My beautiful sister...

is getting married. Congratulations! I am so excited and beyond happy for her. Also, I am excited to get another brother, Lewis. Don't worry, Nathan, he will never take your place unless he bribes me with pretty gifts. Just kidding!! He is a great guy and makes Renee very happy. They are the cutest couple. Let the countdown begin.

Mystic, Connecticut

Yes, I am standing front of Mystic Pizza, which is located in Mystic, Connecticut. This is where Julia Roberts filmed her first movie, Mystic Pizza. I visited this small, little cute town two weekends ago when I went down to Rhode Island to spend the weekend at my roomate Robin's parents house. Her mom is determined to show me every cool spot in New England, which is awesome. She is a great tour guide. Mystic is a fun town. We ate lunch at this place called the S & P Oyster Co, which is located right on Mystic River. Afterwards, we went shopping. I bought this cute dress and tried chocolate cover blueberries, which where to die for. They have this amazing chocolate shop, which I know Renee will love. They have a seaport and lighthouse. This is what New England is all about.

Standing in front of the Mystic River with the Seaport in the background.

Across the bridge is the little Downtown area, where I bought the cutest dress and had chocolate covered blueberries.

The Mystic Coast

In front of the Mystic Lighthouse

Front of the Mystic Lighthouse

Back of the Lighthouse

I just love this picture!!!

Renee and I on Mother's Day.

After the Fire...

I spent this past weekend in Rhode Island. On Sunday, I got a call from our Relief Society President/visiting teacher, asking me where I was. She said she had not seen me today or this past Sunday. I was like I have been out of town and pondered why. She proceeded to tell me that our church building was on fire and that she was making sure all the Relief Society women were okay. I could not believe it. Through the day, I learned that an electrical short had caused our building to lite on fire. It occurred during a Stake Conference broadcast, but everyone got out safe thanks to the fire alarm. However, the fire destroyed the roof and caused it to collapse. My ward and others just stood their for hours as they watched the fire figthers contain and put out the blaze.

After the fire was put out, we were able to salvage all out books and the neighboring Quaker Society let us use their building to store them their. Also, many other religions reached out to us. We are so grateful for their offerings of space and support. This Sunday we will be attending church at the First Congregational Church of Cambridge. Our building will be rebuilt, but it will take over a year as the damage is extensive, considering the roof is gone. This weekend, I am going to help go through all the microfilm and microfiche that was salvaged. Below, I have posted photos I took yesterday of my building. If you want photos of the fire, email me or leave me a comment with your address and I will send you some links. It was disheartening to see my building in this state, but I am glad no one got hurt. The entrance. The building is fenced off. When I went by, they were removing the steeple, which the firefighters were able to save.

This window is looks into the cultural hall. You can see that the roof is gone.


More burned roof.The chapel roof.

The chapel roof. It is gone.

This window looks into the Relief Society room. All the windows are bordered up.

The back of the building. This is where the Bishop offices and Family History Center are located.

This is the cultural hall. Again, you can see the damage on the roof. Many of my friends told me it was surreal that one moment they were watching Stake Conference in the chapel and other rooms and the next moment, it was gone.

Debris.

Removing the steeple. The fire fighters were able to save it, but it is being removed so it does not fall down or get damaged when they begin renovating the building.

The Day After Party!!!

The day after Renee's graduation, we headed up to Midway, Utah to spend the day with my parents, Nathan, Laurel, Eli, West, and Aubree. Lewis also joined us. We were throwing Renee a small party, which involved pizza and cake. This weekend included much cake, ice cream, and any really fattening food you can think of. It was fun and as you can see, Laurel and Eli made a pirate cake from a cake mold Renee sent Laurel for her birthday. It was fun. I love when our family is gathered together and just doing nothing. We ended the night by indulging in Dairy Keen, which has the best shakes and playing the card game "knock, knock" which is the must play game of our family. Technically, this picture is from the day I left, but I posted it because Renee and Lewis are so cute. They are a great couple.
Renee, with her Mrs. Bacher's cake. Mrs. Bacher's Pastry Shop makes the best cakes, donuts, cupcakes, etc. in Salt Lake City. Her cake was chocolate with raspberry cream filling and white frosting. It was declicious. The following day, which was Mother's day, we had a second cake from Mrs. Bacher's. Isn't Renee lovely in this picture?

