Lucas's Birthday Party

While we were in Vegas, we decided to throw a birthday party for Lucas so he could celebrate his second year of life with cousins, family members and Vegas friends. The theme was cars because right now he loves anything with four wheels.

For the decorations, I saved milk cartons, cut the top off and had some of my older nieces paint the cartons to look like traffic lights. I then bought red, yellow, green and black balloons and weighed them down with sand and put the sand bag in the carton. These were the centerpieces and there were four tables. I bought black and white checkered flag garland and hung them around the backyard umbrellas. Also each table had a checkered table runner over a colored table cloth. I loaded up a large toy dump truck with chips as the center of the food table. Each food dish had race car flags sticking out of them.

My sister Marleen made a fabulous race car cake with a large number two as the race track. For games/activity, the kids each painted a little wooden car. Outside we had a matchbox car play area and a pop-up kidsize fire truck. Then we played pin the car on the race track and had an obstacle course. After food and cake, we had a pinata, which the older kids went crazy and completely demolished. Then presents. It was a lot of fun.

Pretty simple. I didn't have a lot of time to put into. I was glad to have happy nieces excited to help me get everything together. Also a mom who did all the food and fed well over 50 people. A sister who brought over the play toys and another sister who made the cake. Thanks!

The adults hiding in the house to avoid the chaos.

Ashley, Ella, Julene and little Benjamin

Good friend Judi and her beautiful family came down from Salt Lake to visit. Miss her and love her. Wish we had more time together.

Birthday Food

Cuban sandwiches and a peanut butter fudge cake is what I made for Seth for his birthday dinner. Peanut butter is his favorite and a sandwich with a lot of meat hits the spot. Birthday present? Another climbing trip to Mt. Rainier!

June Boys

Happy Birthday to my boys!

New Pictures

My parents were so kind to pay for photo sessions from Heather Gibb Photography for each individual family. The scenery was beautiful, but it was early in the morning and really chilly outside. My kids were cold and were loudly complaining (why does this always happen at a photo shoot?). But Heather did her magic and managed to keep my kids from falling into a meltdown. She captured some really good shots. There are quite a few that I like, but I just recently purchased pictures from our previous photo shoot. However, of course I have to get some images. Check out the slideshow to view our family pictures. The password is "meier".

Sweet and Beautiful

Last weekend we said our final goodbye (but not for too long) to Camille. All of my family flew back into Vegas for Camille's funeral. It was wonderful to see everyone again and be together. I've noticed we've been a little nicer to each other, more patient, thoughtful of each other's feelings. More expression of love is given and thank yous. I feel like there is an eagerness to see each other again sooner than our traditional every-other year reunion. Prayers have been more sincere and specific. Camille's funeral was beautiful and sweet. The colors were blue after the color of her eyes. The chapel was adorn with large photos of her smiling little face. The program was short and simple, but had the touches of her little personality. A video of her images with tender music played in the foyer. Guest were able to write notes on beautiful scrapbook pages. Jonathan and Stephanie both spoke and it was inspiring and beautifully said. I definitely felt Camille's presence. Her memory will not be lost.

Stephanie has always started really fun family traditions. One of the traditions was picking a flower that best represents each of her daughters. Then when they have birthdays, special events, etc, she would give them a bouquet of that particular flower. She was just explaining this fun tradition to us girls the week before Camille's passing. Sabrina is a gerber daisy, Annie is a rose, Lauren is a lily and Camille a tulip. Anyway, at the funeral there were large bouquets of all these flowers together. And of course there was one beautiful bouquet with white tulips. It was so touching and meaningful.

Steph and the grandmas

What a Difference

It's coming along. This is a huge difference from the time I left our basement to now. I wish I took a before picture because it was cinder-block walls, molded linoleum and exposed ceiling. Now all they have to do is paint, tile the floor (we have to use tile because of the humidity out here), put doors up and a few other minor details. This is just one side of the room, and there is a whole another side so it should be plenty for the kiddies.

Sofette

I really want this sofette for my office once all the toys are removed.

Veranda

I think anyone with a large backyard and who likes to entertain should invest in a pretty tent. This one would be perfect for a summer barbecue or afternoon baby shower. Or perhaps just to lounge and sleep in.

Home Again

Coming home to....

• piles and piles of mail
• numerous phone messages
• 500 personal emails to check! No joke.
• a house that needs a complete wipe down
• an overgrown garden
• an empty fridge except frozen TV dinners
• an almost-finished basement that needs final decisions on details
• morning workers that pound and drill away all.day.long
• a backyard with a large pile of trash (from our basement)
• and not to forget all the unpacking that needs to be done

It's good to be home.

