Back to School and Seminary

Benj started teaching early morning seminary Wednesday. This year they are studying the Old Testament and Benj is really excited to get into the great stories (Noah, Daniel, Esther) with them. There are about 15 active students, Freshman-Seniors in high school, that go to the church each morning for 6am seminary.

I also started school this week (SFSU) and would like to give a shout out "THANK YOU" to Betsy for baby swapping with me and tending Ella. There are 16 students in my class from 7 different countries. It's exciting to be on a college campus again (though BYU is far superior!) and I am thrilled to start this new chapter in my education.

Most importantly, Ella is busy, busy, busy. She re-organizes the bathroom daily, while I make dinner;

is obsessed with taking her hair flowers off the flower board (thanks Gooch);

loves to turn pages in books

and occasionally wears herself out!

La Cucaracha

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!Ella loves dancing with Benj.

Utah

We spent the weekend in Utah. Benj's grandmother, Norinne Callister, celebrated her 96th birthday Saturday. This is a four generation picture on the Becker's deck in Bountiful.

Also, one of Benj's Ukrainian mission converts (Olia) was sealed in the Salt Lake Temple this weekend.

She is a great pioneer for the LDS Church in western Ukraine, the third member of the Church in Lutsk, served a mission in London and is currently getting her M.A. in English teaching at BYU. Benj, President Voge and Nate right after the sealing.

This is a traditional Ukrainian wedding cake. Olia's mom made it in Lutsk and carried it on her lap all the way to Salt Lake!

Ella loved being the center of attention with aunt Sara, grandparents, friends and family.

Temple Outing

Yesterday a group of us went to the Oakland temple to do initiatory work; I love that part of the temple.

We rotated going into the temple and watching the 'herd' of kids in an obscure hallway in the Regional Center. Watching the kids was actually really fun, however it did make me realize that working in a daycare facility would be A LOT of work!

We hope to make this a monthly mommy outing.

Pony-Up

Ella rode her first pony Saturday at the San Mateo County Fair. I think she felt a little insecure on the saddle, but with a little practice, Rodeo Queen may be in her future. Thanks Betsy for the tickets and Laina for the photos and ride~ it was fun.

Wisconsin

Ella and I spent the last week in Wisconsin, visiting family and friends. My mom went 'home' to Kenosha for her 35th high school reunion, and Ella and I decided it was a great time for us to stop by and surprise Great-Grandma Ginny. Ella became an expert at opening and closing cabinets as well as climbing into suitcases by herself.

We met up with my mom's cousins, spent time at Uncle John's cottage and even made it to Wisconsin Rapids.

This is the office of the shoe store (Chiappetta Shoes) my Great Grandfather started when he immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. Uncle Freddie (left) runs it now, and the family hopes Nicholas (right) will take over when he finishes college. We also visited my late Grandpa Gregorin and Grandma and Grandpa Chiappetta.

Ella and I took our morning walks along Lake Michigan and loved looking at the old brick homes in Grandma's neighborhood. The best part about these charming houses is that they are right on lake Michigan and have fantastic waterfront property. Did I mention they are affordable? Relatively speaking they are! Then again most places, outside of CA, are.