Carolina & Cesar

Back when we lived in DC, we became very good friends with a wonderful family. I met Carolina and Cesar while I worked at Trader Joe's. They are some of the neatest, kindest, most hard working people I have ever met. Rob and I really treasure the friendship we share with them. Even though we live continents apart, we still hold them very close in our hearts. Their family has now grown to four with a new baby born this part March, which makes him the same age as Jasper.

They now live in Honduras and Cesar is a famous chef! He was recently featured on a cooking show on TV. They started a blog! Yipee!! Check it out if you'd like - Familia Navas.

Prophet of our church died tonight

President Gordon B. Hinckely, the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died tonight. He was 97 and had served as president of the church of 12 years. What an amazing life of service this man lived. He was deeply loved by the members of the church. I felt shock and sadness upon news of his passing, even though I know he's gone on to a better place. He will be missed among the Saints.


One of the things I loved about Gordon B. Hinckey was his sense of humor. He was very witty and loved to make people smile. Another thing I loved about him was how he traveled around the world to meet Latter-day Saints in distant countries to bring hope and support to the church throughout the world. He left a wonderful legacy and will be missed deeply by those who knew him.

Ohio Trip

Jasper and I just got home from a week in Ohio visiting my sister Meta and her kids. We had SO much fun! I love Meta so much. She is such a great big sister. I can't believe how much her kids have grown since the last time I saw them over a year ago. Jasper and Catherine played so well together. They are both such happy, observant babies. Nathanial is talking and running and such a big boy now. Abigail is reading! I can't belive it. She is four and full of energy.

Todd, Meta's husband, was out of town for most of my trip there, so Meta and I got some really nice sister bonding time. We had fun just being with one another, watching Law and Order and eating ice cream, watching our kids play together, and catching up on life. We went to a great science museum, drove around Univerrty Circle, and visited Kirtland. I'm so glad Jasper and I were able to go. We had a great time! Thanks Phillips family.

Jasper 9 months

Here are some photos of what Jasper has been up to lately. His most recent development is waving. It's so cute how Jasper waves at everyone when we go out on the town. Everyday something new...

Standing and pulling himself up on things


Smiling and trying to talk, kind of...


He really likes this excer-saucer our friends the Durhams let us borrow. His favorite thing to do is climb into the bottom part of it.


Rob throwing Jasper into the air. Jasper loves this.


Riding on our shoulders


Hanging out with papa


Getting into everything in the kitchen


Riding around on his radio flyer scooter


Our friends the Tices came to visit and Jasper loved Aiko.

Rob's Birthday

It was Rob's 29th birthday last week. We had some friends over and had a fun little pirate party for him. We played Pirate's Cove (a game the Mosher's introduced us to) late into the night and ate delicious pirate cake. Earlier in the day, Rob and Jasper watched football together. I'm only writing about this because it was a little difficult for me since I'm trying the whole "no TV" thing with Jasper, but it was Rob's birthday and that's what he wanted to do. Here's a photo of what I found when I peeked into the room- Jasper burning his eyeballs out!!!!

Rob and Jasper watched football together

Check this out

Our friend Cindy Ferguson is a very talented artist and paper-cutter. She has one of her designs up for submission for Threadless T-shirt print. Check it out and vote for her!!

Cindy's the coolest and most talentedest!

Personality Test

I took a personality test. The description of myself seems pretty accurate. The last part of the description made me laugh, but I'm sure it's true- "When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud". I got the link from my friend Cindy's blog:

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

What's Your Personality Type?

Out to Teppanyaki in Corvallis

While in Corvallis, my parents were very kind and sent all us siblings and our spouses out to dinner. My parents were supposed to come with us, but instead stayed home and got all our kids to bed and then met up with us later to go see the play Anne of Green Gables. The dinner was such a blast. We went to a Teppanyaki place in Corvallis. The chef threw food at us and we were supposed to catch it. Anna, James, Lisa, and Taylor all caught the food with no problem. Rob and I both got shrimp juice all over our faces! It felt so good to go out on a date. I'm almost ashamed to admit that this was Rob and my first date since Jasper's birth. It was our first time leaving him with a babysitter! Anyway, here are some photos of our dinner extravaganza: 

Look closely - the shrimp is bouncing off my nose.

Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Tillamook Cheese Factory and Air Museum

Sara, Jasper, and Jimmy (sister Anna's boy)

My dad and Jimmy

Egberts and the cheese machines

Yummy... vats of cheese

Jim and Jimmy in some kind of cool jet

My favorite picture ever

Jim the pilot

Jim and Jimmy getting sucked into a turbine

Christmas with the Ramptons

Jasper and his cousin David

Jasper crawling on papa

beautiful sister Lisa

cute little Johnny

this one's for uncle Bobby (jasper in your lego room)

Jasper and Johnny playing together

Jasper's 1st Christmas

Rampton Cousins

Over Christmas I got to see my Aunt Marie and my cousins Emily and Nettie. Emily and I were so close when we were little. We would bawl our eyes out when we had to say goodbye and we would fight like sisters when we were together. I have so many fond memories from my childhood of playing mermaids and barbies with Emily. She now has a little boy named Charlie, who is adorable and has her same root beer eyes that my Grandpa Rampton had. My cousin Nettie is Anna's age and has two super-duper cute little girls, Lola and Mimi. Mimi and Pepper dog had a fun time together. I think Mimi may have fed her one too many cookies, because Pepper was sick later on... It was such a treat to get to visit with my dear old cousins and catch up with one another. Here are some photos:

Jasper and Charlie

Nettie and Lola

Emily and Charlie

Mimi

Caroline and Tommy

While I was home in Corvallis I got to meet my best friend Caroline and my childhood friend Seth's baby boy Tommy. He is adorable and such a good little babe. I can't wait for Jasper and Tommy to become best friends. Caroline is such a good little mama and so confident and comfortable with little Tommy in her arms. She had a tough labor and worked so hard for that little baby. Way to go, Caroline! Seth is such a good daddy too. It's so cool to see him in that role. We grew up together and our families are really close, so he feels more like my little brother at times. Rob and I really love the Sherrys and can't wait for family campouts in the summer time with them!