"If you're going to San Francisco..."

We won't be there! That's right we're moving!! Jeff recently found out that he was accepted to complete his 4th year of school at a hospital in Albuquerque, NM. This means that after Jeff completes his last round of finals at the end of May, we'll be packing a moving truck and heading to the desert. While we're excited for this new opportunity I have to admit that the physical effort of moving is not something either Jeff or myself are really looking forward to. So, please consider this an open invitation if you would like to come for a visit in the next 8 months! The decision to move was bitter sweet as California has been a joy to live in with friends that we LOVE, a ward we feel blessed to be members of, and weather that can't be beat! With that said, we look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that will be ours once we move on. Just in case you're wondering...here's some useless trivia regarding our new town:

-Population: 835,120

-The Sandia Mountains are the predominant geographic feature visible in Albuquerque.

-Sandia is spanish for "watermelon" and is believed to be a reference to the coloration of the mountains at sunset: bright pink and green (I said it was useless trivia).

-Home of the Isotopes, the AAA affiliate of the LA Dodgers.

-2 hours south of Los Alamos; one of three sites involved in the creation of the atomic bomb.

-Host of the largest hot air balloon gathering in the world known as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta; the most photographed event in the world! (Really?)

-Home to Sandia Peak Tramway, the worlds longest passenger aerial tramway.

"Let's live here...we'll rent to start"

This summer ended on a busy note for us so although we are behind on blogging we have been having a lot of fun so I can't complain. Back in August we decided, kind of last minute, to run down to Monterey for a few days. We had heard that it was a great place and after being there for only 2 days Jeff and I were ready to a buy a house. Okay not really since the townhouses start in the low millions but we could always rent to start!

We stopped at Point Pinos Lighthouse in Pacific Grove to watch the sunset that was really pretty. This lighthouse sits on a golf course and is actually the oldest lighthouse on the west coast that is still in use. I love this picture of Kaden's fat little finger pointing the way! 

Carmel beach was another great stop. Our boys love the beach and the sand was so clean and the waves were huge. At one point we were wading our feet and this huge wave came in. I was holding Kaden and before I knew it the water was up to Trey's chest and covering our blanket at the same time. I was so worried that Trey would be scared after that and he just laughed and thought it was a great time.

We also took a ride down 17-mile drive which is a beautiful road along the coast. It was not the best drive for kids who get easily car sick!! This is the house that we stopped at for Trey to throw up; we call it, 'Castle de la Puke'!

Cannery Row is a cute little shopping area. It used to be a whole bunch of sardine canning companies until they over fished and were forced to move. We didn't have too much time here so it will be our first stop next time.

View looking back at Cypress Country Club along 17 mile drive.

Trey's favorite stop was Dennis The Menace park where they had an old steam train that they kids could climb up on. It was such a great park and Trey would have stayed all day if we would have let him. They also had some really fun slides and playgrounds that we tried to make Trey go on but he didn't seem to care about anything but the train...big surprise!!

The Lone Cypress Tree, AKA: The Pebble Beach Logo was another great stop off 17-mile drive. Like Father like son's I watched as my three boys looked out over the ocean wondering what the three of them might have been thinking. 

And last but far from the least Jeff's dreams came true as he stepped out on the greens of Pebble Beach Golf Links, but not for a round of golf. The course is seen in the distance behind Jeff and Kaden above Carmel Beach. I swear for a moment I saw tears well up in his eyes but he said it was just some sand in his eye!! Although I don't understand why in the world people would actually pay $500 to play a round of golf it was VERY beautiful. There were so many things we didn't get to do in the short time we were there so I am hoping we will make it back there soon!

#17 teeing off in to the view of the Pacific.

Some LeChem History

Recently while surfing through some family history I learned that the final resting place of the ancestors I learned about when I was younger was located above Magna, Ut. in what was then known as Pleasant Green. We recently made a small detour on our drive home to California from visiting family to see this cemetery for ourselves.  It is quite literally in the middle of nowhere and somewhat lonely on that hill, but just as I had imagined it.

Pictured above is myself and the boys at the grave site of Sarah Farr LeCheminant my great-great-great- grandmother who left her home in St. Peter Port, Guernsey in 1854 as a widow with 5 children to travel across the Atlantic, up the Mississippi River, and then across the plains to "the gathering place of the saints" in Salt Lake City.

I love this picture with LeCheminant engraved in the headstone and the reflection of Trey picking at something in the ground. A little eerie? Maybe...but the sort of shot that can only be captured by accident.

The biggest, most sun worn piece of stone in the LeCheminant family plot, but the name can still by made out if you look closely.

