday morning and flew to the bay area. We landed at a little airport in Concord and got on the BART and rode into the city. Chris decided we could only take a back pack and the clothes we were wearing, we would shop for something to wear to dinner. Because Chris is slimming down so much we needed to get him so new clothes anyway. We enjoyed a delightful day in San Fran, lunch, shopping, people watching, etc. We met up with some friends, Evan and Carrie, for dinner at a restaurant on Union Square, Chris had wanted to take me to. We had and adventurous meal with a lot unusual foods, and unfortunately the chef had changed and Chris found it to not be as good as he remembered. I'm always up for a fun culinary adventure and we had good company so the evening was very nice. We ended the evening at Ghiradelli Square for yummy sundaes and milkshakes. Can't go wrong with chocolate. We stayed at the St. Francis right on Union Square, with a room on the 26th floor and great views. They treated us to complimentary breakfast buffet and we headed back to Concord around 10:30. The flight home was a little bumpy and hot, I tend to get airsick, so it was a little sketchy coming into Reno. I was glad to be on the ground when we arrived. We had a nice overnight and lots of fun. Happy Birthday Chris.

By the Trolley Station

At Ghiradelli Square

In the RV6(airplane) on the way home

In his new "birthday"suit

We had originally planned to go away for the whole weekend, but were called upon to speak in church on behalf of my parents. After 7 years and 9 months serving as bishop my dad was released yesterday. It was a bittersweet experience for the whole family. A lot has happened in that time, many blessings as a result of his service. Because they are in Houston, the stake presidency asked if we would be willing to share their testimonies if they wrote them down. We were more than willing, hey most of the battle of giving a talk is writing it, just having to give it should have been easy. I was wrong. What an emotional experience. It was so hard to look out at the congregation and see all those people that love and support our family. It was a lot of pressure to deliever their heartfelt testimonies and do them justice. To know how much they wanted to be there made it more difficult. It was a great opportunity and we are so grateful for it. Dad, what are you going to do with yourself now? We love them and miss them and are so thankful for the tender mercies shown us. Thanks for the prayers and support, we know that is why he is doing so well.

Sigh of Relief

I'm happy to post that seminary is done for the school year. It is such a relief to have some time off. I have enjoyed getting to know the youth a little better. Hopefully I have shared a little something spiritual with them that they will remember. I hope they know that I have a testimony. Graduation is on sunday, then I will be officially done with this school year. It has been a learning experience and I am grateful for that.

Have a great weekend!

Not Dead Yet

For those of you who still check this blog in the hope you may get an update, here it is. Many may think we had fallen off the planet, but we are alive and kicking. We have had a relatively busy couple of weeks and for some reason, I'm not good at updating as I go. I have greater respect for those of you who in the midst of your chaotic lives continue to update your blog and keep us well informed of all you are doing. Someday I will be able to do that. Thanks for your patience.

So much has happened, hard to know what to include. Since the first of April we had some activity, trip, event that took place every weekend. We tried hard to balance work, school and seminary in the midst of all that was going on. It helped that most of the events were fun and included spending time with family. Here it is in a nutshell:

1. Easter weekend in Palm Springs-great to be with my family (Grandparents, Mom and Dad, Cami, Whit and Ryan and even good friends Dan, Stef, and Sophia) It was great to get away to warm weather, play some golf, lounge by the pool, eat lots, and plenty of good conversations.

2. Weekend in Arizona for Harrison's blessing- Got to stay with Jill and Riley at there new home in Higley (outside Phoenix) and play lots with our new nephew John Harrison. He is sooooo cute and we loved hanging out with the family. The boys bought new radio control planes and enjoyed great adventures in flying.

3. Aunt Vicki's Magic Carpet Ride Birthday Celebration in Santa Rosa- we got to see my grandparents, cousins (Heather & John, Laurel and Holly) and my aunt and uncle. What a fabulous party. Aside from the rain and the party getting moved inside, we had a blast. The beautiful decor, the great food, and even better company. It was such a fun time.

4. Goodbye to Mom and Dad- Off to Houston for the summer. My dad has the opportunity for another stem cell transplant to keep him in remission. He his blessed to have a sister who is a match for stem cells and she has been so generous to donate her cells. We are sad to have them gone, but know it is a blessing. It is a tough road ahead, but will be well worth it in the long run. Keep up the good work Dad.

