Pumpkin Patch

 Pumpkin Patch

We went to Resendiz Family Fruit Barn. They had a Pumpkin Patch, Train Ride, & Horseback Riding. It was a lot of Fun & was only a few miles away!! :)

 We also stopped at Brenton's School for the Book Fair. We got to see Clifford!! :)

Moving Part II

Moving 

Part II

 As if packing & loading all your things into a Moving Truck, isnt daunting task already..

Roadtrip Moves are even more fun, & always a Adventure!! This was my first time Driving a long distance road trip with just the kids & I. (4-5 hours max before)  We left Saturday early evening and arrived the next Afternoon. It is about a 12 hour Drive. However we stopped and stayed the night in the middle of Nevada. Probably the most old/grossest thing I have ever spent 100 dollars at in my entire life!! It was so nasty we slept on top of the covers!! We are so glad to have arrived safely at my In-laws!

Getting onto I80... Such a Perfect Send off!

A Huge Wildfire in the Mountains before the Salt Flats...

Salt Flats!!!

Aunty Mallory & her Special K Crackers... Shes Obsessed!

Loaded to the MAX!!

Sleeping Beauty...

They insisted they wanted to help with the gas. When I asked the kids why Brent said it was because they wanted to be good helpers since Dad wasn't there! So Sweet!!!

Day 2

Lacy Bear!!

Benson & his Cone... Someone got fixed before we left...

Middle of Nevada...

Tahoe!! Almost there!! Going over the Pass... (don't worry I was in bumper to bumper)

We Made it!!!! Watching Grandpa load/store our stuff with the Tractor...

Drive Home
Part II

As a child, My Mother took us on amazing road trips. Across the country to meet family, & to see historical sights. One of our stops was in Illinois, to see My Grandfather Culotta's Family. We stayed with Grandpa Culotta's Cousin, Dolly. I don't remember a whole lot. I just remember how nice everyone was, family reunion partys, catching fireflys, dealing with humidity, and seeing My first Amish!

2-3 Months Ago, I got a very strong impression that I needed to visit Aunt Dolly. I didn't know why. I just knew it was important. I called My Grandfather & got her information. I looked up the distance between us...and being a 4 hour drive one way, it just didn't seem logical. While mapping out our drive home, from Kentucky. I was beyond thrilled to see we would be driving right through Urbana, Illinois!! So 2 days before we left, I called Aunt Dolly & asked if we could stop by on Sunday Afternoon.

Ironically enough, it was exactly the half ways point!!

As soon as we pulled up, I knew which house it was. Very little had changed in the 16 years, since I had last been there. Aunt Dolly, Jodi & Lois all welcomed us. Everything seemed very familiar to me. Even the Corn being sky high in her backyard. Aunt Dolly, fed us Lunch, of what else but Salami Sandwiches & Cookies!! (just like grandpas) The kids played, & we visited for 3 hours. I was sad we had to leave so fast. I went to the bathroom before we left. And was even surprised I remembered My Mom giving us baths in the tub.

So why was it so important for us to go??
It was Simple.
And only one word comes to mind...

Comfort.

In 16 Years a lot has changed. There isn't a lot of places or things that are still the same. I have always had a difficult time with this. I was so sad to move from California to Boston. I loved Our house in Alta Loma, & just My Life in general. My Parents assured me, that a Home was just a place. And as long as we were all together our New Home would feel like Home. After a few years it eventually did. My Mothers 9 1/2 Year Battle with Cancer came to a end. When she died, it felt extremely Empty and Hallow at Home. Everything was as it was, while she was alive.
Except it was missing one Key thing...

Her.

Alan & I had gotten Married. After 1 1/2 Years we started a Family. It was extremely comforting to me, to think of Coming Home, as the last place my family had been all together. Showing My Children, parts of there Grandmothers life, visiting her Grave, & just seeing things that reminded me of all the happy Memory's. I loved going into her closet, running my fingers over her clothing, taking in the scent, and just being reminded of how she left them last. Home almost felt sacred now. It was where she spent her last moments on earth. My Dad moved to Kentucky with David. I was heartbroken. Because spending time in that House again was going to be nearly impossible. Fast forward to Present time. This was My First Visit to Kentucky. My Dad & Debra were very Welcoming. Even though most of the same Furniture is in the New House. I felt uneasy. It did not feel like home. In fact it felt like a Strangers House. And it took me a little off guard.

When I have the opportunity of visiting my Grandpa Culotta's Home, it has that same sacredness. Perhaps its because My Grandmother spent her last moments on earth in her home. Or because My Aunt Cynthia, does such a wonderful job keeping things as My Grandmother did. Its Comforting to have and to be around things of someone you love.

With all of the chaos of moving to Iowa. Being far away from Family. And discovering somewhere new. I have learned the importance of a Sacred Home. It is so nice to feel Comfort when you least expect it. I love being reminded of My Mother. Home really is where the Heart Is...