So...Sarah Farr begat Osmond Nicholas who begat Wilford Davis who begat Blaine Hill who begat Gary B. who begat Jeffrey B. LeCheminant

The small yet "eloquent" family burial plot on the hill above Magna, Ut. While it is a small cemetery there are quite a few people buried here.  We got out of the car, I put Kaden on my shoulders, and Julie took Trey as we went in opposite directions convinced it wouldn't take long to find the plot. It of course took much longer than anticipated. Sometime in to our searching as we grew a little frustrated because we needed to get back on the road and with Kaden still on my shoulders I offered up a prayer to find it. Not 20 seconds later did Julie scream out that she had found it. We probably walked right by the plot 3 times and didn't even realize it.  Not a monumental occasion, but a refreshing reminder that prayers are heard and answered, even in times of minor frustration.  It was a great experience for me to stand at the headstones of my pioneer forbears who I have read and learned about.  It all came full circle for me, as I'm sure it has for many of you with your own ancestors, that the struggles and sacrifices made by these individuals was worth it.  I am very literally given my opportunities because a 35 year old single mother of 5 decided to leave her channel island home and emigrate to Zion.  I love it. I love that I have pioneer heritage and I will no longer take for granted their sacrifices.  There is an Amos Lee song with lyrics that read "coming from a long line of pain, my family suffered greatly for my gain." That is true for me, and I'm thankful for the spiritual moment I was able to have with my own family on a warm August morning.  I hope someday to take my boys back there after they have heard the stories and are familiar with their heritage so that they too can appreciate what I felt this day on a lonely hill.

Visiting Utah

We traveled back to Utah a while back and I just realized, for our sake, that I never blogged anything from it. Jeff took this adorable picture of us on the way there. I hate to say it but my hips still hurt from being wedged between 2 car seats for 765 miles, not that I was keeping track!!

Trey and his Gram! 

Trey loved riding the scooter with his uncle Jason, Jeff's brother. Since we have been home he has been begging me to buy him one!

Mini golf was a highlight and a first for Trey. He loved it, however we are still working on the rules of golf. Instead of hitting the ball Trey had more fun trying to throw it in the water so maybe we will try water polo next time. 

Normally the older child is supposed to push the younger child but I guess size really does matter. The boys loved being in Utah because no matter who's house we were at there was always a back yard to play in. 

Kaden and cousin Mo were so cute to watch together. I think I might call them Mop Head and Toe Head from now on!!

We had the chance to go to Park City for a day and take Trey on the Alpine Slide. I thought for sure he would get a little nervous on the lift on the way up and not want to go but I was wrong. He was on the slide so fast, screamed the whole way down and begged for another ride at the end. 

Jeff's grandparent's were SOOOO nice to come down from Idaho while we were there and it was such a treat to see them. Our boys are so lucky not only to have two sets of wonderful grandparents but they also have 3 sets of great-grandparents. A trip to Utah is always a wonderful adventure. 

Happy 1st Birthday Kaden!

I'm a few days late but i wanted to wish Kaden a happy birthday. We actually did a little party for him and Jeff when we were back in Utah so we of course got him his own cake. I was surprised he didn't go too crazy with it. 

Kaden is such a joy in our lives. He is such a mellow baby and growing so fast. He is trying hard to learn words and makes so many different sounds each day. He also got very brave this last week and is starting to let go of the furniture...I am not ready for another walker!!

We had a great little baseball party for Jeff and Kaden with our families back in Utah. It was a nice hot day until we get to the park... and of course that is right when the summer rain clouds rolled in. It was a great party and the rain held out until we started packing up the car. It was actually nice to cool down for a bit. 

We also had a little pinata for the kids, however the bat was too heavy for Kaden! :) 

Kaden we love you so much Happy Birthday!

**Note- Despite Kaden's size, documentation can be provided to prove he is really 1!!

Happy Birthday Jeff!!

Happy Birthday Jeff!! I just want you to know I love you so much and I am so thankful for all that you do for me and for our family. Thank you for being such a great husband and a wonderful best friend. Here's to another great year. :)

I asked Trey today why he loved his daddy and he said 'because I just do'. It seems so simple but really that is just the truth. Jeff is such an amazing father I don't think any child could narrow down one simple thing. I look forward to the end of each day just to watch our kids get so excited when dad comes home. 

I am always amazed by Jeff that he can come home after a very long day of school or clinic and still find the energy to be a railroad conductor, a wrestler, or a narrator to a bed time story. Thank you for bringing our home great happiness. Happy Birthday!!

Six Flags

A few weekends ago we decided to take the boys to Six Flags for one last summer activity before Jeff was back to school. Trey had seen advertisements on TV and kept asking to go although I don't think he knew just how much fun it was really going to be. 

It's not a big surprise that our first stop was Thomas Town. When Trey saw the gate to go in he took off running but didn't know which direction to go first. He was trying so hard to take it all in that he of course had a hard time deciding what to do first. The actual Thomas train ride was broken down, go figure.  However, Trey didn't seem to mind too much so that was good.

It's hard to tell which rider is having more fun here!!

Although Thomas was down Trey was so excited to ride the Looney Tunes Train. He got to be the conductor and ring the bell the WHOLE time.

Screaming with joy it was not hard to tell that Kaden was having a great time!

Today Trey has adopted a new nickname of Scooter. He got a scooter last year for Christmas from Gram and Grandpa which he loves riding all the time. They had these new scooters for people to try out and Trey had more fun with that then any ride we went on. For a moment I realized how fast he is growing up when I saw him trying to go off the jumps. Scary!!

Around 4:00 we were all so tired and SOOO HOT when we came across this water fountain. Needless to say it didn't take the boys long to get wet. 

Daniel Son! WAX ON, WAX OFF!

Kaden loved the water so much that I couldn't keep him away.

We caught one last show at the end of the day watching this huge elephant do tricks. I don't understand how they can get an elephant to do tricks and still I can't get my boys to sit down when I need them to. Go figure!! It was such an exciting day with so many new things to see and do. A great way to spend a summer day!!