this is the south.

I've spent the last two weeks loving South Carolina and time with the fam. 

And yeah, people here talk about gators and coons and "the war of northern aggression" and we went to a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the state's secession, but really, the South is quite lovely.

Here's the story from my phone:

 Hello, Atlantic Ocean! A beautiful beach with more starfish than I have ever seen

 Andrew got baptized! We're all so proud of him, and even though he was a little nervous, he did great!

 Newly baptized boy in his fancy clothes.

 Christmas pie contest. Our team's entry was Elegant Chocolate Raspberry Pie. We won most festive, which is quite an accomplishment, seeing as I was the only one with a 2 year old and an 8 year old on my team.

 Andrew, Natalie and Graham all became junior rangers at Fort Sumter. They were so excited to find all the facts and answer their trivia questions, then put their name on the wall of fame.

 Natalie and I dressed in traditional southern clothes, complete with hoop skirts but not the corset. I think I really could have lived in the antebellum south, you know without the war and everything.

 Rainbow Row in downtown Charleston was as lovely as I imagined. My favorite is the yellow house, which is for sale. Serendipitous?

 The architecture of downtown is just so quaint. I would love to live in any of the houses!

And just because I don't have a picture of Spence, and because he looks so cute in his new Thomas PJs.

so close...

done:
public relations capstone class, client presentation and book of death
religion final
2 hour beastly world politics final
global comms paper
elections final
apartment cleaned, bags packed, presents exchanged

to do:
visit Charleston, SC for a southern Christmas and baptism of a very special boy.
never mind I'm exhausted, got 2 hours of sleep last night and am flying through a snow storm. I'm pde (pretty darn excited)

(found these the other day. Treasure girls, circa 2006)


How do people make it through life without a sister? 
~Sara Corpening

summer adventures

I'm loving summer at home. perfect weather days, small children and the start of tan lines, even though it's july. Besides forgetting how to rotate pictures, here are some other recent adventures:

hiking with Janice and the children. 4th of July weekend, and we're wearing coats and layers. love washington.

Lacey got married at a beautiful wedding. her dress was amazing!Grandpa rocked suspendersand even in heels, I was the shortest of all the cousins we could gather at the reception.We finally stopped at the scenic view we've been driving past for years.Mom and I went to visit Grandpa. we went to a museum in a jail turned girl scout camp.Grandpa and I enjoyed nature.

and we rode on da boat.

love summer.
one month left...and I'm soaking up the sun!

What a lady

Last Fourth of July, every member of the extended family was summoned to Coeur d'Alene, per Grandma's request for a big family picture. We gather for the Fourth every year, but it was one of our best visits, with the cousin parade, baseball game and fireworks. and those family pictures sure are a treasure.This year, every member of our extended family once again descended on my grandparent's river house, but for a more somber occasion--to say goodbye to Grandma.After an intense 4-month battle with cancer, my Grandma B passed away June 23rd. Her last few months of life were difficult, but she was an incredible woman. I had the blessing of spending my week between DC and spring term helping my grandparents. It was a difficult week, but I am so grateful for the chance I had to spend that time with my grandma. From weeding her garden to taking her hand and walking her into her chemo and dialysis appointments to watching her speed around the grocery store in the motorized scooter, I treasure all of those memories.
My grandma was moved to a hospice room the day I came home from school. I am so glad I could be there with the rest of my aunts, uncles and cousins as we gathered that weekend to say goodbye to Grandma. As she slipped out of this life, our family rallied together to support our grandma by camping out in the hospice.

(Grandma's funeral was on her and my grandpa's 55th anniversary. Here they are at the family celebration for their 50th)

She was just 72, but what an amazing woman she was. She loved her kids and grandkids so much. When we were little, she and her sister took their grandkids to a week at the beach house in Lincoln City, where she would take us exploring and to the teddy bear store. She loved to sew, and made me the most elaborate doll clothes. My favorite article of clothing from the ages of 5-7 was the magenta sweatshirt with the ballerina hippos she sewed on. She had the best arts and crafts and the best stories and was the best grandma, always so devoted to the family. Like her obituary says, she was the consummate grandmother.It was tough as everyone gathered in the river house this weekend, because it is so grandma's house. Her purse in the closet. Her flowers in the garden. Her decorations everywhere. She was the leader of the family--the one who cooked delicious meals for crowds, kept us on our toes and just loved us.

I am comforted by the Atonement, the fact that I will be able to see my grandma again and the fact that she is somewhere better--free from the earthly body that gave her so much pain at the end.

