It's DECEMBER!?!

It's been December for 11 days now but it has only felt like it since the latest snow fall. I also just realized that there's a little less than 14 days until Christmas. Wow!
Here's a little recap on November to cover all those posts we would have put up if we had used our time that way.

Thanksgiving weekend. We had so much fun spending the weekend with family down near Capitol Reef. We also got to chop our own Christmas tree.

Walking like a champ! This girl is off to a running start in her new coat.

Utah Football. We all loved the Utah vs BYU game. Especially the final score!


1 year old. Can you believe it's been a year. I took this picture of her on her birthday. She has grown up so much ans she's still the most beautiful baby to me.

The Giant Stuffed Hippo she got for Christmas last year is one of the most fun toys you can tackle.

Clare's First Steps

Long time, no post!

Alright I'm way behind so here is my excuse.
First, our computer went on the blitz because of a virus. When we took it in to get it off they had to keep it for a week and wipe EVERYTHING off because it was all so corrupted by viruses and spy ware and you name it... Then when we got it back it took a while to dig through the moving boxes we STILL haven't unpacked and find the disks we needed to reinstall EVERYTHING.
Once it was reinstalled Clare and I (Chrysi) took off with Ricks side of the family on vacation for 8 days. Disneyland, Sea World, and Mission Beach. Then I had to use all my spare time to finish making Clare's Halloween costume.
So that's it. I guess I've just been procrastinating since Nov. 1 because that's where my excuses run out. I'll put up another post soon with plenty of pictures of our adventures.

Family Pictures and Birthday week

Another week flies by and I'm not quite sure if I was awake as it happened. I guess this blog is my outlet to figure out what actually occurred and whether it really mattered or not. As we get older and our family circles continue to grow exponentially, I realize that I forget more birthdays than I remember. I do declare it a miracle that I actually remembered both Charlie's and my Dad's Birthdays this past week.

Our family has a tradition for Birthday celebrations. A delicious celebratory dinner is prepared by mom with the birthday boy or girl incharge of selecting the menu. (I am sure this is pretty typical of many familys.) But near the end of dinner, Dad motions to the family that it is time to take a moment and allow each member of the family to express their thoughts and feelings about the honored member of the family. I must admit that it can be uncomfortable when upon notification from dad that it is now my turn to share my feelings. I probably should prepare before these events knowing what is most certainly going to occur. Well this past week, we had two birthday dinners. Sunday the 7th was Charlies 17th birthday, and this last Sunday we celebrated Dad's birthday. Unfortunately, due to a strange rash that Clare developed, we elected to stay home and family pictures with Chrysi's family before Airety and Brian leave for Germany, we were unable to participate in the events.

So I feel that I have now had addequate time to prepare and would like to share my thoughts about my brother 10 years younger and the man I wish I could be more like, my Dad. I feel like time passes so quickly and if we waste the opportunities we are given we will forever regret it. As an older brother I have felt the burden of being the good example and the bar setter for my younger brothers. When they slip up or don't achieve the very best, I tend to take the blame for not being the best example and supportive brother I could have been. I know its not my fault, but I always ask myself if I am being the brother I should be. Could I make a better effort to attend a soccer game, cross country, swimming or water polo meet? Of course the answer is a resounding YES! But I have noticed something this year. I have some of the most accomplished and talented brothers who achieve and find success in almost every avenue they take. Charlie is one such example. I will forgive him for not continuing the running and soccer tradition and taking on swimming and water polo. Charlie is an amazing athlete and is one of the hardest workers I know. He has taken his education more seriously and has recognized the potential he has to be successful in everything he does with correctly applied effort. I am so excited for the doors of opportunity that are opening up to him because of his work ethic. Charlie is a great example and role model for me in my work and family life. I am so proud of him and greatful to be his brother. We love you Charlie!

Being a third generation Richard, I have the mantle of living up to the greatness my great uncle and father have given the name. Dad has always been and will continue to be the image of knowlege, love, security, hard work, and spirituality. Like most children, we view our parents as invincible and perfect people who we want emulate in every way. Although I realize that my father is neither invincible or perfect, I still desire to be like him in almost every way. Dad has always be available for me. As a soccer, basketball, baseball, and tee ball coach, Scoutmaster, Bishop, spectator, tutor, teacher, and cheerleader, Dad has always been invested in his families interests. As a man that works harder and probably just as long and as anyone else I know, he has always put aside his work to be actively involved in our lives. Dad has taught me a great lesson of how important a successful education is by his example and hard work. As a husband who does all of the laundry and ironing in the house and as a gardener extrodinaire, Dad has instilled a sense of responsibility that I have to be a better support to Chrysi and father to Clare. Dad, I love you and Happy Birthday!

