The Home is a Refuge

“A home is much more than a house. A house is built of lumber, brick, and stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. A house can be a home, and a home can be a heaven when it shelters a family. Thomas S. Monson, "Dedication Day," Ensign, Nov. 2000, 64-65

Here are the houses that have sheltered the Riley family throughout the last 20 years ... houses we hope our children will remember as homes filled with love, sacrifice and respect.

Right after Trevor was born in 1984 we moved into the Spanish Villa Apartments and lived there from 1986-1988. Reggie was born here and while Tracy attended the Weber State campus in Provo. Located at the top of the Orem Hill right across from the University Mall, it was a basement, 2-bedroom, 1 bath home with NO dishwasher.

After graduating, Tracy's first job led us to Livermore, California. Here is Reggie and Trevor in the front yard of our small duplex, 2 bedroom, 1 bath ... NO dishwasher. :) We lived here for only 9 months when in August, 1989 Tracy's company, Bell Technology, was purchased by Intel, who in turn, hired Tracy and transferred us to Beaverton, OR.

Here is our first home we owned, located in Beaverton, OR (Bernard Street). We built it in a beautiful small neighborbood at the intersection of Walker and 173rd. Trevor and Reggie started kindergarten at El Monica Elementary School. We put our yard in by hand--graded the dirt and seeded the grass. So many happy memories as our small family matured and grew. We began 14+ years as members of the Five Oaks Ward, Cedar Mill Stake.

We loved our neighborhood so much that when we were ready to move up to a larger home, we only moved a few houses down the street in the same neighborhood (174th Terrace). Katie started kindergarten at McKinley Elementary. Trevor and Reggie both started middle school at Five Oaks Middle School.

In January 2000, we moved into our beautiful home in the Stonegate Neighborhood (Persimmon Road). Still members of the Five Oaks Ward. Trevor and Reggie both started high school at Westview High School. Trevor graduated in 2003 just months before we moved to Queen Creek, Arizona. We dropped him off at BYU on our way to Arizona. Katie started middle school at Five Oaks.

In 2003 Tracy was transferred by Intel to Queen Creek, Arizona where we now live in the Cortina Neighborhood at 18438 E. Cattle Drive. Trevor left for his mission to Argentina in 2004 and had his wedding reception here at our home in 2006; Reggie graduated from Higley High School in 2005, left for BYUI that same summer and several months later left for his mission to Brazil in 2006; and Katie graduated from Higley High in 2008 and is getting ready to head up to BYUI next week. So many wonderful, important events in our family happened while living here.

No matter where the Riley's have lived, our houses have turned into homes filled with laughter, tears, frustrations, accomplishments ... so many memories ... but most of all, we hope the experiences they have sheltered will always be remembered with love.

No One Messes with Katie

Even at 5 years of age, Katie knew how to maneuver through tough situations. If this picture is any indication of her determination to excel, I think she'll be just fine as she heads up to college next week. What do you think? (p.s. ... Kotty ... whisper, whisper ... it may have been okay to beat the boys in a Kick-n-Chase game, but might want to tone it down some now that you're dating them. Haha.)

Summer Weekend in Pine

Last weekend we stayed with good friends of ours, Lynn and Melanie Winters, at their cabins in Pine--just up the street from Camp LoMia. Katie brought her best friend, Courtney Sedillo, with us. Great time ... great food ... great company ... great little "get-away" time away from home.

A family of elk roamed through the cabin areas early in the morning. A big-ol buck with his entourage of does.

Now that's what I'm talking about ... a breakfast rivaling any scout trip! Delicious.

Here are the awesome cooks ... Melanie and Lynn. Many thanks to our good friends for a wonderful get-away.

Charisse's Chocolate Cake

No question--hands down--this cake is the all-time favorite Riley family, Scott family, Brown family and most assuredly any families' cake ... we all call it "Charisse's Cake." But I am NOT a happy camper at this moment over "this" cake! UGGH.

I am absolutely convinced that the recipe she gives out is purposely given with the intent that it'll FAIL. Hence ... only CHARISSE can make it. What is that about?? Does she want sole ownership?? Uggghhh ... I cannot make this cake--the frosting always turn out wrong--no matter how I try to fix it. Just a huge, big blob of sugary chocolate swimming in a bowl of butter.