Berkeley Bake Sale

I don't get too political too often and this may not be the appropriate venue but I liked this.

UC Berkeley--
"College Republicans are selling cupcakes priced according to the buyer's race to highlight opposition to a bill they believe would overturn the state's ban on affirmative action in college admissions. Meanwhile, hundreds of demonstrators dressed in black are gathering to protest the Republican protest.

That's how a live blog by student reporters at the Daily Cal is describing today's actions at UC Berkeley -- a massive wave of lobbying prompted by dueling views of Senate Bill 185. The bill by Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, would allow California's public universities to use race as a factor in the admissions process, though it would not allow preferences for any racial groups.

Students who support the bill are working the phones on the Berkeley campus, urging people to call Gov. Jerry Brown and ask him to sign it. The Daily Cal reports that Ward Connerly is on campus to help the Berkeley College Republicans oppose the bill with their bake sale, which had advertised that treats would cost $2 for whites, $1.50 for Asians, $1 for Latinos, 75 cents for African Americans and 25 cents for Native Americans."

I think this is super creative. Critics call it racism, and yes it is, but so is affirmative action.

If you live in California I would urge you to call/mail Jerry Brown urging him not to sign this bill. Affirmative action is a mockery of the education system.

new from wilco

Honey Farm

Camila took Heather and the kids and me to a local honey farm one of my first days in Washington. I (and I'm sure everyone else) was extremely hesitant the second I stepped out of the car because the fear of being attacked. Luckily the Bee Keeper was extremely kind, calm, and told us exactly how to avoid being stung the second we got there. Including raising your heart rate and breathing heavily....

He calmed the bees with smoke so everyone could hold them.

Cam and I had to look like dorks the entire times so that bees would not crawl through out hair and sting us. Heather had to wear a hat too, but she looked like a babe!

Walking back to a hive...

Look how cute little Finno is! He loved the Bee Keeper.

Few things I learned at the Bee Farm:

-Bees are attracted to women on prenatal vitamins. Smell of folic acid = fear, fear = ATTACK!!! Pretty much every woman there had to be smoked like crazy!

-The Bee Keeper spends most of his time looking for the Queen Bee in each hive to make sure she is safe.

- Bees collect pollen from whatever is blooming around them (blackberry, clover, wildflower, etc.), there isn't just one type of pollen a honey bee is attracted to.

-After trying several types of honey, Blackberry was the very best.

-Eating local raw honey can help with seasonal allergies.

-The yellow-y liquid that a bee squirted out onto Sully's hand was definitely pee, not honey like the Bee Keeper said it probably was.

All of the kids were super cute and and loved holding the bees and were almost obsessed with tasting the honey. The Bee Keeper was so so kind. After we saw the hives and ate honey right out of one, he sat down all the kids and told them about how God plays a part in making bees and honey. It was really sweet. He gave the kids a honey comb, we all bought honey, took pictures and as we were walking off to our cars the guy yells, "Bye kids! God loves you!" He is the greatest. Thank you Cam for planning a super fun field trip! Can't wait to see everyone again in a couple of weeks!

I Felt Like Our Blog Was Missing a Post Dedicated to Grant Mann And How Awesome He Is...

So here is goes, some of the many reasons why I love Grant Mann and why everyone loves him:

Loves kissing babies. Especially his own. Future politician??

Always making sure the Bug is well hydrated. A good father and family man.

Always deep in thought. Looks like little June got that from him too.....Or they are totally checking out how hot Brit looked that fine day. Who knows?

He is better than anyone I know at sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce. Also in this picture, Ryan captured the moment when he was talking with a little lady bug that he saved from drowning. Natural talent and kind to animals and insects.

There is never a moment when he doesn't look sexy. And He knows it. Confident not cocky.

I love Grant so much. Everyone does. Thank you for being an awesome brother-in-law, even though you do ruin everything.

Ruby's Baptism

Ryan and I had the opportunity to attend Ruby's Baptism a while back and had so much fun. The weekend after we drove to Fred and Holly's wedding, we headed out on another road trip and drove the 9 hours to Albuquerque (and when I say "we" I really mean "Ryan drove." I am super grateful to have a husband that doesn't like me to drive! He knows I start dozing off the second I touch that steering wheel...). When we pulled up to Jen and Dave's new home, Ruby and Jeff ran out to give us a big warm welcome. It was awesome. We hung out a lot, went for a morning run with the Pops when it was like 95 degrees out, drank Kombucha, watched the kids play in the pool, and most importantly attended a beautiful baptism. We had so much fun!

Little angel baby

Ruby thanking Ann for the baptism gift.

Tired Ry.

Ruby has such a sweet spirit and a big heart. Her testimony of family and God is so strong already and we are excited to see her and her testimony grow and continue to be a perfect example to everyone around her. Thank you Jen for being more than a perfect host and person; not letting us spend a penny on food while we were there, making delicious meals for the group, staying up late to chat and watch awesome shows, giving me your entire collection of pregnancy and birthing books, volunteering to come up and take care of me when I have a baby someday (totally holding you to that!) and for sacrificing the beds in your home for family. Thank you Dave for teaching me how to make your famous bread and for sending us home with some, staying up late to watch Phineas and Ferb, letting the Menn crash your pad all weekend, and being super cool. And thank you both for being so in love and being a great example to Ryan and me. Oh, and for introducing us to Parks and Rec. We will be back soon!