Rain Gutter Regatta

Last night Riley competed in his scout groups rain gutter regatta. We received the boat kit on Sunday. With the race on Thursday it created a bit of a time dilemma. Monday Ryan and I walked part of our precinct for Prop. 8, Tuesday Riley had a soccer game, leaving Wednesday the only and final day to work on the boat. Ryan and Riley stayed up late sanding, painting, and gluing. When Ryan left for work the next day he left us with a few final instructions to finish off the boat. We were not too optimistic of Riley's chances since it was all so last minute, but you never know what may happen. Riley came out the victor. He only lost one race when his sail fell down for a moment. For winning Riley received a bunch of baseball cards, two baseball pins, a baseball poster, and some free tickets to the Midway Museum for him and his sisters. It was a lot of fun to watch. Way to go Riley!!

Too Easy

Now I know why I always loose at the bargain guessing game, I make it way too easy. The dress cost 10.00. I am still really excited about the deal though. Thanks to everyone who guessed. A big thank you to the person who guessed 25.00, you made my day!

Bargain Hunting

I love finding a good bargain. When I find an especially good one I love having people guess what I paid for the item. It is fun to see their surprise when the price is way lower than they expected. Ryan use to be my favorite victim for this. However he has become so good at guessing the price that it isn't fun to ask him any more. Now that I have access to a bigger audience I am going to try it here. If I find a particularly good bargain I will play my little guessing game with you. Good Luck!

Your first challenge is this beautiful dress I found for Hailey. It is a Marmellata. It is fully lined satin with an intricate lace overlay. It has buttons up the back.

LeAnna Ng

LeAnna Ng

January 20, 1980 - August 4, 2008

LeAnna was my cousin (my mom's twin sisters daughter) and a friend. It came as quite a shock when I was told on the 4th that she had passed away. I hope she knows how much we loved her and will miss her. She was beautiful in so many ways. She had a beautiful voice, was very talented in the arts, drawing, painting, decorating, and she loved people. She was kind to everyone and everything.
The kids and I traveled up to her funeral on Friday. We got a little lost when we got into town and got to the church just as the funeral was starting. I was really sad about this. I really wanted to see her one last time and tell her good by. I know she wasn't really there in her body, it was more of a closure thing for me. My Mom, seeing how upset I was, arranged for us to go over and view her after the family dinner. I was relieved. The funeral was beautiful. Her parents gave the eulogy. Her husband Chuen spoke on the wonderful and simply gorgeous person she was. Finally her stake president, who also happens to be a cousin, Pres. Thompson spoke on the plan of salvation. It was perfect.
After the dinner we headed over to the funeral home. I was a little worried about what the kids would say and think. They had never been to a funeral before. It actually turned out, of all things, fun. She was gorgeous. She looked like a porcelain doll. What made it fun was the kids comments. We all got a good laugh, and I think LeAnna would have too. Maybe she was whispering to them what to say. Here are a few of my favorites;

Sydney- "Mommy pick me up so I can see the princess!" (LeAnna always
referred to herself as a princess).

Sydney- "She's a fairy princess!" (LeAnna also loved fairies.)

Hailey- "Mommy is she The Tooth Fairy?"

Sydney- "Mommy, Shh! You are going to wake her up!"

Riley's questions and comments were more serious opening up some good conversation and teaching opportunities.

LeAnna was a wonderful person! I look forward to seeing her again.

Timber!!

For the last few days we have been watching the trees by our house be slowly whittled away to stumps. A guy from the phone company decided that the trees had to go because they may fall on the lines. He marked them with a white X so the workers would know which trees to cut.
When that happened both Ryan and I had a good laugh. We just knew that
when they started cutting they were going to release "Hexis"(if you are confused at this point, you need to watch "Fern Gully").


We even had a tree eating machine come that he could take over, but no such excitment was to be had. Now the trees are gone and we didn't even get to see any fairies.

While we are glad that we don't have to worry about them falling on our car anymore, we were a little sad to see the big trees go. They were pretty and provided a lot of shade.