A close-up of the cake. It was good.

Laurel and Eli's pirate cake. Eli was very proud of it and so excited to taste the frosting.

Eli, trying out the frosting. I love this little guy and I am amazed at his energy. He is constantly on the go. We played big jumps on the bed and then I became his human slide, which he really dug. He liked to slide down my legs. He fell off once, but he told me "Don't worry, I'm okay." He is so adorable as is his little brother West, whose eyes just melt my heart. I give big props to my sister-in-law, Laurel because not only does she have to keep up with the most active 3 year old on the planet, but she is caring for my little 5 month old nephew West. She is a great mother. Also, don't we all wish we had Eli's energy and metabolism.

Renee's Graduation, part 2

Here is part 2 of Renee's Graduation, the next post will show photos from the day after, where we partied up in Midway, Utah complete with cake, cake, and more cake...After graduation, we headed to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then onto my Aunt Julee's for photo.

My mom, Renee, and Lewis.
My mom and Maisy (My sister best friend's Christy's daugther). She is adorable and loved my mom.

Dad watching Eli as he swung in the hammock.

Renee and Eli jumping on the trampoline.

Julee and West. Just Chilling with my dad in the background

Renee jumping for joy that she graduated.

Renee celebrating the end.

Christy and Maisy at the Cheesecake Factory.

Aubree, Renee, Lewis, and Christy's husband, Dan

Renee opening her gifts.

Yeah for Renee!!!

Renee's Graduation, part 1

My sister and best friend, Renee, graduated from the Unversity of Utah on May 8. Her degree is in Classical Civilizations, with a minor in Latin. It was a fun weekend. All the family was their. Renee was extremely excited and proud of her great accomplishments. We took many photos and here are some highlights. There will be more photos coming that include her dinner and a small little party we threw her. Congrats Renee!!!

Prepping for Graduation!
Renee and her boyfriend, Lewis on the way to graduation. He is a sweetheart. Renee is very lucky and very happy. He was in our big family photo that Laurel took. I think it is a sign of things to come.

Eli chilling before graduation began.

Renee, receiving her diploma.

Renee getting ready to receive her diploma. She is wearing the flowers and in the center of the photo.

The graduates lining up.

Renee is sitting in this crowd. We used the bald man as our point of reference to find her.

Lewis and Renee after.

Grandma, Julee, and Aubree checking on my nephew West, who is so adorable while Renee is literally enjoying her moment in the sun.

Renee and I.

My dad, Renee, my mom, me and Nathan celebrating Renee's graduation. Yes, we are that cheesy.

Renee, I am so proud of you. Congrats!!! I love you!!! More photos coming...

Oh, Jet Blue

This past few days has flown by. After school ended this past Thursday, I hurried over to the airport to catch my flight to Salt Lake City to see my sister graduate from the University of Utah on Friday. I was suppose to fly from Boston to JFK and then onto Salt Lake. Everything was going fine until I overhear one of the gate attendents putting a couple on an earlier flight to JFK so they could catch their connection to Salt Lake. Wondering what was going on, I went to the desk and asked if I needed to switch flights. She told me I needed too because there were delays at JFK due to bad weather and that I did not switch flights, I would miss my connection.

