Gilroy Gardens

    

   

Thursday we took the kids to Gilroy Gardens, a fun amusement park for little kids.  Most of the rides had a height limit as opposed to a requirement.  The kids loved it!  They are so funny because they love to put their arms up on every ride!  It was SO hot the day we went.  Luckily there was a water play area for the kids and I got to enjoy it a little bit as I tried to keep an eye on where they were.  My mom and Richard were nice enough to watch the kids that evening so I could go out with my friends!

Beach Day!

      

   

Wednesday we went to the beach with Nicole and the kids.  They had a lot of fun playing in the sand, the water was COLD and there were some rip currents that Cade experienced first hand.  My kids loved the beach and wanted to go more than one day but we had more things planned!

California trip part 3

The next day we decided to give my mom and Richard a break so we went up to San Jose to spend the day with my friends from high school and then to the park!  It seems like yesterday we were writing notes, going to stake dances in the big brown station wagon, and talking about boys non stop.  Now between the four of us we have 14 kids!  See Michelle's post for more pictures!

California trip part 2 Monterey

              

    

   

Monday my Mom and I took the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  The kids were good sports as we had to walk a ways so we didn't have to pay for parking.  Yes, I am a cheapskate but it's good exercise, right?  It was pretty cold when we got there but if any of you know Monterey, the sun usually doesn't come out until noon.  The Aquarium was a crowded with summer program groups.  Our kids weren't as interested in seeing the fish as they were playing with the things that they couldn't read to help educate children on sea life.  They had a great time though.  More fun than my mom and I as we were just trying to keep all three of them in our sight.  

We went to lunch followed by a trip to Dennis the Menace park.  A park that I used to go to when I was little.  You'll notice that it has a neat train that the kids got to play on .  Claire wasn't a fan of the sand getting in her shoes and I didn't want her taking them off.  So I got to carry her when she couldn't get somewhere without crossing the sand.  

We ended the day with swimming like every other day that we were there.  Cade never lasted too long because of how cold the water was and that was perfectly fine with me! 

Our trip to California Part 1

I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since we were first in California.  Last week was so crazy with swim lessons and a sick child that I didn't have much time for anything else.  We had so much fun that I am going to do it day by day so I can get all of the pictures in.

Casey was kind enough to drive out with me and yes, we survived the drive.  The kids are used to 5 hour drives to Phoenix and S. CA and let me tell you, those last 3 hours make a difference.  Yes, I now understand how my parents felt when the repeated question, "How much longer?" kept coming up.  We had a great day once we arrived.  We got there around 2pm and we were so lucky to spend time with family.  My oldest brother Steve was there with Kepi, his wife, and their son, Jared.  Also, my brother Casey was there with his two girls, Hannah and Sydney.  Nicole and Jack were unfortunately in Utah for a funeral so we missed them on Saturday.  We had fun swimming in Nonni and Papa's pool even though it was a little chilly.  It was so nice to be away from the heat and where it actually cools down at night.   

Sunday, Father's Day and my brother Casey's birthday, we went to my old ward from high school and it has been a long time since I have seen some of those people. It was nice.  A couple of people even said I looked exactly the same as I did in high school!  We went back to my mom's where Steve, Kepi and Jared were there.  Casey had to pick Nicole up at the airport so he didn't come until later.  It was so nice to be with my family.  We don't get together very often and lately when we have it has been because of weddings and those are always hectic times.  I think Steve and Kepi had the best time because they are almost empty nesters and had fun laughing at us young parents and grateful those times have past for them.

Later that day I had to say goodbye to Casey so he could head back home to work and get ready for our stake's trek that he was involved in planning.  It's hard to be on vacation without him but it's either be home without him there or be in California taking my kids to fun places!

The time has come for a change...

Last week was really crazy but I do plan to post about our trip to California.  Maybe I'll have time tomorrow..

Anyway, my time as a Gospel Doctrine teacher has come to an end.  About 5 minutes before Sacrament today, Bro. Edwards called Casey and I into a room and asked if I would accept a new calling as (drum roll)  1st Counselor in the Young Women's!  It's been four years since I have been in Young Women and I am excited to return.  I have some big shoes to fill but I am up for the challenge.  We currently don't have any Mia Maids but there will be shortly. 

I will miss Gospel Doctrine and the things that I learned while preparing for my lessons.  I'm sure most people would think that I am relieved and to a certain extent I am but I loved it.  I learned so much and I just have to make sure that I keep up that intensity of studying.  In a way, I think that calling was to help me learn how to study and really get a lot out of the scriptures.  I had to!  

My little model!

                                        

Claire is a natural in front of the camera.  She loves it. If I ever learn how to edit pictures, I'm sure she would look even better, if that's possible.  Unfortunately, a day after I took these pictures, she wasn't looking as good.  She caught the stomach flu and ended up looking like this for 24 hours.  Don't worry, there isn't any puke in her puke bowl.