We figured out the last time we were here, Mallory was Savannah's age!!
We took a photo on her porch before we left...Jodi holding Savannah, Aunt Dolly, & Lois.

It seems Ideal that the same chair is still on her Porch...
I like to think that My Mother, was sitting on that Chair for these picture.

Pioneer Day

Part I

I have a Genealogy Bug.

A lot of people have no idea...

I am always working on Genealogy. I dedicate myself at least once a week. Lately it hasn't even been for myself. I love reading, researching, and discovering what life was like for past family members.

As a little girl, My Grandfather Culotta, would print out our Pedigree Charts & Life Summary's. (Placing them into protective sheet and into a Red Binder for us. Which I still have) When I was 12, My Mother started taking me to the Genealogy Library. Teaching me how to search, & helping her find clues. She kept a Giant Minella Folder, in Our China Cabinet. Enclosed you would find notes of peoples birth and death dates, a few photos, 5-6 started pedigree charts, announcements, a old Mexico Map, and other random family info. When my Grandparents would come to visit, My Mother would pull out this folder. They would start to try and piece things together. Often I would be at the Dinning Table with them, just listening to the story's and soaking in all of the information. When My Mother died, that folder was the first thing I took. I kept it exactly the way she left it. If your home was on fire and everyone was safe what would you take? Well, that would be one of the things I would grab. That's how much I cherish this information. I have been slowly entering this information into the church website. (After I check, and than double check the information is right.) It is so rare to find any photos. However in this Manilla Folder...This is My 2nd Great Grandmother, Eugenia Del Villar Ayala. (on my grandmother garcia's side) She is absolutely Stunning to Me. I can actually see so much of My Mom in her. My Mothers Genealogy is, & has been extremely challenging. Alan & I have already mapped out places to visit in Mexico. In hopes to unlock some more family information one day.

Speaking of Alan, I have married into a Family Tree worth GOLD. Alan is from 100% stock of Pioneer relatives on both sides of his family, including 2 Great Great Grandfathers that were Apostles (one on each side of the family)! His family has rarely talked about it... Just mentioning they had pioneers. So One day, I decided to take a look at his Pedigree Chart. I was so amazed with what I found! I was practically speechless!!! When I asked Alan about his pioneer ancestors he said "oh ya.. (like no big deal) when I was little, my parents use to read their journals as bedtime story's." Can you even imagine?! So even after 6 years of Marriage... I am still learning new things about him & the family I married into. We haven't even gone into depth on the early American history, or the Royalty {(queens, kings, emperors, pharaohs, duchess, dukes, princess, prince, ect. And castles that still exist!) from literally almost every country in Europe & even the Middle East}, or the fact that his line goes back to Adam & Eve!!! In Mexico you can change your name, and how old you are very easily. It is a Genealogy Dream to find pedigree charts that are so well documented! I literally can google his ancestors names! Their Journals, Photos, and story's about them are at my fingertips!! (All photos above are Alan's Pioneer Great Grandparent's! I plan on having them put into a hard bound book to put on our coffee table)

Here are some of the AMAZING Relatives we have found linked to his family...

LDS PROPHETS...
Ezra Taft Benson, 8th Cousin 4 times removed
Heber J Grant, 6th Cousin 6 times removed
Gordon_B Hinckley, 9th Cousin 4 times removed
Howard_W Hunter, 10th Cousin 2 times removed
Spencer Kimball, 7th Cousin 5 times removed
Harold_B Lee, 8th Cousin 4 times removed
George_Albert Smith, 7th Cousin 5 times removed
Joseph Smith, 6th Cousin 6 times removed
Joseph_F Smith, 7th Cousin 5 times removed
Joseph_Fielding Smith, 6th Cousin 4 times removed
Lorenzo Snow, 6th Cousin 7 times removed
Wilford Woodruff, 5th Cousin 7 times removed
Brigham Young, 4th Cousin 9 times removed

CURRENT LDS APOSTLES
Russel Ballard, 8th Cousin 2 times removed
David A Bednar, 9th Cousin 3 times removed
Robert Hales, 8th Cousin 3 times removed
Jeffrey R. Holland, 8th Cousin 4 times removed
Dallin Oaks, 9th Cousin 1 times removed
Boyd Packer, 9th Cousin 2 times removed
Tom Perry, 9th Cousin 3 times removed