5. BYU Graduation for Hilary- the O'Neil family all met up in Salt Lake to stay with family friends, thanks to the VanDyke's for taking us all in. We spent the day in Provo for graduation, oh the memories when I go back to the BYU. The campus is so beautiful and has such a great spirit. We enjoyed lots of playing and chatting, good food, great ice cream (BYU Creamery), so fun to see the neice and nephews. We enjoyed a trip to Layton to visit with Grandpa O'Neil, I think he was a little overwhelmed with all of us, but great to see him. Congratualtions to Hilary on graduating. What are you doing next?

6. Chris ran a half marathon- it seemed appropriate since he need to run 13 miles that day anyway in prep for his marathon later this summer. He met up with his good friend Evan in Sacramento to do it. Unfortunately I had to work that weekend, thanks to Carrie for taking pictures and being their cheerleaders. It sounded like a good event and quite the accomplishment, I don't think I ever want to run that far.

7. Mother's Day weekend Whitney and Ryan in town- they came to stay with his family, but we got to spend some time together. We hung out at the track meet for his brother, had mexican food dinner together, and sunday evening hang out. It was nice of the Stodtmeisters to let us come and be part of their family for the weekend. Great to see whitney and ryan, glad your done with school ryan, have a great summer.

8. Chris' graduation- YEAH!!! Fun weekend with his family. Sad to not have everyone there to celebrate with, but none-the-less Congratulations Chris!

It has been a rollercoaster of activities, but so many good things, I will post some pictures of the things we have done. I look forward to seminary being done next week (yipee). We hope to enjoy a little more time now that Chris doesn't have 21 credits and seminary will be over.



Thanks for putting up with my ramblings.

Easters in Plam Springs

Whit and Ryan out Golfing

Dad and Whitney

Chris and Sophia

Dad and Daughters

Fun in the Arizona Sun

Nicole, Chris and nephew Harrison and Chris' new plane

Chris napping with his new nephew

Mom O and baby Harrison

Aunt Vicki's Birthday Celebration

Uncle Steve and Aunt Vicki

Heather and John

Vicki, Steve and Sue's

Elaborate Tables

More Birthday Fun

Mom and Grandma

Chris and Nicole

Cousins Laurel and Holly

Nicole, Laurel, and Chris

BYU Graduation Weekend

Debra, Hilary, Nicole

Nephew Michael and Chris at Costco

The Graduate at Dinner

American River Half Marathon

Evan and Chris Pre-Race

Chris Finished!

Evan and Chris Post Race

Yipeee, Graduation!

The time has finally arrived. Chris has graduated. We've been looking forward to this for a very long time. I am so excited for him and all he has accomplished. He still has a class to complete this summer, but it made the most sense to graduate and finish the one class then wait to graduate at the end of the year. It was such a nice weekend and I am so grateful for Chris' parents and his two sisters, Hilary and Jenny, for coming to town to help celebrate.
Hilary arrived on Wednesday night and we had two fun days hanging out and playing. Mike, Debra, and Jenny drove in on Friday afternoon. We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Zozo's Italian Restaurant with some gift certificates from Christmas, thanks to our mortgage lender. Saturday morning graduation was at 8:30, bright and early. We got there around 8 and were able to get seats in the shade and still able to see what was going on. It was a little more rowdie than the BYU graduation, but still nice. There were a little over 1,300 graduates, but it went very quickly. They had asked all the graduates to stay until the end, I bet 2/3 of the crowd and graduates left by the end, but it was still nice. We had great weather and a good time. Chris chose a low key lunch at In-N-Out afterwards. We had such a nice afternoon and are grateful to our family for there service. Chris and Mike build us 2 garden boxes, Jenny and Debra mowed the lawn, Hilary and I painted some pots and planted some flowers, and there was a lot of help weeding. It wasn't the most glamorous event, but we are so grateful for the help that would have taken us many weekends. The best graduation gift ever, thanks to the O'Neils. That evening we invited our good friends, Eric, Melanie, and Cristian, Dan & Christy, and Hailey and Jeromy. We had fresh meat from the Carniceria (beef and chicken), we grilled and had fajitas, salads, fruit, churros and ice cream. It was a great ending to a great day. Fun to share with our friends and family. Thank you for all your love and support.
Sunday to church in the morning and the O'Neils left around 11:30. We took naps and had some friends over for left overs. Such a fun weekend. Yay for graduation!

Chris and I at graduation

Chris and His Family

In-N-Out Lunch Celebration

Thanks Jenny for Mowing our Lawn