Her Smile

During our Aspen Grove family reunion, we had Heather Gibb (a very talented photographer) take pictures of each individual family. Jon and Steph were finally able to get a complete family picture taken of them and the four girls. She also got close ups of Camille and with her and her mommy. Absolutely priceless and will be forever cherished. I love the picture of Camille smiling because through my eyes that's what I saw and will remember. Camille smiling when she was being held by her mom or dad. And the last one is so tender and sweet. Very angelic.

*I will not be blogging the rest of the week so I can spend the few remaining days I have with my family. Thanks for understanding.

Sweet Little Angel

Camille Kathleen Waite peacefully passed away in the arms of her parents and has returned to our father in Heaven. We were able to gather together today at her hospital bedside and say our last goodbyes...give her kisses...hold her hand...rub her cheeks...touch her hair...and feel her peaceful spirit in the room. We know she is well and happy. Although her life was short on earth, she has been a blessing to us all. And we know her life continues and is needed in the spirit world. She will truly be missed, and we look forward to the day we will see her again.

I have been impressed with the strength of Jonathan and Stephanie during this ordeal. They have relied heavily upon the power of the priesthood, pray and faith. And have been able to receive peace, comfort and love, and an understanding of God's will. They are remarkable parents and ones that I have always admire. Their love for Camille is so strong that it could be felt. Please continue to pray for them that the comforter will be with them in the months ahead. And thank you for the concern, prays and love sent out. They have been felt.

God be With you 'til we meet again; God be with you 'til we meet again.

We Need Your Prayers

We are asking family and friends to join us in praying for our little Camille. Camille was found late yesterday afternoon in the family's hot tub unconscious and not breathing. She is in critical condition on life support. Camille is my brother Jonathan and Stephanie's youngest daughter; she is a little over one years old. We have been devastated and have been praying and fasting for a miracle. We ask you to do the same. Visit their blog for more information.

Amo A Mi Familia

I love my loving parents.

I love my beautiful sisters.

I love my silly brothers.

And I love all my other siblings (Nathan and Marleen) and in-laws that I didn't get pictures of.
That was fun!

Sow A Seed

I eat so many avocados. And avocados are not cheap. I might as well try to grow myself a little avocado tree. Get the directions here.




{via Apartment Therapy}

25 Main

It sounds like St. George, Utah is stepping it up with little trendy shops and restaurants. I've been away too long! My sister-in-law Carolyn posted some pictures of this restaurant that she recently ate at--it looks like it would fit perfect in the city. Love all the decor. Wish I stopped by and grabbed a bit to eat when we were on our way to Vegas.

Chalkboard Paint

I thought this was a creative idea with chalkboard paint--create a graphic wall mural from it.


{via Real Simple}

Humanitarian Center

The other day, my sister Marleen and I volunteered our time at the Humanitarian Center. We assembled hygiene kits that will be shipped around the world to areas that are in need. Each kit had the basic need of toothbrushes, toothpaste, towel, soap and combs. We packaged up 120 boxes of these hygiene kits; each box held five kits. It was such a great feeling to know we were helping out disaster victims.

Playrooms

Finger crossed. All should go well. We currently in the process of finishing off our basement so we can have a playroom/tv room. Hooray! And why am I a little worried? I'm not there to over look the project. I've just been getting daily updates from Seth of the progress while telling him how I want the room laid out. And to tell you the truth, I'm not sure how I want everything. The one good thing about it is once I get home the basement should be about finished. In the meantime, I've been on the search of playrooms from home tours. Here are a few that I like.






{top two images Cookie; bottom two images Parenting}

Aspen Grove

We had our Waite family reunion up at Aspen Grove, which is located near Sundance at the base of Mt. Timpanogos. The location was beautiful and breathtaking! Out of a family of 41 people, 35 of us slept in one of their large family cabin. I must say it was a bit cozy. No television or internet. But it was great! We had so much fun. There were a ton of activities--miniature golf, swimming, a game room (pool, air hockey), tennis, volleyball, raquetball, golf stimulator, basketball, aeroball, a couple of playgrounds, climbing course rope, art/pottery studio, educational lectures, fishing, hiking trails--and the list goes on. No cooking--food was provided. And the best thing--babysitting was provided every day for FREE. I like that there were a variety of things to do because with my family, everyone has so many different interests. We all found something we wanted to do. Prepare for lots of pictures.