Happy Birthday, Luca!

My sweet nephew Luca turned 5 today! He really is such a darling little boy! I met him last fall when I went to Italy to attend his daddy's wedding to my sister, Briana. I brought Briana a few books that she missed from the States. Luca taught me Italian and I taught him English as we read, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." In Italian, you say Yellow, "Jello." That's all I remember from our session. I'm a slow learner.

This is Briana with Luca. She is such a good mommy and loves him very much. He is a genuinely happy boy, with an infectious smile, laugh and winning personality. I wish I could spend more time with him.

Happy Birthday sweet boy! I hope you liked the package we sent . . . I hope you can play Webkinz and my kids can play with you online . . . or just Aunt Sarah can play with you! xoxox

Ben plays SOCCER!

Ben has been playing Soccer on a team with some of his buddies/cousins for a few months.



I love this video of him . . . he's the little guy in white, on the far right. He sort of hops/runs and then sort of bounces when his cousin almost makes a goal. What a good team player he is . . . so supportive.

He's so UNLIKE his mother, in the supportive department.

I went to his first game and he was too scared to try playing. Then I missed all his other games. I had good excuses at the time. Only I can't remember what they were NOW. This Saturday is his last game. I will BE THERE!



I saw these videos on my friend's blog and asked her to put them on mine.

Since I'm such a bad mom.

And now she has my password and can get into my blog. So, I hope she writes a really nice letter for my birthday. Or gets my husband to do it. Or better yet, just pretend you ARE my husband and write his words for him. He'll really appreciate that. And I will too. My birthday is July 9th. FYI.



This is the best video of Ben. He's number 13 and he kicks the ball twice and throws it in once. Very cute stuff. I hope you get to see it, MOM! (she's in Italy visiting my sister, so I don't know if she'll check my blog!)

Thanks Kristi, Miss Videotographer. You're a good mom and friend. I appreciate you. This is Kirsti's cute son and mine. Hers is the taller one.

Here are some pictures my sister-in-law, Tiffany took of Ben, since she goes to games and I don't.

Ben with his cousin and buddy, Ashton.

Ben's got game. The last picture is the cutest. . . I like how Ben runs with his tounge out. And a smile on his face.

Gone Camping

We are leaving today for the weekend. Since Oregon schools are in such trouble, we have a 4 day weekend! In fact, they are still deciding if we'll just send the kids to school 4 days a week all next year. We have moved to a strange, backwards place . . . but I digress.

Camping.

We're meeting up with our best BYU buddies about 8 hours south of here, in Pinnacles, CA. We'll be eating at In-N-Out tonight, BABY! A quick visit with Great Grandma in San Fran and then onto the campsite. There is a pool there. I am thrilled. I can't wait to see everyone and take pictures of them all.

BYE! (and have a nice Memorial Day!)

Cousin gone Crazy

I have a really funny, cute cousin that writes a hilareous, honest blog. This was one of her entries last week. It made me laugh so hard. I used to do the same thing.



Exactly.



So here is her post for your enjoyment. She has two little ones, the youngest being a spirited little boy named MAX.

"I have found that if I leave the windows open I am more patient.

I don't want my neighbors to know the real me.

And then I forget that the windows are open.

And the whole neighborhood gets to know me a little better.

Oops...

But thanks Annie next door for coming over and rescuing the kids from me.

Sorry that Max cried his eyes out when you brought him home.

I think tomorrow we will leave all the doors open too..."

If you'd like to go check out her blog, click HERE. You won't be diappointed.

Compliment? Maybe?

I've been studying and taking classes to renew my CPR/AED/Lifeguarding/WSI (Water Safety Instructor) Certification to run the lake at Girl's Camp. I had all this certification as a High School Student. Lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons paid for my BYU education. I've finished all my courses and I'm all CERTIFIED. I enjoy being in the water and the book learning just fine, but the best part about training to teach swimming again is being around the kids. A 3 year old boy paid me a compliment last week.

At least, I think it was a compliment?

Our conversation went like this:

"Miss Sarah, you look just like a pretty lady I know."

"Really Henry? That's so nice, thank you! Who is it?"

"It's Alice. She's my mom's mom."

"Wait, are you saying I look like your Grandma?"

"I think Alice is my Great-Great Grandma, actually!"