Summer 2011

Now that there is frost on the ground and Christmas music playing, it is time to do a little catching up.

Summer 2011 was a great one- a quick one- but a great one! Remember that "very temporary" position I got at work last holiday? Well it has transformed into a full-time sales lead/events coordinator position at the Olympia store. A whole lot of prayer and loving advice led us to this point, and we are happy to be bringing in some extra cash while waiting for a little baby Rice to come our way. I am learning a lot about myself. Again, I have amazing parents to thank for lovingly teaching me the value of work and reliability. Those Saturday morning " chore zones" really payed off Mom and Dad- who knew? :)

I was recently called to serve with the Young Women again as the Mia Maid advisor at church- teaching the 14 and 15 year olds. It is fantastic. That leaves Jeff teaching our Sunday School class solo. I am so grateful for that experience together. Listening to his testimony of spiritual principles multiplied my love and admiration for him and brought us closer.

This August was birthday #25 for Lindsey and #31 for Jeff! Yep, we are old...

I celebrated with a day in the water at Wild Waves with some of the family where I braved my white Washington skin in a swimsuit- and Jeff enjoyed some grand deep-dish pizza at our family dinner at BJ's Brewery.

We were lucky to be part of Mama Rice's birthday wish this year- attending Les Miserables at the 5th Avenue theater in Seattle.

We had a very memorable night with Aleigha, Critty, Mama and Aunt Martha. Aunt Martha brought a purse full of goodies and binoculars for everyone to peek through. (She's among my favs. ) :) It was an incredible experience. Daddy Rice skipped this one- saying he "didn't want to be miserable." Funny guy. Happy Birthday to Joanne!

Labor Day weekend meant the always fun Camerota family reunion at Nonie and Grandpa's.

(Our Buddha dog.)

The guys taught Presco how to golf. Check out that backswing- it was a little scary!

I got a couple hours with nephew Oliver while his Dad did some errands here in Olympia. We played with rocks in the backyard, Went on a search for the "choo-choo" in the neighborhood and splashed in puddles at the park. Congratulations to Nikki and Ryan-Oliver is going to be a big brother soon...!

I have been wanting to add some color to our downstairs, so my mom came down for a day of painting. (May I just say that my mom is the perfect combination of friend and mother. I can still call her with tears and concerns and hear just what I need. And we have so much fun when we are together.) She humored my vision of orange. Man, oh man, I learned. It is a bit loud and will probably be painted over soon. Despite the crazy wall, we had fun. Love ya Mom!

I have missed the scones, roasted corn on the cob and dairy cones of the Puyallup fair for the past few years, so I made sure to get there this year to partake of it all.

We ate like piggies, got lost in Hobby Hall and said goodbye to the crazy crowds until next year.

Jeff kept telling me how Daisy waits for me to come home at night. He took this picture. She's so sweet.

Joanne went to New York to go through the temple with Jo for the first time. While she was gone we watched Gio for a couple days while Critty was away. Just look at these two...

Spoiled.

Thanks for catching up with us. :)