Smilebox for Chelsea's Homecoming

Click on link to view the smilebox that Nick's Mom made:
http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4e446b324d7a63794d673d3d0d0a&campaign=blog_playback_link&blogview=true

Homecoming for Chelsea

Homecoming Dance at Bella Vista 10/11/2008

Last Night was Homecoming for Chelsea at her High School Bella Vista. She asked Nick Sirmans by baking a little cake and laminated a card and stuck it in the middle of the cake with icing. Annie helped her decorate it. It was almost too cute to eat, but he did and managed to find the note. He answered her with with a cute poem and her favorite ice cream (Hagen Daz Strawberry). He obviously said "Yes." Now days, it's night right to just "ask" someone to a dance, you have to find a creative way to ask and then to respond in another creative manner. After the dress hunt, and it was quite the hunt, she finally settled on a dress that we all agreed on and Grandma D. altered it to make it just right for her. After shoes, tan, nails, hair and make-up she looked stunning. Well, it really doesn't take much to make her look cute. Don't they look adorable? Both so sweet and adorable. We met at the Sirmans for pictures then they went to dinner, took professional pictures and to the dance. They then went to the movies and had a great time. ....I knew I should have locked her up years ago and now it's too late! She just gets prettier everyday and the boys have definitely figured out that she's not just another pretty face.

Our Sacramento Temple

The Sacramento Temple Celebration- September 2, 2006

Alyssa's Ballet Performance



And the crowd cheered.....

As I watched President Monson today during General Conference, I was reminded of an incredible opportunity I was involved in just two years ago. I was Young Women's President of the Fair Oaks 5th ward, which enabled me to be so involved in the Temple Celebration that President Hinckley asked us to perform before the dedication of the Sacramento Temple. As if having a new Temple only five minutes away was not enough, we as youth leaders and youth of the the Temple district we blessed to celebrate this long awaited event. We began practicing music and dancing for the celebration in May of 2006. When I say "we", I was put in as a "boy" dancing partner so many times, I nearly ran out to dance with the entire group I chaperoned. I knew the dance well and could step in at moments notice at any practice. The music and play was written by local people and was obviously inspired. I was touched by the spirit so many times during the singing practice, I wondered how I would be able to actually perform it someday. Alyssa and Chelsea were both in the dancing and singing. Which was a great experience for all of us. Very few were even able to attend but Paul and Emily were lucky to both get tickets. I will admit, it was a long stressful, exhausting day. But, we were priveledged to have both President Hinckley and President Monson attend the celebration. Prior to the event President Hinckley addressed the Youth of our area. The youth were all gathered on the floor of the Arco Area. We adults were in the balcony seats. As the Prophet entered the room the Youth arose to their feet and cheered as our beloved prophet walked into the room. As her raised he cane they cheered even louder. Tears were streaming down our face and once again they are as I remember the incredible spirit in the room. Then again as President Hinckley addressed us, they rose again and cheered for him. It was so overwhelming. I found out later that President Hinckley was not well that day, and he would never return to our area before his passing. I happened to be down in the basement after his address when they were carting him up to his reserved box seating to watch the "Celebration". I was only but 6 feet away as he rode by in a golf cart and waved at me and a few youth. Once again I was in awe of this man. I am so grateful for this experience, I was released soon after the event and I feel so blessed to be a participant in this once in a lifetime event and to be their with my two daughters. It will always be a sweet memory in my mind and in my heart.

Our Emily 10/2008

Emily (third in from the left) is just a few months away from being 14! She has become such a beautiful young women with such a sweet kind spirit about her (that hasn't changed though). She has changed so much just over the summer. She is a great kid and really besides asking her to keep her room clean she really is an easy child and always has been. All those prayers worked when I was pregnant with her. I was sooooo scared when I found out I was pregnant with baby #3, I really did pray through the whole pregnancy and on the way to the hospital. She was the only birth I was able to receive an epidural, which is the way God intended it to be!! She is a gorgeous girl, with an incredibly beautiful spirit to match. She is inching up to be as tall or taller than Chelsea, which isn't hard to do but exciting for Emily none the less. Alyssa still remains the tallest though. She is a very sweet and thoughtful friend. She is a dedicated student and works hard at doing her best. I am quite afraid to send her to the teen dances, she is so cute. The boys will gobble her up! The above picture is her at a Beehive activity with friends and leaders she loves. And they love her! Well, who doesn't?

Paul is finally as old as me!

Last Friday Night, Paul celebrated his 42nd birthday with just a few friends. I wanted to keep it low key. We went to the Sirmans and had Tri Tip with some yummy side dishes. The Skinners, the Taylors and my parents joined us. The steak was soooo good, I just got it from Raleys. It must have been the chef, Mark. We had a delicious dinner and Annie made a strawberry cake that mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmelts in your mouth. It was sooo good. We really enjoyed the company and had a lot of good laughs. "Have you seen Carrot Top lately?" I blurted out randomly during our dinner conversation. I was teased the entire night about that. But seriously have you? He looks very strange. It was a good time with lots of laughs. We enjoyed the company and feel blessed to have some great friends and family to celebrate with. Paul is about three months younger than me so now we are the same age for another 9 months.