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.