A Little Olympic Spirit

Well the Olympics are now over and I can actually
try to get something done productive, especially
sleep. I thought all might want to see who the last
cut was for the U.S. womens gymnastics team. As
my personal opinion, had the U.S. had not cut this
girl, we would have the team gold medal and we
wouldn't have to complain that the Chinese beat us
with 8 year olds. And plus, she is at least 16! Enjoy!

1st Trip to Hogle Zoo!!!!

Amidst all of the chaos of Work and Studying and Fixing the house, we thought that it was time to take Clare on her first visit to Hogle Zoo. It was extra fun because Grandma Alta came with us. Despite the heat, she did amazing. She loved the animals, especially the monkeys. It was fun to see all of the animals. This is also the first visit for me in almost 15 years. It has changed a lot for the better. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful place to see and learn about animals from all over the world. If you haven't been for a while, I strongly recommend you go and enjoy a day with the animals. Thanks for coming mom.

Take Me Out To....

We got to go to a Bee's game on the weekend. It was so fun! The bees lost, (which stunk), but there were fireworks at the end of the game. I love fireworks and I finally figured out how to take successful pictures of them, (thanks Ritz Pix). Check out my panorama. Yeah, I took those.
Here are some pics. of us at the game. We also got to go with our niece and nephew. they are some of the greatest kids! We love them.

House Update

We've been asked by a few people how we're doing on our house.
So here is the update.

AUGUST 25th _____vs ____THE BEGINNING

Confession

I have a confession. I crave HONEY. (My mouth is watering as I type. No lie.) I Love Honey. I have fond memories of eating it as a child in the back of our play room when my mother wasn't watching. White honey is the best. Acctualy I haven't found a flavor or type that isn't great. I can't buy and wear the honey scented lotion at Bath and Body Works because smelling it on myself makes me want to guzzle honey. Really, the smell is so distracting that I can't think of other things while I'm smelling it.

I try not to buy honey often because if I have it I want to eat it constantly, (or drink it). Although I can easily spend over 15min staring at it in the grocery store isle it's not to hard to resist buying it when it costs $12.00/lb. That makes it $34.00 per gallon. (good thing we don't rely on foreign imports of honey to fuel our lavish lifestyles.)

This is distressing! For some unknown reason the worlds honeybee population is taking a serious nosedive. That's right, the bees are dying and no one knows why! This is more serious than my insatiable honey hunger. Honey bees are relied upon to pollinate 80% of the produce grown in the US. The honey bee shortage could create a serious food shortage as well. I'm going to stop before I pass out from honey lust but if you would like to learn more please go to http://HelpTheHoneyBees.com - Chrysi (I sign because I don't want to smear Rick or Clare with my sticky confession)

Independence Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July as you celebrated our nations independence. Here are three movies that have raised my appreciation of all we enjoy here in the USA. Let me know which movies or books have made an impact on you.
The Kite Runner
Hotel Rwanda (Both made me realize just how frightened and desperate I would feel living in a terrorist run country)
1776 (Yeah I like musicals. This one is of course about the making of the Declaration of Independents.)
Referring to the first two movies it's not hard to imagine how you would feel living in those circumstances with your own family. We don't have to go through those terrible happenings. The freedoms we enjoy have been fought for and won on and off of US soil. Let us remember those who have fought for us to ensure our freedom and the freedom of our childrens' children. We live in a wonderful country let us all be sure we are doing all we can to maintain and improve it.
Thank you for letting me stand on my patriotic soap box. Have a wonderful July. Don't stop celebrating! God Bless the USA! - Chrysi
Speaking of Celebrating, Here are some picts of what we did:


We were invited to a special breakfast that is only available
one time a year. Thanks mom, it was great!


Doesn't she look patriotic?


Grandma and Grandpa Robinson


Clare goes for her first swim at grandma's house


As you can see, Clare doesn't mind the water.
She is a natural water baby like her mom and
dad were.

1 Year Older

The surprise party we held for Rick went very well. Thanks to everyone for making it such a success.
And yes, we did actually surprise him! It wasn't easy, but it was fun!

