Sanchez Family Visit

Welcome to Nevada, Sanchez Family.  Well some of you anyway.  My mom and dad came to visit us from Maryland.  My sister, Abby, and her sons, Eli and Sam, and my brother, Carlos, and his wife, Sarah, and their son, Alec, came from Utah.  They came for Makinley's baptism and then stayed for several days after.

I hope they had fun.  Our air conditioner broke on Saturday.  It was in the 90's and so hot.  Monday we called for service that didn't come until 7pm.  But we took advantage of Tahoe's beautiful weather.  

Monday started early with a hike for me, Sarah, and Carlos.  Carlos just tagged along to take pictures.  But it's pretty ugly in Dayton.  So I don't know what kind of pictures he got.  We went up to Emerald Bay and out to lunch for the rest of the day.  I love driving up to Tahoe.  It's so pretty.  There's nothing in the world like it. 

Tuesday we spent the day at Sand Harbor.  Oh, how I love this place.  We went to Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' at 10am and it was really good.  The kids loved it.  

Then it was time to hit the beach.  And I was ready for some warm sun.  We were sitting in the shade and I was getting a little chilly.  By the time we got to the beach, it was lunch time.  The kids had so much fun in the lake and Sarah and Kennidy even persuaded Abby to jump off the rocks into the lake.  It was soo cold.  I was strong and didn't fall into peer pressure.  I was glad when she finally jumped because the scenery was getting ugly.  Some teenager with a speedo was standing on the top of the rock they were jumping from.  Nasty.  Coming home Tuesday was so nice.  Air condition!  It felt so good.

Wednesday we tried to go to the Train Museum but it was closed and we ended up at the '3 story park' in Carson City and then going to Reno.  Mom treated us all to Fuddruckers!  OH MY GOSH!  So yummy!  I loved every bite of my burger and a few of Kennidy's.  So good.  Then we hit the shops at Legends.  We rode the ferris wheel in Scheels first.  

Then, Mom treated us all to frozen yogurt and smoothies!  That made the heat tolerable. 

Mom, Abby, and I found some cute things at Gymboree.  I found an amazing deal at Off Broadway...80% off.  I paid $17 for 2 pair of shoes.  Love it!  And Kennidy found a cute shirt at Forever 21.  I told her we'd come back and go school shopping here because they really had some good deals.  We just needed more time.  That night we had a birthday party for Alec.  Sarah and Carlos made a Dragon Cake for him.  It was really cute.

Thursday Abby, Sarah, and Carlos headed back to Utah.  It was a lazy day.  I needed a nap pretty bad.  Then after hearing some stories about my dad's childhood, I took everyone to Smith's to play the Dinner Game.  Everyone had pulled a slip of paper from my camera bag that had one of the following on it: Main, Side, Dessert, Drink.  Grandma got Steak.  Grandpa got Strawberry Shortcake. Kennidy got Root Beer and Diet Caffeine Free Coke.  Adam got Garlic Bread.  Makinley got Goldfish crackers.  Ford got Watermelon.  And I got Dutch Apple Pie.  This was a fun game to play for dinner.  We have to do it again.

Friday Grandma and Grandpa flew home.  It was really quiet in the house.  And we miss them.  It was so nice for everyone to come and support Makinley.  We hope you all had a good time in Nevada.

It's Great to be 8!

Turning 8 is a big deal in our family.  You see, we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And when a child reaches this age, he or she is now at the age of accountability.  This means that they are old enough to know right from wrong.  And they can choose whether or not they want to be baptized.

Makinley met with our Bishop a few days before and he asked her questions to see if she was ready and willing to be baptized.  He asked her is she believed in Jesus Christ.  He asked her if she believed in a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  And if she wanted to be baptized.  We believe that we all have free agency.  Which means we have the right to choose.  And we wanted Makinley to know that it was her choice to be baptized...not ours.  Although it makes us super happy.  I think this made her feel a little grown up.  And she liked it.  To make a choice for her and nobody else.  That's pretty huge.

Makinley, we are so pleased that you have chosen to follow the example of your Savior and be baptized.  We know that He lives and that He loves you.  We know that by being baptized, you have entered the gate of the straight and narrow path.  We know the Holy Ghost is a powerful member of the Godhead and will always be with you to testify of things that are true.  We know that we aren't perfect.  We know that it's really hard to be good all the time.  But we know that we can repent of our sins and be clean again.  Repentance is so important.  If we sin and then repent, we will be able to live with our Father in Heaven again.  He has given us repentance and we must use it or we can not live with Him.  I am grateful for the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Makinley, I know that your Heavenly Father is pleased with your decision to be baptized.  I know that our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.  He loves you.  And wants you to be happy.

Makinley's 8th Birthday

Makinley was so excited to turn 8.  She has been planning for this day for a long time.  Makinley got her ears pierced the day before her birthday.  And she chose some gorgeous earrings.  I just love them.  She was so brave and told everyone, 'I didn't say ouch or cry.'

Both sets of grandparents were there for her birthday party!  That was really fun.  She got money, gift cards, lots of earrings, a cool purse from Tatiana, Asher, and Melissa, scriptures complete with tote and Children's Songbook.  For dinner, Makinley wanted Chicken Pot Pie with Oreo Shakes for dessert.  We had such a good time.  We love you, Makinley!

Makinely has the best primary teacher. Sister Thomassen is not only a talented photographer, she is also a talented crafter. She made this blanket comforter for Makinley. With the blanket came a story about 'The Comforter' aka the Holy Ghost. I read it to Makinley and had to fight back the tears. Sister Thomassen had personalized the story just for Makinley. It was so cute and the best part was...I could feel how much love Sister Thomassen has for Makinley. And I know that Makinley love her! Thanks, Lynda. That was the perfect gift for our 8 year old.

Sand Harbor

I don't think I could say it enough...WE LOVE SAND HARBOR!

Pickled Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

So we tried something new at our house.  It was crunchy and believe it or not you can't taste the pickle.  I mean you know it's there but the peanut butter and jelly mask the tangy taste of the pickle.  This is us trying new things.

Angora Lakes

For my birthday last year, Paula gave me a book of Easy Hikes in Tahoe.  Brandon and I picked an easy, easy one to do as a family.  Angora Lakes is south of Lake Tahoe.  We passed Fallen Leaf Lake and up to Angora Lakes.  Ford and I hiked here in the fall when the cabins are all closed up.  But being summer and the 4th of July weekend, there were people everywhere.  A small beach and cliff diving are some of the attractions to this small lake.  It was a nice hike and now we get to cross it off our list of hikes.  One down...24 to go.

When I Am Baptized