- PARTY A & PARTY B

I know this is supposed to be funny, but Kurt and I actually went to a wedding a few months ago where the wording was similar. This is very scary to me. Vote YES on Proposition 8!!!

- ROSES

This is what I came home to today - and dinner on the table.
I know, I'm spoiled.
Thank you Kurt!

These were probably the prettiest red roses I've ever seen....

They had stripes!

- EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT

Kurt called me at work today to tell me that Alyssa was headed for the emergency room in Roseville. She's been having a sharp pain in her abdomen for about 3 days. She went to the doctor today and he sent her to the hospital for more tests. They were thinking it was probably appendicitis since the pain was on her right side. They wanted to do blood work and an ultrasound.

When I arrived, she had an I.V. in her arm and was not a happy camper. (She hates needles). Check out her nervous smile.

Luckily Alax was with her. He was such a calming influence - on both of us.
We were there for over 3 hours. After the ultrasound, the Dr. reported that Alyssa has a golf ball-sized cyst on her ovary. She'll need to follow up with her OB/GYN to see what he wants to do next.

This photo is Alyssa's worst nightmare. It involves blood, needles and veins. I wonder how long it'll be before she asks me to take this off my blog? ;)

- BYU TV

Today BYU TV came to Placerville to film a special on a sister in our ward named Elizabeth Hoernig. She recently joined the church at age 82. They interviewed Kurt because he helped teach her and also confirmed her. She is a very interesting lady who has studied comparative religions for many years. Watching BYU TV was one of her favorite things to do, so when the missionaries knocked on her door, she was ready to hear more.

Elder Gutierrez, who baptized Elizabeth, surprised her by coming for the big event. He was transferred to Jackson, CA after her baptism. She was so excited to see him.

Film crews setting up the equipment and cameras.

We'll keep everyone posted when the program airs.

- TAGGED

Today I was tagged by Geny. It's really hard to narrow everything down to 5 things. I have too many favorites!

FIVE THINGS TAG

Things I Love
1. My family
2. My friends
3. Running
4. Reading
5. Laundry

Things I Don't Love
1. Lack of time to do all the things I love
2. Blue Tooth technology
3. Getting older and all of the unpleasant things that go along with that
4. My muffin top....ugh
5. Speeding tickets

Songs On My I-Pod
Anything by:
1. Rascal Flatts
2. SheDaisy
3. Mamma Mia Soundtrack
4. Josh Groban
5. Colbie Caillat

Favorite Foods/Drinks

OH MY - ONLY 5 THINGS????
1. Chicken Enchiladas
2. Pizza
3. Strawberries
4. Ice cream with nuts/chocolate/caramel
5. Shrimp Portofino at Macaroni Grill (thank you Sarah ;)

Tag five other bloggers:
1. Carrie
2. Cindy
3. Tara
4. Alicia
5. Dan and Shauna

- WHAT'S A C.V?

Kurt received a request this week from his potential employer in Dubai (Serco) asking for a copy of his latest C.V. We didn't want to look too stupid and ask what a C.V. was so we did some research. A C.V. or curriculum vitae is a summary of education, professional history and job qualifications for a prospective employer. Duh. Why didn't they just say resume? We're a little inexperienced in this area as Kurt has had the same job forever and every job I've ever had practically dropped into my lap. We've never really had to create resumes.
Kurt spent the evening writing his "C.V." ;)

- BEAUTIFUL YOSEMITE

This morning we woke up early (5:00 a.m.) and drove to Yosemite for our friend Amanda Natali's wedding.

I always love this view of El Capitan as you enter the park. It's breathtaking!

This is the first time we've been to the park this late in the year. The leaves were changing color and the scenery was amazing.

Yosemite is one of my favorite places. It is so beautiful here!

Unfortunately, Yosemite Falls is dry this time of year. Not even a trickle. I guess that's why we like to come in the spring.

We had some time to kill before the wedding started, so we drove around and took some photos. It was pretty bright and we had both forgotten our sunglasses. Here's squinty Kurt....

and squinty, windblown Tami.

Here is Ron Natali escorting his daughter, Amanda down the walk for the ceremony.

Amanda looked beautiful. I've never seen her so happy.

Mike and Amanda and Amanda's Bishop as he performs the ceremony.

It's official - Mr. and Mrs. Michael Adams!

Mike and Amanda with the best man (help me out with his name someone) and maid of honor, Jeanna Natali.

Ron and Marlyne Natali - parents of the bride. It was so nice to see them. They moved to the Logan, Utah area a few years ago.

Ken Natali (Amanda's brother) with his daughter Peyton. We've known him since he was a little boy. It's fun to watch him be a dad now.

