"Willy" .... is now "Jerry"

When we got back from NY we decided that our cat Bella was so lonely while we were gone that we needed to get her a friend. So, we went to the animal shelter and got this cute little kitten that we named "Willy"....but then we changed it to "Jerry". Apparently "Willy" has some meaning that I didn't know about...Tom informed me of this and I can never look at my cute kitty the same way again. If you don't know what I am talking about than just ask Tom. I took lots of pictures of Jerry, but then my camera card broke...so this is all I have left. :(

NY Beaches

While we were in NY we went to a few different beaches. That's one thing that St. George doesn't have and I really miss it. :(

Fire Island lighthouse . . . our favorite lighthouse on Long Island


Robert Moses Beach


Isn't it so beautiful here? I absolutely LOVE it!! (Montauk)


Tom making his "It's really bright" face :)


Sarah at Montauk


Tom at Montauk


Montauk lighthouse


Sunken Meadow beach


A beautiful butterfly


Interesting sight at Sunken Meadow beach....I'm not sure what this bird is doing...but he was sitting there like that for about 5 minutes, and then he went in the water ??

New Nephews

This past week Tom and I went to NY to visit the fam. Tom's brother and our sister in-law Denise just had a baby boy named Christopher and they also adopted a baby boy named Nicholas from Guatamala. They are so adorable. It was great to see everyone...especially the newest additions to the Gounaris family. :-)

Uncle Tommy and Aunt Sarah with baby Nicholas


Uncle Tommy and baby Nicholas


Brothers


Uncle Tommy and Christopher


Aunt Sarah and Christopher


Nick, Denise, Baby Nick, and Christopher

BYU Womens Conference

Esther 4:14 ... "Thou Art Come To The Kingdom For Such A Time Is This"
This past weekend I went to BYU Women's Conference with my friend Elizabeth from back home. It was a great experience and I can't wait to go back again. The conference began on Thursday with Wendy Watson Nelson, new wife of Elder Russell M. Nelson, speaking to us about our divine roles and callings in life. She talked about how we are placed in situations to use our talents and strengths to benefit others, and we must pray to the Lord to fulfill our callings. On Thursday evening there was a musical program that included LDS musicians, Alex Boye, John Dyer, Jenny Frogley, Jenny Philips, and Hilary Weeks. On Friday morning a beautiful musical presentation was presented looking into the hearts of women from Old Testament times, the 19th century, and present day. Their stories told of their roles and callings they fulfilled at the time they were sent to the earth and the Kingdom of God. The conference address was closed by Elder Jeffery R. Holland and Sister Patricia Holland. They addressed the theme written above, "Thou art come to the kingdom for such a time is this."

From NM, AZ, and UT...we were all roomates.


Elder Holland and his wife


Lots of women!


While I was there, I ran into Anna (a friend from college). I didn't even know she was going, but it was a pleasent surprise.


The first night we went to a Hawaiian Luau on campus

Exploring

While my mother-in-law was here Tom and I decided to explore some places that we hadn't yet been to in the St. George area. It didn't take us long to discover just how beautiful St. George is. We love it here!

Sand Hollow State Park has this beautiful lake with red snad beaches.





Tom, bathing in the sunlight. (He's just keeping his fingers warm in case you are wondering)

The next place we went exploring at was the Red Cliffs Nature Reserve. This place is SO BEAUTIFUL! Unfortunatly, I wasn't able to get a lot of pictures that actually somewhat capture the beauty because it was getting dark. I will go back and have them on here later.

Happy Birthday Tom

Tom turned the BIG 28 on April 26th. We had a little party for him with his mom. We had chicken parmesian and mint chocolate chip ice cream birthday cake. Yummy!

Another Trip to Zion

Tom's mom came to visit us for a week all the way from NY! We took her to Zion National Park.

King of Zion!





A friendly squirrel


Maryann Gounaris


Tom "rock climbing"

Las Vegas 51s

My sister Kim went to Las Vegas to visit a friend a few weeks ago. Tom and I drove down there and went to a baseball game with them. It was fun!

I've never know anyone to actually catch the ball...but Tom did it!




Kim, me, and Tom


Tom refused to smile for my pictures so I told him that I was going to put all his silly pictures on our blog so that next time he would reconsider being such a bratt!

Hiking in Zion

This past weekend Tom and I went to Zion National Park and went hiking on the Emerald Pools trail. It was fun to spend the day doing something we both enjoy. We hope to go back again and camp overnight with the wildlife. :)

NM Trip

This past weekend I went to New Mexico for a memorial service that we had for my sister Jaanet who passed away about a month ago. Tom couldn't make it, but it was nice to be with my family. I also was able to spend some time with my half sister Jeannine and my nephew JD. I have only met Jeannine 3 or 4 times throughout my life so this weekend was a nice opportunity to connect and hopefully keep in contact more.

Sisters! Kim, me, & Jeannine


Family: Dad, me, Jeannine, Grandma, Kim, and JD


Top: Me, Cathie, Dad, Kim, JD. Middle: Scott. Bottom: Desiree (Janets daughter/my niece), Grandma Haggard, & Jeannine.

Costa Rica

While I was in Seattle, Tom was on a business trip in Costa Rica.

While he was in Costa Rica he had to ride a horse to get places.




Caves caused by the water hitting against the rock.