So.... Here is a very brief run down of my life for the month of July :)
The month kicked off with the birth of our newest Little One (well, Jennifer and Matt's little one I should say!). A very healthy, 8 lb 1 oz, 20 something inch Nathan James McPheeters was born on July 8th.
Nathan and Grandma, Nathan and I having a chat, and Nathan with Grandpa... We thought it only appropriate to have his first motorcycle waiting for him in the delivery room ;-)
He is so beautiful and so perfect!
My friend Tiffany was one of the nurses helping out-- small world!
Our Single's Branch celebrated it's 4th Birthday this month, so naturally, we threw a party! With games such as "Pin the Accessory on the Branch Presidency," a donut drop and musical chairs, we had a blast! Not to mention a professionally made cake by our wonderful Brittany Phillips. (Remember that name for when she owns her own magnificent bakery!)
The following weekend was a Regional YSA Summer Conference! Friday night we spent up in Penryn playing games that could really show off our skills and attract members of the opposite sex... Games such as a hoola-hooping contest, a Frisbee toss, a FOUR-legged race, and of course the most endearing of them all, a game of "Who can spit a marshmallow the furthest?" It was a lot of fun and certainly gave you something to talk about afterwards :)
Saturday we went to the temple with Ife for the first time. I always enjoy going to the temple, but this day was especially great. I remembered when I went through for myself, and how even though I didn't understand everything I was learning in it's entirety, I had such an overwhelming feeling of peace and goodness that has seldom been matched in my life. There was no doubt in my mind that the temple is a place that God resides.
Later that night, it was back to the YSA Conference for a River Cats Game! It was great to be in a public place and to look around and see that I was surrounded by so many friends and new acquaintances.
Our group filled nearly the entire front portion of the grass. Refer to the following picture:
It's super blurry because I took it from all the way across the field, but this gives a bit of an idea of how many of us there were! And yes, nearly everyone of those people was from our group-- plus there were tons more that didn't fit in the frame! It was a great night.
The Conference concluded with a Sunday Fireside given by Elder Typhall of the Quorum of the Seventy, and our Presiding Area Authority. He spoke about how, even though we were doing well and were on the right track, there are always ways to be a little bit better. For some it was a gentle rebuke, but for all it was an uplifting and encouraging address.
The following Tuesday, at 5 AM we said "Goodbye!" to Elder Ife George, who entered the MTC on the following Wednesday to prepare to serve in the Georgia Atlanta Mission (English speaking). He had been waiting and preparing for that day a long time, and his sense of duty to and love for the Lord was prevalent in his attitude and demeanor. He will do and see many great things!
Hang in there.... just 2 more weeks left to cover!
The following weekend was:
That's right! We went to the John Mayer concert a few weeks ago and it was awesome! I didn't realize how many hits he had-- and what was even more impressive was that I actually recognized (most of) them! It's official. I am a John Mayer convert. :) (I think it's the hair cut that really won me over...)
My friend Matt was in town from Utah, so on Saturday we hit the Sacramento Temple, then stopped by the Oakland Temple on our way to San Fransisco. (That's Matt trying to run into the picture before the timer went off... Almost made it!) We really had a great day. Most of our pictures were taken in a little shop at Pier 39. Here are some of the highlights:
This is why I absolutely love Melissa Smalley and why I need her in my life! It will be sad to see her move to Pennsylvania, but exciting for her just the same! Good luck out there Smalls!
Matt's really wanted to get some cool photos of the city and then fly down every hilly street that the city could offer him. So after a nice long stroll along Ocean Avenue (I know it's not really called that, but I don't know what the name of the street is that goes all along the piers!), we headed for-- you guessed it-- Lombard Street!
**I had a video to post here, but it wouldn't upload for some reason :(**
The final week of July was even MORE busy... believe it or not! My roomates Kendra and Sydney from BYU-Idaho came into town for Cindy's Wedding. I had roomed with them in Fall 2007 and Cindy roomed with them the following Winter semester. Needless to say, the four of us (when Cindy was available!) had SO much fun! It was like life at BYU-I all over again, excpet this time it was in MY backyard ;-). The week carried out as follows:
Monday: Work
Tuesday: Work, Pampered Chef Party/Cindy's Bridal Shower, Pick up roomies from SAC Airport -- YEY!! Welcome to Sac*Town :)
Wednesday: Cindy's Endowment, BBQ at the Long's, and MAMMA MIA!
Thursday: Shopping, Cindy's Bachelorette Party, Scott's Mission Call (Washington Tacoma-- CONGRATS SCOTT!), and finally Cleaning Cindy's Room (what a feat!)
Friday: A trip to SANTA CRUZ! Which included, of course, lying on the beach and running from the waves And... Let's be honest, it wouldn't be a trip to the beach without bringing home a nice sunburn!
Saturday: Cindy's Sealing, Photos outside of the Temple, a quick trip to the Capitol, and then Dancing the night away at the Reception!
And... guess who caught the bouquet!? That's right, it was me! Don't worry Mom, there's hope for me yet! ;-)
So, I guess what this all means is that... July was a hit! "Whew!"
