Coronado Island

We had a Blast vacationing with the Ray Family at Coronado Island. Coronado Island is an area just over a bridge from downtown San Diego. Jason was able to get us an amazing hotel on the Naval Air Base. It was so awesome to stay in a hotel right on a private beach. The weather wasn't exactly beach weather but we still enjoyed lots of hours outside in the sand and on the playground. Getting all the kids to go to bed in the same room had it's challenges but we enjoyed playing games and having long talks with Maggie and Jason once they were down. Here are all my favorite pics, sorry there are a lot.






These are from the one day we spent down at the water, we weren't there very long it was just too cold.



My girls really struggled to keep sand off their face. Kate was eating it for the most part, but I don't know what Lydia's problem was.


We had lots of fun picnics for lunch.


We drove over this bridge going to and from the Island. The kids loved it and would get really excited every time we would go over it. During one of the trips over, one of the kids made up the rule that you had to hold your arms over your head and hold your breath. I enjoyed the silence that came with their attempts.


The kids loved the park and never grew tired of it. Sometimes I felt like we went on vacation to the park. They spent a lot of time playing circus, which included Lydia singing at the top of her lungs. There were lots of other kids there and we made lots of new friends. Since we were on a Naval Air Base there were lots of jets and helicopters. Grayson thought they were amazing. He would get so excited running up to other kids and yelling about the incoming jets and such. The kids would just look at him like "where have you been buddy," and then go on playing. Their Dads were probably flying those jets, No big deal.



Thanks Maggie and Jason for the great trip. We look forward to maybe doing something again next year.

San Diego Temple

After Church on Sunday we stopped by the Temple and the kids loved it. They loved running around, climbing on the walls, talking to the missionaries, and waving across the courtyard. Lucy was so funny and kept begging to go inside, Maggie kept telling her when she was older she could go in. Finally she asked if they could please just sneak inside. It was pretty funny.

SEA WORLD

Sea World wasn't all that us adults thought it would be, but the kids loved it and haven't stopped telling people all about it.



Although it was a little stressful, my favorite part was feeding the dolphins. It was at this moment when I was trying to hold up kids to feed the dolphins, not drop the fish, take a picture and stop everyone from crying that I realized I have way to many kids.







Grayson and Porter LOVED the shark exhibit. Grayson has always loved Sharks. He has a bunch of shark books and they are always his favorite to read. At the end of the exhibit we rode the moving sidewalk through a tank of sharks.




Of course we had to get some sharks to take home.

Tami's Gone

Tami has been here for the last two weeks and as always I have accomplished nothing that I was suppose too. My visiting teaching didn't get done. I forgot a presidency meeting. I pushed off way to many responsibilities and now I'll have to pay. Some of the things I did accomplish were:
-Lots of shopping, this includes my new swim suit. I was starting to stress I wouldn't have anything this weekend when we head off to San Diego.
-I read a book, the one Tami brought and I knew I had to finish before she had to leave. (It was The Glass Castle)
- I worked out everyday, well almost. It was fun having someone to do my lame workout videos with. Although I think Tami is the only one I would let see me during my workout.
- I ate like 3 gallons of Cherry Cordial Ice Cream. I bought it for Lydia's birthday party since it was pink. It was so good we kept going back to the store for more. Good thing we were working out everyday.



The best part was just being together as a family. The kids had so much fun with cousins and NaNa and PaPa. All the kids love PaPa and were constantly crawling all over him. He enjoyed feeding them ice cream and playing Candyland with them.



We went to Schuster creek one night for a wiener roast. We all had such a great time. Thanks to PaPa Jerry all the kids were able to catch a fish. My camera's battery died and I forgot to download Tami's photos before she left.

Tami left this behind I guess I'll just have to keep him until She comes back in August. I don't think Grayson will mind having a buddy to play with this summer.

Now I'll be playing catch up and trying to get our life in order before we leave for our trip with the Ray's.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYDIA!

Lydia spent her birthday at the hospital getting dental work done. Fun right. My kids have really bad teeth. The dentist said they aren't getting the blood flow they need to be health and strong. He compared them to dead antlers. Lydia wouldn't drink the sleeping juice they usually give in their office so we had to go up to Primary Children's Hospital, where she could get general anesthesia. Being in the hospital and seeing all the other kids who were there for real reasons just made me so grateful for my healthy happy children. I'll take bad teeth over serious health problems any day.
The Dentist said she was really funny and giggly when they first put her out. I expected to see the same when I got to go back and see her. Instead I found a crazy little girl trying to fight all the nurses. She was not happy coming out of it. Jared said he was the same way after all his surgeries. Eventually she woke up and was her delightful self again.
We had a simple party with the Family. I have been trying to have the tradition that my kids can choose what ever kind of cake they want and I will make it for them. Lydia requested a castle cake and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it happen. I found a kit, but it cost $20. I'm too cheep and came up with a few ideas after walking around the grocery store for a while. I think it turned out pretty good.












Lydia was so funny opening her presents she would get way more excited about the clothes and shoes than any of the toys. She is such a girl. I was so fun to have the Kamerath's in town to help celebrate.

Favorite things Swap!

I was so excited to participate in Lichelle's favorite things swap, because who doesn't love getting things in the mail. Lichelle matched us up with other friends to send a package of our favorite things to. I especially liked this after receiving some pretty lame gifts from my husband. It was so nice to get a well thought out gift from another girl.
I received my package from Jill Kirk. She sent me a way cute yellow bag, A chocolate bar, Lotion and a fabulous paper wallet she made with stampin' up stamps. I am so glad that your favorite things are also things I love. Thanks, Jill, I look forward to using everything and the candy bar was gone pretty fast.

