Elder Jordan Brink is HOME!!!

 

 

What a great family reunion to celebrate Elder Jordan Brink returning from his mission to Indianapolis, Indiana.  All of Bev and Justin's family and some of the rest of us were there to welcome him home.  We gathered at their home Saturday evening for dinner and then afterwards we all sat around Jordan and got to ask him questions about his mission....the little kids wanted to know what wierd food he ate or funny expressions he learned (do you know what a far-see is?) and the bigger "kids" wanted to hear the experiences of living by and teaching by the Spirit and how this affected him personally.  He made us all laugh and cry and feel so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Northstar Tradition...Stones, Brinks and Bakers

 The numbers and couples have varied over the years but this is a tradition we look forward to every year (excluding last year because we were in Spain or planning a wedding, or something)  Dave and Sabrina Stone added us to "the group" 12 years ago and each year we have a great time skiing and laughing and sharing the happenings in our lives.   Some years have been more exciting than others....Sabrina's water breaks and they take her to the hospital in the middle of the night, we get stuck in a snowstorm on Hwy 267 and Sabrina and I hitch hike home, minor ski accidents trying to re-live our younger years and skiing way too fast, Cindy taking two Ambien (on accident) instead of two Tylenol in the middle of the night and literally sleeping for 24 hours....But some years are memorable by just being with good friends 

Jammin' in Jamaica Man...

 
 Megan and Kris Kiriu at Gingham....custom designed shirts moments before the dance by Meggie herself....

88 Years Young

 January 23rd we celebrated Grandma Brink's 88th birthday!  She's a remarkable woman who I love dearly.  Not only because she gave birth to my amazing husband but she and Grandpa raised 4 other amazing children who have created amazing families of their own.  The fact that all 19 of her living grandchildren love her and visit her and call her on a regular basis speaks so strongly of the love she has for family.  Somehow she makes each of them feel like "her favorite".

Yes, I do love California

We enjoyed a great Stake Conference weekend.... The conference broadcast on Sunday was directed specifically to northern California members of the church-our history, our growth, and our strength.  It definitely reminded me of the wonderful place that we live.  Don't get me wrong, as I enjoy being able to run and play tennis all winter long, being able to be in the mountains or at the beach in less than two hours, and gorge on amazing local produce in all the different seasons I know this is an amazing state.  But lately we have all been reminded of the not-so-terrific qualities of this state.  The state's financial situation is a wreck and there is no quick fix or short term solution.   We all must be willing to sacrifice to make things better.  Elder Lance Wickman of the Seventy reminded us that we shouldn't be chasing after "Zion" and truly it is right here below our feet.  President Uchtdorf (so handsome) also reminded us that tough times never last but that tough people do!  A great reminder of what we have and what is required of us....Elder Wickman even quoted CAL'S fight song....We are Sons of California;  A loyal company;  All shout for California while we strive for victory!! RAH RAH!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Erin and Chance flew home for the long weekend.........The rain kept us inside by the fire most of the weekend and it was great. We all loved getting to know him and spending time together.

OOOH LA LA...Can you say kumquat icecream??

Corey and I finally used our gift certificate from my parents 2 Christmases ago and experienced Chez Panisse....something I only dreamed about during my college days in Berkeley. Each course was amazing and something we'd never tried before. Can't decide which we liked better....the Steamed local halibut with escarole and steelhead caviar or the Grilled rack and loin of Cattail Creek Ranch lamb with cumin and olives, roasted parsnips, carrots, and turnips. Actually, the pictured Kumquat and kiwi ice cream pavlova was divine as well.....Thank you Mom and Dad for the once in a life time culinary experience!