Ron and Kurt catching up on the last couple of years.

The reception was held in the Mountain Room at the Yosemite Lodge.

The view from the dining room was unbelievable.

The food was amazing - we expected no less since the bride and groom are both professional chefs.

We sat with the Strombergs. Kirk was our Bishop in Tracy. We had a great time catching up and blowing bubbles and toasting the bride and groom with pink lemonade.

The wedding cake was beautiful and DELICIOUS!!!!!

Mike and Mandy requested a bubble send off.

That's exactly what they got!

We wish them both many years of love and happiness together!

- CLEANING THE TEMPLE

Kurt and I had the opportunity to clean the Sacramento Temple tonight. We arrived at 9:00 p.m. as the last session was ending. We cleaned bathrooms, vaccuumed, dusted, mopped, etc. I had the wonderful opportunity to clean the bride's room. Knowing that Alyssa will be getting ready for her wedding in that room in almost 2 months made this experience even more special. We cleaned until 11:00 p.m. I can't wait for the chance to come back and do this again!

- PROP 8 OPPONENTS

- ROADSHOW

Tonight was my first mutual night since being called as 1st Counselor in the YW Presidency in our ward. We practiced for the upcoming Roadshow.

- Proposition 8

Two more weeks until election day. The letters to the editor in our local paper are the hot topic lately. Television commercials for both sides are being aired quite frequently too. We have this sign in our yard showing our support for a YES on Prop 8 vote. We feel very strongly about this particular issue.

- HEADING HOME

This morning I headed back to California. I always hate to leave.

Abbey and Kelsey, in their princess nightgowns, waiving goodbye from the front porch.

Gas price in Layton, Utah this morning.

I drove home on the new Legacy Parkway Freeway. It was very impressive and SO uncrowded. This is my new favorite road. It took me from Kaysville to I-80 near the Salt Lake Airport in no time at all.

I have always wondered about this sculpture on I-80 just east of Wendover. I always think I'll stop and check it out. Today I noticed a sign that said "Emergency Parking Only - no parking or pull-off". I clicked a picture and did some research when I got home. It is called "Metaphor: The Tree of Utah" The Tree was created in the early 1980s by European artist Karl Momen. It was dedicated in 1986 as "A hymn to our universe whose glory and dimension is beyond all myth and imagination." The sculpture is 87 feet tall, is constructed of 225 tons of cement, nearly 2,000 ceramic tiles and tons of minerals and rocks native to Utah. The sculpture is located on the westbound side of Interstate 80, (also known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway) about 95 miles west of Salt Lake City. The inscription on the trunk of the tree is from Schiller's "Ode to Joy" from the choral climax of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Near the base of the tree are several spherical elements reminiscent of fallen leaves. Pretty interesting sculpture - and the only thing worth photographing for miles and miles ;)

I stopped for gas in Fernley, Nevada (my gas light was on). I was surprised that gas was only 6 cents more than in Utah. I waved to Dan and Shauna and wondered where they lived.

I arrived home at about 8:30 p.m. I drove the speed limit the entire time. Yes, it takes about 90 minutes longer to get home when you drive the speed limit ;) I was REALLY surprised that the price of gas in Placerville was as low as it was. Only 12 cents per gallon more than Utah. That's a first!

Photo of me with Jack. He's growing so fast. I didn't recognize him when I came - he's changed so much. He weighs 13 or 14 lbs. now. He is such a sweet, smiley baby.

He loves to be held. Grandma had no problem accommodating him.

We were able to find cute dresses for the girls to wear to Alyssa's wedding reception. Abbey loved modeling her new "twirly dress".

The girls put their Halloween costumes on for the Ward Halloween Party. Kelsey was a Fairy and Abbey was Snow White. They love dressing up. They would wear dresses every day if they could. It was weird to see Abbey with her hair sprayed black.

Jack was - what else? A JACK-O-LANTERN!

The girls decorated cookies at the party.

Kelsey had a great time putting candy on her cookie. Funny thing is, she doesn't really like candy, so she picked them all off when she ate the cookie.

One of the cute entries for the pumpkin carving contest. I really liked this one.

The girls had fun at the fishing pond.

Abbey and Kelsey and their buddies. They all live on the same street.

Abbey and her favorite friend David. He lives about 5 or 6 houses down the street. When they see each other outside they run to each other with their arms spread wide. They usually hug each other. Today, David doesn't look very thrilled to be hugged ;)

What a sweet little Jack-o-lantern!

Trunk or treating outside the church. The girls made a haul. What a fun time! Look at all those vans! Must be Utah ;)