The amazing Ruth Riley...

This week was great! (It otherwise would have STUNK!) John has been traveling all week... went to Texas without me :( then onto southern California. I cannot sleep when he is traveling because our house makes noises. Serious noises that keep a light sleeper up all night. We so need a dog. Anyhow, one night while not being able to sleep, I was working on business stuff & was sidetracked enough to create a facebook account. Within minutes I was back in touch with so many friends from all over. I guess I'm pretty far behind the times, I know! So I found out on Wednesday that Ruth Riley was going to be in town playing the Monarchs in a playoff game. So excited! Ruth & I both graduated from Notre Dame back in 2001 and I haven't seen her since! Man time flies. So we got together for dinner on Thursday (in between John's trips to the airport). John & I had so much fun catching up with her. Ruth is a super hero in every sense! Aside from all the amazing things she has accomplished on the court (which are a ton - check the stats!) She is a true hero in what she does off the court. In her offseason she is all over the place doing amazing things. I was trying to explain to my sons how she goes to Africa to actually save lives by working in the villages on a UN Foundation project called Nothing But Nets. They were so excited to meet her and of course, want to go with her to Nigeria now. Ruth is an incredible woman! So lucky to know her!



Then we went to cheer her on tonight. Ruth & the Silver Stars beat the Monarchs 85-78! We had a great time! My boys loved watching the game, holding up their signs & saying "we know number 00" to every one sitting around us. Thankfully we were sitting next to lots of friendly folks who didn't mind us cheering for the visiting team.



Go Silver Stars! We'll be watching as yall win the finals! Go Ruth! We love you!

Hurricane Ike

Now that the storm has settled, I feel calm enough to add a post. This was a very scary week. We were suppose to land Saturday morning in Houston to visit with my family, baptize some babies, and house hunt up in Dallas later in the week. With the hurricane coming in about the same time, we've rescheduled the trip for October. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate turning 30! In Texas, with my family, and really great Texas food! Can't wait!

My family was all so very lucky! All of my family and their homes are safe. After evacuating, and waiting the storm out, they headed home to find their 100 year old house still there! They are working to clean up branches and the mess that the hurricane left. My parents are grateful for all these branches down because they think the pine trees really blocked most of the wind from the house. My mom sent me some photos she took.




And I have to add this one...



This shot is just so perfect. Here is Ray, driving the golf cart while the kids are in the back picking up branches, throwing them in the trailer (attached to the golf cart), working. I love that Ray is laughing & little Ana's silly smile. I know that this week has been very hard, but the sight of them smiling during these hard time says so much of their character. They've definitely had their share of hard times. I love this shot - good job Mom!

We will continue to pray for all those affected by the hurricane. My heart breaks at the images I see from the news. Texas is a place I love: the people, the pride, and even the humidity! I wish I was there to help right now! Love to all my Texas Peeps! Miss you.

Sand Mountain

Our family had a blast a Sand Mountain. To be honest, I really did not know what to expect. But it was exactly that... a mountain of sand. It really looks like it belongs on another continent. Absolutely amazing and beautiful!

We met some of our dear friends out in the middle of Nowhere, Nevada for this little Labor Day trip. We had a blast. We got to try out our updated Teryx...

New roll cage, new back seat for the boys with 3 five-point harnesses (mom approved), new fancy ostrich upholstery. Thanks John! Love it! He's hoping to have the speakers & roof done by next trip. This talented young guy has been doing the work on it, so if anybody is interested in the Sacramento area, let me know & I'll give you his number. (He's working on a website so in the meantime, you'll just have to call him.) He's really done a great job & in a hurry for us too!

A "no look" shot. This cracks me up because I am buckled in so tight in the passenger seat that I can't always turn around to see the boys. So I would stick by camera off to the side & snap pics when we'd go down a hill. These are the funny faces I'd see when John would drive. Apparently my driving is not as exciting, or so my 3 year old says. He'd tell me that he wants Dad to drive because I drive "too slow." Check out those sand boogers on Ethan! So much fun. They love this thing as much as I do!


Here are some shots of our friend's sandrail when he was giving Nate a ride. This thing is a monster! It could climb that enormous mountain of sand in no time. This weekend was my first time to ever ride in one and definitely my favorite part of the trip (along with our nightly smores & campfire). I am probably the opposite of an "adrenaline junkie," but this was really fun. John couldn't believe I got in! I couldn't let our five year old show me up! Thanks for the ride, Kevin!