Soccer Game

MeMa and Papa came to Claire's soccer game today, the last game before their tournament. Penelope wanted to be the coach - she confiscated Matt's megaphone, a pretty effective and annoying dollar store find. I'm not sure why the other coaches haven't copied him yet. :)

Date Night

We have a theme going with our friends: we go to hole in the wall restaurants that have really good food for our double dates. This time we went to The Four Kegs, a place near my office that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network. It is definitely a dive, but has great bar food. Afterwards we went over to the Pinball Hall of Fame near UNLV. Basically it's a large warehouse type building filled with pinball and arcade games - mostly older ones that have been restored but also a few newer ones. I am terrible at pinball and video games - but it was almost like a snapshot of pop culture to walk around and look at all the games and the artwork on each one. And it broke us out of our usual dinner and a movie routine.

What is with the mustache craze right now? I'm not sure, but it was sure fun to wear. We got some from gumball machine at the Hall of Fame. I think Matt put purposely put my mustache on crooked.

We CAN Change!

I needed to hear this today. Feeling down about my bad habits and trying to start over again every day to be better but it is so hard sometimes!

"We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves you—each of you! He allows you to access His power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly. It is that simple and certain. The gospel of Jesus Christis a gospel of change!"

- Elder Russell M. Nelson

Harvest Festival

We went to a harvest festival at my mom's elementary school during our visit. The kids had fun with the carnival games and of course, treats. I love October - so many fun things going on all month long!

Family Time at Johnson Grandparents

After the temple, we met up with the kids and had a dinner at the Johnson Grandparents' house. I love seeing all the cousins together - they play really well together and just run and run all day long. The cousin ages are 7, 6, 6, 4, 4, 3, 17 months and 16 months. Always someone to play with!

Eternal Families

Last week I went to the Oakland temple to see my sister and her family sealed together as a forever family. It was a very special day for our whole family - something we have been waiting to happen for more than eight years. I remember a distinct moment when I was in the temple for the first time before my marriage in 2005 and I saw my Dad mouth the words, "She should be here" to my mom, who was across the room. I knew immediately that he meant Becky should be there. And this time, she was. It was a good day.

Shake It!

Penelope wanted to share her moves too!
Baby dance from Shannon Hiller on Vimeo.