Easter Egg Hunt at the Park

We had a great time at the park with the cousins.

Trains Are His Favorite

Tavis loved doing all of the fun things that his cousins were doing but I think the train is still his favorite. Tavis and Hailey spent a great deal of their time on the dual slides and running through the maze to get back up the slide. Tavis is kind of shy but finally he brought me a book to read him and we read for along time. He loves books.

Jade is a lot like Jared

Jade is full of energy and likes to pull faces like her Daddy. She was throughly entertained by Lindsay and Ashley. They took her down slides, rode a bike with her and carried her all over. Never a dull moment.

No Time for Pictures

All of the children had a great time. This was as close as I was going to get with a picture of Tavis, Danielle and Jade. They seemed to enjoy every minute. It was great. As adults we all got to have fun being kids.

Fun at Out of this World Pizza

Doug and I had a lot of fun with Janessa and her girls, Danielle, Tavis and Jade at Out of this World Pizza. I discovered that going down slides is for the young, not the old.

Final Product

Here is our final product. They turned out great and tasted so good. Hailey is enjoying the extra jellybeans while she waits for the nests to harden up.

It was fun to be at Janessa's house when they announced that they are expecting another baby.

Making Rice Krispie Egg Nests

Janessa had everything ready for us to make Rice Krispie Egg Nests. It was fun being in the kitchen with her girls. They are a lot of help.

Special Time at the Couch Home

Over Spring Break Doug and I were able to spend time with our families in Oregon. We enjoyed spending 2 nights at each home. It was wonderful!!! Here we are at Janessa's home. This is Hailey our little poser. I thought this was such a sweet picture. We enjoyed visiting watching Ashley, Lindsay, and Hailey do gymnastics. They are learning so much.

The Prophet Joseph said that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get near

I am still plugging along and enjoying every minute of it. I am now on page 194.

President Marion G. Romney in 1960 said “By reading the Book of Mormon we will fill and refresh our minds with the constant flow of that ‘water’ which Jesus said would be in us—‘a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ (John 4:14.) We must obtain a continuing supply of this water if we are to resist evil and retain the blessings of being born again. …
“If we would avoid adopting the evils of the world, we must pursue a course which will daily feed our minds with and call them back to the things of the Spirit. I know of no better way to do this than by reading the Book of Mormon.”

In honor of President Hinckley I have accepted the Hinckley Challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 97 days, a day for every year of his life.

President Hinckley taught me so much and to honor his teaching and the life he lived I have chosen to accept the Hinckley challenge and read the Book of Mormon in 97 days.
Right now I am on page 166. I'm posting this so that I will get on the ball, catch up and finish on time.
The first Hinckley Challenge was such an awesome experience for Doug and I.

Up With People

In September we had the wonderful learning and sharing opportunity to host 2 students from the "Up With People" cast. Benjamine is from Bornem, Belgium and Jessica is from Tuscon, Arizona. You can see our fun experience at http://picasaweb.google.com/a.patricia4 . Just click on this picture and enjoy our journey with a terrific cast and these 2 wonderful Young Women that we were able to get to know better and their world. On the left hand side I have written a little bit about our experience. Thanks Benjamine and Jessica for all that you taught us.

New Beginnings

I know that some of our past Corcoran Branch members are looking at this sight and I thought that I would show you some pictures of our Young Women.
This was our New Beginnings.
Jessica Rodriguez, Amber Strain, Willow Chamberlin, Nadine Bowers (Stake YW Counselor), Kayla Inabnit, Denise Scudder (Inabnit), Linda Halverstadt and I
This was quite the day. Linda, Doug and I went to get things ready right after school. I'm so glad that we went early. We walked into the Relief Society room where we planned to have our program and the closet doors were open and a huge cable coming out one of the doors. The room had the strangest smell. The cable was for a new sound system that was being installed. The cultural hall had all kinds of equipment in there. We quickly moved to the Primary room.
It turned out to be a wonderful evening. Sister Bower's shared the story of how the Personal Progress Program came to be. If you haven't heard that story it is worth looking for. I think it is in a book by Ardeth Kapp. It is so inspired and such a blessing to all Young Women throughout the world.

Young Women in Excellence

This was Young Women in Excellence. We had a "Share Fair". Our Young Women shared experiences that they had during the year, what they learned and how they felt about their experience.

