We welcome a new member to our growing family, little K - A&J's new little boy. He was born via c-section as he decided to come into the world breech, on Monday March 29th. He weighed in at 7lb. 10oz. and 21 inches long. He has a lot of dark hair and is a very cute little one. He has been cuddled constantly since his birth by grandmas, aunts and uncles and cousins. He was blessed at home on Saturday April 3rd by his daddy.

I was able to be in Utah for a few days before K arrived and stayed until Easter. Dad arrived on April 1st and headed home on Wednesday April 7th on the train. I will pick him up this evening. He had lots of fun with the kids - his crazy papa behavior. He, D and C went skiing/snowboarding yesterday. C had a lesson and his instructor said he is a natural. Look out JH!

B&D's family are well, the kids are growing up so. . we look forward to being at E's baptism in September.

M&S are busy looking at houses in the Sacramento area, they would like to accomplish all this so they can take advantage of the housing rebate. Exciting, scary and definitely nerve racking times! Our prayers go to them that this might all work out and they can get into a house very soon.

K is off school this week. He is organizing his room and working at Barnes & Nobles. He is enjoying his classes this semester - an art class and an Illustrator/computer class.

We love each member of our family and are grateful for the blessings of the temple that bind us together through the eternites. Love, MOM

Christmas and Happy New Year

What a Christmas holiday we had . . . Amylee, Jonny and K arrived early, early Wednesday morning. Brooke, Dave and kids arrived on Thursday morning. I had to work Christmas eve until mid day and then was off until the 31st. We prepared Christmas Eve dinner, traditional sheperd's dinner - yummy! Brooke's friend Patricia came over with her daughter and visited for a while - Matt, Shirley and kids arrived about 9:30pm (H had been in Maui visiting grandparents and plane came in about 8:30pm to SFO). We read the scriptures and a couple of stories and then hung up stockings and the kids headed off to bed. Every bed in the house, couches, futons, floors, etc were full. We even used a couple of blow up beds. Fun times.
Christmas morning started about 8:00am with a rush of people (kids) into the living room to examine what they had received. Lots of giggles and happy kids. Cold fun cereals for breakfast and then time to open gifts. We usually are very organized but with nine adults and nine kids ages 14 to 1 year - it was crazy, paper everywhere, lots of laughing and just good times.

The rest of the day was spent hanging around the house, some familes went to see other family members and friends. Simple dinner - Chinese (also a tradition) and early to bed.

Saturday eight of us went to see "The Nutcracker" performed by the SF ballet. Such great memories. Thanks papa for watching the little boys. We the evening at a wedding open house for David and Grace Poulsen (Poulsen's have been friends of the whole family since we moved to HMB 28 years ago. M was sick with the croup (sp?) much of the trip. We all knew he felt awful and we worried about him but he hung in there and did almost everything we had planned. Sunday we all went to church in the HMB ward. The Poulsen's (friends in the ward) had most of their family visiting because of the wedding open house, between the two families we filled the chapel. After church we all headed to Alameda for a BIG family dinner at Dave's parent's home. We all had a great time visiting with all of the families there.

Monday's activities were planned by Matt and Shirley's family. We met at a indoor swim park in the east bay. The kids had a blast (so did many of the adults). It was very similar to the outdoor swim parks in Utah that we enjoy during the summer visits. Lots of fun water activities to play in and on. Brooke and Dave headed out for the night to the Bed and Breakfast they went to on their honeymoon (aniversary).

Tuesday was K's birthday, Amylee and Jonny planned the activity. We met at the Zoo and enjoyed a fun day. The weather was a bit drippy but everyone had fun. We had cupcakes to celebrate.

