Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving was held at my house this year. With Mackynzie being on the varsity basketball team at her high school, we needed to be here.  She is a starter now and we didn't want her to not be committed.  She was playing in a big tournament and the coach didn't want to not have her there.  For the past several years Thanksgiving was the time our family would go on trips to different locations, but knowing that we needed to be here we changed our plans.  I invited the Macdonald Family to come out this way for the holiday.  We had a fabulous time.  Everyone came that could.  We missed Ricky and his family, along with Lisa's kids.  They all had a good time where they were.  Rick and Kerri were at Chuck-a-Rama (they just love their tradition!) Then Lisa's kids were in St. George to visit other family.

The Adult Table 

Eric, Liz, Lisa, Karyn Sean, Richard, Laurie, Joellen and Larry

Jolie, Rachel and Kayla

The Kid Table

This was the kid table.  However, they are certainly not little anymore.  Katie is getting ready to hear back from BYU any day now.  Mackynzie, Kelsi and Matthew are active teenagers who hit a crazy party during the weekend together.  Kayla, Rachel, Jolie and Andrew were the only ones that could still be considered little.   Grammie and I are in the back of this picture happy that we are finally done cooking and ready to eat.

Twilight Movie Release

The movie Twilight was released on November 21st at midnight!  

Mackynzie and I had to go to the showing.  It was fun to watch it with Mack.  We had read the entire series of books at the same time while vacationing in Cabo San Lucas.  We each had our own set and were racing to see who would finish first.  We were worried the movie would be corny, but it was fun and it turned out to be okay!  The only problem was we were exhausted the day after, seeing that we didn't get to bed until 2:30 that morning.

Happy Birthday Karyn

Happy Birthday MOM!

Everyone was so thoughtful on my birthday!  Turning 38 isn't that bad.  Kayla picked out a beautiful bracelet for me and gave me a lovely homemade card.  She was nice to me all day long with big hugs and kisses.  Plus, I got to see Kayla receive an award from school she had earned.

 

Here are pictures of some yummy desserts, that Sean got me.

Sean treated me to a dinner at Ruth Chris, my favorite steakhouse.

Mackynzie bought me flowers, Sees toffee-ettes and wrote me the most beautiful letter.

Her letter: 

Finding Joy through the Journey

As it may be, we are faced with difficulties.  However, in our lives we have been given certain people that will bring us happiness and joy through the trials and dilemmas occurring everyday.  You are that gift to me and I feel that I can turn to you and find joy in my life.  Though sometimes it might not be obvious.  I love you and respect all that you do for our family.  I know that everyday you try your hardest to make our home one where we can turn for comfort and peace when we need it most and also dwell with the spirit.  When I look at you, I feel the strength I need everyday to over come the wickedness of the world. I realize that I need that most right now with all the confusion.  By talking to you, I feel an added measure of the spirit and my testimony is strengthened.  Your love of the gospel has affected me tremendously and your small acts of charity have been noticed. Most of all you give me the joy, love and support I need to be the best I can be.  I thank you  again for the positive impact you have had on my life. You deserve a "sweet" birthday in the "crunchiness" of the world today.  Love, Mackynzie

It was a great day.  I am grateful for a family that loves me......

Plus, I got all kinds of calls and cards from other loved ones.  I have been BLESSED!

Surprise Shopping for Erin's Baby # Four

+Erin Uda had a great idea about how to learn the sex of her forth baby.  She wanted a fun surprise for her family and herself.  Erin had her OB doctor write the sex of the baby on a card. Then Erin handed Jillene Rios and me the card to look at one night while we were out to dinner.  She asked if we would go shopping to pick out an outfit for baby number four.  We planned to wrap it up and give it back to her.   Erin had a fun outing planned with her family and open the wrapped baby outfit while they were all at a quiet lunch spot.  Her kids and hubby loved the surprise and she loved being apart of it too.

Jillene Rios and I had a little fun with the surprise.  We got two outfits, the first one was a unisex outfit that we said to open first.  It made Erin chuckle and Marc was thrown off for a minute.  The next outfit was all boy!  That puts the Uda family at one girl and three boys.  Erin said it was a great success.  Jillene was a little sad that she still was unable to go shopping for a girl.  One day maybe she will get a granddaughter!  Jillene has three boys of her own.  I on the other hand loved to shop for a boy.  They have some fun clothes out there for boys these days.  It was great to get to share in Erin's experience.  We have been great friends for so many years and she is a blessing in our lives.  Jillene and I had a great time shopping for her.

This is the sweet note that Erin wrote me to thank me.  She is great. 

Legoland Visit

The girls had the day off of school so we hit Legoland for a few hours.  We only live about five to ten minutes away, so we thought it would be perfect to go.  There is a new Sea Life Aquarium attraction we wanted to go to.  But when we arrived at the park, it had been closed to fix a few things.  We still had fun and enjoyed the day together.  

The park has added some fun rides so we still have a good time....

The girls love posing anytime anywhere!

We took turns riding the wild dragon ride at level 5!  That is considered top speed.  You are required to take out all earrings in order to ride.  It whips you around pretty good.

Kayla and Mack

Kayla and Karyn

I might be done with that one!

Friday Flag Salute

Kayla is Student of the Week!

Kayla is in 5th grade and her teacher is Teresa McCarthy.  Kayla loves being the big kid on campus this year.  She is doing a great job in school and we are so proud of her!

Proposition 8 RESTORING MARRIAGE

On Monday, November 3, 2008 a day before the election it seemed like our whole ward was on the corner of San Marcos Blvd and Rancho Santa Fe.   We were asked to stand on the corner and wave our signs to the passing traffic in support for Proposition 8. The girls really enjoyed being out there with everyone and feeling of the spirit of what we were trying to accomplish.   We were hopeful, but because of all the negative feedback we wondered what the outcome would be on Tuesday.  

After our sign waving experience together, the girls realized what a unique opportunity this had been. We talked about how this activity was mainly about doing what was asked of us and supporting a cause to the best of our ability. We talked about how important following the Prophet was and how this entire experience was not just about whether Proposition 8 passed or not.  This experience was more about the opportunity to stand up for what we believe in.  It was about supporting a cause that was important to our society and religious freedom.  It was also simply an opportunity to learn to follow our Prophet's council. We discussed how this experience was similar to what people had to do in the day when Joseph Smith was the Prophet.  In his day, there was great opposition and it was not always popular to follow the Prophet's council.  However, blessings did come to those who trusted in a living Prophet.  

I have to say it was surprising how many negative comments came from the younger generation.  Mackynzie made mention that most of the kids in her school were No on Prop 8. I am sure that is due to kids not understanding what supporting this cause really meant.  The opposition portrayed YES on 8 about unfairness and hatred.  However, supporting Prop 8 was simply about keeping a standard for Marriage.  It was also about keeping religious freedom that would have eventually been effected.  

It is a blessing that Proposition 8 did pass.  I believe it was a miracle and a direct cause of all the hard work that was put forth from all the churches that pulled together and family-oriented people within the community.