Renee's Wedding

Picture this...white sand beaches, the blue waves crashing, wind blowing through our hair, turtles poking their heads out from behind the waves (a sign of good luck in Hawaii), a floral isle way for the bride, the men all dressed in blue shirts, the girls in beautiful floral dresses, the mothers in tears, Sammy anxiously awaiting to see his beautiful bride for the first time on their wedding day, in the background Hawaiian music being sung and played on a ukulele, and the photographer acting like the paparazzi. Suddenly our attention turns to the beach front where Brittany (Youngest Sister and Maid of Honor) and Justin (Sammy's younger brother and Best Man) were strolling down the sand arm in arm bearing the rings for wed. Then as the two parted you could see a beautiful brunette dressed in a gown of ivory. We gasped, it was Renee! Hair all up in curls with white plumeria's, a pink and green boquet clutched between her two hands, so feminine and elegant, like a movie star on the red carpet. Soon she came into complete focus and you could see her bright white smile gleaming from ear to ear, as if it was permanent. She made her way down the isle to the groom dressed in white and ivory linens with a green seaweed lei draped around his neck. Soon their eyes met and it was over from there. Doesn't matter what was said because the atmosphere was just perfect, tranquil and peaceful as if no one else in the world existed at that moment, but those two. They finally said, "I do" and kissed. Lip locked and in love. Nothing could come between them.
After a few pictures on the beach, we were wisked away to the Willows where we ate a wonderful meal, toasted to the enchanted couple...many times with words of wisdom from many who love them, watched a slide show of their lives coming together, boquet (Brittany caught) and guarder (Tom caught) was thrown and then they cut their gorgeous cake which was very delicious. We then said our goodbyes and it was back to the condo for some R&R. A full day of joy, tears and laughter!!!

Hawaii Fun!!!!!

Aloha!!!!!! We've been in Hawaii for quite a while now, and we are having such a great time!!! Our chain of events went as follows:
- 1st day - hung out at the salt water pool out back at the condo and in the hot tub.
- 2nd day - visited the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor.- 3rd day - played in the huge waves at Waimea Beach!!! What a great time in the sand! We all looked like beached whales.- 4th day - went to church and visited the Liae Temple, beautiful grounds.- 5th day - In the morning, the girls got together and had brunch in Haliewa where Renee was visited by the "Lingerie Fairy" and we met the actor from the movie "Cutting Edge" and Lex Luther from "Smallville". Two very handsome men that Renee and I got pictured with (you will have to click on Dan and Jessica's webpage to see that pic). We had a great time!!!! We then visited the Polynesian Cultural Center in Liae. We saw the Imax film about the Corral Reef and visited many different cultures including Samoa where we learned how to husk a coconut, Tahiti were we shook our tooshes, Aotearoa where we all got tattos and made funny faces, Tonga where we heard Japan, Connecticut and Mississippi bang on the drums, we then ate at Embassador's. Lastly we saw the night show with all the other cultures we missed during the day. Loved the baton's with fire!!!!

Henson's Wedding

Today we were able to attend one of Jon's coworker and friend's wedding. We went to Lake Natoma Inn in Folsom where they had an intimate wedding and reception. They were married by Sacramento Metro Fire Department's Chaplain. Rylee loved dancing but thought the music was too loud and plugged her little ears many times and laughed.The reception was beautifully decorated and the groomsmen and groom had fun dressing up and dancing to "YMCA". We ate and danced the night away. Rylee, I love your earrings!!!!!! Too cute!!!!

Addam's Graduation

Congratulations Addam!!! You made it through Sacramento Metro's Fire Academy!!

We were able to attend and Jon was able to wear his class A uniform. He looked so handsome!!!

Addam received the "Outstanding Recruit" award just as Jon had back at his graduation in 2004. Addam is on A shift as well!!!

Renee's Bridal Shower

Renee's bridal shower was a blast!!! She got so much great stuff!!! There were chocolate fountains everywhere with lemon chocolate and dark chocolate with an adorable Hawaiian theme!!