I was working on a slideshow but had quite a bit still to do when Allyson's little Rose decided it was time for her to come. She was several weeks early. Doug finished the slideshow while I was in Utah. It turned out really nice. I was amazed when I got home about 10:00 the night before the program and looked at this presentation with the music. It ended right on time and Doug hadn't worked with the music when he was putting it together. I had goosebumps because I know that we were getting extra help from above.
Backrow: Eileen Engstrom (Stake YW Secretary), Denise Scudder (Inabnit), Carol McMullin, Larissa Solis, Tammy Ricablanca, and Linda McNaughton
Front Row: Linda Halverstadt, Kayla Inabnit, Jessica Rodriguez, Ilisa Ricablanca, and myself

Our Beloved Prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley

My heart has been full this day as I watched President Hinckley's beautiful tribute to his life. So many memories went through my head. I love him so very much and I have been so blessed by his messages. He has taught me so much in word and deed. He will never be forgotten in my mind.
He has been the example that I looked up to when times have gotten tough. When I have felt overwhelmed by my calling as Young Women President, I think about all of the service that he has offered the world and I feel humbled and get back to doing the Lord's will. He made the most of life by pushing forward everyday with hope and optimism.
I am so very grateful that he received the inspiration that has lead to so many more temples upon this earth. We love going to the Fresno Temple. I like that it is small. We are greeted each time by people that we know and it adds that homey touch.
I remember one day Doug's mother was commenting on a new temple that was announced in Utah. I said something to her that I shouldn't have said but I wondered out loud "Why Utah needed more temples in the Salt Lake Valley when so many of us had to travel so far to a temple?" I shocked her. Of course I was not thinking of how many more people were living in the areas around Utah. I was only thinking about the 2 1/2 -3 hour drive we made as often as we could to the Los Angeles Temple.
One day I was at the grocery store and I saw our Branch President, Greg Lundeen. He told me that a temple had been announced for Fresno. What a wonderful day that was, January 16, 1999.
President Hinckley has been instrumental in encouraging so many wonderful programs. The one that astounds me is the Humanitarian Projects. It just amazes me how quickly the church responds to a major disaster shortly after it happens. What a blessing it is in so many peoples lives. Putting together "hygiene kits", helped me to reflect on what it must mean to a person displaced in a disaster to have a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, clean towel, ect. I think of that experience each time I hear of a disaster and think of how the Humanitarian Aide will probably be heading their way along with members from near and far. I have been amazed at how closely the church has worked with the Red Cross. What a special tribute to the Integrity of the Church.
I like what was said today about his counsel to husbands and wives. I have heard that counsel several times and each time it is good to reflect upon it.
Since I don't have the talk that quoted it I went to "The Discourses of Gordon B. Hinckley" and his address to a group in St. Thomas on January 12, 2004:
"You men, respect your wives. Treat them with kindness and courtesy, and try to be helpful to them....
You wives, support your husbands, They need it, They need your help and your support, and they are deserving of it as they plod their difficult way. Support them and help them and encourage them every way you can.
And your children who are sons and daughters of God, treat them with kindness, and bring them up in love."
We will all miss him but that must have been quite a reunion in heaven.

Portugal's Dedicatory site for Missionary Work

This is the site where a dedicatory prayer was said to open the Portugal area to Missionary Work. This is Adam and other Elders on last weeks P-Day. This site is near his area, not far from Lisbon.

A beautiful day in Lisbon

Adam, a former companion and friend in Lisbon, Portugal. It is amazing how much maturity and spiritual growth Adam has made in one year. What a wonderful blessing.

Doug and his gang

Doug and his gang enjoying the day.

"It's A Small World"

I wish I could get my video to play of "It's a Small World". The singing is Christmas carols intertwined with "It's a Small World". Only video can do it justice. They are closing this ride for 9 months.

"It's a Small World"

I love "It's a Small World" and it was really fun to see it at Christmas time all decorated for the holidays.

"Nightmare Before Christmas"

The haunted mansion was transformed into "The Nightmare before Christmas". The detail was amazing.

Fun at Disneyland

We had a wonderful time at Disneyland. We loved all of the Christmas decorations.

Santa gave me exactly what I asked for.

My favorite gifts from our children are pictures. We received many wonderful pictures and we are so grateful. We also received gift certificates for Disneyland. Guess where we are going?

Cuddle time

We spent most of the holidays enjoying cuddle time. We had to take advantage of every minute.

Entertained us

Zach and Sara along with their parents entertained us with their musical talents. We love that they are willing to share their abilities with us.
Living away from family does have it's disadvantages and one big one is missing all of the fun concerts and plays that they are in. We love it when we get to enjoy snatches of them in person or through a blog.

Our other 2 gifts from Utah

Rose and Allyson were our other 2 gifts. It was so fun having them, Rob and his family, and Mark and Lilly with us for several days.

After Christmas

After Christmas Rob (Doug's brother) brought us 3 very special Christmas gifts from Utah. Myles (Allyson's son) is one of them.

Christmas 2007

We enjoyed having Mark and Lilly with us for Christmas. Last year after Christmas I went through and really downsized our decorations they were showing their wear. I threw away a bell that was filled with mistletoe. We have hung it in the hall since we bought our house many years ago. Mark wasn't going to break that tradition with or without the mistletoe.

What we do at school

This is what we looked like on our last day of school. We had a District Christmas Party and each school did a skit. Fremont Staff did the "Reindeer Jive".