A great trip "Marked" with many great memories

Finally, I am back! After a wonderful time in CA! We flew into Long Beach then down to Laguna Beach to stay. We enjoyed Saddleback's children's conf. They have a ginormous campus with tons of cool stuff for kids. WE all walked away with so many ideas, new passion and vision for what we do for God in Salt Lake City.

The trip even got sprinkled with "team building experiences".(snicker snicker)We took off to the Tonights show one night. It was so fun! Mark Wahlberg was on. For anyone who DOESNT know who he is.....his fame came during my youth with Marky Mark and the Funky bunch then he launched into the movie scene. Italian Job....maybe you have seen it. Well I am not shy to say his picture was plaster in my locker for at least a few years! The ultimate was we waited with our bladders bursting for over an hour, as our hopes sunk for good seats-then Kari (in her words-threw out the I have MS card)and we ended up in 2nd row. (directly in front of the music stage!). Make a short story even shorter in the end they did some promo clips and Mark was so close I truly was paralyzed! (Dave and Kari whispered in my ear-go say hi-just go) All I could say is I am paralyzed! How is that for 30yr old maturity! Mark and I filed out of the studio at the same time if I wouldve had the guts and feeling in my hands I wouldve reached out and said hi. Knowing me I wouldve created another embarassing moment so I am glad I didnt! In the start of the show we got on camera shaking Jays hand! Good times. I would say this was the unspiritual highlight of my trip.
This is almost exactly what he wore.....for those who dont know who I am talking about I have kindly surfed for a pic!

"Marked"


Here is K2's children's staff- minus our really awesome Brooke! Getting onboard the plane in SLC going to Long Beach.

Tada....

Our fearless leaders new BFF-....how was the song?? Hop Hop Hop into the light light light light??? (inside joke)

Saddleback's youth building-Refinery. The title of the conf was "pipedream". No we did not get high but we sure got some get dreams out of it!

Foot therapy

Me at Laguna Beach

Here is the sunset day one. Can't leave CA without a beachside sunset right?


To make the trip even more fun-I got to meet up with 2 sets of friends that I rarely get to have coffee with!

Here is Ang and I over dessert and coffee. We really should have snapped one of her hubby Jeff! We talked for hours and got caught up on about 5 years of life and giggled about old times. Gotta love the friends you just pick up right where you left off!
Next I got to stay an extra day to see John and Julia. They drove up from San Diego to get me! We did alot of good eating-I mean what else do you do with 2 preg. women! John was so sweet to humor us!

Here we are at Cafe 222 (or 22) not sure which. I do remember it was yummy!

Julia was a doll and treated me to an early 30th bday present! Pedi/Mani baby!

Thanks guys for a nice stay in SD!

1st time for everything

In the morning I am off. My first "business trip" with work. We are off to a children conf. in CA. I am child free for 5 days. This will be a 1st for me and Peter. I have always been the one at home when he is away on business-now he will get the Mr. Mom role for a few days. I know he will do great. I have stocked the house with his favorite goodies (coke and peanuts) so that will help. As for now .....it's time to pack and make some supper and clean like a crazy woman! Maybe I will have time to blog while away? Naaaah, no promises!

Fall fun in the Valley

Here is the latest from our neck of the mountains! It was a fun filled evening at Conrbellies. Yes you heard me right-Cornbellies! It was a pumpkin patch/pig racing/corn maze/play land! And we arent even in Minnesota! The kids each got a couple pumpkins they picked themselves and we all had fun letting the kids wear themselves out! We went with all my co workers and families and really had a blast!



Erik got messy-didnt really "get the whole making a face, so Julia painted one after he was done. Nice big sister move!

Emma worked hard on hers!

J's masterpiece

Daddy and son

My sweet Brooke! And little Addy all curled up and warm in the sling!

Emma and Mia

Julia on top of the train

Dave..my boss=) going all out to launch Peter-it did work!

Erik and the scarecrow!

The best apple pie I have ever received! Straight from Erik's hand! He made it at daycare =)

Good to the last drop

Today actually in a few minutes I will do it. Need I remind my readers of this blog. I will order my last drink today on my starbucks experiment card. I made 200 dollars go almost all the way into 2009. Given it was buying breakfast that last 3 months for me. We will see how much I add to get me thru the year-wth the eggnog latte limited time only coming that might blow everything!

The Picture of the week

I saw my sil Malin, posted the Picture of the week. And thought I would do the same. But I think I found the one taken on Saturday up in Big cottonwood canyon. We had a picnic with Lindens and it sprinkled, then full on rained for awhile. The kids really never complained. We made the best of it and the guys where true outdoorsmen and "made fire". That's a couple of Swedes for ya! Julia was cold and was all covered up-I just love her face!

Short and Sweet

Short and Sweet is the best description of the Lindens. They are actually just that! We had such a great time with them. The 10 of us...geez..that sounds like alot, had a really relaxing time. Probably a little unbelievable being 6 under the age of 6 right? Last time they visited we lived in a tiny apartment in Tulsa and didnt have room for them to stay at our place. This time the "Holm's Swede Home" opened up and enjoyed the company! The language barrier never was a real issue for the kids, I mean come on "ponies" and "Barbies" sound the same thing in English and Swedish so we are good right? Here are some highlights from their visit.Sorry the best part didnt get captured on camera, a pedicure and pumpkin cheesecake =(. Now that is relaxing!

We miss them already.

PS thanks for the load of Swedish candy and other fun stuff! Not to mention the killer vase! Come back soon!

Sometimes you wonder why you even try to get a group picture of the gang

At Wheeler Farm-Emma, Elsa, Selma, Julia, Erik

Frida

Pappa Daniel and Norah

Norah

Erik and I show you just how windy it was up there

Frida and I -right before the Snowbird Tram. She looks great for being so scared =)


Boys and thier toys

A bday with a little cow pie shower

My kids little buddy Mia had a party out at Wheeler Farm. Lots of good times a hay ride, pet some animals and feed the ducks. What trip wouldn't be complete without the 50 cent ticket to milk a cow. To the surprise of many who got the front pew to watch the event ole Bessy had diarrhea. Opps, sorry kids we gotta hose ya'll down now along with the floor. It was hilarious-because to my surprise most all the kids still wanted to get in there and do it after they had been covered in poop by this animal. Emma didn't want to , even though she knew (cough cough) how to milk a cow. "You grab his butt and squeeze it till the milk comes down" Hmm, well kind of??? I think she was just glad she walked away poop free from the event! Couldn't resist a few pics.I even restrained myself from alot of very questionable titles to this blog.