So, I thought everything was okay until I got to the other gate and found this flight delayed. They said it would leave at 6:30, but still get in for me to catch my next flight to SLC. However, this changed, when I got to the desk they told me that my flight that night to SLC was cancelled. I could not believe it. She told me there was no way I would make it to SLC. Lets just say, panic set in. This could only happen to me. However, I was not about to miss my sister's graduation. I demanded my bag and decided to check other airlines for another flight. My dad reminded me to stay calm, but I was not. I called Delta while waiting for my bag. They put me on a flight that connected through Minneapolis and would put me in SLC at like 11:50. The problem was that flight left at 6:05 from Terminal A and it was 5 and I was in Terminal C. I ran like the wind over to Terminal A. I checked in, checked in my bag and jumped in a security line. The guy behind me asked me if I was okay. I was out of breath, red in the face, and trying not to have a breakdown. I explained my situation and he told me to cut in front on the line. I did. Then the screener let me in front of everyone. I could not believe the kindness of these people. It was an an answer to this silent prayer I had been saying.

After making it through security, I ran through the terminal to my gate, tears flowing down my face. I could not believe it. I was going to make it. I was going to get to SLC and see my sister. I was so excited to see her and wanted to see her get her diploma. Her graduation was amazing. I have many pictures that I will post later this week. Hopefully, my flight tonight will be uneventful. I am incredibly proud of my sister.

I survived my first year of Graduate School!!!

Well, officially, my last day of school is on Thursday, but all my assignments and presentations are over. I can say that I made it through my first year of Graduate School and I cannot believe I will be finished at this time next year. It sounds so simple to say I have two semesters left, which is six classes. However, my program is not that easy. The assignments can be challenging and time consuming. I have found a good working balance though between school and work,which ends on Thursday.

I am going to enjoy my summer. I will be working three days a week (Monday through Wednesday) and then the rest of the time exploring Boston and the surrounding areas. I want to visit Maine and visit some places where my ancestors lived. Also, spring is here. The flowers are blooming, but I have not had time to take pictures nor will I be able to do so until next week. But it is beautiful. We have this lilac tree out in front of our house and it is beautiful and smells great. Well, Thursday, I am off to see my sister graduate. I am very excited to see her and the rest of my family.

She is the Best!!!

What can I say about Christy Bennett? She is truly one of the best people I know, so I want to pay tribute to the wonderful Christy because she is retiring in a few weeks from J.F. Shea and moving up to Utah to be by her family. I am very excited for her because I know how close she is to her children and especially her grandchildren. She is a great mother, wife, and grandmother. Anyone who has visited her home or her office, has seen the various pictures she keeps of all of them. I will miss her though. I still find it weird she does not live on Sapphire anymore. However, I now have another friend to visit when I go to Salt Lake. There will be visits because I love her very much. I have known her since I was a child and I truly consider her to be my second mother. She has been their for all the little and major events in my life. My sister and I are so thankful she is part of our lives. She is and will always be a part of my family. My mom, sister, and I actually wonder if she would adopt us into her family. I do not see any problem with this because she is family, this would just make it official. She is warm and caring and very loving. She is incredibly kind and would do anything for you. Her love knows no bounds. Anyone who has met her, is lucky to know her. I am lucky to know her.

I have learned much from her. She was my boss at Shea for the few summers I worked there. She taught me everything I know about the working world. She never gave me a break because I was "Ron Lakey's daugther." She worked me hard. I was an employee and I was going to work for my pay. She was incredibly patient with me as I learned the ropes and asked many questions. It is because of her I mastered the art of mulitasking. She pushed me out of my comfort zone when I learned how to operate a switchboard. She taught me how to organize myself and work well with others. Also, she always lended a listening ear when needed and offered a shoulder to cry on. She offered advice when needed and always made sure I am doing okay whenever I called the office. I love our chats and our lunches. Our gossip sessions always end in laugther. We always laughed when we got together. Her love for life is contagious as is her laugther and smile. We have an unbreakable bond. I am thankful to have her in my life and wish her the best in all her future pursuits.

I love you, Christy. I know you have worked so hard to get to this point and I am so happy for you. I am overjoyed. Enjoy your last few weeks at Shea and rock out at your party. Again, thank you for everything. Words cannot express what I am feeling in my heart. I love you!!!