What Did You Do This Summer?

For posterity sake's...this is our typical summer
1. Beach trips
2. Mountain trips
3. Girls camp
4. Scout camp
5. Dinner out
6. Movies
7. Netflix
8. Gym trips
9. Mall trips
10. Redbox

This summer I went to the Hermosa Beach twice and is leaving for Redondo Beach Wednesday. This trip will be with my cousin Kim and kids. I also went with them to Tuacahn and spent the night in Pine Valley. I also went to the gym every day and took fun classes like cycling, zumba and yoga. Today I felt bored which confirms to me that it's time to go back to work.

Hermosa Beach

My first beach experience was at Hermosa (Redondo-El Segundo area) as a newly married girl of 21. Every year we have tried to go to the beach at least once. For a period of 10 years while our kids were little, we tried a different beach vacation each year down the California coast. Last year, we went to the beautiful white beaches of San Padre Island, TX.

Despite all the exploring, our kids always ask to go to Hermosa Beach. They will testify that the waves there are the best. (Since we haven't been to Hawaii yet, they may change their minds.)

This is Jesse and Michael on July 4th. We were on the beach hanging out at 2nd street.

So, what do you want to know about being 45?

I have been meaning to blog, particularly because I entered the blogging world as a way to journal my life. (I suck at journaling). With my 45th birthday come and gone, I should write something down so here goes.
Being 45 feels like being 35 with more wrinkles.
Being 45 means I got 25 years with Greg, who is the best guy in the world.
Bring 45 means I get to be the oldest in my running group.
Being 45 makes me realize that being nice to others is the most important thing in the world-though I am not very good at it.
Being 45 makes me really thankful that I got to spend the last 7 years teaching the best students in the world. The future is in good hands, don't be afraid.
Being 45 makes me happy because I get to see some of the kids I taught in primary grow up and become awesome adults and parents.
Being 45 is fun because I get to see my little boys grow up and learn how to be men.
And lastly, being 45 makes me realize that I would really like to have another 45.

45

Yup, it's true-I had my 45th birthday.

The Rest of the Story

I went back to BYU. Greg went back to his life. I came home for the summer to work. Greg asked me out. We got engaged 6 weeks later and married 4 months after that. It was just as simple as it sounded, which makes me think that we were meant to be together. We are both pretty "drama-free" people and once we met, we got along wonderfully. We will be married 25 years this November, and the simpler we keep our relationship, the longer it is lasting. {and oh yes, the regular temple visits help too}

My Valentine

I am really trying not to be a stereotype--but-- Greg and I did dance for the first time at a Valentines Dance. He was home from his mission (November) and I (on the spur of the moment) came home for the weekend (which happened to be Valentines Day). I wore a pink dress (loaner from roommate-I hate the color pink). He saw me sitting in the back and asked me to dance. We danced the rest of the evening. At the end of the dance, he asked me to go bowling with him and his friends-I declined. I was leaving back to BYU in the morning and needed to sleep. We said goodbye and went back to our respective lives-for the time being.

2010-Family Pictures

Getting pictures done is like pulling healthy teeth using dental floss. Every year, to appease me, we gather and have pictures taken. This year, Brandi Thomas, was our photographer. I hope she is still our friend. I tried to warn her :)