Vegas and St. George

I posted this out of order. Before we went to California we went to Las Vegas and St. George and then to California. Ryan ran the St. George Marathon and it was right before fall break so we all got to go and support him.

Vegas is really overrated and I was afraid of what my kids would see. Kate loved all of the lights and just looked out the window and was mesmerized. Jay only wanted to go back to the hotel and sleep and Jack noticed a few things on the billboards but overall they seemed to like Vegas.

Kate, Jack and Jay at the Bellagio's flower garden. Jack and Kate thought it was cool, Jay just wanted to sleep it was after his bedtime.

 Jack outside waiting for the Bellagio water show to start. He really liked all of the light and wanted to drive and walk around more. And then wanted to go back to the Strip during the day to see everything.

 After Vegas we headed up to St. George. I really like St. George it's a nice little big town. It seems like it should be a small town but yet it has everything you need, a mall, good restaurants and such. Ryan even said he would like to move there. I don't know if I'm on board but I could be talked into it maybe.

Here are my kids outside of Brigham Young's winter home. He was a smart man and was a snowbird. The tour guide said that when Brigham Young would go to St. George for the winters then church headquarters would move with him. I think Jack really liked this place because this last fast Sunday he go up to bear his testimony and said he went to St. George and to Brigham Young's house and if you ever get the chance you should go there. I hope this means he felt the spirit there but I really think he just liked seeing an old house. 

Beach Camping in Carlsbad

I was a little leery of beach camping but it turned out to be a blast. My sister Julie's family was there as well as my cousin Kelli's family. My kids were entertained the entire time and so was I. We had the best weather for three glorious days then we packed up and headed back to Mesa where we were not hit by 100 degree weather. I really think I like going to Cali in the fall. It might just become a tradition.

One day Ryan borrowed Jim's, who is just met, surf board and took the kids surfing on it. Jack was able to get up and so was Jay but I don't have a picture of Jay. They all loved it and I love that my husband is willing to stay out in the water and teach the kids to surf. 

 Here's Kate trying to boogie board. I still get a kick out of the fact that she wants to be a surfer when she grows up but refuses to go in the water. The water is cold but once you got in it was nice.

 Jay after he had just got a wave all the way in. It was so fun to watch the kids boogie board. They got pretty good at it and would ride the waves into the shore.

Here is a collage of the rest of the pictures. My kids had so much fun and loved hanging out with their cousins. I loved how Taylor and Kyley would take Kate and play and I never had to worry about anyone. We had a great time and can't wait to go back. We love Cali and might even beach camp again.

 

St. George Marathon

Ryan did it!!!

He qualified for the Boston Marathon while running the St. George Marathon. He ran 26.2 miles in 3:08:57. An average of 7:12 minute miles. He did great and I can't wait to go to Boston in 2014.

Way to go Ryan!!!!

Girls Cruise 2012

It came and went, my annual girls cruise. This year there were only four of us and we went someplace different. We left out of Vancouver, BC and sailed to Los Angeles. On the way we stopped in Astoria, OR and San Francisco. We had a great time and I am already looking forward to next year. Although I wouldn't mind someplace warmer.

 

Lori, Eileen, Amy and myself on the top of the column in Astoria. It was 164 steps up and well worth the hike.The view from the top was beautiful.

 Eileen, Amy, myself, and Lori at the seaside in Astoria. It really is a beautiful little town.

 Myself in front of a fall tree. I love when I see trees that are changing color. I love the red leaves.

 The Goonie house. No trip to Astoria would be complete if you visited and didn't see the Goonie house and try to do the truffle shuffle outside.

 Lori and me at the Golden Gate Bridge Park. San Fran was so foggy when we were there so this is all we got to see. In fact our ship sailed right past Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge but both were hard to see because of the fog.

Gospel Teachings???

Ryan and I try hard to teach our children true and correct principles, and just when we think we are doing a good job we get emails from their primary leaders or we have scripture study like today.
Here are some things we clearly need to work on.
Today at scriptures Ryan started the verse with "And it came to pass that Jack and Jay were commanded to depart out of that city." Instead of Alma and Amulek. The boys thought this was funny. But later in the the verse it says "and they departed."  Jack hears they farted. So he starts cracking up and I couldn't help myself so Jay starts laughing and Ryan was trying not to. Needless to say scripture study happened but what we got out of it I don't know.
Earlier this week we got an email from the primary president. On Sunday after the Primary Program, which my kids did awesome in even Kate, they had a missionary party, where they wrote letters to the missionaries and were asked missionary questions. Here are a few responses Jay and Jack gave.
When do missionaries go to bed?
Jay-At bedtime
Jack- Gotta say 8:30
When do they wake up?
Jack- 9:30
What do missionaries do if they don’t like the food or get served something disgusting?
Jack- You have to learn to like different things.

What is the best mission to go to?

Disneyland

Alaska

Sea World

Hawaii

Lagoon

Like Ryan said it might be easier to get Jack and Jay to go on missions if you can sleep until 9:30 and serve in places like Disneyland and Sea World.

We have a long way to go in teaching my our children but it sure is fun to get some laughs along the way.