Review of Ricks past year:
Last year on his birthday I was pregnant and we had just found out it was a girl.
Within 24 hrs of learning her gender we decided to name our first daughter Clare Beth.
Rick spent that summer going to class, preparing for the next school year as Beta Alpha Psi President, serving in our ward bishopric, and working full time. But with a little golf and roller coaster rides without his pregnant wife he was still able to enjoy himself.
The Fall only continued in the same pattern, (School, BAP pres., church, full-time work), except his first child was born mid November!
Winter was just as busy until Feb. When we bought our first house and Accounting-Busy-Season started. So on top of all the craziness he was working 60 hr weeks and we were fixing up and moving in to our first house.
Rick finally got a break in May and boy did we need it! Life has calmed down now that school, BAP, and busy season all ended. A change in jobs and wards has also made a big difference in his time commitments.
So now June, Ricks birth month has ended and he is not just a year older he is a year wiser also. "one thing at a time" are his words of wisdom expressed after the past year of frenetic activity.

We're Back! (although some of us didn't really leave)

These are our nephews who live in Kansas. Aren't they great!

Rick did make it out to Kansas and he enjoyed the visit a lot. The only thing that wasn't so great was that Clare and I couldn't come. We missed him a lot! Rick missed us too. So much that he made the drive back in one day. Yeah. We're all together again and that's the best.

We're still working on the house. I don't know if we'll ever finish unpacking and fixing things. Maybe next year.

Clare loves to give the best smiles ever! The picture below is of Clare with her cousin Elliot. Elliot is only 3 weeks older than Clare.

So much for Kansas City and Nauvoo.

Since I had a month off of work before I start my new job, Chrysi and I decided that we should go on a family vacation. We had been in the market for another family car to allow Chrysi to be mobile once I begin work again and it turned out that my sister Amanda was asked us if we wanted to buy hers. We bought it and now had a family vacation planned. Fly back to KC, pick up the car, visit the Fam, and then drive up to Nauvoo and see the church sites. It sounded too good to be true. Well, I guess it was!
At about the middle of the week, Clare started getting a cold (from her mom, who received it from who knows where). We were still planning on going until Friday night, the night before our flight. Clare was getting really sick, and so was I and Chrysi was only starting to feel better. Clare didn't sleep more than 2 hrs that night. As you can guess neither did we. I spent most of the evening walking up and down our new neighborhood streets with Clare wrapped up in a blanket in my arms. Side note: We have a beautiful neighborhood, at least for a 3am perspective. So Saturday morning came and we decided that we didn't want to share our lovely plague with Amanda and whoever else comes in contact with us (i.e. plane, airport, Saints in Nauvoo). We didn't want to start an epidemic. So we are still at home and our car is still in KC. We will have to figure out how to get the car later when we can think and walk straight.
Maybe we just aren't meant for Nauvoo, or Nauvoo isn't meant for us. This isn't the first attempt that Chrysi and I have made to go visit the "City of Joseph" (Nauvoo). Two years ago Chrysi and I planned a great road trip back to Nauvoo with Roy, Jani, Airety and Lissa. Well that didn't happen either. Chrysi's family ended up going, but I had been hampered with a herniated disc in my lower spine, and couldn't sit in a car for over 10 minutes without passing out due to the pain. I encouraged Chrysi to go with her Family and leave me at home. But due to the wonderful loving nature that she has, she stayed home with me. What a SWEETHEART!!!! So we didn't get there. Better luck next time!
George, Henry and Clifton, We do love you guys and someday we will come visit you. We just need to figure out how to get the curse lifted.

He's Finished!

The latest and greatest news from our family is about Rick.
He completed his Masters of Professional Accountancy emphasis in Taxation!

Graduation was on May 2nd and I've been waiting for pictures before I posted anything. Still don't have any but I'll put one up as soon as I do.

It was a long and hard but Rick stuck to it and we made it. I'm so proud and excited and happy. I just don't have the right words for it!

New Home Renovations!

We began looking at houses in January. In February we found one with tons of potential. Our offer was accepted on Valentines Day, (we'll never top that gift). We closed in March and have been working so hard that all our New Years Resolutions got put aside including keeping the blog updated. Well, we finally have an internet connection. So, I can resolve once again to update this blog and keep it going!
Check out our progress in the slide show. It's been a real project and it's not finished yet.

We had tons of help from family and want to say a big "THANK YOU!!! We couldn't have done it without you!"

Cutest Baby Ever!

Of course I still think my baby is the cutest baby of all time. Little Clare keeps growing and it's exciting every day.
We just moved and have been doing quite a lot of remodeling on our new house. She's been with us during the entire project and she's been an Angel to put up with so much chaos.
Here are a couple pictures of her. I'll put up a post about the house with some pictures soon.

A New Year, A New Post

New years resolution: Keep the blog updated.

Our lives right now.

Rick: Working on his last semester of the Masers of Accountancy program. He's also got a job lined up for when he finishes in May.

Chrysi: Resigned from her formal full time job in order to be a full time Mommy. I love it!

Clare: Still growing, especially her hair.