My grandpa George Cleon Laney (with my cute grandma)  

Born in 1920...and lived until 2009.  A great life of 89 years.

He actually just celebrated his 89th birthday a little over a week ago.  Early this morning he passed away, surrounded by his wife, sons, daughters and loved ones.  I wish I could have been there to say goodbye.  My Dad was there and said that it was a beautiful experience to see him go in peace.

There are so many things to say, and so many more things going through my mind.

I even cheated and waited until my sis Kylie posted to see what she wrote first because I just can't find the words, and I miss him so much already.  I knew this day was coming, but now I want him back just for a little longer to tell him I think he was an amazing man.

Already there are so many things that I remember about him, and will miss forever.  I will always remember his hands folded on his lap, and his smile that reminds me so much of my Dad.  He was always dressed handsome - thanks to grandma.  He was so smart and always had an interest in electronics even after he was couldn't see much anymore.  He was an amazing photographer and entrepreneur.  He was a war hero.  He loved to sing and listen to music.  His advice was never the kind you didn't listen too, and it was always in your best interest.  He truly loved his entire family, all grandchildren and great grandchildren included!

My grandpa also had this way of complimenting and talking with you that made you feel like the smartest and most knowledgeable person in the room.  Like me and my art, or Josh being an accountant, we all felt like geniuses after talking with him.  Not too many people can make you feel that way every time you are with them.

He also had this love for my grandmother that you only see on the big screen.  In the time I have been married to Josh, each time we went to visit them in their white house in Lehi, he would at some point in our visit mention how much he loved Relva.  He knew she was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he was proud to let everyone know it.  He was such an amazing man.

I can't help but think that my baby boy will get the chance to meet him before he comes to us.

I am so thankful to have had such an amazing man as an example of what kind of life I want, and what is truly important.  I love you grandpa, and miss you.

Today is the first day of Spring!

I just love the Spring...almost as much as the fall.  I seem to like the months that show change.  I think I might really start to love the spring once my baby boy is here. :)

These white fluffy blossoms are all over the place here in San Ramon.  From the park, to the tree outside my kitchen window - I get to look at them several times everyday.  Kadie picks flowers every where we go, and the bug collecting has begun.  Laney picks weeds and collects rocks or hard pieces of clay that we hope aren't doggie poop.  There really is so much more to do outside in the springtime.

The only downside...allergies are a comin'.  Okay I just ruined it.

Who as a child knew about this leprechaun who supposedly comes to your house and causes mischief on St. Patricks Day?  I had NEVER heard of him until this year...and apparently all of the kindergartners in San Ramon know about him.  He has been causing all sorts of trouble for the last week in Kadie's kindergarten class; knocking over desks, throwing books around and leaving creepy little leprechaun voice messages on her teachers' computer.

So another 'Santa' is introduced into our file of family traditions.  Along with the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny out list is ever-growing.

This one was actually really fun and creative and I feel sad that I didn't catch on sooner to make it more memorable.  Alicia warned me to get gold coins a month ago...and I didn't listen.

So yesterday, Kadie made a plethora of Leprechaun traps to catch Lucky the Leprechaun...which changed themselves into houses for him to play in because Kadie didn't want to "really" catch him.  After all...who wants a 5 inch little man running around your house making messes.  

I already have one of those - only she is about 3 feet tall and 40 + lbs.

Here are some pictures of what Kadie made for Lucky.  

She wrote on it "mes up the sgol" to persuade him to mess up the school she goes to instead of our house...and she thought he would have fun playing on the toy horse.  She even put a sofa in the little box trap/house for him to relax in. :)

Lucky was so impressed with Kadie's efforts that he didn't make too much of a mess.  He did spill a trail of m&m's and Laffy Taffy's from the girls room down the hall.  When Laney woke up at 5:30 and needed a drink of milk, she ate all of the m&m's on her way back to her room while holding her sippy cup.

He even left a lucky pair of glasses for Kadie's doll so that they can match.  

Way to go Lucky! 

We will see you next year!

I am so glad that we have invested in food storage.  It will really come in handy when there is a natural disaster.  Unless that natural disaster is a little girl named

destroying all of our food storage.

Oye!

This is what happened tonight when I was finishing my blog.

Obviously popcorn was thrown and then attempted to be cleaned up with a mop.

We 'HEART' Shelter Cove!

Laney also spent time in her underpants outside helping Nick and Josh sink their puts in a home game of put put golf.  

Laney actually sunk this put herself and I wish I would have been recording it with the video camera.  She obviously has some skills.  I think it is once again her lucky panties.

Sorry you look a little "out of it" in this picture Kadie...but it is the only one I got of you and me!

Living in a 1200 square foot apartment has its downfalls.  Don't get me wrong, I have had a recent change of heart of the things that I love about living small and simple.

1. I can clean up the place for visitors in less than an hour...vacuuming and pick up and all!
   
2. I don't have to worry about any yard work or indoor maintenance.  Even if the dryer is on the fritz I can call the office and it is fixed the same day!
   
3. The girls know no difference and they don't mind it at all.  I am sure once they live in a house they won't know what to do with all of the space and (hopefully) yard. :)  SO...while my kids are small it is the perfect place to live and save our money - if that is really possible in CA?
   

Needless to say, I was getting a little irritable over a few things and just feeling like I needed a small change.  So we cleaned all of the carpets for a start...which did feel good.  But I still wanted to dream.  It is fun to imagine where I might once be able to live, or things I might once be able to afford. :)  So my wants turned me to the lovely Craigslist...and look what I found!

Brand new sectional...sold from a couple who bought a model home and the couch came with it.  They just didn't like it at all, so I got it for a whopping $350.00.

I know it sounds weird, but it made me feel like I could live here another year. :)  I finally got to get rid of our yucky couch.

I found this adorable fabric to make it a little more of our own...and it came together pretty good!

Thank you Craigslist, thank you Internet, and thanks Josh for forking out the dough. :)

I am a spoiled brat, it is official.  

Last Saturday my awesome Mama and my friends threw me a baby shower for this little man that will be coming to our home sooner that I can believe!  It was like a first baby shower because everything was 

It was so much fun to see faces I hadn't seen for a while, eat yummy food, and talk with fun, talented and beautiful women that I am surrounded by all of the time.  I am grateful for all of the amazing women I have met here and the support group that they are to me and to each other.

I am not going to lie...opening all of the adorable gifts was so much fun.  :)  This little man will definitely be well dressed!  He already has toys and nesting boxes, picture frames and fuzzy blankets galore - and he hasn't even been born yet!