California...Oh How We Miss You!

So the past couple of weeks we were in California visiting family and friends, and particularly we were there to see Benjamin before he left for his two-year mission in the Fortaleza Brazil Mission for the church. It was so much fun, and we realized during our time there that California really is one of the best places around.

When Clément (Jen's brother) visited California, he bought a flag

Visited Maryland, DC, and Virginia...no flag...that says it all really

Why? Well, there's long lists out there on the internet if you google long enough, for starters; but really it just fits us better than any other place we've been. Hawaii was great, but living on an island isn't for us (but that could have something to do with the fact that we couldn't leave the island because we were poor students! haha). The people were even friendlier than most Californians (a feat not so easily achieved), and the food and sights were amazing! However, the fact that California is still connected (for now) to the rest of the US and you can drive everywhere a lot cheaper than flying makes it more desirable. Plus, we like road trips!

As for the East Coast, probably better that nothing was said. Just doesn't fit us at all. 95% humidity all the time, making summer a sauna (pools of sweat included) and winter seep in through every crack possible. Nobody knows how to drive here, and traffic around DC feels like LA, but all the time! 2 hours to go 8 miles...really?? Really. Been there, done that. The museums and history are cool and all, but just not the place for us to live. We'll bring our kids back and say, "isn't it great to visit places like this, then go home to where you can walk outside and not feel like either hell is frozen over or you are in a Halls commercial?"

"Breathe my pasty friend, breathe!"

Anyways, enough with the ranting...how about the trip? It was great. Lots of family and friends...

Last family photo shoot before Ben left

All the Dean boys in uniform

All the Dean boys in uniform...again ;)

...Lots of food...

A "light" breakfast at Doria's

A "light" lunch at Squeeze Inn Burger in Napa with friends

...Boating...

I'm not really falling...trust me...

The shot before this looks like he's getting up on a wakeboard for the first time...

The shot after says he's not...

This one I like, because it says Clément could pass for superman!

Darren and Nicole battling it out on the tubes

David one-up'ed Clément's Superman pose when he did it while flying

Jen just working on her tan

...Food...

Darren has cooking ribs down to an art...MMMmmmmMMMM

Dale, Hannah, Joey and Ella joined us after boating for the BBQ...

don't worry, Jen stayed vegan...Chris couldn't resist!

Camping and Silvis (Chris's mom's side) family reunion

Jen's big leap of faith...

Which she survived despite thinking she would die (and actually enjoyed it really)

Mom and her parents (Chris's grandparents)

The rope and ring game...and the picture with the most people in it that I have...there were between 40 and 50 people at the reunion...it was a blast!

Jen's first fire...a natural!

...More Food...

Clément's first S'more

We celebrated Jen's fire-making skills by eating 4 (vegan) S'mores...each!

...The Beach...

Why jumping pictures are so entertaining I'll never know...but they are!

Jen's name change went through just a few weeks before we left...

Officially a Dean!

The only one brave enough to play in the water besides Sarah!

...Did we mention food?

Clément and Jen with bread bowls, and Ghirardelli ice cream!

And of course...

seeing Elder Benjamin Dean off on his mission

At the Stake offices before the setting apart...

...and at the airport

Good luck Elder Dean! We love you and miss you, and we'll see you in two years!

Overall it was a wonderful trip, and we miss everyone we were able to see again already! Can't wait to go back!

Keeping it zen!

It's the end of the semester..finals are coming up...the hubby is keeping it zen!

For a good laugh...

What am I doing you might ask? Trying to relax my jaw...smiling for pictures hurts...

Now go on and laugh...

You are authorized to use this picture for blackmailing...because really, it's quite funny.

We took that picture the other day... 

And then saw this...

Oh I think I'm just so priceless sometimes... :)

Cherry Blossoms

We are spending the weekend with about 14 million other people... no, not in our place...how would we fit? But watching and listening to General Conference. Every six months, the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints has a general conference over a weekend. Four sessions of two hours. 1 prophet. 12 Apostles. Lots of general authorities. lots of counsels, advices, stories, laughs, good news and above all, the  amazing presence of the Holy Ghost. To teach us what we need to hear. We all hear the same talks but the Spirit will whisper the things that we need to our heart and ears. We love General Conference. Reminds me of my time as a missionary on Temple Square.

