Love note.

• 
  
  
  

  My Dad just wrote this and shared it on his newly-acquired facebook page. ( I had to set one up for him since all his daughters are in college--or CA--and are much easier to communicate with on-line!).

  
  

  I just wanted to share it as well because I love the way he wrote it and it's just sweet.

  
  

  After dropping Chloe off at BYU...

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

  "UNFORTUNATELY, THE SHOE BAG WAS MUCH LIGHTER THIS TRIP: Years ago, when my 5 children were young, I noticed that every time we took a family trip there were many shoes stuffed all over the car. I decided to buy a “duffle bag” to pack all the shoes in. Having 4 daughters, there were times when I could barely zip the bag up.

  
  

  
  

  Over the years, as my children have headed off to college one by one, the shoe bag has become lighter and lighter. As I was packing the car yesterday to return home from dropping off my 4th daughter at college, it dawned on me that the shoe bag barely had any shoes in it at all. The bag that once held dozens and dozens of shoes, shoes that have now lead my daughters on many exciting paths in life, was no longer needed.
• 
  
  
  Now that another precious flower has “left the vase”, I hastily threw the bag in the back of the car. As we drove home, I couldn’t help but look in the rear view mirror and see the bag sitting there, mocking me, knowing that we now share the common trait of being empty inside….
  
  I love you Chloe."
  

  • 
    
    
    
    I smiled when I read this remembering when my Dad dropped me off at BYU and just said "Don't Go!" Even though I know there is nowhere he'd rather have his kids be. He always reminded us that high school was small and insignificant and told us to 'rise above it to bigger and better things.'
    
    Good Advice.

3 Year Anniversary & Chloe goes to College

I have no patience for blogging anymore but it is a good way to keep a photo journal. So I'm combining events that probably deserve their own posts but oh well :)

Matt and I celebrated 3 years on August 16th. 

We had dinner at a fancypants Italian restaurant .

And then walked on over to the Golden Gate Theater for Beauty and the Beast. Which was so fun and bright and imaginative. (I chose the pic below because Matt LOVES the character Gaston haha)

Our 3rd year was definitely our best, and that makes me excited going into #4. Here's to the uptick!

The next day we met up with our friends Dave and Cassie who were visiting from Utah. We walked the Golden Gate Bridge, shopped at Union Square and ate at an interesting little pizza place. 

(and yes, the pizza was very good.)

PART TWO: I just got back from visiting my grandparents in Utah. I am so blessed to have the best grandparents on both sides of my family. They are my role models and some of best friends. I am grateful for every memory I get to make with them.

My youngest sister Chloe and my cousin Lucas are starting their freshman year of college tomorrow!! Oh to go back in time and relive that experience! I am so excited (and jealous) for all that they are going to do and see this year. And I am ALWAYS glad to see all my brothers. It's getting harder these days with everyone living in a different state.

I think having Chloe leave will be the hardest on my parents. She is such a gem and I know she will be missed at home, but will be having great adventures at BYU.

And finally, I got to see my OTHER girls:) OH how I miss them!! They are growing too fast! I was amazed at all they can do and say now! I could just stare at them all day long and be entertained. Stacie and I got to babysit them one morning and it was so fun, but makes me miss them so much more. 

Anyway, that is the update. Hopefully they won't be so sporadic but I'm not making any promises. Other than that, all is well in sunny California :)

When The Stauffer's Come to Town...

It is a party, let me tell you. Non-stop action for a solid week with my family was exactly what I needed to break-up my "don't have a job yet but I really REALLY want one" boredom. I will the let the pictures do most of the talking.

We started with a trip to the homestead on Stimel drive so my Dad could literally walk down memory lane:)

THE best ice cream on the East Bay, Fenton's Creamery. Those sundae's are huge (and delicious).

Of course we had to go to an A's game. My dad grew up going to A's games with his dad all the time. Since the A's were playing the Red Sox while the fam was in town, my dad made sure we had tickets.

 But he surprised us all by wearing Sox gear to support Matt's undying fan-hood, rather than sport his "true colors". Quite the sacrifice, but I think he scared off any A's fans that would've wanted to fight Matt so thanks dad:)

What would a trip to the East Bay be without seeing the city? We headed in on a cold drizzly day in July.

                               Two peas in a pod, these two. A guaranteed good time.

And we saw Wicked! Very cool and fun to do as a family. It was C.J.'s first musical so it was fun to hear his review of the show:)

Then it was off to Pebble Beach. As Grandpa Dave would say "It may not be heaven, but it's sure in the same zipcode." My thoughts exactly.

The house

 Walking the course

                                           Mom and Dad!

                                           Cousins

                                                                
                                            Sisters

Everytime we go I HAVE to go to the Cottage of Sweets and get a variety of delicious treats. This team we thoroughly enjoyed, Salted Caramel Fudge, Hand-dipped S'mores, Chocolate sand dollars, and some fruit marzipan. Spent way to much $$ on something that is gone in a matter of minutes!

                                   Miss having all these ladies just minutes away.

The Reynold's Family minus 3-- Two in Provo, and One home from his mission next month!

As a family we are quite the beach enthusiasts, regardless of the weather or water temperature. It's really a matter of pride but we definitely enjoy being the 'frozen chosen'.

 Ready...Set...

Also spent some quality whiffle ball time on the beach, as is tradition.

I want to end the "Stauffer" trip on this picture because it makes me laugh every time I look at it.I believe it is Stacie on Matt's shoulders and Chloe or Meg on Dad's playing chicken with a wave...and then getting rocked by a wave that snuck up on them haha.

 Now, more recently we just had Bryson and Janice in town for an impromptu visit and NO ONE TOOK PICTURES!!

Haha. I'm so mad at myself for not remembering my camera. But we had a great time. Friday we went into the city and hit all the stops, had lunch with Matt, and dinner at this cool place called House of Prime Rib. Saturday was breakfast in Lafayette with Bryson & Janice's college buddies, The Packer's. Tried to head up to Tilden Park but the fog hadn't burned off yet and it was cold! So we hung out for a while, shopped around Walnut Creek, and then saw Toy Story 3:) We had a great time--but it was over way too soon. Next time we promise to plan some fun activities AND take pictures!

More Soon...