Baby Shower time...already?!

It seemed so far away when we picked the date...I guess time flies when your having a baby. My sister, Cheryl threw me the most lovely baby shower. It was really fun to have old & new friends, family from near and far, co-workers and church mates all together to celebrate our little one coming soon. Boston is already so spoiled with all the wonderful gifts we have recieved. Lots of excitment is in the air... lately my mother is so giddy and happy it is really all she can talk about :) Anyways the day was perfect, I really was not feeling like being the center of attention which is why I can't wait for Boston to arrive (then the attention can go to him instead of my huge belly). My favorite part of the shower besides the company was of course the "frost/decorate your own cupcake bar"! It was scrumptious...here are a few pics, ending with the grand finale of me at 34-35 weeks.

My sister and the cutest decorations :)

The favor...my mom hand painted all of these, I think it took her 2 days!
The cupcake bar...yummy!

Me opening presents

The games seemed to never end..but this one was fun to see people who don't have kids change a diaper and dress the baby in the relay race.

More presents!

My neighbor Erin had the winning ticket & won the gift basket for bringing diapers!

Me at 34-35 weeks...almost ready to pop out my little thanksgiving turkey!

Cake Class...

So my sister and I recently signed up for the Wilton Cake Course I. We have only gone one week so far and really have not learned anything yet. But I was inspired to make a cake for our ward girls night out halloween reciped exchange. There were lots of fun goodies there and at the end of the night we all loaded up our plates with each other goodies. I thought it was really funny when I friend of mine requested to take the spider home and then we realized it was half the cake. I was happy cause the less sweets I eat right now the better. Here's to a scaaaarrrry Halloween!

I feel so special...

So my new company/client wanted me to send a bio for their website and they put me at the top! I am currently only under contract for the next year...but they have suggested I stay on after that. If anyone is interested in learning about ecotourism, here is a great way to read up and learn!

Click here to read about The International Ecotourism Society and my Bio

Babybump and Bryan in Brazil...BBBBBB!

8 months (32 weeks to be exact) and counting down!!! Do I feel ready...not one bit! When does the nesting start? I still have unpacked boxes from the move three months ago, not feeling like they will ever be unpacked...oh well!

One of my nephews, Brian Larson (my sisters oldest child) just left for his mission on Tuesday. He has been preparing for this opportunity for so long. All grown up and ready to leave we got together to see him get set-apart.

The Larson Family (Cheryl, Bryan, Ron, Riley, Elizabeth and Zach)

California Trip...the End!

Finally we get to go home...Although we have one last stop.. Uncle Bert and Bev's in Redding, CA.


When I was growing up, my grandparents (on my fathers side) lived in Redding, also my fathers' brother Bert and Aunt Bev. We would drive up to see them at least once a year, most of the time, twice a year usually for Thanksgiving and Easter. I then went off to college, my grandparents passed away, and my parents moved to Arizona, since then we stopped visiting Redding. Therefore it has been a while since I had seen my aunt and uncle. Ben really wanted to meet them, so we went to visit.


In the past 10 years, my Aunt Bev has become a famous artist. I actually have two of her watercolors hanging in my house. So I was really excited to see what she has been up to lately. Here is an article about her work.... Bev Corford, Canvas Calling

Bev's Art Studio

Aunt Bev & Uncle Bert

Their backyard has so many memories!

Koi pond, this used to be a standing swimming pool we used to swim in all the time.

Ben and I heading home now...yay!

It was so nice to get away for our little adventure before the baby comes. We also had the chance to visit with the Allison's (Emily, Margaret and Don), a family we grew up with and one of my mom's best friends. We also got to see my old boss/mentor, Del Owen and her family. It was a quick stop in Los Altos, but it was cool for Ben to meet some important people from my past. When we were driving home Ben said it was nice to see where I came from. He now knows his other half a little better. Until next time...Hasta la Vista California!

California Trip...Part 6 - San Francisco

Are we done yet? Do you see why we had to do this in parts?

This I think was Ben's favorite part of the whole trip and it was actually unplanned. We extended our trip for a day/night so that we could see the city. I thought he had been there before but really he had just been to the airport which is actually in Burlingame. So we could not pass up seeing this historic city together.

Funny growing up only an hour away from it, we did not venture into San Fran too often. It just seemed so big and crowded compared to San Jose. But once in a while we would go grab some yummy clam chowder at Pier 39 and go shopping at the big Macy's during Christmas time.

Ben really wanted to drive across the Golden Gate Brige...toll $6 bucks! Hope it was worth it Ben :)

We got to go under it on our afternoon trip around the bay. Also making an appearence was that San Francisco fog.

Driving down Lombard street, the curviest street in the world. Ben likes curves...

View from the top...Coit Tower

I love this building!

Ben's favorite part of the whole day was the view around Alcatraz, on our boat tour I think we went around 3 times at least. I was over it after one time, not my favorite type of island. Funny how men are facinated by prisons or maybe it was just the history.

Now were talking...we split a sunday at Ghiradelli Chocolate factory. I am suddenly revived enough to go check out China town. We even took public transportation there.

Ben was very proud.

Love these two shots...so much color!

Ben had to try something wierd, he said it tasted like a fish meatball....mmmmmmmm....not!

We finished off the evening with dinner in North Beach, bascially little Italy. I was so excited to get some real Italian food. The Bruscetta was amazing!

California Trip...Part 5 - Carmel/Monterry

I wanted to take Ben to Carmel/Monterey, because growing up near this most beautiful city was a privledge. People come from all over, I mean all over just to see the quaintness of it. And I learned to dive in the very chilly waters. We spent two nights there and went everywhere...except the Monterey Bay Aquarium...my bad. There is always next time!

Ben at Pebble Beach, he was very excited to see this famous course.

The happy couple at the 18th hole.Me by the lone cypress

I love this place!

Ben likes the boats at the wharf, I think he really wants one someday...hmmmm.