Car Update

Thanks to all for the concern and love! Everything has turned out very well. Cam returned to North Carolina this past weekend to buy Mindy and Lance's Mazda 626, which they very graciously sold us for an incredible price. Every time we look at the new car we feel so grateful! I will post pics soon. Apparently I have white car karma, because like all the cars I have ever owned/usurped, the Mazda is white. :) It is shiny and clean and I really like the seat--it curves to support my back in just the perfect way. Sweet!

Trip to North Carolina (March 2009)

When we arrived at Lance and Mindy's house in Fayetteville, the kids greeted us enthusiatically! lol. They actually did come running out of the house to see us. This picture was taken later, after we had come inside.

We played for a few minutes, then left them with a babysitter and went out for Italian with Mindy and Lance.

The next day, we went on a hike near the Cape Fear River. The beautiful Kunz ladies: Kaitlyn,

Mindy, Leah, and Amber.

Kaitlyn, Christian, Amber and I ran races, sang songs, and took pictures. Here's Amber's self portrait--I love how you can see her smiling even though her mouth isn't in the picture--she's got good singing cheeks!

Lance was tired, but I got a smile out of him at Christian's 4th b-day party.

Star Wars cake...what could be better?

Our present to Christian was this sweet toy--I don't know what it's called but I loved playing with these as a kid, and the Kunz kids had the same reaction. Cam was the best at it.

Here's Lance being a real sweetheart and doing the dishes...I was completely charmed! I loved this window in their kitchen wall, which opens onto the family room so you can be at the sink and still see all the family/guests. Genius! If we ever build a house, I would like to put that feature in.

This picture could have so many funny captions but I'm awful at thinking of them...any ideas?

Crash the Party

Everyone is completely well and healthy, for which we are SO grateful! I have a bruise on my hip from the seatbelt and Cam has a contusion on his arm from the airbag and a sore knee. The 80 year old man in the other car also has a sore knee but nothing else to speak of, although he is very disappointed about his car, which is severely damaged (you can't tell but his radiator was punctured).

Our car also suffered a harsh blow.

It was my first (hopefully last?) experience with airbags. I'm so grateful for them, but they sure do release some noxious fumes and residue. Although not nearly as bad as fire extinguisher residue.

Somehow, after calling the police, checking on the other driver, and waiting for the authorities to process the paperwork, I had the insane urge to document the accident with a photo of us. (Cam did not wish to join me, so he took the picture). This photo looks like I'm showing off my latest accident (actually Cam was driving). But in reality, I'm smiling because my brain was addled from an advanced state of shock.

We're not sure if our insurance will choose to fix the body or just total it and pay us its value. We're hoping for the former, because our '98 Camry is worth more to us than its blue book price--it is truly a great car and has given us no problems. We are sad to see it looking so mangled. It is really not safe to drive it with the airbags still deployed and the steering column unable to lock into place, but since the accident only a mile away from our house, the policewoman was kind enough to let us drive it home while she followed behind us. By doing that, she spared us the expense of a tow truck.

Everyone was very kind to us. We have learned some important lessons today. 1) Always have comprehensive auto insurance for your primary vehicle (luckily, we do). 2) If you feel that the driver is making an unsafe decision, do not hesitate to yell this information. 3) Don't drive angry. 4) Never remove the sunglasses from the car. Learn from our mistakes! Next time it might not turn out so well. It is a miracle that no one is hurt and we are overwhelmingly grateful for that.

On conference Saturday while the boys were at Priesthood, my friend and neighbor Brianna hosted a girl party at her house. It was so fun--I felt like, "holy cow, I enjoy this so much, why don't I hang out with my girlfriends all the time?"

Here's Brianna (L) and Angie enjoying some nail painting (courtesy of Angie!)

Here's me calling Cam to summon him to join us with the rest of the gals' husbands after the Priesthood session was over, and Amber with her cute baby!

Lovely April took the picture so I returned the favor. She's a nurse in the ER and she reminds me so much of my sisters!

Here's Maria and Kelly chillin' with us in the living room while the boys avoid the scent of acetone by congregating in the kitchen. :)

It was such a good time--hopefully more of these coming up!