I sent a package to one of my very best friends Maggie. I sent:
BOHNAZA(aka The Bean Game). Playing games especially with my family is one of my all time favorite things to do. A lot of my favorite memories in life involve playing games. This game was introduced to us by the Grunigs during a trip to Bear Lake, it's been a favorite ever since.

Swedish Fish, because I love candy. I felt lame sending Swedish fish because so many people have already sent it but, it truly is my favorite candy, there isn't even a close second.

These cute Tags. I thought they would be great for scrapbooking or card making or tied to a gift(all things I love).

Thanks Lichelle for organizing everything. I had a lot of fun.

Happy Birthday Jared!

Okay, I told you I was going to save the mushy stuff for Jareds birthday. I just feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be married to Jared. I knew he was a talented amazing person back in High School, but since then I have found his talents included so much more than a great personality and singing voice. Some of my favorite things about Jared are:
- His relationships with those around him are the most important thing to him. He understands the importance of maintaining a relationship and does all he can to do so. There isn't anything he wouldn't do for family or a friend.
- He has an amazing memory he can read or hear some weird fact and will remember it forever. He needs to go on a game show or something. The funny thing is, most of it is useless facts. I love it when people want to know more about something and will call him to get the 411 on almost any topic. I've caught him a few times over the last couple weeks reading wikipedia in his spare time now that school is done.
-He loves to think of solutions to the worlds problems. He'll stay up at night thinking about transportation in Utah and what routes UTA should use. If he wasn't in education he should be a developer he has so many great ideas. It makes me laugh the things he is thinking of while I'm only thinking about how not to go insane.
- He such a good husband and dad. I can honestly say he has changed almost as many diapers as I have. When he is home he does all he can to take motherly burdens off me. He gives me tons of alone time and doesn't complain when I give him chores around the house. I couldn't do anything I do without the amazing support and help from him.
Well I am running out of time and will have to save the rest for Fathers Day or something. I love you Baby and Happy Birthday.

A Telling Tag

This tag comes from my cuter than cute friend Melanie.

A- Attached or single: Attached

B- Best Friends:Jared and my sisters.

C-Cake or Pie:Cake especially Rum.

D- Day of Choice: Friday or Saturday.

E- Essential Item: mascara, the last time I went on a pioneer trek I cheated and brought some. I look like a man without it.

F-Favorite Color:Changes but blue is the most constant.

G- Gummy Bears or Worms: Does it matter, they are both candy right? I'll eat anything gummy.

H- Hometown: Salt Lake, Utah. Rose Park.

I- Indulgence(s): Candy! and more Candy!

J- January or July: July, I love parades, picnics, fireworks and being with family. There seems to be alot of that in July.

K-Kids: Grayson, Lydia, and Kate.

L-Life is incomplete without: Jared and my family (my kids and my siblings).

M- Marriage Date: May 5th, 2001

N- Number of Siblings: 3 brothers, 2 sisters, and 2 brother-in-laws and 1 sister-in-law

O-Oranges or Apples:Oranges to eat plain, Apples to cook with.

P- Phobias or Fears: Me messing my kids up for life. It's probably to late.

Q- Quote(s): "My life is a dream come true." -I don't know.

R- Reason To Smile: Jared being done with school, being able to play all summer, Seeing Tami and Fam. soon, playing games with my family. Staying in touch with friends, Everything my kids do.

S-Season: Spring, but not this one.

T- Tag Six: Anyone.

U- Unknown Fact About Me: I'm a secret fan of The Hills.

V- Veggies or Fruit:Definitely veggies. I love them all and try to get all my servings everyday. I don't eat a lot of fruit. I'll save my sugar for more candy.

W- Worst Habit: slouching and giving people to much information.

X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds... this is a weird question.

Y- Your Favorite Food: King crab legs, steak and lots of veggies.

Z-Zodiac- Gemini.

Jared and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on Monday. I really can't believe it's only been 7 years. I only say this because we have know each other for so much longer. This fall I'll reach a mark where I've known Jared for more years than I didn't know him.
We had so much fun celebrating on Monday. We had a lovely picnic at the park with our kids for lunch. Then we got a sitter so we could enjoy the rest of the day together. We had a couples message. It was the first time for both of us and we thought it was pretty spectacular. After that we saw a movie (Iron Man, Jared's choice of course, but it was good) and went to dinner. Sorry no pictures, you'll just have to enjoy this one from our wedding announcements.
I'll spare you all the mushy stuff about what a great guy Jared is until next week on his birthday.

CONGRATULATIONS JARED!

Hooray, Yippee, Hallelujah Jared is done! We are all so proud of Jared. It was no easy task doing his Masters while teaching full time. We appreciate all your sacrifices to get your degree. You are amazing and we look forward to spending lost more time with you especially this summer. It will be so nice to finally be able to take advantage of the only benefits of being a teacher.
For those of you wondering what's next. Jared was going to be an administrator at West next year and while they were working out the details the district changed its policy. You now have to teach for five years before becoming an administrator. So, hopefully next year he can move on. As for now Jared will continue teaching TV tech, IB Film and TV West. I think it will be nice for him to have a year where he can just focus on being a teacher and not a student.

This last picture is from the High School Film Festival. At the end, all his students decided to give Jared a big hug, he's in the middle of the crowd. After being frustrated with some issues at the Festival, Jared said, " I don't care about the festival and wouldn't mind not doing it, but I know how much my students love it, I do it for them." I was glad you see his students recognize that everything he does is for them. I am just so glad Jared has the opportunity to do something he loves and finds fulfilling.

P.S. Congrats to Dan, Tyler, Heather, and anyone else graduating this year.