Time for some updates!

Sorry for the lack of posting. I just can't believe how incredibly busy we have been. And having fun along the way. I'll just catch you up in sections so I don't have one incredibly long post.

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!!!

The day started out without a hitch. All flights were running on time even though we had a 2 hour layover in Seattle. (We took off out of Bellingham). It wasn't until we arrived in CA that the problems began. But first - this is Amber's travel buddy, Kutie. This is how he traveled through the airport on Amber's back. He got a lot of attention!

Kutie has gone to EFY, Education Week and California many times. In fact, Kutie was "born" in Downtown Disney so Amber really likes to take him "home".

LOVE blackmail pics while sleeping on the plane.

The boys doing homework!! Math :P

Once arriving in OC we thought we'd be efficient and have Rob go get the rental car while we get our luggage. You know that feeling when the luggage ramp stops and you only have 3 of 4 suitcases? Yup! That happened to us. Rob's suitcase was missing. So we continued to get the rental car (Note to all: Don't ever use Thrifty Car Rental in OC) which took forever. They told us it would be about 10 minutes before they brought the car out in the parking garage. Great we thought. Let's go over to Alaska and get this luggage thing taken care of. Alaska was very upbeat and confident that his bag would be in on the next flight coming in at 5:00 pm. So we gave all the info we needed to do and then went down to get the rental car. It wasn't ready!!! It wasn't even there!!! We again got the "10 minute" answer. Hello they've already had 3 10 minutes!!! Grrrr!! So we got the mini van and off we went to kill an hour until the next plane comes in.

This is for Tabitha! Palm Trees AND a bread store :D


Then off to get this and sit in the warm sunshine!

Our favorite frozen yogurt!! Golden Spoon Yogurt!

True yumminess!!

Then back to the airport to catch our luggage. No luck! It didn't come in. Now there is only 1 more flight that will come in that night. All hopes and prayers were on this plane. ALL of Rob's clothes were in this bag and the reimbursement that airlines offer are a pittance until 48 hours.

So we decided to drive up to see my brother and go to dinner. Angelo's and Vinci's Ristorante. A MUST on our list every trip. And we even discovered a new favorite pizza ~ Quattro Formaggi with Cappicola. Yummmmm!!!!

While eating dinner the phone call came from Alaska. They had good news and bad news. The good news ~ they found our luggage! The bad news ~ it was in Phoenix! PHOENIX?!?!?! More good news ~ they were able to get it on a US Airway flight BUT it wouldn't be in until 9:30! OIY!! So we enjoyed a longer dinner, took Seth home and went to the airport again! Woohoo!! It was there.

Now to head out to the Loveland's in Riverside. And we run into this!! TRAFFIC!!! People it's 10 at night!! Crazy stuff! We even had a complete stop on the freeway for no reason. Welcome to California!!!

We didn't pull into their place until 11 pm and soon we had our second wind and stayed up talking way too late.

MOTHER'S DAY was a great day! Off to church and then back to the Loveland's where I promptly took a nap and got cards from the kiddos and phone calls from the other two. Here's my view while I was talking with Robert & Tabitha.

I was a happy Mom. Then I went into pure heaven when Mom & Dad Loveland brought these beauties! Fresh from the stands!!! There is nothing better.

Try a literally, fresh picked tangerine!!

All the Mom's!!

Mom Loveland, Tutu (Lyn's Grandma), Lyn, Me


Enjoying a beautiful sunset California style.


Monday - was just a relaxing morning visiting and lunch. REAL Mexican food - YAY!!! Then off to get Seth and check into the hotel.

Off to dinner at the La Palma Chicken Pie Shop

The best chicken noodle soup EVER!!!

And then we went to Boomer's! for some fun!

Tomorrow? DISNEYLAND!!!!

We're Outta Here!!

But before we go here's a recap of yesterday's celebration.

Amber made life easy for her Mom and wanted to have her birthday dessert at this cute little cupcake store down in Fairhaven.


How cute is this?!


A Black & White Birthday cupcake


It WAS yummy!!! :D

And now ~ we're outta here!

On a Sunny Day 17 years ago....

...this little peanut FINALLY came into our family.

