For conference weekend a group of ten got together to go on a trip to palm springs for a little girl time. We arrived in Palm Springs on Friday night just in time to hit the club at the hotel. The next morning a few of us woke up early to hit the pavement before the AM session began. We watched the first session on Holly's laptop (due to the Marriott not getting the channel for conference. What's that all about?) Then we enjoyed the beautiful weather laying out at the pool. After a light lunch we headed back to the room to catch the second session. After we got ready for an evening full of delicious mexican food and shopping at the outlets. This was the perfect relaxing weekend get away. Can't wait for next year to do it again!!
As many of you know... I love "The Bachelor." Today I decided to check out the website to see when it starts again. Although it did not tell me the dates of when my monday nights will once again be filled with date boxes, limo rides, and roses, it did tell me who the next Bachelor would be...
Jason! He is back and I couldn't be more excited about it. This could possibly be the best season ever!
1. Children in public schools will be taught that both traditional marriage and same-sex marriage are okay.The California Education Code already requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage. (§51890)Therefore, if the definition of marriage is changed, children will be taught that marriage is a relation between any two adults. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs.
2. Churches will be sued if they refuse to allow same-sex marriage ceremonies in their religious buildings that are open to the public. Ask whether your pastor, priest, minister, bishop, or rabbi is ready to perform such marriages in your chapels and sanctuaries.
3. Religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children only in homes with both a mother and a father. Catholic Charities in Boston has already closed its doors because of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts.
4. Religions that sponsor private schools and which provide housing for married students will be required to provide housing for same-sex couples, even if it runs counter to church doctrine, or lose tax exemptions and benefits.
5. Ministers who preach against same-sex marriages will be sued for hate speech and could be fined by the government. It has already happened in Canada, one of six countries that have legalized gay marriage.
6. It will cost you money. A change in the definition of marriage will bring a cascade of lawsuits. Even if courts eventually find in favor of a defender of traditional marriage (highly improbable given today's activist judges), think of the money – your money, your church contributions – that will have to be spent on legal fees.
Last week my sister Jule came into town with the twins which means that I got to spend time with my two favorite 3 year olds. During this time I decided that being an aunt is possibly the best job that anyone could ask for. I got to do some of my favorite activities with these two little buddies.
These are a few of my favorite things:
Wild River
(well technically this was my first time at Wild Rivers... but I pretty much love everything that involves swimming and sunshine)
Driving in my "little black car" listening and singing along to the polar express song over and over.
Yogurtland...
Look at these faces... Need I say more?
Sleepovers in my "little house for little kids" including popcorn, juice, and a movie.
Going for a run down to the beach first thing in the morning.
Photography
(these pictures are taken from the artistic view points of two very talented 3 year olds)
As many of you know my Dad has what you might call an obsession with BYU football. So when I was planning my trip out to Utah to go visit my newest nephew and found out that it was the same weekend as a home game I became excited to be able to spend sometime with Ma and Pops as well.
Before the game my Dad hooked us up with tickets to the legacy tent. The legacy tent is basically a high class tail gate party... and one of my new favorite places. They had a salad bar, buffet of main dishes including ribs (which I actually ate and liked), and of course an amazing dessert bar including a white chocolate fountain... you know I spent a lot of time there.
Me and my Dad getting pumped up for the big game
Jason and my Mom practicing the "Tad Pose" (if you don't know what I am talking about refer to Amber's blog)
Jason and his brother-in-law enjoying the 8th row seats.
My Dad couldn't be happier with the Coug's winning 44-0.
Jessie... the left had column are both Justin. I felt really cool knowing him.... kind of... well knowing you therefore knowing him. :)
After the game I finally got to meet up with my newest little poo-poo face Brayden. He is just a little guy with huge feet and as cute as a button. I took a long good smell of his head (supposed to make you want babies) and I am not sure if it worked but it sure made me wish that he lived a little closer than Utah!
After a long summer of everyone traveling the gang finally got back together to celebrate Refugio's 16th birthday. He choose Cuba as his destination so we fit up cuban food at Felix's. I must say that what I ordered was mediocre... but Refugio ordered was delicious. I am letting him order my food from now on.
Refugio's favorite part about gang outings is taking the picture under the sign.
Beautiful Blondes!
Such a tough guy...
Happy Birthday Refugio. There isn't anyone that I would rather play footsie's through the cubical with!
A week before labor day my good friend Aubrey threw out the idea of planning a last minute trip to San Franciso for the holiday... we invited anyone that wanted to come and we got a great group together to go explore the bay area. We planned the trip just right so that we were able to see a lot of the bay area and have some relaxing down time as well. In three days we were able to check out alcatraz, pier 39, fishermans warf, lombard st, the golden gate bridge, a catherdral, hot tubing and swimming at mom and dad's house, movie watching, carmel and the 17 mile drive, stanford, and the oakland temple.
Here are some pictures of the our trip. These pictures are not in any kind of order (I don't have the time or energy to put them in order) so you can play a guessing game with yourself and try to figure out where we are in the picture and what we are doing.... oh and just FYI... none of these are real engagement pictures. We are just practicing for if and when the real thing comes along. :) Enjoy...
If you want a more detailed account of the trip refer to facebook and/or Aubrey and Emily's blogs. They both did a great job! :)
