Part 3 Shuttle Launch

We were in Florida when the Shuttle Discovery was set to launch. Dave has a great contact with a friend in the police department who knew the best place to watch the launch. He came and set us up with binoculars and everything! We were about 4 miles away and saw the shuttle go and it was so cool!! But the best part was about 3 or 4 minutes after the launch we were able to feel and hear the rumble! It was amazing to think that people were actually on there way into space. This was one of highlights of our whole trip! John(Dave's friend)showed us a shortcut back to our house so we didn't have to sit in too much traffic. The 11 o'clock news reported that the freeways were still bumper to bumper traffic at the time of the newscast!! We had already been home for 3 hours. Thank you SOOO much John!

Part 2 Sea World

We went to Sea World on Monday. (Presidents Day) I was a little worried that the parks would be so crowded but it wasn't bad. We were some of the first ones in the park and ran to the best ride!! Kraken!! There was still no one in line so we ran around and went on it a second time. We had a great time walking around and seeing all the shows and the kids favorites were the Sea Lion show, and of course Shamu! I think my favorite was the dolphin show. Zach is pictured here with a pearl diver. They were in the water all day!! They could stay under for such a long time. It was pretty neat.

Florida Vacation 2011 Part 1

Florida in February...Heaven!! We left the cold,dreary weather of Spokane to head to Florida with the family. This is the first vacation where all of us flew on an airplane together. Actually this was all of the kids second time ever on an airplane. We left Spokane around 7:30am on Feb.18th and flew into Minneapolis. We had a 3 hour layover there and then flew into Orlando. We landed around 8:00 p.m. It was a long day but we were all excited so it didn't seem so bad. The first thing my kids talked about were how big the Orlando airport was and they saw palm trees for the first time (in the middle of the airport). We got our rental and headed to the house that would be our home for the week.

This house was great!! 5 minutes from all the parks. 4 bedrooms 3 baths and a heated pool!

Saturday, Feb. 19th Animal Kingdom
This was a great park to start our adventure. It was a lot of fun. Highlights from this park were the Mt. Everest ride and the Kilimanjaro safari.(pictures to come later)
Sunday, Feb.20th Church, Swamp boats and Coco Beach
We found a meeting to go to here and I can't even imagine how many visitors this ward gets each week but it is so nice that we can find the church on vacation. This building was so much bigger than ours. I still can't get over the stadium seating in the chapel!!
After church we wanted to have a low key day so we headed over to Coco beach. We stopped for an airboat ride and we actually saw a crocodile! We also saw a turtle which our guide told us "was good eatin'" Yuck!!!

The beach was so crowded and it seemed like it was spring break for all the college kids!! The groups were awful and the girls barely covered so we tried to make our way through (with the boys eyes covered) and found a quieter spot to enjoy the sand,sun and waves. The water was so much warmer than the west coast! We found a blue jellyfish and had fun taking beach pics.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I am so grateful to have an amazing valentine! It is incredible to think he has put up with me for 20 years. He is my rock. He is an amazing father to my kids and knows just what to say. He is always willing to listen to my ramblings that usually make no sense at all. He makes me laugh till I cry. He is the life of my party!! To my best friend and "my lawva" Happy Valentine's Day!

Going's on's

I have yet to buy a lens for my camera yet so I have no pictures to add to my blog...so sad. But I wanted to write down some things that are happening here in Spokane.
Dave has been traveling quite a bit. Australia last month, New Jersey this week and then we leave for Florida on the 18th as a family. Zach was accepted to BYU-I and is still waiting to hear from BYU-Provo. I am still in denial about having a child ready to go to college!
Kelsie is loving life and has a date almost every weekend!! Not with the same guy!
Caleb just finished his driver's training course and now just has to practice driving until he can take the test in August. He has been running still even in the freezing temps! Track season starts soon.
Jacob has been playing school basketball and made the Varsity team. They have had a undefeated season so far!! It is fun to watch him play.
I am a mom who tries to keep up with everything and I am trying to enjoy the ride! I love my kids...they are great kids. I love watching them learn and grow and live! I am for sure ready for winter to be done and some spring-like weather to start!

New Year's Resolutions

I was wondering why it is we make New Year's resolutions? I guess I understand that it is a new year, a new beginning. But who feels like making new goals right after a crazy holiday season and right in the middle of winter?! So I am boycotting this concept for 2011. I am going to rid myself of the guilt I feel by not setting new goals and then failing. Now do not get me wrong, I will try to be better, do better and better my family and community each day. But I can do without the guilt and self loathing when I mess up!

Christmastime is here!

I have needed to update my blog and I finally have taken the time in my busy life to do this. We have been enjoying the feeling of Christmas around the house. Spokane received a huge dumping of snow around Thanksgiving and brought back some very bad memories of 2 years ago when we were buried in snow until June. The snow is very pretty to look at but not so fun to drive in. Just ask Zach. He was driving home and hit a patch of ice and slid into a very innocent tree. The tree was a little stronger than the subaru which is now smashed on the front driver's side. We are glad Zach wasn't hurt and now he has a project to work on during the boring winter months!
We are excited to head to Boise for Christmas. It will be nice to be with family. We are looking forward to being there to see Tamra be married. (The first niece on my side)
As this Christmas time is here it always gives me time to reflect on the blessings and the love I feel from my Savior. I am grateful for his birth and his life. I am grateful for a wonderful husband and amazing kids who constantly shower me with love. I am truly blessed!