Childhood Friends

I've known Sarah since I was about 8 or 9 when we both took ballet together. A year or two later, I switched ballet studios and we lost touch.

Flash forward to 1988. I had switched school districts that year and was attending a brand new school for 8th grade. There are few things worse than your first day at middle school--and not knowing a soul.

Home room was miserable.

First period was miserable.

Second period was PE and I expected that to be miserable, but I lucked out. I will never forget walking into the gymnasium and quickly scanning the bleachers for a place to sit---and seeing a familiar face.

There was Sarah.

And I couldn't have been more thrilled...or relieved.

I remember her waving to me to come sit with her...and the rest is history. Of the few friends I have actually kept in touch with from middle and high school, I've know Sarah the longest.

Disneyland 1990
(with our other good friend Angela)

We lost touch for a bit during the college years, but thanks to modern technology (YAY for email, Facebook, and blogs) we got back in touch.

This past Labor Day weekend Sarah got married, and the the kids and I drove up to Stockton on Sunday for the reception. I was so glad I did. It was so great to see her so happy and to spend some time with her and her family.

A few pics from the evening. They were all taken with my phone, so the color is off on the ones with low lighting. :(

Thanks Dad for chopping off the top of my head. :)

I don't know if she could look any cuter.

Hannah actually sitting still for a moment.

Sammy and Helene dancing.

Oh, how I wish the lighting was better in these next two pictures.
They are just adorable!
How did these three grow up so fast?!
Seriously...it's killing me!!

Sarah and I
September 2010

Sarah and I
June 1993
(yes, I know it's a terrible pic, but it worked for my photo montage...and it shows how we haven't aged a day. Right? Just different hair color now...)

So glad we've been friends for 25 years!
(wow...we are old. :) )

Yep. It really is May.

So THIS is what we awoke to this morning.

Happy May 24th.
Gotta love crazy Utah weather.
Now if I had only brought a sweater and/or coat with me, I wouldn't be complaining.

Well...I would...but maybe not quite as much.

Do as the locals do...

So our first week in Utah, we met up with my friend Lexi and went to lunch at...where else...Cafe Rio. Isn't that pretty much a required visit while you're in Utah?

I enjoyed a salad...while my kids ate goldfish and Ritz Crackers.
Go figure.

Although it did make me proud to see Helene
munching away on this.

Yes, that's cilantro.
She's definitely my daughter.

I love that she is practically shoving the entire stem in her mouth.
Lexi and Camryn
Aren't those blue eyes just stunning??
I see this and think, couldn't just one of my children have gotten my blue eyes?
sigh. She is so adorable!
A few days later, I went to Lexi's house to make these adorable hairclips for the girls.
Yep.
I'm being crafty (don't choke on your beverage).
See what happens when you come to Utah?

End of Summer Trip

I decided to take a last minute trip up to Oregon to visit my friend Heidi and her family. The last time we were there was in July of 2008--you can read about it here.

Samuel had to stay and work, so my mom drove up with me and the kids. We actually had a smooth drive up with very few stops. I think I had to stop and pee more times than Sammy did. The older kids did really well thanks to the DVD players in the car--and Helene had her moments, but was pretty content overall.

We lounged by the pool and read while the kids played...

Helene had her first taste of prunes...mostly due to a severe case of constipation. Poor little girl--it was so sad...although she LOVED the prunes!

We hung out with Louie the dog...

and a few chickens...Played with wire whisks at a kitchen store...

Helene found a new toy...

So much fun!

We had lunch at the pharmacy, complete with an
old-fashioned soda fountain counter...

and then browsed though an antique store to walk off the milkshakes...
Helene got some tummy-time in...

and even did a few baby push-ups!
She'll seriously be crawling any day now! YIKES!

We went to Wildlife Images and got close to these animals...

Seriously close, as the only thing separating us
from the grizzly bear was an electric fence...

a bald eagle...again, just the electric fence separating us
from these 5 black bears...
Sammy needed a break from all the walking
and took a rest with Grandma

We decided to sit for picture

Then we had lunch again. I had the best chicken sandwich with avocado and blue cheese--and some fried zucchini on the side. Good thing Heidi and I went on a few walks at night to counter all the food we ate on this trip!

On Monday night for FHE, we had a family band and played instruments and sang.
It was so much fun for all!

It turned into a marching band around the house...

We had such a good time, as always. So relaxing and fun. The kids loved having Scott and Kjersten to play with 24/7 and I loved they were totally worn out from playing at the end of the day. We spent the evenings painting our toes, watching Flight of the Conchords (so hilarious), Mamma Mia, and Pride and Prejudice--and eating either brownies, cookies, or ice cream, depending on the night. Yep, a total girls night for an entire week. So great!!

I missed a few photo ops of the beautiful scenery, the kids playing Wii, the kids playing outside (besides the pool)--I'll have to be more diligent next time.

The trip home was a bit crazier with more potty stops than I can count--plus Helene was crankier due to a severe diaper rash from the constipation problem. I've definitely learned that she can't handle bananas very well...maybe I'll try again in a few months.

And we just HAD to stop in here for an authentic San Francisco hot fudge sundae treat...in Lathrop of all places. Random, but delicious.


It was a great end to a looooong summer of Sammy being in casts, and I'm glad we had a chance to hang out with such good friends and play for a bit. Thanks so much to my mom for braving the long drive and going with us--we loved having you!! And thanks for babysitting the kids for Heidi and I so we could get in a few of those desperately needed walks after dinner.

The best part was coming home and finding a spotless house. Samuel steam cleaned the carpets, scrubbed the stove (which needed some serious help) and the rest of the kitchen including the fridge and pantry, AND cleaned the bathrooms. YAY for Sam! I need to leave town for a week more often apparently!

School starts next Thursday! Wow--summer really is over.