Hawaii BIG ISLAND

We were invited by our friends to go to Hawaii. When they shared with us the deal they were getting it was hard to pass up the invite. It was our first time to visit the Big Island. It was our favorite Island because there was so much to do. Everyday was a "new adventure". We loved seeing the active volcano splash red lava into the ocean, scuba diving at night with the giant 12 feet manta rays, hiking to waterfalls and beautiful hidden black sand beaches. The Big Island has so much to offer. It is the only Island that you can snow ski and surf in the same day. It has an active volcano that is erupting continually which is making the island increase in size by the minute. It's landscape is black volcano rock on the Kona side and lush tropical landscape on the Hilo side. We enjoyed going to the Kona temple. The setting was so beautiful and I loved the grounds they had fan palms and orchids growing.I was so proud of myself doing my first night dive. I was afraid the giant rays would bump into me and knock off my mask at the bottom of the ocean. I couldn't believe how much I truly enjoyed swimming with these gentle creatures. They did swim within an inch of my mask and only bumped me once, which was a little freaky, but it was truly one the of most thrilling experiences. Wade and I just layed on the bottom of the ocean and watched 8 giant Mantas fly through the water. They are beautiful creatures.We enjoyed hiking on the volcano and through the lava tubes!Our Hotel was like a city within itself. You had to take a monorail or boat to each part of the hotel. They had a dolphin exhibit and amazing pools, slides and places to snorkel! It was the best snorkeling in all Hawaii. Wade and I are always ready to come home after a week, but not this time. We were so sad to leave. I think I've been homesick for Hawaii ever since I've been home. I think I am a converted "Island girl"!

Laurisa's Senior Trip

One of my favorite places to go is Washington D.C. I think I have a love affair going! I love the history, architecture, feeling and even the smell. Visiting D.C. is actually a spiritual experience for me to know that is where it all began with our founding father's. It makes me appreciate the freedom we enjoy and so proud to be an American! I visit there frequently when Wade goes there for business. Each year I take one child to tour with while Wade is tied up with business and this year it was Laurisa's turn.
Since she graduated we made it her Senior trip and she brought her goodfriend Alexis Flake. The trip started in Baltimore so we could see Wade's brother Justin. He is there for Dental school. Wade paid Laurisa to sing her favorite song from Hairspray, "I Love You Baltimore!", right when she got off the plane. Justin toured us around Baltimore and took us to his favorite Afganistan restaurant with his girl friend Beth. It was so much fun to meet Beth and spend time with the two of them. We ended the night with amazing Gelato Italian ice cream.We spent three days in D.C. sightseeing all the monuments, memorials, and museums. Alexis's Dad is a U.S. Congressman, so she got us on some special private tours. It was fun to spend time on the floor of the House and to hear all her political stories. One of our favorite restaurants was the Corner Bakery. Alexis got us hooked on Panini's. When we came home she surprised us with a Panini maker. What a wonderful trip and fun memory we will cherish.

May Highlights

Okay Okay so I got a little behind on blogging, my friends and family keep reminding me that I haven't blogged in a while...like I didn't realize that myself. Sometimes life just gets in the way. May was one of the craziest months ever with such big events happening in our lives! Mitch received his Eagle, Jake got promoted from Jr. High, Laurisa graduated from High School, and got her schedule all ready for ASU next fall, Mitch got his driver's license, Mitch went to EFY, Jake went to Lake Powell, trying to soak up that last few weeks of mother daughter time with Joslyn before she moved to Utah, and Wade and I took Laurisa on a Senior trip to D.C. with her friend Alexis. So now you see why I got a little behind. I was also busy making Laurisa a graduation quilt with all her t-shirts from growing up, besides jewelery orders. So did I give you enough excuses.
As much as I love blogging, for therapy sake I've decided that it has become one more thing to fall behind with. A favorite saying comes to mind, "the hurrieder I go the behinder I get!" I really do need to slow down but life isn't affording me that luxury at the moment with three teenagers at home. Although Wade and I did experience an empty house for two days at the end of May when all the children were out of town. I have to say it was bliss and gave me a glimpse of what are life will be like in less than 5 years! Wahoo!

Jake's promotion from Jr. High School. This means our baby will be in High school next year. Wow times flies when you are having fun. I didn't think it was possible to be any more social than his older siblings, but I think Jake has them beat in this department. Jake spent the day and night celebrating with friends at several parties. Jake is really looking forward to going to High school with his brother Mitch next year.
The night Laurisa graduated from Highland High was an unusual one for Arizona since it rained during the graduation ceremony. Arizona schools always have their graduation ceremony's outside on the football field since the weather is always so beautiful in May. The last two years has proven to be opposite of good weather and it has rained. It made for an exciting fun memory which I think Laurisa attracted since she loves the rain. Anyone that knows Laurisa knows how much she loves the rain, for many reasons (none of which I should disclose on a blog) Laurisa got to speak at baccalaureate and graduation. She didn't skip a beat as the rain kept falling. Her speech was so inspiring and motivating. She takes after her Dad with her speaking abilities. After, we all came to the house to celebrate. It was quite a celebration! Thank you family and friends that have sent her cards and money. She has felt showered with love!
Mitch gets his driver's license. Without hurting any one's feelings I have to say he is the best driver ever. He is very competent and safe on the road and what a blessing to have him run errands and drive him self to his new job at Tilly's this summer. Way to go Mitch!

