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...