Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Planning for her Future...

Here is the conversation Grace and I just had at dinner:

G: I'd like to marry Juan when I grow up.

M: Oh yeah, why Juan?

G: Well, he's funny...and I think the kids will like that.

M: The kids?

G: Yes, the children we will have.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Paradise

Yesterday we took the most fantastic day trip ever! It really was perfect. We drove out to the coast to Bean Hollow State Beach (between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay.) After a picnic lunch, we set off on a family-friendly hike overlooking the ocean. The girls were such great sports as we tested their endurance going up and down trails, rock climbing, and exploring secluded beaches and tide pools. It was quite an adventure. After a couple hours of hiking, we spent some time at the pebble-covered beach at the end of the trail. It was amazing...instead of sand, the beach was bejeweled with tiny ocean-polish stones in a variety of colors and finishes. I had never seen anything like it...it was truly beautiful. I felt invigorated as I picked up handfuls of the pebbles and let them sift between my fingers...it was therapeutic, especially with the sound of the ocean ebbing and flowing in the background. Add on sitting next to my dream man holding a happy baby, and the sound of my children laughing...and it was paradise! On the way home we stopped at a delicious pupusaria in Oakland (pupusas are what Aaron ate everyday as a missionary in El Salvador...definitely a favorite of our family!) We had a quiet drive home as the girls fell asleep almost instantly after getting buckled in their seats. As we drove I looked in the backseat at the exhausted but happy faces, and at the profile of my handsome husband in the driver's seat. With the sound of the ocean still singing in my ears, I concluded: I could not have asked for a better day.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010

Easter Sunday

After a wonderful day of peaceful relaxing and watching General Conference as a family, we headed to Aaron's parents' home Sunday evening for a fabulous dinner and exciting egg hunt in the rain. The girls had fun collecting eggs and didn't seem to mind getting wet, so long as it meant candy! We also enjoyed playing games after dinner: Grandma lead the girls in Crazy 8's and Go Fish, while the rest of us played one of our favorites, "Ticket to Ride." It was a great day, and an especially nice way to kick off our week-long spring break!

Thursday, April 01, 2010

The kind of moments I live for...

We had a wonderful time together as a family this past Sunday. There is nothing I love more than being with the ones I love most....and on Sundays we get to do this ALL day. The girls and I relish the time we get to spend with Aaron...he truely makes everything better: Everyone is happier and more well-behaved when he's around. When he's home I think we are reminded what our purpose is in this life, and what brings true joy. I feel at peace and complete when we are all together.

It's also just so much fun! Sunday evening was gorgeous weather-wise, and we spent it lying on the trampoline in the backyard gazing at the sky. We snuggled, relaxed, Grace read us stories, Daphne practiced her rolling skills, and Eve giggled as Aaron held Daphne up in the air and dropped baby-drool missiles from the sky! It was hilarious...I think it started out as an accident, but then it turned into a game where Aaron would try to land Daphne's drool on the girls as they tried to dodge it between their giggles! If in the future I ever need to go to a "happy place," then my memory of this day will really come in handy!