Best Birthday Present Ever!!!

Mitch received his Eagle at a Court of Honor at our home on my birthday! This is the best birthday present this mother could ask for. He actually received his Eagle in the mail several months prior and we were waiting for a court of honor. Without us knowing Mitch had told the Eagle specialist that he didn't need to be recognized so when I caught wind of this I asked Mitch if he would please do it for his mother.It was such a wonderful ceremony and we all enjoyed seeing Mitch presented with his Eagle. Mitch's leader made the comment that he won the record for having the most girls at an Eagle project. Mitch had an overwhelming turn out---over 60 people came to help and support him with his project. Mitch was able to recognize all his leaders and mentors for their support and hard work in helping him through the many years of the scouting program.I enjoyed presenting him with a framed memento of his Eagle certificate, picture and pin that he can display on his wall.It was such a great experience as a mom watching him grow and show such leadership during his Eagle project. His project was for Save The Family where he restored a home for a homeless family. He planned and led this project all by himself, but I had the privilege of driving with him to all the many places to get donations. It was such a wonderful experience for a mom to see the respect he commanded always being dressed in uniform and to see him grow in so many ways through the whole experience. I am so proud of you Mitch for the person you became and all you learned while achieving the highest rank in scouting! Thanks for the best birthday present ever!

Women's Conference

This year we stayed with family for Women's conference. The Whitings let us stay in their basement apartment. It was better than any hotel. They were such wonderful hostesses! It was great to get to see everyone. Emily always makes me feel so loved she couldn't wait to see me so I talked all of my friends into stopping by her house. I would travel any distance just to have her hugs and kisses! She is the most loveable child. Amber was able to join us for the Thursday Conference! Thanks Mom and Dad for allowing us to stay with you!

Women's Conference was amazing this year! I don't know if it was just more needed that made it so wonderful, but I have never seen the Marriott Center filled to the brim. I couldn't get enough of the whole experience. It is truly one of my favorite things to partake of. I felt like a sponge trying to take it all in and seriously couldn't get enough. I always feel so uplifted being a part of it all! This is the third year we have been together at Women's Conference--Kelly Breinholt, Jan Child and Kathy Rollender ( we missed you Kathy Gray). I enjoy the tradition. We have such a great time together. We stayed up late playing "canasta" and laughing so hard that we couldn't breathe. I have the best friends in the world and love them all, they inspire me to want to be better.

The beauty of Utah surrounded us wherever we went. We loved seeing the tulip festival, going to the Timpanogas temple, shopping, massages, and dining.

Prom 2009

Prom was a special one this year because both Mitch and Laurisa were able to go together in the same group. She truly preferred having the opportunity of going to Prom with her brother instead of her other group of friends. I was amazed at the choice she made and the closeness she has with him. They had such a fun night and said it was one of their favorite dances. It will be a memory that they always will share together.

Chick Cruise

I was invited on a "Chick Cruise" by a wonderful friend of mine, Britt Booher (our amazing cruise director). I was a little apprehensive leaving my man behind and going with a bunch of women but it turned out to be an amazing adventure! Even though I got a little home sick, which was a first for me, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it with these remarkable women. It was a group of twelve women, 6 of them were already great friends and by the time the cruise was over I felt like I had known all these women a life time! It was so fun to meet new friends and cultivate better relationships with my already friends. All these women are truly amazing and I enjoyed being able to rub shoulders and learn from each one of them! I love them all---they are so much fun to be around.
The cruise ship went to Key West and Grand Cayman Island. Everyday was filled with adventure, excitement and lots of laughs. We had many inside jokes through the trip, "Do you believe in destiny!", "How's my bangs?", My husbands a nerd he'll take lots of pictures of you!", my roommate is high maintenance,....etc! The food was amazing on the Celebrity. I loved to go to the spa and eat at the spa restaurant. I could eat food like that everyday and be so happy! We all also loved the ice cream, coconut was a favorite! One of the highlights was "Sting Ray City" in the Cayman Islands. I had this baby sting ray just latch on to me and give me hugs! I could have taken the sting-ray home if I could have figured out a way. I think it would have been very happy in our salt water pool as a pet. We spent a day canoeing and biking around the Island of Key West. It was so fun to bike and stop and shop and eat! What a fun adventure it was! It is amazing the power that many women have together! We could usually talk our guides into just about anything, except picking a plumeria flower on the side of the road. Everyone was so accommodating!