We loved the bridal Mickey and Minney Mouse bobble head dolls! Super Leah with the tissue paper cape!!! "UH", says Rylee!!It was also fun to have the little cousins together! We got to meet Sammy's aunt, mom and grandma!!! What nice people!! Kathy (my mother in law) Diane (Aimee's mother in law), Oma (Heidi), Megan (Host of the party)

Mother's Day Luncheon

Today the three of us went to the Pleasanton Hotel to meet up with Jon's family and extended family friends for a big Mother's Day Luncheon. There were so many other mother's there celebrating the same fabulous holiday. The food was plenty and there was no way we could go home feeling empty. They have everything from breakfast foods, to seafood, to lunch items, and even to dessert!!! We had such a great time visiting and catching up with the ones we hadn't seen in a while. Afterwards just Jon's family met up at an old abandoned barn to take some family photos. Well overdue, that's for sure. Though we had to track through some high wheat in the field it was well worth it. Check out our link to Sage Creek Photography to see some sample photos. Michelle did such a great job shooting!!! Thanks again!!!

Humanitarian Project

Today Rylee, Oma, Brittany and I went to the Scotts Creek LDS Church building to put together hygiene kits for the homeless. All the ladies in the Relief Society met there for the project. The kits included toothpaste, a toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, a washcloth, q-tips, safety pins, a comb, a pad of paper and a pencil. The kits were packaged up in boxes and then taken over to the homeless shelter. The kits were in adorable handmade bags. The fabric for the bags were donated by a taylor and the amount he donated happened to be over $10,000 worth of material. In between stuffing bags or threading the draw strings the ladies had the opportunity to give blood at the blood drive there as well. It was such a nice atmosphere and a great way to give to others!

Amtrak's the BEST!

On Friday Rylee and I took a relaxing train ride on Amtrak from downtown Sacramento to Fremont. It took about 2.5 hours. It was so much fun!! We started off attempting to catch the Light Rail to the train station, but as we were buying our tickets the Light Rail - came opened the doors, let 3 people on, shut the doors and left. Nothing like BART!!! BART waits a few minutes before leaving...not the Light Rail. You snooze, you loose. I was a little bummed, but thanks to Christy we still made it to the Amtrak train station on time. After we got dropped off and picked up our ticket, I was able to watch Rylee chase the birds around the inside of the station. She was laughing and squeaking so loud!! She loved it! We then boarded the train and sat on the second level so we could watch all the out of doors and airplanes go by. Reminder, PB&J sandwiches are messy!!!! Rylee was able to stand up and balance so well on a moving train. I'm so impressed!!! Each day she amazes us with such talent!!! Grandpa Little, Dan, Jessica and Brittany met us at the Fremont end of the train and then we all went out to lunch!!! Elephant Bar's the best, thanks dad!!! If you haven't tried the train, I highly recommend it...plus it's cheap and clean.

Extrication Drill

Back at the beginning of April Jon's crew had a Vehicle Extrication Drill. Vehicle extrication is the process of removing a person from a vehicle that has been involved in a motor vehicle accident when conventional means of exit are impossible or unadvisable. This is typically accomplished by utilizing hydraulic tools, including the Jaws of Life. It is sometimes referred to as "removing the vehicle from the person" in reference to the often delicate touch needed to avoid disturbing the victim as much as possible during the extrication. The basic extrication process consists of, but not limited to, six steps:

**In the slide show look at the license plate and how it changes. Jon recounts having so much fun with the guys after dismembering the vehicle!!!

Cinco de Mayo!!!

This was the biggest 1 year old birthday party we have been to yet! I work with Abbie's parents in the ER and they are wonderful!!! Abbie is just 1 month younger than Rylee. Momma Stacey had pinata's put everywhere with a bounce house, gobbs of mexican food, a margartia machine, and a beautiful cake...with fondant!!! WOW!!! The party favor for the little ones were their own personal minature pinata's...so cute!!! Rylee's pinata was an adorable yellow giraffe with a bow tie!! The little ones seemed to have a great time!! Rylee loved the bounce house especially when Jon and I jumped all around to make her go up and down on her butt! She also loved the chicken burritos...Jon's favorite as well!! It was great to see everyone!!! Happy 1st Birthday Abbie!!