Wednesday morning the "Men" went surfing. Mark had arranged to borrow some boards from a guy in the ward and everyone rented wetsuits. They had a really good time . . . afterwards they did some skim boarding. Matt used the skim board he made when he was about 14yrs old. His first ride was great, the second one not enough water and the board stopped but Matt didn't and ended up breaking his foot. The men then carried him off the beach and he spent most of the rest of the day icing his foot. Brooke and Dave had planned a day at the beach, but then it started raining and with Matt not being able to walk without crutches. . .those plans went down the tubes. Instead we all went to the temple and enjoyed the lights, music programs and hot chocolate in the parking lot. (thanks Matt and Shirley). Brooke, Dave and Kids headed over to his parents for the rest of their trip.

Thursday was recovery day and New Year's Eve. I worked my normal day until 3:30pm - we made some treats when I got home and spent NY eve watching movies, eating and napping. We were all awake at midnight (just barely!) Kyle went to Santa Cruz to celebrate with friends. Friday we slept in and then in the afternoon went to the Marine reserve, it was a minus tide - the lowest one of 2010 (on the 1st.) - K has such a good time looking at all the ocean animals. He even touched a sea anename and made it squirt water. He loved the seastars and the crabs - but didn't want to touch those.

Amylee and familiy leaded home early Saturday morning. Brooke and family flew out on Sunday afternoon. Sunday night dad and I sat in the living room with the Christmas tree lit up and were so happy that we were all able to be together for the holidays. The grandkids enjoyed each other and had such good memories made. I probably forgot something we did. I love all of you and I am so glad that everyone really enjoys one another and loves being together. Love, MOM

Wow, it has been over two months since I last wrote. I really am not good at this!
Going to the temple with K and all of our children was truly "heaven on earth". Such an amazing thing being together in the Celestial room. We are so glad that Grandpa and Grandma J and S were able to be with us also. What a wonderful day. It was so much fun having B and A visit. We really miss having them close by.

Now we are looking forward to Christmas when all of us will be together in M B. There will be 18 of us. Going to be a busy, noisy house but full of love and hopefully lots of fun. We are looking forward to a traditional (Chid traditional) Christmas eve and then spending much of Christmas day together. B, D and kids will spend part of their time with D's family in A. Happy to share in these fun times.

We are not exchanging gifts this year, instead we will be enjoying fun times together on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Each family is in charge of organizing a fun activity for the day they have chosen. I am hearing about lots of fun activities. Some will be here for New Years and then everyone will head home. I hear that D and J are counting down the days (I think they are just ready for a vacation!) I too, am counting the days and making lists of things to get done before everyone arrives.

Thanksgivings will be different this year - K is heading for Utah for a visit with sisters and friends. M and I will head for LA to celebrat the holiday with my family.

So many things to be grateful for. . . even though we live in challenging times, we are truly blessed. We are especially thankfull for the gospel of Jesus Christ that guides our lives.

Love to all. MOM

True Joy!

Tomorrow September 5th is a day that all parents look forward to. . . being in the temple with all of our children. Kyle will be getting his endowments. Brooke and Amylee arrive this evening, G-parents Jones arrived on Tuesday. Matt and Shirley will meet us at the temple tomorrow for the 12 noon session. I can't explain the feelings I have been having this past few weeks. This day is something I wasn't sure would ever happen, but Kyle has really worked hard this past two years. He has made many changes in his life. He truly has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We will miss having Dave and Jonny there tomorrow, but so appreciate them for taking over the family duties so Brooke and Amylee can be here. They will be in our thoughts.

Now we look forward to joining with the grandkids as they go to the temple.

This is a bit of heaven on earth.

Love all of you so much. MOM

Wow, I am really not good at this blogging thing. I love reading other's blogs but somehow never get around to writing on my own. It has been six months since I have written anything. A lot happens in six months.

Hummm, first I was sustained as Stake RS president in February. In January I started working full time at the law firm and tutoring only six students in the late afternoon. I think both of these might have something to do with not writing on the blog. Dad had a job in Florida for almost two week in January. He has had a few other jobs since then, but it has been a very slow time for work. Hopefully things will get better and there will be more opportunities for work. He was a presenter at our Youth Conference this year. He did a "Indy" themed talk about the Book of Mormon. He also went to YW Camp. This was his 19th year. Some of the girls asked if he would be their grandpa? Funny, now they call him "Grandpa Indy". He is trying to find the humor in it.

