Donner Lake Camping

Over Father's Day weekend, we went up to Donner Lake and camped for four days.  We had never camped there before.  We loved it!  Loved the history (even though it is tragic history), the museum, the lake, the store that was close by, and the hot showers and toilets.  The hot showers and toilets that flush are a MUST. 

Tucker LOVED Donner lake.  So did a lot of other Labs.  They were all in heaven.

Spencer, Bridgete and Sophie having fun in the tent trailer.  Sophie found a way to dress up even when camping (the head band made her feel a little more fancy:).

Hubby and me.  The only time we ever have our picture taken together is when I have no makeup on.  Oh well.  And hubby still had the scab on his lip in this picture from a skin cancer he had removed.  It was hard not to kiss him for a few weeks, but alas, the skin cancer was completely removed and his lip looks like nothing ever happened to it and we could all kiss on him again.

Bridgete, Hubby, and Spencer on the wave runner.  They LOVED it, especially Spencer!

The troop going on one of many hikes.  Sophie kept up the best she could (probably didn't help that she picked up sticks nonstop).

Spencer, Hubby and Evan hanging out at camp.

Spencer, Bridgete, and Filippo walking towards the huge monument dedicated to the fateful Donner party.  The monument was constructed at this height to show how high the snow was the tragic winter of 1846-47.  I could not even fathom their suffering. 

It made me so grateful for all those who came before us and all the hard work and sacrifices they made.  We are so blessed. 

Beach Trip 2012

This year we went to Seal Beach for the (annual) Bishop Beach Vacation. 

 The weather was great. 

 A little cool at times, but it didn't stop anyone from spending all day, every day, at the beach. 

 Evan and Filippo surfed, Spencer, Bridgete and hubby boogie boarded,

and Sophie played in the sand. 

 It was great.

  The place we rented was right on the beach.  It was literally a 30 second walk to the sand.  

We loved it.  The kids are already counting down to next year.

Here are just a few photos I snapped of the constant action.

Evan-The High School Graduate!

On May 16, 2012, Evan graduated from Elk Grove High School. 

 We are so proud of him and his accomplishments. 

 He is such a great kid. 

 His brothers and sisters adore him.  Everyone adores this kid. 

Congratulations, Evan Tyler Schramm!

(Yeah...that's right, Sophie has no shoes on.  Taking a three year old to a graduation might not have been the best idea.  By the time I took the picture, I wasn't about to fight the shoes after what we had already endured:)

Look at these handsome boys!  They look up to their older brother (even though Filippo is taller:)

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from our family to yours. 
I love the hope
that Easter brings.
I love the happiness
that Easter brings.
I love the miracle
that Easter brings.

All day I have been singing one of my favorite hymns
(my family is sick of it, but oh well)
"Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia!"

I love this picture.  Bridgete looks so much like her Grandma.  So cute.

And yes, I did brush Sophie's hair... just for the record.

Birthday time



Hey...Who is the handsome devil who just turned the big 5 0?
That is my sexy hubby.  
 He is dating a waaaay younger girl than me in this picture.
I snapped this before he and Bridgete headed off for their daddy daughter dance/date.


For his birthday I whisked him off to the Sonoma Coast for the weekend.  Just the two of us.  His sister Suzanne watched the kiddos for us.  It was wonderful. 
 It already seems so long ago. Why is that?



And who is this princess who just turned 3?
It's Sophie, and now that she is older she wears high heels ALL the time. 
Hey, she is an older woman so, you know.
She got dress up clothes from her Grammy and wears them constantly. 
I draw the line in wearing them to bed, though.


I can't imagine our family without her.    
I love her so much.

Pinewood Derby

What's that? 
 Who won all six of his heats? 
Spencer!


What's that? 
 No one else won all of their heats?
Hmmm...that means
Spencer got 1st place!!!



Quite possibly the happiest day of his life.



New Year's Eve

So this is what happened on our New Year's Eve. 
 Bet you can't top that! 
Evan turned 18 on December 27th, and was baptized on the 31st.  It was sweet and simple.  Bridgete gave the opening prayer, Spencer played "He Sent His Son" and Filippo said the closing prayer.  I made cookies and Sophie was sort of well behaved.  Evan wanted it really low key...like how Evan is...but there was quite a turn out.  The room was packed and every chair was full.  It was nice to see all the love and support people have for Evan. 

Family picture.  What a good looking group if I do say so myself.

And here is Evan, Dave and Filippo in front of the Sacramento Temple. 

 It worked out perfectly that our ward was scheduled to do baptisms on the 12th.  It was a Thursday which is the only day Dave has off.  And Evan was just baptized so he could go.  So all three of them got to go inside together.  They were beaming.  Evan would never fess up to that, but it is true:) 

So I'd say that 2012 is defintely off to a good start.