"and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" -Revelation 21:4

Goodbye, Grandma. I sure do love you!

the women in my life...

I think Uncle Jesse says it best:

My darling mother is the best lady I know.

Everyone loves my mom because she is so kind and works with so many types of people. From our neighborhood association to her book club, she is always making other people happy.

She is adventurous and outdoorsy. She loves riding her bike to work and working in her gardens (yes, she has more than one).

She is awesome at Guitar Hero, obviously. She is so much fun!

She has an incredibly strong testimony and shares it everyday through her actions and great attitude. She is always looking out for everyone and taking care of everyone in our family who needs help. In the last few months, she has selflessly flown all over the country to help so many people in our family whenever they need it.

She is the best mom and an awesome example to my sisters and me. She and my dad have always given us the guidance and support we need, but the freedom to learn who we are and be independent.She plans awesome family gatherings, like this one. She is the best grandma and is always doing cute things for her grandkids. She is a wonderful friend and is so good at listening!
I love you, Mom!My sisters are also amazing mothers and great examples. Once they were pregnant at the same time (hence the picture). Their lives aren't easy, but they always have such positive attitudes and have shown me how to raise a strong family and have a great testimony.My grandmas are also incredible.
Grandma Treasure makes everyone feel like the most important person. Everything thinks they are her favorite grandchild, but we all really know its me. She gives great care packages and get super into playing games. Grandma T is the sweetest lady, but the most competitive grum player there is!Grandma Balzaretti is always doing something for other people. She loves her grandkids and great-grandkids and is always thinking of things for them. Grandma B is facing a tough fight with cancer, but has been a trooper through it all. I got to spend a week with her and Grandpa a few weeks ago, and she is still thinking about others and worrying about her lovely garden. Get better soon grandma, we are praying for you!

"Motherhood is near to divinity. it is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”

-Gordon B. Hinckley

Happy Mother's Day!

thoughts on a Sunday

This week, my darling baby niece Amy had skull surgery for her craniosynostosis. basically, her skull was fused together at birth, allowing her head only to grow length-wise. after her intense 7-hour surgery, Amy is doing great. Full recovery will take months, but she was released from the hospital today, right on schedule.

I was thinking about Amy in church today, when I realized the power of prayer and fasting. So many people have been praying for Amy in the last few months, and with a priesthood blessing and special family fast, everything was able to go well. Miracles happen.

I don't fully understand the Atonement, but I do know that through its power, Christ is able to lift us through times of need, be it the physical pain of surgery or watching a baby in need.

"...and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
alma 7:12

what a great reminder during this Easter season!

It was so fun to have Janice, John and crew stop for a quick visit yesterday! We had a lovely afternoon riding the metro, which Isaac loved, going to some Smithsonians and playing games in the basement of the Barlow.(the lady who offered to take our picture apparently didn't realize the whole point was to get the Capitol in the background, so just imagine it's there.)Thanks for coming to visit, Richardsons! It was wonderful to see you!
And to everyone else, they can attest that I am a great tour guide. hint, hint.

snowflake lane

Mom and I met lots of cousins, aunts and uncles to go to snowflake lane last night.

real drumming "toy soldiers"?
a dancing polar bear?
fake snow that never hit the ground because of the wind?
lots of cousins and lots of Christmas cheer?

yes please!

pops

My dad is the greatest guy I know.
Today is his birthday. He is celebrating with whole-grain tortillas and low-fat, low-cal, reduced sodium sour cream.
I am so excited to see him in just a few days!
Happy Birthday Toby!

a lake day.

In January, my uncle turned 50. In August, there was a party. It was quite the celebration at my aunt and uncle's lake house this weekend.

My mom and I got there early to help set up, and were in charge of arranging the beer. How very fitting. We took a break to shop with the cousins, then the real party started.

I didn't take any pictures of the guest of honor or the tons of other people that were there, but it seems all my pictures are of Isaac, so here are his adventures at the party.

Isaac and Nana found ducks off the dock. Isaac threw a golf ball at them.

There was a band...

...which led to this fine moment of dancing and Isaac's first rejection when the girl ditched him to swoon over the lead singer.

Isaac enjoyed "flying" with his favorite aunt.

While his parents and Olivia took a paddle-boat ride.

Isaac also loved playing with the neighbor dog Pepper and trying to ride her. Pepper didn't really love it.

Oh, and Dudley Dursley was there.