What have we been up to? Here are a few things. More to come. :)

A little of this

A littel of that

We had so much fun with Justin, Jill and kids in California.

Race for the Cure 2010

We did the Race for the Cure again this year.  Every year I run in memory of my Great Grandma Lucille.  She was in her early 30s when she died from breast cancer and all the complications that she had from the different treatments they were trying on her.  It was an honor again this year to run in her memory. 

Also this year was a little more tender because Tyler's Aunt Gayle was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is in treatment right now.  She is fighting the fight and being truly amazing through it all.  We love her so much and we decided to make t-shirts in her honor.  She has a blog that her daughter's created for her it's called http://whenlifehandsyoucancer.blogspot.com/ make pink lemonade.  So on our T-shirts we put "Making Pink Lemonade in Honor of Gayle's Lemons" with a picture of Gayle.  We love you Gayle!!!  You're an inspiration!!!

This is such a fun race to be involved in.  If you haven't done it plan to next year because the vibe and energy is just amazing.  I go from laughing at shirts with humor to crying at "in memory of my mommy" on little kids.  Just truly a great cause. 

Some of the funny shirt sayings...

1.  Support the boobs, stop the war in my raq.
2.  I don't need a bra I've got lots of support.
3.  Breast Friends.
4.  Cruisin' for Coconuts
5.  Bookin' for Boobies
6.  Save the Ta tas.
7.  Bibbity Bobbity Boob
8.  ________'s Rack Pack

People can be so clever.  I know there were more but I can't think of them right now.  Another great saying I kept hearing and seeing was "Start the fight by living right.  I am the cure." 

Anyway, here are some pics of Tyler, Kit, Cameron, me and Gloria after the race. :)

My Grandpa

Robert Gary Romine

June 27, 1937 - April 8, 2010

The Dash

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning… to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all…
Was the dash between those years

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not how much we own;
The cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?


I had the great honor of knowing my granpa for 29 years of his "dash".  What an amazing man he was.  And I tihnk he would be proud of the things that were said about his dash.  As we were all together for the funeral we did rehash the memories that we have of him.  Some of the highlights were:

My cousin Mandi confessed that she thought he was Elvis.  [He had great hair, a great voice and lived in Las Vegas.]  But my dad in the eulogy said it best.  "No, Mandi, he wasn't Elvis, he was much, much more.

We talked about how much he loved my grandma.  He would tease her so much but we all knew how very much he loved her.  He talked about his beautiful voice and how we are glad that he is able to sing again.  I will never forget him singing "How Great Thou Art" at my baptism. 

We talked about his watching of old westerns and Law & Order and how his chair seemed so empty without him there.

We talked about how proud we were of how he overcame bad habits.  And became a wonderful, active church member.  I personally think of going boating with him.  Some of my fondest and earliest memories of him are on the boat.  

My personal favorite memory is having him in the temple with me on my wedding day and my endowment day.  This really was a dream of mine that I struggled keeping the faith that it would ever come true.  Well in December of 2001 my Grandpa went through the Las Vegas temple and received his own endowment and my dad's family was sealed.  I was married in September of 2002 and was unbelievably grateful and honored that he was there.

I think the hardest part of all of this is not only the fact that I"m going to miss him terribly but also wondering...

Did he know how much I really, really loved him?

Did he know how much he made me smile?  And how much I loved his random phone calls?

Did he know how truly proud I was of him?

Did he know how happy I was to have him at my college graduation, wedding, baptism, etc. etc.?

Did he know how fun it was to watch him with my boys?

There are so many things that I loved about my grandpa.  I miss and I know I will continue to miss him until we meet again.  I LOVE YOU GRANDPA I hope you know just how much!!!!

My mom told me about this song and I thought I would share it with all of you.  It has a beautiful message.  And I'm glad for the knowledge that this is our temporary home and that I will see my grandpa again in our forever home.

 

Tyler does it again...

In our first year of marriage Tyler flew me to NYC to see Les Mis for my birthday.  It was a total surprise, took a red eye flight, he had asked my attorneys for the time off for me etc.  It was such an awesome trip. 

Well, Tyler did it again.  He told me a little in advance this time becuase he knew I would have to get the kids ready and etc.  But this time he took me to San Francisco to see Wicked.  As some of you know I was sad that I didn't get to see it when it came here so I was way excited.  Plus I had never been to San Francisco before.  Tyler's mom was sad we missed out on Wicked as well so Tyler and his dad worked together to take us in San Fran.  We had a blast!!!

This was our early morning trolley ride to "the rock".

Don't worry our escape was successful.

 We then went down further on the pier and ate a yummy lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.  We were seated by the window and actually saw dolphins jumping and playing right by the pier. 

We walked down to Fisherman's Wharf.  Are you loving my hair?  Thanks humidity and fog, I'm looking awesome. ;)

Of course we had to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge.

And down the crookedest, (is that a word?), most crooked road. ;)

And then of course the main event:

Our last day was actually the first day of Chinese New Year.  So of course we headed into the biggest China Town in North America.  The color red represents good luck so they set off strings of black cats in front of their shops (which leave little red papers scattered in front of their door).  One little lady was scared to light them so she asked Tyler to do it.  It was fun to feel the excitment in the air it felt like Christmas time.  Everyone was happy and friendly.  It was fun to be in China town.  Unfortunately our flight left before the dragon parade and other festivities.

What an amazing trip.  Thanks Ty, you are the best.  And thanks for coming with us Gloria and Rob we had so much fun with you.  This was a very memorable birthday.