Runnin' O' Green 2.7 Mile Race...

Rain, snow, sunshine, hail and wind made this Race more memorable.  Seriously we got it all.  You never know what you gonna get in Bellingham for weather during the Winter Season.  But you can definitely count on a little variety.  Never a dull moment in this beautiful town!
I signed up the whole family this year, except Sophia.  She ran the 2 miler last year (Sophia and I were on the Newspaper and then in our local Whatcom Magazine. Sweet picture!), but his year they added almost a mile and I didn't want to over exert her.  I was more thrilled to know that Rob was able to join us.  And then my little brother Erick came for the weekend.  He drove our new (used) 2005 Toyota Prius home from UT. He is a Stud Muffin.  Thank YOU!!!
In honor of St. Patrick's Day we all wore green.  It has always been fun to see what people wear to this race every year.  There are some wildly bold folks out there.  I wouldn't be caught dead wearing half of the stuff folks wear.  It makes it for a fun and interesting race.  At the end of the race, prizes were handed out.  We all walked out with something, including 4 free Fairhaven Pizzas, 2 ManPie Gift cards and a Fiamma's burgers gift card too.   Super fun!!  (there were over
We all had a good experience.  Juliette ran with Rob, I ran with Eliza and our sweet sick teenager, ran alone.  He ran with a cold.  What a kid?!!  He had a 7min 45sec. pace (21min 07sec total),  He placed 10th overall and 3rd in his division.  AMAZING!  Eliza did awesome too, she ran it in 24min 10sec (she placed 3rd in her division and 29th overall).  I came right behind her.  Rob and Juliette did it in 31min 32sec.  Go Juliette!!  I'm so proud of our sweet family of runners!  Go Toblers GO!
Thank you Erick for taking some pictures of us!  Although I found a few more online from the race.

 

 

 

 

 

New Testament Videos...

The Church has been releasing new videos, from the "New Testament" Film project, on a weekly basis in preparation to Easter next month.  It has been a wonderful experience to watch them and feel those feelings of reverence, love and appreciation for my Savior.  It is humbling to know that Christ suffered for all of us.  He gave His LIFE freely for you and me.  He has made it possible for all of us to be able return to Heavenly Father some day.  We can be resurrected!  We can live again!  We can be with Christ and Heavenly Father and our loved ones!  WOW!  I'm truly grateful for such sacrifice, mercy and gift.
Watching these videos has also brought back fond memories of being part of this film project last Summer.  It was an experience that I will never forget.  I can't wait to be a part of it again this Summer.  I hope we all get to participate on more of them together.  I look forward to the spiritual nourishment I will receive from it all and the people I will meet and familiar faces (my new friends) I will see again.
I truly am grateful to be a part of building the Lord's Kingdom here on this Earth, in this dispensation, at this time in my life.  I know these videos will touch and change the lives of many and will bring them closer to Christ.  It is an honor to be part of all that, even if I don't see it, I know it!  Many lives will be changed!

P.S  I'm in this one:











And just in case you missed the Earlier Videos, here they are:

I Love My Sophia-

I love my 6 year old.  She is just the sweetest thing ever.  She is so smart too.  The best part is that she is a good combination of all of her siblings, but she is also very unique in her own ways.  I just love her attitude and spirit.  I love her hugs and kisses.  She is so much fun!

This last Sunday she was asked to give a talk at Church for Primary.  The topic went along the lines of "The Prophets teach or helps us choose the right".  Something like that.  Anyhow, she took it upon herself to write her own talk and she did a fantastic job.  This was the first time we didn't write it for her.  I felt so proud of her.  She also read it aloud during Jr. Primary without any help.  Eliza and I stood by in case she needed help, but she didn't.  So impressive!  She is growing up.  I'm so amazed!  I love you Sophia!

P.S  I found this picture in our old camera.  Isn't she adorably yummy?  She had blue eyes back then.  OOH, how fast our kids are growing.  Where does time go?

Matt & Tyanna's Wedding Part #2

“Love is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet it is not found only at the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and from it springs the beauty that arched across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home; it is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, and neighbors! Love, like faith, is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue.” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trip To Idaho for Matt's Wedding...Part 1

This was an exciting trip.  Rob flew back to UT to get us after 20 days of being apart.  We were all so darn excited.  I felt so infatuated and like a little girl all gitty all over again, madly in love for the first time.  It was just so nice to see him and hug him.
A couple of days before leaving UT Rob and I got to be part of the New Testament Film Project together as backgrounds.  He dressed up as a Roman Soldier.  We were part of the scene where the Savior overthrows the money changers at the Temple.  That was an awesome experience but a very long day.  I was just thrilled that Rob got to be a part of it all.
Upon our arrival to Idaho, we stayed with Michelle and her family, as well as Mom and Dad for Matt's Wedding.  The first day we arrived it was spent getting ready.  Slicing bread and prepping food.  Tyanna (Matt's fiancee then) made her own bouquet and boutonnieres.  She is so talented.  They turned out beautiful!
Being with Rob's family again was a delight.  Talking and working together, watching our kids get reacquainted with each other, sharing the excitement of this marriage...was truly a JOY!  It was sad when we had to leave and say goodbye to everyone again.
The wedding itself was simple and low maintenance.  Tyanna really kept it very simple and yet beautiful.  Being part of their Temple wedding brought back so many wonderful memories of when Rob and I got married and made me think of all the years we have been together, and how far we have come.  Life is definitely BETTER and it keeps getting better.  I felt so excited for Matt and Tyanna embarking in this new adventure and I can't wait to see what the future holds for them.
Meeting Tyanna's family was fun.  They are such great people.  So happy and smiling, just like her!  We felt so at home and so very welcomed into their lives and accepted.  WE just fit right in!  So cool!
Taking pictures was fun.  Jennifer (Tyanna's sister-in-law) was there to be a second shooter with me.  Together we gathered a ton of amazing pictures.   We did pretty awesome together!  Thanks Jennifer, it was a pleasure working alongside you as well as meeting you.  You are an amazing person to get to know!
Thanks Tyanna and Matt for trusting me to take your pictures!  I really had a good time chasing you guys around and telling you where to go and what to do!  Love you both!