A Cultural Experience

Danielle was asked to be a flower girl for a wedding last weekend. It was an honor for her and our family, and she represented us well. But whenever I saw her during the wedding, I kept thinking of the Sesame Street sketch "One of These Things is not Like the Other." Here's why:
Can you see her? Her blonde head is next to the lady in purple in the middle of the picture. It was a Cambodian wedding for one of Robert's pharmacy school classmates. This was the first time we've attended such a ceremony, and it was a great experience. There were traditional gifts, food, music, and clothing (the bride wore at least three dresses), and it was all very colorful. It was also very long--about six hours. There was also a dinner reception that night, so it made for a long day for Danielle, but she was smiling and pleasant the whole time. Being a flower girl brings out the best in her!

Of course we couldn't go back to So Cal without a visit to Disneyland. Here's a few pictures from this trip:

Fall Break

One nice perk that came with moving to a new school is the "modified traditional" school year. School here starts at the end of July, we get a two-week break every Fall, Winter and Spring, and get out in early June for a two-month summer break (just right, in my opinion). We just finished our fall break. It will be nice for us to get back into a routine again, as well as have some time apart!

During the break we took a road trip to Arizona to visit family and stopped at Disneyland on the way home.

Liesl's AWESOME hair at McD's on the way to Arizona.

I was surprised at how much Liesl remembers of Disneyland. She couldn't wait to go on Small World and the Teacups. Jarrett was pretty excited too.

Danielle does not like the end of the Alice in Wonderland ride when the birthday cake "explodes". We've at least taught her how to manage her fear.

Liesl sharing her sucker with Daddy, including the hair attached to it.

Even ice cream cones are more fun at Disneyland.

I was pretty beat by the end of the trip. I ended up getting sick for about three days afterward. Luckily we could just stay home for a few days and recuperate.

We did finish the break with a day trip to the Jelly Belly Factory.
Danielle and Jarrett were enthralled through the whole tour. Jarrett loved all things mechanical, and Danielle liked the videos and seeing tray after tray of colorful jellybeans stacked throughout the factory. Liesl just liked eating samples along the way.

I tried to do some outlet shopping afterwards, but that was pretty crazy. Never go shopping with kids after taking them to a candy factory! Next time we go (and Jarrett and Danielle are already asking when that will be), I'll go shopping first.

Stop it Mister!

Jarrett's usually a pretty easy going, trouble-free kid. However, these last few days when his sisters are bugging him, he'll growl "Stop it Mister!" at them. I guess he must get into enough trouble to know that's what will make it stop!

You're Always There

Baby Danielle with Grandma Lola Stone

I am so lucky to be your granddaughter. When I look back on all the important events in my life, you were there. I don't remember much of my baptism, but I know you drove through a snowstorm to be there. I can't count all the times you sat through hot August afternoons to watch me show my steer at the county fair. You were there at Junior Miss, graduation, and even my district’s dance championships.

You were such a fun grandma—so full of energy and joyful service. Whenever we would visit, you were always busy making sure that we were well taken care of. When I visited you for a week all by myself, I felt like there was no one more important than me. And when I got homesick, you rubbed Vick’s on my chest to help me calm down. Whenever I smell it now, a vision instantly comes to my mind of lying in the downstairs bedroom with you there by my side, singing sweet songs.

One of my favorite memories is of living with you for the month before I was married. It was such a crazy time, and I’m sure I didn’t let you know how grateful I was, but I could not have made it through without your love and understanding. You helped me move out of my apartment, got me through knee surgery, and woke me up every morning with a gentle “Jennie” and the smell of a delicious breakfast (Robert never complained about driving from Provo every morning to pick me up because he knew he would be well fed!)

One thing that I have learned from you is the importance of traditions. There’s a lot of comfort that comes from knowing that no matter what, there are constants in our lives. Potato salad, flocked Christmas trees, egg hunts at the cabin, parades, Rook, BYU football. Which reminds me of another favorite memory. I love that when I was attending a game, I could go over to your seats and you would be so genuinely excited to see me, and then always tell the people around you something about me.

If I’m ever feeling down, I just need to think of how special you made me feel. That’s the best gift you ever gave me, and I hope I can do that for my own children.

It's Hot

Whenever we go outside, Liesl tells me it's hot (bright) and she needs her sunglasses. Sometimes she's just so cool she needs to wear them inside, too.