California Trip, part 2

We stayed in Anaheim at the Double Tree Inn. The drives were pretty fun but we seemed to get lost each time we tried to get "home." I thought Dave grew up in So. Cal! ha ha

But we LOVED seeing the San Diego Temple on the way back to Anaheim! It is BEAUTIFUL!

So why would I put a picture of Mekenze's foot? Because it sat next to me the whole trip pretty much, except when I was driving, it was Arielle's foot. Couldn't take a picture while driving however...sad for you, huh?

I really think that Karter's favorite part of the trip was staying in the hotel! He was so excited! He slept in all the beds, I think...

Next you will enjoy our Huntington Beach experience. It was a really good day! Dave's sister, Vickie, and two of her kids,Matthew and Danielle, came with us. We don't get to see them much, but we do have a good time when we do!

Matt and Karter had fun playing Smash Ball, another gift from Dave's Isa-friend, Jim.

Isn't this a great photo? Mekenze and Arielle's favorite beach picture ever!

Or wait, maybe they like this one of them laying out better! :)

Jessica burns really easily, so she only layed out in her swim suit for a minute, and then she put her clothes back on. Smart girl...kinda funny to see, though!

Boogie Boarding was a real hit! Dave taught the kids the secret to catching the waves. I had a really great time watching!

Curtis is always the stud...

Karter wanted me to bury him...

Karter emerging from the sand...

and he makes it out! Super hero!

Mady and Arielle played a game of Smash ball, as did Curtis and Dave. This picture only shows half of the teams, of course.

Matthew and Karter, building a sand castle.

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California Trip June 2009

Dave's favorite vacation is California, so while I hoped to take a road trip to Nashville and then on New York City, he planned to spend a week in Southern California. We did have a great time, however. We actually got to see more than just Disneyland and Knotts! Ha! Does that sound spoiled? Disneyland is, after all, the ULTIMATE VACATION for most everyone! I just think there is more to see~ SO...we went to Sea World and Univesal Studios, and of course to the beach and to visit Dave's Dad for his 75th birthday. Great times! I have a ton of pictures (well, for me) to upload. I forgot our real not-so-wonderful digital camera, but Dave had brought the video camera, which also allows for still photos. I was very excited because I thought that the more expensive camera would take great pictures! But alas, it only takes great video shots. The photos are really only good to post on a blog. I will figure out a way to storybook them, however. You just watch me!

I keep forgetting that these photos upload kinda backward to the order I want them, so they will probably be out of order, but you should be able to follow ok.

So, here goes! First photo:

Are you scared? That shark is about to eat us!
Dave didn't feel too great so luckily we had things to keep us occupied. Mekenze had her phone. Arielle had Mekenze as a pillow.

Mady, Curtis and Karter enjoyed the playground equipment in Elmo's World (or whatever they call the Sesame Street area.) Kinda cute!

Mekenze, Arielle, and I found a really great mirror that showed us how we would look if we were really skinny!

And here is Dave. So grateful for Tylenol Sinus! Perked him up quite well.

Dolphins at Sea World. Aren't they the most amazing animals? If I were to want a pet, it would be a dolphin.

Jessica LOVED Sea World. I have never heard her be so excited as she exclaimed during the whale show "They're so beautiful!" Cuteness.

Arielle and Jess, feelin' the love. They both got really wet in the water ride.

Dave is giving into temptation. His Isa-Buddy, Jim, gave us a ton of candy to eat on our trip! Thanks Jim! You helped Dave feel better!

A cute little pose in front of the Flamingos. Did you know they are pink because they eat shrimp? Weird!

Don't we all look thrilled to be here? The fact is, the day before we left home, 1/2 of our family came down with the "Swine Flu," (Well, not really, but that is what we called it) so we had more fun than our faces show. :) (This photo should have been first, or at least before Dave's sorrowful picture. Oh well! You get the idea!)

Curtis and Karter are feeling all 'BAD.' Little did we know that Michael Jackson was going to die the next day! (Curtis bought those glasses while Dave was recooperating in Elmo's World.)

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Summer is Here! What will my kids do with their time?

Arielle and Mady will entertain themselves and eachother...

Karter will play at the park as much as possible!

Arielle will probably hang with the cute little kids as much as possible.
Mekenze will dance and hang with her dance friends...

Where's Curtis? Out riding/jumping his bike....pics to follow soon!

Today was a little bit of a lesson for me. I realized that my best friend is my laptop! :) Today, I lost my best friend when my son and my nephew were rough-housing and knocked it off the desk. So, here's the question: do I yell and scream and throw a fit? Do I punish these two little boys for ruining an expensive piece of equipment, the staple of my business? Or do I remember that I like my computer--a lot--but I love these boys and they matter more to me than anything else in the world--(along with my other kids, of course!)

I am happy with the reaction I did have. I felt like crying on the inside (after I got over the shock, that is) but when Karter hugged me and cried that he was sorry that he broke the computer that I "really love," I was able to tell him that it was OK and that I "really loved him more!"

So...now for kicking some Heritage Makers butt so I can buy a new laptop!

What a Great Day!

Just a quick note...I have had a really great and spiritual day. My testimony was strengthened today by the talks in Sacrament Meeting on the gift of the Holy Ghost and personal revelation. One speaker reminded me to choose the BEST out of all that is good out there!

In Sunday School, I was reminded of the Power of the Atonement. We can do a lot of good "on our own" but Christ is where perfection and healing and true happiness come from.

Then the fireside tonight was fabulous! It was done by a couple who had served as Mission Presidents in the Arizona Tempe Mission. They were so full of the Spirit! I was touched by the power of testimony...what a power!

And of course, my cute niece Josilyn's 3rd birthday party was the icing on the cake!

It's a great day!


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Madyson's Book! Birth to 10 Years old...

My Happy 4 Year Old!!

So, Karter has known that I was working on a storybook for him about the first 4 years of his life, and he has been very anxious to have it published and HERE!

(Mady has been quite anxious as well!) I'll post hers too...

So on Friday both Madyson's and Karter's 12x12 books arrived! Karter's immediately disappeared--he has looked at it over and over. It is already sporting his fingerprints...I asked if I could take it to show some of my friends, and he cried! So I left it home with him. I will have to get my own copy, I believe!

I love the magic of storybooking with Heritage Makers! Don't you love how cute it is!