The California Academy of Sciences

Our girls had the Friday before Memorial day off so we decided to go on a little getaway to San Fransisco for the weekend. Our 1st stop was to The California Academy of Sciences. This place is amazing with tons of things to look at and to do. Our girls had a blast exploring all the different areas at the museum. The 1st place we went through was Extreme Mammals, then on to the planetarium to watch a show about our planet and universe. Then we explored the 4 story Rainforest, massive Aquarium which takes you to different regions around the world, and natural history museums. It was really cool and the girls loved it. We will be doing this again.

Ashlyn's Field Trip

Ashlyn's 3rd grade class had a field trip to Historic Downtown Brentwood. I was able to drive some of the kids from school to the Downtown Brentwood Park where we would be taking a walking tour around the area and learn more about Brentwood. It was a lot of fun for the kids and it was really interesting to learn about the different buildings. Like the Brentwood Women's Club established in 1901, used later as the public library. This Red roof house was built at the Nortonville coal mines. When the mines closed they moved the homes into town. They moved them 3 times to where they are now. They were owned by teachers and staff in the 1920s. The building with the hallmark sign was the old Brentwood Pharmacy that included the Hallmark card shop. This was built in 1915. The sign was left as a reminder of its past.The Sun n Stuff was built around the same time and was a grocery store and post office. It still has the original wood floors and meat locker in back.This building was the Brentwood Press Building built in 1913 and in 1927 became the Bank of California. The kids loved walking through the old bank vault still there and being used as an office. What a fun time we had.

Mormon Helping Hands

Today was Mormon Helping Hands a Service Day organized by our church. Every Stake in the state of California participated in some way helping out their community by giving service. Our ward along with Oakley ward were given 3 designated areas to work on. We chose the group to be at the park. We picked up garbage all over the park and along the walking trail. The men were using weed eaters and lawn mowers to cut down the over grown areas. Our area was the biggest and had the other groups join us later. Afterward we meet at the church for lunch.

It was a great experience and something they will be doing next year. I hope this will become an annual event so that we can work together and give service.

The Best Mothers Day Ever!

This was the Best and most memorable Mothers Day Ever! Many of you know that Noah and I have been trying to have a baby for about 2 years now and on the eve of Mothers day we found out in 9 months our little miracle will be joining our family. I was so stunned I took 2 tests and almost a 3rd one, but Noah assured me that it was absolutely without a doubt positive. On Mothers Day it was hard not to shout it out to everyone we knew. That morning before church my girls and Noah had made me breakfast along with all of my gifts, flowers, and decorations out on the table. What a wonderful surprise.

Then later on in the day our family arrived to spend the day with us. It was hard not to tell them the good news right away, but Grandma Smith would have an extra gift to open. In a little box she opened up the 2 positive tests. Everyone was so excited. We told the rest of our family over the phone that day. It was a great evening, yummy dinner, and was able to enjoy 2 different kinds of cakes that my wonderful husband made.

It was a perfect day.

Something New

The girls are trying out new things right now and are really excited. Aubrey now has cute bangs and that she loves and once a week she goes to different friends home for a little preschool time. Autumn is trying a Tap/Jazz class until summer and can't wait. She even made her new dance teacher a card to let her know how much she is going to love it. Ashlyn is taking piano lessons too. She can play a few songs now and we think she may have a real talent in playing.

Women's Conference

I have been planning on going to BYU Women's Conference for the past few months now. I was so excited to go. I hitched a ride with Noah's mom, aunt Nancy, and sister Becky. Our time together was a great. We started it off Wednesday with a lovely spring storm with lots and lots of snow. It required us to put on chains as we went over Donner. We could only go about 20 miles. It delayed us a few hours and in Reno it stopped. We stopped at Cabela's for some yummy snacks. Once in Utah it started up again. We did enjoy an amazing sunset. We had off and on snow, sleet and rain almost the whole time we were in Utah. It was still beautiful and good thing we spent our days inside listening to the different speakers.Both Thursday and Friday we started our day gathered together with a full Marriott Center. Being able to listen to the Relief Society General President Julie B Beck on Thursday along with her 1st Counselor Silvia H. Allred and 2nd Counselor Barbara Thompson on Friday morning, was a really treat. Each day they have a closing speaker the 1st day we skipped out and opted to eat on campus at a Hawaiian BBQ place. We did however make it to the evening entertainment which included Hilary Weeks, The Fab Five who were on Americas Got Talent, Mercy River, Miceal Mc CleanDallyn Bayles, and Alex Boye. Elder and Sister Oaks gave their closing remarks on Friday evening. Both days were filled with 3 different classes Then went to check out the service activities. There was so much to do and so much to enjoy we had to take it slow. On Friday night I spent time with my cousin, his wife and adorable son and my sisters. Amber and I went to Sammy's where I tried their chocolate peanut butter cupcake . It was yummy! Saturday was sister day. We spent the day shopping at the BYU bookstore, craft stores,
lunch at Los Hemanos, mall shopping, and dinner at Chilli's compliments from my sister Tiffany.Sunday I meet up with Noah's family to start the long journey home. We stayed in Winnamucca, Nevada for the night and had a great time eating dinner together. We ate at this Basque restaurant called The Martin Hotel where they serve you family style.

They served us salad and beans you place on top of the salad. Next came corn, mashed potatoes, warm cows tongue, and our chicken fried steak. I at all my cows tongue. It was actually very tender and tasted good. I wish they would have cut it up the look of it made me realize what I was eating every time I looked down at it. We also enjoyed Aunt Nancy playing slots at Grandmas House. In Reno we stopped at Scheels. This sports/outdoor store is like a mall and mini amusement park all rolled into one. We spent a long time shopping and looking at everything. Once home I got in my car and headed home. It was a fast and fun trip, but I sure missed my husband and girls while I was gone and it left good to be home.