PAST LDS APOSTLES
Ezra Taft Benson, 5th Cousin 7 times removed
John Boynton, 4th Cousin 9 times removed
Hugh Brown, 7th Cousin 2 times removed
Rudger Clawson, 8th Cousin 5 times removed
Matthew Cowley, 6th Cousin 4 times removed
James Esdras Faust, 9th Cousin 1 times removed
David Haight, 7th Cousin 4 times removed
Orson Hyde, 7th Cousin 6 times removed
Heber Kimball, 5th Cousin 7 times removed
Amasa Lyman, 5th Cousin 5 times removed
Thomas Marsh, 5th Cousin 8 times removed
Neal Maxwell, 9th Cousin 4 times removed
Bruce McConkie, 8th Cousin 3 times removed
Merriner Merrill, 3rd Great Grandparent
John Page, 5th Cousin 6 times removed
David Patten, 5th Cousin 8 times removed
Parley Pratt, 6th Cousin 6 times removed
Franklin Richards, 5th Cousin 8 times removed
LeGrand Richards, 7th Cousin 6 times removed
Stephen Richards, 6th Cousin 7 times removed
Willard Richards, 4th Cousin 9 times removed
Charles Rich, 3rd Great Grandparent
Marion Romney, 8th Cousin 3 times removed
Delbert Stapley, 8th Cousin 1 times removed
N. Eldon Tanner, 8th Cousin 3 times removed
Daniel Wells, 7th Cousin 4 times removed
Orson Whitney, 7th Cousin 4 times removed
Lyman Wight, 4th Cousin 7 times removed
Frederick Williams, 5th Cousin 4 times removed

BOOK OF MORMON WITNESSES
Oliver Cowdery, 5th Cousin 7 times removed
Hyrum Smith, 6th Cousin 6 times removed
Joseph_Sr Smith, 5th Cousin 7 times removed
Samuel_H Smith, 6th Cousin 6 times removed

WILLIE HANDCART COMPANY
John Lindford, 3rd Great Grandparent (Actually died in Sweetwater)
Joseph Linford, 2nd Great Grandparent
Maria Linford, 3rd Great Grandparent

FAMOUS LDS
Gail (Candy Bomber) Halvorsen, 9th Cousin 3 times removed
JonSr Huntsman, 9th Cousin 3 times removed
Mitt Romney, 10th Cousin 2 times removed
WCleon Skousen, 4th Cousin 2 times removed
Jon Steven YOUNG, 9th Cousin 4 times removed

US PRESIDENTS
George H. W. BUSH, 9th Cousin 4 times removed
George W. BUSH, 10th Cousin 3 times removed
Calvin Coolidge, 7th Cousin 6 times removed
James Garfield, 7th Cousin 5 times removed
Warren Harding, 8th Cousin 3 times removed
Rutherford Hayes, 6th Cousin 7 times removed
Herbert Hoover, 7th Cousin 5 times removed
Richard Nixon, 8th Cousin 4 times removed
Franklin Pierce, 2nd Cousin 7 times removed
Franklin Roosevelt, 6th Cousin 2 times removed
William Taft, 6th Cousin 7 times removed


FAMOUS AMERICANS
Truman Angell, 4th Cousin 7 times removed
Humphrey Bogart, 9th Cousin 3 times removed (one of Alans all time FAV Actors!)
Bing Crosby, 10th Cousin 3 times removed
Emily Dickenson, 6th Cousin 4 times removed
Philo Farnsworth, 7th Cousin 6 times removed
Jacob Hamblin, 5th Cousin 4 times removed
Philo T Farnsworth, 7th Cousin 6 times removed
Eli Whitney, 4th Cousin 8 times removed
Orville Wright, 9th Cousin 2 times removed
Wilbur Wright, 9th Cousin 2 times removed
Rebecca Nurse, 9th Great Grandmother Salem Witch Trials

We have linked Alan to 41 past Seventies. 34 Past Prophet Wives.

Grandpa Culotta says Brenton & Savannah have the longest pedigree chart in the family! Its enough to boggle my mind, and even crazier to see on paper. So, Ive decided that every year, I am going to showcase a different Pioneer Ancestor on Pioneer Day. In hopes one day, that our children can look back and appreciate there Amazing Heritage!

Easter Eggs
Part III

With having to get Aunty Mallory... dyeing our Eggs took the back-burner. So we did it while the Ham was in the Oven! :)

Aunty Mallory Visits!!!

It was kinda a last minute thing...
actually more like a whirl wind.
I called Mallory up at 7am, & asked her if she could make it to the airport by 11am.
She hopped on a direct flight to Chicago.

(The kids & I drove to Chicago.
Let me just put it out for the record.
I am NEVER driving there again to pick someone up!!!
Just spend the extra money to come closer to us.
Its a 3 1/2-4 hour drive one way!!!
The first 90 miles from the house isn't even a highway.
Its a TON of up and down Rolling Hills, windy curvy 1 way traffic roads.
Totally NOT a good idea when your kids are motion sickness prone.
Even ask Mallory, she even threw up once we got home.
Plus gas prices in Chicago are INSANE.
Thank Goodness she is going home thru Madison, Wi!!!!)

We are so Happy to have her here!!! We LOVE having Aunty Mallory here!! :)

Weekend Getaway...

Even though we just returned from Vacation... we decided for a little getaway to our timeshare in Park City and on our way home hit Hoogle Zoo! :)