Our Bucket Filler

Will was recognized by the teachers at his school as a "bucket filler" at Smalley Elementary. He received a certificate and the bright green shirt he is wearing. Will is an extremely bright and intelligent child but it means even more to me that he is nice and considerate of others. He fills my bucket every day!

Overnight Camp Trip to Death Valley

We have been to Death Valley a couple of times but never to the park's north end. So...after my parents came to town to see Taylor's play, they went to Death Valley to explore and we joined them Friday night for a quick one night camping trip.

Gas prices at the one station in the park. Glad we filled up in Pahrump!

 Pictures from Scotty's Castle

This last picture is from Ubehebe Crater. It was VERY windy up on the crater's ridge.

Taylor is "Little Mermaid"

 What a show! Last week we had the button popping privilege of seeing our daughter show off her talents in her role of Ariel in "Little Mermaid" She was incredible (if I do say so myself)! I could tell she was having so much fun up there on stage. When she sang her solo, I got teary-eyed and cousin Anna, Nana, and Papa admitted to feeling the same way. Can't wait to see where Taylor's talents lead her! She has already been invited by the director to join the more advanced class called "Stars" for this upcoming semester where they will be doing "Annie". Here are some pics from the musical:

 Ariel and her friend Flounder

Taylor and her friends Reese, Lilly and Madison who came to support her. They were so fun to watch because they were so excited to be there and they all watched in anticipation whenever Ariel was with Prince Eric, wondering if they would kiss. Then they all looked at each other with huge grins when the happy couple hugged. You have made us very proud Taylor!

Nice, Long Weekend in Oceanside

 My kids were lucky to have a four day weekend on President's Day weekend so we decided to do a trip to Oceanside where we would meet up with Aunt Erin and Uncle Adam's family.

On Saturday, we went to one of my must-sees in San Diego, the Mormon Battalion Historical Site in Old Town San Diego. You learn so much about the Mormon Battalion and the things they experienced on their journey west and their influence once they arrived on the coast. The kids always have fun with the presentation as its so interactive.

The kids could spend hours panning for gold

 Making bricks is serious business

 Hanging out in the covered wagon are Reagan and Noah. I loved watching them together the entire trip.

 Make sure you check this place out next time you're in San Diego!

After the historic site, we walked up the street to the Acapulco restaurant. They made an incredible table side guacamole. Yum! I want some now just thinking about it. They gave all the kids these hats too. As a parent, I was like "cool--now I don't have to buy them a souvenir!"

 In front of the Whaley House (no ghost hunting today however.)

 We made a stop at the San Diego Temple to visit the grounds.

 Aunt Ernie being goofy.

Sunday we went to church, relaxed, and walked down to the beach. Taylor ended up getting a slight fever and Reagan would throw up while Eric and I were watching TV at night. Why oh why do my kids seem to ALWAYS get sick when we travel? I couldn't sleep well and wondered if we would get to go to Legoland in the morning. Miracles do exist! Taylor perked up nicely when dosed up on Advil and Reagan must have overdosed on junk food because she was as good as gold in the morning. We would meet a guy near the ticket booth that morning who if we joined him in the purchase of our tickets (he needed at least 10 people in his group), we could get everyone in for only $21 each! We wondered if this was a hoax and we also couldn't believe the ticket booth would end up letting us do the transaction using two different credit cards. But it happened and we were ecstatic to have saved such a wad! We just hope the Shifletts will forgive us someday for not making sure they got in on the deal. ;)

 Uncle Adam and Megs

 Reagan having a good time with Daddy

 Yes--I understand the rules to driving.

Reagan and Lyndsee

 Isn't this what this place is all about?

 Will and Taylor like posing with the characters. Lyndsee won't because she's afraid of them and Taylor just isn't interested anymore.

Getting on a big kid ride.

I have to write this down before I forget!

Tonight we were at our ward Christmas party. The bishop plugged in the microphone next to the table we had staked out and asked Will if he wanted to test it. Will got all shy and didn't claim his opportunity which surprised me because he loves speaking into microphones. He realized over the next few minutes that he had passed up a valuable opportunity and mentioned it the bishop the next time he walked by. The bishop told him that when the party was ready to get started that he would let Will welcome everyone so be thinking about what he would say. Several minutes later it was time to get the party started so the bishop handed Will the mic and this is basically what he said in a loud clear and fun sounding voice: "Welcome everyone to the ward Christmas party where we've come to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. And now I'll turn the time over to the bishop to see what he has to say". Everybody chuckled and I was floored. I felt myself turning red not from embarrassment but from pure surprise. He had said all that without any hesitation whatsoever. You would have thought it had been scripted. Anyway, I love to see my kids in moments of confidence and testimony.

Thanksgiving Weekend

We have spent the last two Thanksgivings away from family so it was a treat to go up to Salt Lake to spend this holiday with family. Eric was off for the whole four days we were gone so besides the visiting, we took the kids roller skating for the first time at the Classic Fun Center in Sandy. A place I grew up skating at almost every month it seemed. We also went to a movie and out to dinner at the Gateway in Salt Lake as well as take Trax to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. Good times!

Eric's family with everyone that came except Aunt Cindy who had left before we got a picture. We miss Marcy, Tamie and Chris' families!

Some more pictures from Thanksgiving Day

Lily So Sweet

Jocelyn the Adorable

Lyndsee snacking on Grandma's famous cheeseball appetizer

 All the grandkids on Cydnee's side of the family

 Siblings and their spouses along with my Mom and Dad

My neice Ella. She's just too cute to leave off of this blog post.

Horseback Riding

Thanks to some friends in our ward, the Tanners, we were able to fulfill Taylor's dream of riding a horse. It was so much fun for everyone!

Will is timid of some of the rides at Disneyland, but not this ride. He was actually the first one to get on Jackpot the horse.

 

 

 

We also got to feed the horses. I was trying to show the kids how to palm feed some grain to the horses and almost got my fingers taken off by the BIG horse. Luckily he didn't bite down as hard as I'm sure he could have! It was a fantastic evening!