Japenese Gardens

Maren, our little goofball, never seems to cooperate at picture time, so the following is a series of one shoot where I tried to get a decent picture. Not sure I got one. This is her crazy action shot.

Except maybe this one, but its blurry. The measures we take to capture our memories!

I guess I shouldn't blame her for how often the camera is in her face, but to my defense if the camera worked, the lighting was perfect and she stood still with a beautiful smile on her face, I think it wouldn't be in her face so much! This is her intense fake smile.

This is her I am smiling as big as possible face

Maren being the bird like the one behind her.

I love the texture of the background, and since I am the one always taking the pictures I thought I would include myself in one.

Our amazing view of Mt Hood. Looked a lot more impressive in real life.

I find it harder and harder to get a family picture now that there are four of us. This the best we could do. Would be pretty good if I wasn't holding Maren so awkwardly. I love Eva's little face. Anyway, the gardens were pretty and peaceful.

Wicked

So I FINALLY got to see Wicked after years of wanting to see it. Spencer and I got tickets for Christmas and had a much needed night out. Eva was just starting to get over her colic and a great friend watched the kids for us. Thanks again Lyndsie! The actress who played Elphaba (the wicked witch) was incredible. I will never stop hearing her amazing voice in my head when she sang Defying Gravity. Great show. Great night out. Great memory.

Spring!

I wanted a Spring wreath that I didn't have to pay a lot for. I had Spencer cut me some blossoms I could add to a wreath. Lasted about 8 hours and was about shot by the end of the day. At least I got a picture of my efforts.

Maren's bathtub creation

I had to take a picture of Maren's masterpiece in the bathtub. Good example of her attention to detail. Pretty well color coordinated for a 2-year-old don't you think?

Eva

legacy Emmanual Children's Hospital

Pictures of Eva at the hospital in the middle of the night the day she caught RSV.

Foodie

For anyone that doesn't know I have a husband who is quite the foodie. After we make something colorful and tasty looking he wants to take a picture of it. So here are a few shots of what we have been eating this Spring. This was an amazing Salmon recipe. Tasted better than it looks.

Fruit is always beautiful. The camera never quite does it justice. Especially in our poorly lit apartment.

Winco had dragonfruit which was crazy and fun to eat. A lot like eating a kiwi in texture and flavor.

The Portland Market always has a beautiful array of veggies. This is for you Jakob!

Spencer's French salad with all fresh produce from the market.

Me thrilled to eat it. The baguette came from the Pearl Bakery, our favorite stop at the Portland Market. Definitely a stop we will miss when we leave.

5 years

Five years ago, March 18, Spencer got down on one knee to ask me to marry him. It was also a Sunday like yesterday was and it was a beautiful sunny day in the Sierra Nevadas. We had just taken a weekend trip from Utah to California for Spencer to meet my parents. We were picked up by my parents in San Francisco and went straight to Derco jewelers where Spencer bought my ring. It all happened in a crazy whirlwind. On St Patricks day Spencer and I spent some time downtown Sacramento and later at the Sacramento temple where we would be sealed in the future months. My family thought we would come home engaged...but we didn't to their disappointment. The next day we drove Spencers' grandpa's car back to Utah from the Bay area. On our way through the Sierra Nevadas, Spencer said he needed to stop to go to the bathroom. Well, we passed an exit with a rest stop and I wondered why he didn't stop. We soon after got off an exit called Rainbow Road. It definitely didn't look like there was a bathroom but I didnt say anything. We pulled over on private road with a beautiful view of the snow on the trees and a little flowing creek. The sun was glistening on the snow and then he got down on one knee and it happened. Sweet thoughts were shared and it was a perfect day. We sat down on some rocks and relished in the beauty of the day. The rest of the 10 hour drive was bliss. I love you Spencer and will never forget the day our lives together were envisioned to be great ones somewhere over the rainbow (road that is). They truly have been great and will continue to be great forever.

A Glimpse Into Eternity

Our little not-even-6-week-old baby just got RSV yesterday. We took her down to Legacy Emmanuel in Portland late last night with a bad cough and slight fever. Normally in the evenings Eva is fussy with colic but last night we rode in the car at 11:00 in peace as our little sweetheart sat quietly in the back seat with RSV enveloping her little body. Spencer and I wondered if we should be making the trip at all with how quiet she was. It seemed as if she was just fine. We pondered on the blessing our little girls are and realized how truly precious they are and how much we want to love and cherish them so we can be worthy to live with them forever. The love we felt for our girls was never stronger. We also pondered on the great friends we have that are true examples of charity. I have learned so much about charity from each and every one of my friends here, especially since having Eva. I have a new resolve to be a friend like them! Thank you for your examples of true charity. It is experiences like this that make us a little more selfless, a little more humble, and a little more aware of our utter dependence upon the Lord. As I stop and look at the situation I feel like I am able to see more blessings than trials. I had a few glimpses into eternity as I pondered on our little family and how trials are but a small moment in comparison to the great joy we have felt and will continue to feel in this life and into the eternities. I am grateful for this knowledge and the peace and comfort that comes through glimpses into eternity.

Eva Update-February