Spring Break---The Beach (part II)

There is only one word that can describe the last 6 days of our Spring Break and that is "Relaxing". After 2 days of skiing we drove with Nana, Paul and their good friends the Johnsons to stay at their beach condo in Rocky Point Mexico. The drive was quite an adventure when we realized the car with the men in it must have got talking and lost us. We couldn't catch up to them but we found our way all by ourselves. Way to go girls! I usually can find my way somewhere if I've been there once before. Thank goodness we arrived just before dark, so they didn't have to come looking for us!
We let our hair down and just enjoyed every moment of the beautiful beach and perfect 85 degree weather. Everyday Joslyn and I would go down and set up camp at the beach and read. I never left the beach until the sunset every night! It truly was what the doctor ordered for this mom. I felt like I was in Heaven. I hesitated making this post because I know Wade and Laurisa felt left out! We tried not to have to much fun with out them, so instead we just did boring things like reading, flying kites, building sand sculptures, floating in the pool and going down the slides, jacuzzing, game and movie marathons, throwing footballs, and buying food and gifts by the vendors(after a while we got very good at saying NO Gracias) although many had an attraction to Joslyn. I couldn't leave her on the beach alone because the locals always came by to talk to her. It was a great way to catch up on our Spanish though.

The highlight was when we said yes to the locals and hopped on horses on the beach. What a treat. I grew up riding horses on Saturdays with my mom so it was so fun to ride horses with her after all these years. We rode into the sunset and it was so beautiful! I just love spontaneity!

I have never come home from a trip so relaxed and rejuvenated! I had so much fun bonding with each of the children. Joslyn and I got a lot of time together reading, laughing and sharing with each other in wonderful conversation. My children are truly my best friends and there isn't anyone I'd rather spend time with! Thanks Nana and Paul for making this such a wonderful vacation. Wade I promise next time we will bring you with us!

Hair today, gone tomorrow!

Mitch asked Joslyn if she could bring her clippers on our trip. As soon as we got to the beach condo and unpacked our bags Mitch was begging Joslyn to cut all of his hair off! This is his 1st buzz! I love it---don't you think he looks handsome? I even think it makes him look older! We can't stop touching it, it feels so soft.

Snow for Spring Break! (part I)

Spring Break was very unique this year. We have learned to be spontaneous when plans change by the minute. We were supposed to be in D.C. or Chicago with Laurisa's Light group but with Wade in New York for his new position we had a change of plans. I decided to take the three kids skiing (Laurisa was in Chicago/Nauvoo area). The Breinholts invited us to stay at their cabin and ski/snowboard with them. We had the most wonderful time at their cabin playing games, watching movies ( in their private movie theatre), jacuzzing, zip lining and going out to dinner! They are such a fun family to be around!

The boy's couldn't wait to get home from the slopes so they could zip line! The zip line was incredible...it reminded me of the ones we went on in Hawaii. It was over 60 ft. tall and 250 ft. long. The boys loved every minute of it. We ran out of daylight so Joslyn and I will have to get our turn next time.

ST. PATRICKS DAY!
Kelly and I ran to Walmart and bought every green thing we could get our hands on for St. Patricks day! The boys were a hit on the ski slopes with these big green wigs that covered their helmets. The best part about it was we always knew where they were...they could be seen a mile a way. We all made it through the day without a pinch! On the car ride home we had to stop at Mcdonalds and get our traditional Shamrock green shakes, especially for Wade since he couldn't be with us!
The weather couldn't have been more perfect if I would have ordered it myself. We actually kept having to shed gloves and coats through out the day. It reminded me when I was a teenager and skied at this resort with short sleeves and jeans! It was the perfect ski/snowboarding weather for two days of incredible FUN on the slopes!!!

Photography class 101

My friends Kathy Rollender and Kathy Gray and I took a photograhpy class to brush up on some new photo techniques. Every Wednesday the three of us along with Kelly Breinholt and Carol attend an Institute class together, so today after our class we went out to lunch and then took a photography class. The teacher had a lot of fun ideas. It gave me a small glimpse of how fun taking pictures with a whole different mind set can be. It motivated me to want to learn more and take more classes. Hopefully I can put into practice what I learned. I have so much fun with these women and love them so much! They have become my dearest friends and I always learn so much from them!

Datenight with our daughters!

What a treat to have the girls come with us on our date night! Wade and I have season tickets to Hale Theatre, since we knew how much the girls would love to go with us to the King and I, we bought them tickets! When we lived in St. Louis the girls were in the King and I so it has always had a special place in our hearts, it brought back memories of having to dye Joslyn's hair black every night before the performance.

We went out to dinner to Paradise Bakery ---Joslyn's favorite, and then off to enjoy the show. I love the music and story of the King and I. "Whenever I feel afraid I just whistle a happy tune ..., Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...ETC ETC ETC...!!! We had such a wonderful night with our girls! And we can't stop saying ETC, ETC, ETC!!!

Crazy Crazy Weekend!!!

Laurisa and I matched!

Every year "Light" performs a show in Arizona for us all to see. The Show Stoppers performance went through the different decades with song and music. They performed 3 shows this weekend! Since I helped with the water and flower sales I was able to watch all 3 shows and loved every minute. I don't know how Laurisa kept going, I was tired after this weekend just being a spectator. We were able to see all their new numbers before they took it on the road to Chicago! All of these performers are so amazingly talented. Laurisa had quite a fan club in the audience! You radiate with so much talent and sparkle on stage that is hard not to take your eyes off of you! How do you have so much energy with at least 20 song and dance routines and costume changes! Way to let your Light shine Laurisa!

After Laurisa's performance she went to her school Morp dance---she didn't get enough dancing in after 3 performances! I truly don't know how she crammed it all in but it turned out to be one of her favorite weekends of her life she said! It was Mitchell's first school dance, since they are both in Student Council together they were able to set up the decorations and take them down together. I love the bond these two teenagers have with each other.
MORP 2009

Happy Birthday to my Sweetheart!

Happy Birthday to my best friend, eternal companion, and soulmate! My thoughts have been focused on my husband all day even though we are a country away on his Special Day. He is in New York for training for his new position while we are on Spring Break in Mexico! That is so typical of Wade, he is always sacrificing for his family. He is truly the hardest worker I know. He puts so much effort in being and doing his best in everything he does in life. I am so grateful for his work ethic! He truly never ceases to amaze me with the things he accomplishes in life. I am always exhausted trying to stay up with him, there are times I want to quite trying but I can't because he always encourages me to be my best. He is the energizer rabbit. He is an amazing leader and influence for good. I love when he speaks and I come to hear him. I love knowing I am his #1 fan! Everything he preaches he lives. He is such an example of, "it's better to see a sermon than hear one". I as his wife can attest to him doing what he teaches his children to do. He is so patient and always believes in me! He truly is my best friend. I love being with him always because he makes everything so fun. He is truly the most positive person I have ever been around and always makes you feel better about yourself just being in his presense. I always tell myself that I am the luckiest girl in the World! Happy Birthday Wade, even though we are a country away you are always in my Heart!