"Pieces of Evidence"

Noah finally received his third collaborated published book called "Pieces of Evidence." He wrote last spring in 8th grade and it took a while to get it printed and published. Noah loves creative writing and told me the night he received it that as much as he didn't mind writing with other authors he'd rather write on his own and publish his own book. Since starting freshman year he's gotten a bit busy and doesn't plan on doing any creative writing right now. His heart is set on school and scouts and his future perhaps architecture. I'm good with that! It was a chill evening announcing all the kids who wrote books. I'm just grateful he got to write for three years while  he was in middle school and that he got published! 

May Has Arrived!

Blossoms are indeed a favorite and feel as if I've been neglecting them in photos. Lately I've just been walking to admire them instead of capturing pictures of every cherry tree in sight. Spring is such a beautiful season and it flies by so fast. There were a few trees in Utah while we were walking around Lexie's neighborhood. The flowers are vibrant but soon they will fall off. I captured a few in Utah and a couple here in our Jersey hood. Noah's allergies were bothering him that day but he was a good sport and he let me take a few photos! 

Class of 2025- BYU!

There's something about a married couple or couples in general who graduate together. I'm so so happy that this day has come for Lexie and Hyrum. They can now stop studying hard (for now) and get a bit of a break from school. I am also filled with gratitude that we were able to fly out and witness their graduation. She is my first in the family to graduate. Neither my husband or I got degrees from a university so you can see why I'm so so happy for them! I captured a few moments from that day. It was long day but a good one. Being with family was so nice. I wish my mom could have been here but I know she's looking down from heaven seeing these two filled with JOY and shouting "WE DID IT!"

Nemours Madison In Delaware!

Over spring break we toured Nemours Mansion in Delaware and it was dreamy! The 77 rooms were filled with such rich history. Noah loved the architecture and his favorite room besides the library was the garage with all the cars! In a garage full of Rolls Royce's who wouldn't want to drool over vintage vehicles! It was a beautiful spring day and after touring the mansion we walked on the grounds. It was so fun and I felt as if I was in an episode of Downton Abbey. So fascinating and not too far from Jersey! I highly recommend coming and the price is right! 

BYU School of Music Presents.....

15 years of violin lessons certainly paid off when Lexie performed with the BYU orchestra for her senior year. She graduates in two weeks and we are so proud of her. I wish we could have been there in person to hear and watch her play but luckily it was streamed live and so we were able to see and zoom in on her. I have missed her playing and man did it feel good hearing her in the orchestra. I have missed my girls music in the home and it's so nice to be able to have heard it even though its online. Oh the nostaglia...if only my kids can play music for me all afternoon long just like they did when they were still living at home. Luckily I have a son at home who plays the guitar and on occasion will play a tune I love! 

Spring is in the air!

Spring is here and the blossoms are in full bloom. The weather is still a bit nippy hence the sweater wearing but walking along the jersey waterfront and along the neighborhood of Hoboken made this day the best! And although he longs to go back to work it sure has been nice having Jon home so that he can hang out with us more during the day. 

Date Night In Dumbo, Brooklyn.

Dumbo in Brooklyn is one of our favorite places to go on a date and man did we have fun on this night! Time out market has so many places to eat and we had some pretty tasty Thai food. It was windy and cold and walked under the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridge until our faces couldn't take the cold wind anymore. We then drove into Manhattan and went to see our "old friend" which is our new favorite photo booth to take goofy photos because that's what you do inside these photo booths! Even with a fractured arm...it was the perfect date night! 

March Recap!

Here we are on the last day of March attempting to catch up on a months worth of living. I've been unmotivated to blog online and when I tell myself I'm done and am only going to handwrite in my journal, here I am hopping on my old iMac from 2011 trying to play catch up. So here we go...

Moulin Rouge On Valentine's Weekend!

 

Here we are on the last day of February and I'm glad! I can tell spring is upon us and I am so excited for it! Valentines day this month was the best and I'm so happy that I spent it on broadway watching Moulin Rouge with my love. It was amazing and everything about the show was exquisite. The costumes, the set, and the scraps of songs that were sung were awesome! The show was very similar to the movie with Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman. I would see both again and again. Loved every minute of valentines weekend and hope that y'all had a nice long February! 

Our Town On Broadway.

So ironic we saw this play the day before the L.A. fires started. Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN n on Broadway was beautiful and it was so fitting with what had happened that week. It totally made me realize how fleeting and precious life is. To never take people or life for granted. To take care of each other as a community the way that L.A. did with all the essential workers and volunteers helping out. I read so many stories where people were so giving as to donating their time, money, and items for those who lost everything! So many people lost their homes and the photos I saw online looked like something our of an  apocalypse movie! I'm sure there were a lot of bittersweet moments for those people who lost so much and I'm so grateful to have seen this show before it closed. It was a huge reminder for me to appreciate all that we have and to be there for those no matter who they are or where they come from. 

**I also have to add that Jim Parsons did a magnificent job in his role. It was a pleasure to have met him after the show too...

A Love Letter To The Jersey Shore...

Dear Jersey Shore, 

You certainly keep our family sane during the winter months and I'm so happy we are still here. To hear the waves crashing while standing or walking along the shore is a blessing for our mental health. For my mental health. You know how to deliver the sounds of the beach. Walking on the sand is a soft reminder that life is good. A sign that spring is not too far off. I love the sounds of the seagulls when it's quiet. I love it when you're empty and only a single soul is on the beach with us playing with their dog. Oh how I love that.