Kyle returned home in late May. He will be home until first of next year due to the class he wanted to take not being offered at CR (college of the Redwoods) and being offered at Skyline (SF). So he is back to working at Cafe Lucca. He was called as the YSA rep for our ward and has been trying to get something going- FHE, activities???? It is challenging as most of the YSA in our ward are quite young and not really interested in doing anything regarding church other than going to Sunday meetings. He continues to work at it. He also attends the YSA most Sundays. Busy guy.

On Saturday September 5, 2009 Kyle will be going to the temple to take out his endowments. Brooke, Amylee and Grandpa and Grandma are coming to be with him. Matt and Shirley also plan to be there. A few friends from YSA ward and HMB ward also plan to attend. Such an exciting time for all of us, especially Kyle. He attended the YSA conference at the Temple Hill in Oakland August 8,9 and had a great time. There were conferences held at each temple district throughout California. Ours had over 2000 in attendance. Amazing!

This is a challenging time to live in - economy and just the world in general. We are proud of all of each of you, our children and their spouses and all the grandkids. All of us have challenges but we all love one another and are working hard to do the right things. Can't ask for anything else.
We are happy that each of you are activity involved in the gospel and that your homes are a reflection of the love you have for your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

We love you all very much and look forward to seeing some of you in September and all of you in December.
Love, MOM

HI to all,
I can't believe it has been nearly two months since I wrote anything. My how time flies!

All is well. Dad is back from his trip to Florida. The job went well. There were a few glitches but D really helped out dad with his computer background and skills. Thanks so much, dad really appreciated it.

I have been working my new schedule for almost two months. It is going well, I had three students not return due to the schedule change but sometimes things don't work out for everyone. It is nice to have my medical ins paid by the company and get paid on holidays and I look forward to paid vacation days. Yeah! Also, I have heard through the grapevine that we will have "three" sick days a year. Wow. Anyway, it is all working out fine.

Dad is busy working on his presentations for Youth Conference in mid March. Of course, he is busy making necklaces and preparing a treasure hunt. This one will be indoors using the scriptures, etc. He is very excited.

Well, I think that is all for now. I hope all is well with each of you. This is a challenging time to live. You are all in our prayers daily. I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for each of us and even though we may go through difficult times, he loves us and will keep us taken care of.

Love, MOM

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Well, 2008 is just about over. It has been a year of challenges and great joys. All of us have felt the pinch of the recession we are experiencing. Last Christmas was one of the best on record for the C family. We were all together and enjoyed making some wonderful memories. I am so grateful for the opportunity we had of being together for those great times. All the grandkids are the cutest, smartest and sweetest around. We added little Ke this fall and so there are now 9 of the greatest grandkids we could ask for. We love each and every one of you.

We love hearing about the good times each of your families has had this year. Lots of family time. . that is the best! Wish we could bet a part of all the fun but distance, work and our own obligations often make that impossible. We love it when we are able to be with you though.

Ky made the big step this fall - moving out on his own. It hasn't been easy but he is happy living in Eureka and loves the YSA branch and institute. He is looking for work again. . . and plans to be back to school on January 20.

Dad will be off to Florida later this month on a job. He has actually had quite a bit of work this year. Yeah! He has a couple of more jobs scheduled throughout the year. Hope the work continues to come in.

I will be starting a new schedule next week, working full time at the law firm and part time tutoring. It will be a long day, but hopefully will allow us to pay off some of those pesky debts. We really want to be in a position to serve a mission in the next 10+ years. Lots to plan for.

We hope this is a good year for each of us. We love all of you and are so grateful to have each of you in our big family.

Love, M&D