Finally you ask? Remember the L.A. Riots? The whole Rodney King thing? At the time we lived a good hour or so away from "ground zero" so we were safe but tensions were most definately high. My brother was in the National Guard at the time and his unit was activated within hours. My brother came to say goodbye since he didn't know how long he'd be gone. And guess what I did? I went into labor!!!! And stayed in labor for weeks. Amber was (and still is) one stubborn baby and was just too comfy and cozy inside her Mommy. I remember laying in the hospital bed watching the news coverage and hoping to see my brother. I never did see him but I did see other guys in his unit that I knew. So Miss Amber is lovingly called our "Riot Baby". There are times that she has lived up to that nickname :D But for the most part she is such a joy and a great addition to our family.

Once Amber decided she was going to make her grand appearance she gave me a hard time. My first EVER back labor!! WOW! That hurt!!! She was my smallest bunchkin coming in at 6lbs. 11 oz. The doctor determined that she was early by a good 3 weeks. And she had jaundice something awful. She had to stay in the hospital longer than her Mom :( (Times have changed where jaundice is now treated at home). I remember spending Mother's Day at the hospital. She was the only girl in the baby nursery and they put her right next to a 10 lb. baby boy. Such a contrast.

So here's just a few pictures to highlight the wonderful 17 years we've had with our little princess.





Her favorite attraction at Disneyland! (I think she looks like Lizzie in this pic)


Do we see a trend in these faces?



She wanted to snuggle with the kitty


Irish competitions


Birthday dinner at Red Robin


She's the ONLY one that could do this to Robert




The artist



A favorite Easter activity ~ watching peeps melt in the microwave

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER!!!!!

Did you know that today is

SARCASTIC WEDNESDAY?

Thanks Kim!

Are you a Snooze button pusher?

I AM! Come on, raise your hands! I'm a snooze button kind of gal. I even plan my wake up time around hitting the snooze button. Anyone else?

I just had the hardest time getting wake this mornng. The clock usually goes off around 5:45 am to make sure Amber is moving. Rob heads to the gym and I just snuggle back down and not really go back to sleep because remember, Amber's UP! Door close, flush and wash, bang, drop something on the floor, beep (flat iron turning on), teeth brushing. You get the idea.

Well, this morning I was out. But it was one of those sleeps where you are aware of everything going on and yet you are having a dream. I had the funniest dream. Ok, so there was this brand new little baby boy on my bed and I knew it belonged to Robert & Jessica. The baby was having his diaper changed on my bed by faceless hands. Who ever was changing the diaper obviously was not used to a boy. And the baby peepeed ALL OVER MY BED!!! And I woke up! By this time 45 minutes had passed since the first snooze whooping and it was time to get going for the day.

Enjoy the sunshine! And the next time you think you're tired just think how the Easter Bunny feels after delivering all those eggs.

Photo by Jessica Anderson Photography

It Makes a Parent's Heart Happy

Look who is home in Utah!!!

24 years ago today...

...we did this!!!

With the crazy schedule going on right now in our household, Rob & I celebrated last week by going to Giraffe Restaurant in White Rock, BC.

The view from our table

24 years sounds like a long time but as Rob & I were talking last night, it doesn't feel like it. That's a good thing isn't it?!

Happy Anniversary babe!!!

LOVE YOU!!!

Our Little Baby Princess

Oh, how we miss our sweetie pie!!


Her hugs, kisses and smiles!


All these photos were taken by Jessica Anderson Photography

Happy Easter!!!

May we remember that Easter is not about the easter bunny, chocolate eggs and jelly beans. Please take a little over 4 minutes to watch this video presentation that reminds us of the deepest sacrifice and love shown to us by our Savior. He is risen!!

Proud family!!!

We can't be any proud of Robert!! On Wednesday he graduated from AIT!! Woohoo!!! Happy dance goin' on! I pestered and pestered him for a picture on the cell phone and here's what I ended up with.

With his friend Agan. They are on their way to dinner. That's Robert on the right.

This is what I get from all the pestering. A Bathroom shot and sticking his tongue out. Very Robert!!

And it's official ~ Rob has been challenged to an arm wrestling match the next time he sees Robert. Robert has yet to win one. Noticed I said YET!!! This will be interesting. Rob would rather take him on at the gym with some bench presses. Boys!!!! Sheesh!!!

Robert also just received his orders for Airborne. He'll leave next week. LOTS of prayers please. Mom's (and wives too) don't like to think of their sons jumping out of airplanes.