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Holy Smokes!  My last blog was in March?!?  Sorry about that friends…especially Grandma GG since Julia has not had anything new to send her from our family J

What’s been happening since March? Yikes…let me dig back into my memory bank and see if anything comes to mind these last 4+ months.

In April we would have celebrated Easter, and Scott had a training in South Lake Tahoe where we enjoyed some kid-free time.  

May was a busy month for our family.  I was asked to speak at the Sacramento “Go Red for Women” luncheon once again.  I spoke once before in 2008 at a hotel in downtown Sacramento and was asked to tell my story.  This time, I was asked to tell Nolan’s story and it was held at Sleep Train Arena.  I was the “Open your Heart” speech where the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association ask for donations.  There were at least twice as many people to speak to….I think the final count was 502 or 512?  My fan club joined me down there and we had an entire table to ourselves and were able to enjoy a lovely lunch and exhibits before the speeches.  This included: Scott, Leah, Nolan, my mom, Scott’s mom, my aunt, my sister-in-law and a friend/co-worker.

Prior to the event I had sent some pictures of Nolan for the slideshow.  When it was my turn to speak, I was signaled to stand off to the side of the stage during the slideshow and watch the video.  Once it ended, I was to approach the podium and give my speech, which was to last 10 minutes or so.  As soon as the video started playing with the music set to the photos that I sent, I knew it was a mistake to 1) watch the video and 2) watch the video without a tissue! 

I approached the stage sniffling and at some point during the speech a kind nurse we had met earlier discreetly handed me a tissue from the front row.  Despite my emotional state, I was able to remain composed enough to complete my story about Nolan, and remain on stage as Nolan and Scott went around the room to collect the donation cards and hand out the red boas.  That was a big hit, and afterwards, several people came by our table to thank me for the story and say “Hi” to Nolan and Leah too.  Prior to the event, the AHA staff had asked if the kids could paint 11 pictures for their “awards”.  So both kids had spent the weeks before the event painting heart themed pictures or heart-healthy activities.  Those that had been awarded the paintings came to our table to thank the kids.  We had such a great time at this event and I can’t recall the amount raised during the event offhand right now, but I do know they surpassed their goal!

 In May we also travelled for our Annual Fort Bragg camp trip.  The usual suspects were in attendance, minus Scott’s youngest brother and family.  Leah and Nolan especially missed their cousin Marcus to hang out with, but they’d have more opportunities in the coming months to spend time with him.  We were grateful that Cousin Emma from MD could visit though, and the kids had a lovely time with Emma.  Below is small sampling of the many photos I took of the trip.

June, let’s see.  I think June was pretty average.  I did celebrate 24 years with my “new-to-me” heart.  Scott and I had a few more kid free days, but spent them at home this time.  We were holding down the “compound” as Scott’s parents took a trip to the east coast for the latter part of May and beginning of June.  My friend Kimi came to visit for a day with her son Adam. It was so great seeing her and catching up.  Hopefully we can squeeze another visit in her neck of the woods in September.  We also attended a family reunion at my aunt's home in Sacramento.  My aunt and uncle, who have been teaching in Vietnam the last several years, were in the states.  We had a lovely visit with them during and after the reunion party.

July was an exciting time for the kids.  The month started with Scott and Nolan travelling to Oregon with Cousin Marcus and Uncle Mike.  The boys were going fishing with Uncle Steve.  Many a fish were caught by the boys and they had a blast.  Leah and I stayed home and had some “girl time”.  One of the days we went up to visit my mom and have slumber party and shopping in Sutter Creek.  We also spent one evening with my Aunt Joanne and attended the Music Circus dress rehearsal of Mary Poppins.  All in all, the boys & girls had a fabulous 4^th of July weekend!

Soon after, Grandma Camp with Scott’s mom took place.  The cousins present for 2014 Grandma Camp were: Emma, Marcus, Leah and Nolan.  This meant arts, crafts, swimming, outdoor movie, slumber parties, yummy food, bike rides, and lots of fun for the week of Grandma Camp.  The kids look forward this event every summer now, since it began in 2012?

 We also had a day at Folsom lake with Nana & Papa.  They invited us to take a spin on their boat and we had a leisurely afternoon at the lake.  Scott and I hadn't been to Folsom lake in years and we had a fun swimming, riding in the boat, and Leah and Nolan even kayaked for a bit.

This event was followed by the Amador County fair, where Leah submitted some artwork for her first year of competition.  The week after we dropped her artwork off, a fire started in that region and we were unsure as to whether we would be able to attend the fair this year. The fire was contained to a different region as it had spread from Amador County to El Dorado County (and closer to where my mom lives).  We did make it to the fair, but the kids missed Grammy & Grandpa since they weren’t able to attend this year due to the closed roads in their area.  However, Leah did win Best of Class & Best of Division & First place for 1 of her art pieces, and First Place for the other two.  She was so excited & we were so proud!

 So far in August we have attended a River Cats game with our company team members and an event for Angels for Hearts-“When I Grow Up.”   The kids (big & small) enjoyed both events immensely and  hope to attend both again next year. 

Leah and Nolan are almost finished with 3^rd and 1^st grade.  We have 1-2 more weeks left and then we’ll take a break the last week in August.  (We school year round).  They will officially start 2^nd and 4^th grades in September-after Labor Day (or maybe on Labor Day-if we have no plans). 

I’ll try to update after September, as it will be a busy month for us.  The kids start school, we’ll be travelling to Santa Barbara for Scott’s work, we will travel to San Diego for my little brother’s wedding and a family reunion (at the wedding), and Nolan turns 7.  Plus, we should have an announcement of our school mascot by then!  Stay tuned.
(Pictures on the side bar are random photos from April-August 2014)