The boys of August ... and my heart!

Three of my nephews (all Caren's boys) are August babies. Andrew is now 16, Mitchell 14, and today, Callum turns 9. They are the sweetest, most intelligent and caring young men. How I adore them and love being their aunt. It's amazing how quickly the time goes ... seems like just yesterday they were the young babes in the top photo (taken a day after Callum was born). Boys - know this much ... you are incredibly loved and admired. I will always love you and strive to be a good example to you. I will be your greatest fan and will support you in everything you do. Thanks for the years of cuddles, hugs and auntie/nephew time. Here's to many more years! I love you each to pieces!

Man in a kilt ... finally!

What we have here is a man in a kilt. And I just had to have my photo taken with him! 

This photo is from a few months back, taken in Portsoy, Scotland. That beautiful woman with me in the photo is my cousin, Julie. She is hilarious, witty, fun, and I miss her like crazy when I leave Aberdeen each year. Anyhow, we were out for a wee walk around the Portsoy harbor and we stopped here for a moment. I always have said I am looking for a man in my life ... a man in a kilt. I guess this guy will have to do ... for now. ;)

San Diego ... A New Generation!

Growing up in San Diego was pretty cool. We didn't realize or appreciate it back then, but now, looking back as adults, we realize how spoiled we really were. 

Couple weeks ago, Cheryl, Kyle and the boys drove from Phoenix to San Diego, where they met me (having flown in for my 20 year high school reunion). We toured the USS Midway, ate breakfast at Kono's in Pacific Beach, spent many hours at the beaches of Coronado and La Jolla shores and just enjoyed being "back home". 

The boys had never before seen the ocean. They didn't comprehend what was truly a "beach". But they do now! If they lived near the ocean, they'd all be complete beach bums, no doubt! Water was freezing to us adults (as we were bundled up in towels with umbrellas shielding us from the wind), but the boys bravely embraced their newly discovered world of boogie boarding and playing in the waves. Marshall, Carson and Charlie couldn't get enough of the ocean ... hour after hour, they battled the waves and endured the cold, exiting the waves only to scarf down a snack. It was pure joy for this aunt to watch my boys enjoy something I enjoyed every weekend of my childhood. 

We will be heading back to San Diego come Thanksgiving. One guess what the boys want to do. Yep, boogie board. I'm off to find them wet-suits!

My heart's joy ...

Spent another weekend in Phoenix visiting Cheryl and the boys. Fortunately, the heat decided to take a small break, and instead of the anticipated 113 degrees, it was merely 100 degrees. We enjoyed pool time, cuddle time, dinner at In & Out Burger (Carson had two burgers!), went out for ice cream, entertained friends, and just had a fabulous weekend being together. It's always difficult to leave them and sometimes I really question why I don't just live closer to them so I could see them every day. It was a little easier this time, simply because I know I'll see them in ten days or so in San Diego. Carson, however, wasn't able to use this knowledge to comfort himself upon my departure. Cheryl told me later that he had run to the door in hopes of getting to say goodbye (at 5:30am!) and missed us. She found him in his room, on the floor, head in his heads, sobbing and sobbing. He said, "I didn't get to say goodbye!" Oh man, this aunt's heart is officially broken. I'll make it up to you, Carcar. San Diego ... we will have SO much fun! I love you boys so very much. You are my happiness and my reason for existing.

Thirty Reasons to Celebrate Her...

Happy 30th Birthday, Julz! While I could list a million reasons why you are so wonderful, here are just a few ... 30, actually ~ thoughtful, kind, talented, great chef, incredible mother, compassionate, organized, loyal, neighborly, strong, successful, confident, beautiful, loving, funny, dedicated, intelligent, charitable, spirited, encouraging, imaginative, cheerful, honest, committed, resourceful, peaceful, enterprising, heroic, courageous, hopeful. And you're my person. Enough said. Happy Birthday. Here's to another 30 ...

As part of the "reward" for taking so many pictures on my trip to Scotland, I've spent countless hours filing, editing, deleting the thousands of photos that have patiently waited for my attention. This one here was a surprise to find as I, at first, didn't recall taking it. But after looking at the beauty of the hills, the culture in the buildings and the waves of the North Sea, I was reminded of the moment I took this photo. Sweet memories make my heart long to return there...

In 1994, I moved from San Diego to Provo, Utah for college. I lived in an incredible condo community ~ beautiful homes, views, close to everything, and great people. It was there that I met a truly wonderful friend, Marnie. We became instant friends and were inseparable for the next two years. We had many adventures, from sleeping in a truck in Las Vegas to cow herding in Idaho, touring Park City (see picture above) and fighting off the bone-stealing squirrels in Fairview. Now, almost twenty years later, we remain the greatest of friends and I am proud and grateful to be an honorary aunt to her four beautiful children (Lydia, Ethan and Braxton pictured here, Emma took the picture). Marnie has a heart of pure gold, can make me laugh with just a look and will forever be one of most favorite people in my life. I love you, Mo. Happy Birthday (yes, I know, this post is day late).