Before the 1st session started, we decided to go to the Tidal Basin for some fresh air and cherry blossoms. A bit cold but always beautiful. Blossoms remind me that there is always a new beginning available. We can start new each day, don't have to wait for Spring. Life gets tough but we blossom through our trials, we refine ourselves and become what the Lord intends for us. We are His children and our potential is huge and divine.

It's Ben's turn.

Monday, March 21st.

I knew it was coming. After our Family Home Evening, I was pretty sure it was there. Chris said no, tomorrow. I said "call your mom". He did. I was right. The mail had just come in and guess what was in it: a mission call. For Ben. His little brother. I screamed. Yeah, I know I get super excited about mission calls. They're the best. And the people who get a chance to go on those missions, well, they're cool. They get to go for two years or a year and a half (if it's a girl) to some place anywhere in the world to preach. To preach indeed. What you might ask? What could be better than sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yep, that's what missionaries do. They share the good news that there is a Savior and that His Church is ont he earth today. And it's the best!

So, back to Ben..He is in Hawaii at school and the call arrived in Cali. So, after some coordination with every family member, we were to all skype at 10pm (ET) to open the call and hear the news. Mom would open the envelope and directly put it on the camera so Ben could read his call to everyone. Chris and I also being not in Cali got to see the call as Ben read it. It just happens that both Chris and I remember exactly where on the piece of paper is the name of the mission. So as Ben started reading my eyes were already glued to the name of the mission and I had to seal my lips to not say a word. And then he finally read it (it truly seemed like forever..): Brazil Fortaleza Mission. You will teach the Gospel in the Portuguese language.

This is followed by a series of scream in Hawaii, Cali and DC. So exciting. Really, we are so pumped for him. He is going to love it and come back a changed man. Changed for the better. Missions are an amazing experience, one I would do again in a heartbeat.

He leaves July 27th. We are going to Cali to see him off and wish him the best.

Ben, we are proud of you and truly excited for you. Brazil get ready!

Congratulations Ben!

Hawaii and Cali...see Ben's smile after he read his call...So happy!

Springfield, MA

Thursday March 24th, BYU lost to Florida in the Sweet 16 (D1). BYU-Hawaii won in the Final Four (D2). BYU-Hawaii is my alma mater. The championship game is on Saturday at 1pm in Springfield, Massachusetts. What did we decide to do? Drive all night Friday and be at the game off course!

I drove pretty much the whole way there. Landed at 3am in the driveway of my friend Jenn. Slept in the car for a couple of hours (had to have the experience). Had breakfast with Jenn and her family. Showered. And then headed out. 

Springfield is the home of basketball. It's also where the Dr. Seuss writer came from. Did you know that the first basketball "hoops" were peach baskets? James Naismith invented the game. And I'm pretty sure there are quite a few million dudes and dudettes out there who are very thankful for his invention. 

Who doesn't love basketball?

Anyways, we visited the Basketball Hall of Fame. Chris couldn't be any happier. Oh, and you should have seen his face when we walked into THE Michael Jordan exhibit...rings, shoes, pictures,jerseys...A shrine to the legend.

We headed to the BYU-H vs. Bellarmine game. Oh so good to be among my oh so loved Hawaii peeps. Love BYU-H and love, love, love people from the islands. They're just the best. It was so fun to cheer for my school. That place changed my life, for the best. 

We lost. No biggie. We'll be back. We still made it to the championship game and that is a BIG deal.

Congrats Seasiders for an awesome season. 

We drove back to DC that evening. Got home around 1am. Set the alarm for Church meetings at 5:30am. Forgot to turn the alarm on. Woke up just on time to get to the regular meetings. At least I set the alarm, right? So tired. Slept all afternoon. Glad we went. Oh so worth it. Thanks BYU-H for everything you did for us. When do we do that again?

Two comforters, some pillows and a trunk.

THE MICHAEL JORDAN... 

 Our Seasiders

 With Valmene, our Tahitian friend. Her hubby was on the team and is the best rebounder in the nation

Sometimes, you just gotta be spontaneous and drive 14 hours in a 24hrs period for a game of basketball.